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?

26. Chapter 26

The Clash for Kingdom Hearts

The World That Never Was

True to his character, Sora did cause a ruckus outside the castle's door. Distracting the Nobodies' attention, making an opening for Riku and Naminé to slip in.

"I hope Sora and the others will be okay." Naminé wished out loud as she watched a swarm of Nobody Dusks in the distance rush out of the castle, making their way down a flight of stairs. Only to be pulled back behind a corner by Riku as another group of Berserker Nobodies nearly bumped into her as they came rushing down from another crossing pathway. "(Gasp)!"

"..." They ran passed them, not even seeing them as Riku Covered Naminé in the darkness, his black coat and larger frame hiding her bright appearance from the passing eyes.

"Thank you Riku."

"Hm," He nodded to her, letting her pass once the coast was clear.

"C'mon. The cell area is not far away now." Naminé lead the way, knowing more about the castle's layout than Riku through past memories.

"..." But Riku could still Sense the presence of Kairi and Pluto's heart. Riku was pleased that the both of their hearts were still in good spirit. Although it didn't really help much with the guilt he was feeling for them having to be trapped in this place for nearly two weeks. But it was a good thing that they had each other and kept each others heart strong. Imprisoned alone in a place like this would likely destroy someone after the fourth day. As Riku could Sense them getting closer and closer to Kairi, he came to a stop once he could Sense her a room away. He stopped at the wall that separate the cell room from the upper floor. "Go on ahead without me."

"?" Naminé turned back to look at him, realizing that he was not following down the corner path that lead to the stairway down to the prison room. " But Riku-"

"Get them out of there. I'll cover you from the shadows." Riku instructed, opening up a Dark Corridor that lead straight into Kairi and Pluto's cell. "Go."

"..." Naminé knew that Riku was still self-conscious about his physical changes and was uncomfortable about letting Kairi see him like this. But this running away would have to stop. It was getting them no where. Something will have to be done about this...later. "Alright Riku."

"..." Riku silently nodded in gratitude for her cooperation. Now all they had to worry about is opening up a doorway for Sora and the others to get inside the castle.

Naminé had walked into the Dark Corridor, slightly cautious of what or whom else might be outside Kairi and Pluto's cell. Looking around to see that the coast was clear and slightly panicking when Pluto started to bark. Hoping that his barking didn't draw anyone else's attention, she quietly beckoned them over to her with a hand.

"This way." She whispered to Kairi.

"Who-?" She didn't seem dangerous and Pluto seemed to trust her. But Kairi wasn't in the mood to just hand over her trust to anyone, past experiences has taught her that.

"Believe in yourself. C'mon, hurry!" Naminé pleaded with Kairi to trust her, and for Kairi to trust in herself. The Organization could spot them at any minute and time was running out. She held out her hand to Kairi, hoping that she will take it.

"..." And she did. Walking over to Naminé, Kairi felt something familiar about her. Taking her hand she felt a light between them that reached into her heart that reminded her of Sora.

And unknown to Kairi that light from the bond she held with Sora opened up a pathway for Sora to get into the castle to reach her. Solving that other problem that Riku was worried about. Now all they had to do was get Kairi safely out of there.

Sora and the others were making a commotion down below at the castle's entrance stairway. Hopefully distracting the Organization long enough for Naminé to sneak Kairi out of there. It seemed to be working as Naminé was taking Kairi down a stairway path, when Saïx had decided to block their pathway with Berserker reinforcements.

"Naminé… There you are."

"Naminé…?" The name almost sounded so familiar to Kairi. Almost like something forgotten or lost in a chain of memories. But she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Naminé ignored Kairi's pondering and focused on Saïx.

"Kairi. I'm afraid leaving is not an option." Saïx held out a hand for her to take...just like Naminé did in the cell. However his gesture had more of an ulterior motive that he could not hide even with his lack of a heart. "I'll take you to see Sora."

"!" She flinched back from his hand, rejecting his offer.

"You don't want that?"

"I do. More than anything. But not with you around." Kairi got more an a defense and Naminé followed suit, ready for the fact that they were most likely going to have to fight their way through. Even if she was unarmed and her chances of winning was low, she would still fight.

"If I had a heart, this would be where I die of laughter."

Their will to fight and Riku's desire to protect his friends helped Riku summon the the Way to the Dawn Keyblade from within him once again. Coming out from the shadows, he struct down the Berserker Nobodies from behind. Bringing all the attention on him.

"You..." Saïx couldn't believe what he was seeing. He wouldn't believe that it was frustration that was rising within him from Riku's presence. "Didn't Roxas take care of you?"

"You can take it from here, Riku." Naminé said in relief, relaxing her guard as Riku had finally come out of hiding. Frustrating and silently bringing Riku's mind into a panic as she had said his name out loud in front of Kairi. If he didn't know any better he'd believe that she did it on purpose.

"Riku?!" Kairi almost couldn't believe what she was hearing. It didn't really look like Riku. Even with the coat covering him, he was clearly too large to be Riku even if its been a year. But now that she truly got a chance to look him over, she could feel... "!"

"..." His cover was blown and there was no way to cover it. Way to the Dawn vanished f again as the rage built up inside him, making his clench his fists in frustration. With the anger flowing out of him, there was no way to take the Dark out of his Fire attack. Nor at the moment did he care. He threw the Dark Fire at Saïx, forcing Saïx back as he blocked. He charged at Saïx as he recovered from the blow, ramming him into the wall as he grabbed Saïx by the collar of his coat. But Saïx had opened a Dark Corridor behind him, making a retreat into the wall.

"Wait!" Kairi called after him as Riku was about to follow after Saïx into the Dark Corridor.

"..." Riku was about to ignore Kairi's call when Pluto got in his way and playfully shooed Riku away from the Dark Corridor. Stuck between a tight spot with nowhere to go without actually hurting anyone, he was forced to hold his ground as Kairi approached.

"Riku...you're really here..." Kairi happily said in overjoy as she lowered his hood. Revealing the face that was not the Riku she knew.

"..." He turned his head away in shame. He didn't want her to see him like this. He waited for the gasp and shock of fear that would come as she looked upon his face. The face of Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness... "!"

But what he didn't expect was for her to hug him. Pluto was still barking, circling around Riku with his tail wagging as he was happy to see him. While Kairi rested her forehead on his chest where his heart was.

"I've wanted to see you...I've been waiting all this time!" Kairi said, pulling away from the hug a bit to look up at him. "Your appearance might be different, but you're still Riku! You're still you!"

"Kairi…" Riku said, in his actually voice. Not in his Ansem, Seeker of Darkness voice, but his actually voice. It almost felt like its been so long since he's heard his own voice. But her words made him feel happy inside. It made him feel...like he was still himself. "More might be coming. We've got'ta keep moving."

"O-okay. But Riku…" Kairi hesitated to ask. "Why do you...have that face?"

"..." It was an honest question to ask, one he couldn't fault her for. Even as she closed her eyes to try and find his true appearance in the darkness. "Kairi…"

"Ah...!" Her eyes opened, pulling the imagine from the darkness and keeping close to heart as she looked at the face before her.

"I didn't want you to meet me like this. You're right to be surprised."

"Mm-hmm!" She nodded as she came in for a hug again.

"H-hey, cut it out!" Riku said, getting slightly embarrassed for all the emotions he was receiving. If he started crying because of this he would never be able to live it down. Even though he was embarrassed he still didn't do anything to push her away.

"Unh-unh!" Kairi shook her head, wanting to hug him for a little longer. Pluto barked in happiness as Naminé smiled, glad that Riku and Kairi could reunite once again. Now all that was left his Sora.

"Sora's here too, y'know." Riku informed her as she finally broke away from the hug and wiped away a happy tear.

"So let's go." Kairi replied, happy at the news that she was going to get both of her friends back today. "I bet he'll be happy to see you, too!"

"..." Riku would love for that to be true, but...he knew deep down that it was not to be true. "Naminé. Please take Kairi somewhere safe for me."

"!"

"Riku!" Kairi called back to him as he gently pushed her towards Naminé and started heading back towards the Dark Corridor. "Wait, let me come with you!"

"No way." He instantly shot her down. "...It's way too dangerous."

"!" Kairi was getting tired of being left behind. She ran in front of Riku, blocking the path with her arms. "No, not this time! I promise I won't get in the way!"

"Kairi…!"

"I'm through waiting!"

"..." He could recognize that determination in her eyes and could sympathize with the feeling. "(Sigh)...I guess I can't stop you."

Since it would be unwise to take Kairi in to a Dark Corridor that would lead back to Saïx or some other Organization XIII member, he decided to take the stairway path that they were initially going. As the four of them kept going, the party began to shrink.

Pluto had gone through a Dark Corridor, going home. His job here was done. Kairi no longer needed his help anymore, and was safe with Riku. King Mickey had his own battle to fight, and so he returned home to Queen Minnie's side in Disney Castle.

As for Naminé… She had ran by Kairi's side for a while. But outside of Kairi's notice, she had silently returned to Kairi's heart. No struggle, no fighting nor resistance. It was a peaceful transference back to her Other Half. Kairi didn't even notice as the steps beside her began to fade away as Naminé returned to her in gentle light. Giving Riku one last smile goodbye before she faded away back into Kairi. Riku remained silent as her parting from the realm of light was peaceful. She didn't disappear... She was whole again...

As Riku and Kairi continued on towards Sora's heart and the others should be, Kairi finally got a chance to take in the surroundings that she was neglected the chance to see in her cell. Noticing the giant heart in the night sky.

"Huh? What is that?! The moon?!" It looked big enough to be this world's moon. However, it didn't feel like no ordinary moon. "...Or is it...?"

"That's Kingdom Hearts." Riku answered for her.

"Kingdom Hearts...?"

"We'll have to put a stop to it sooner or later."

"Is that so..." She seemed so sad about that news. "But...the people in the Organization aren't all bad, are they?"

"?" That was a strange question for someone who had been imprisoned by the same people for nearly two weeks. "...Why do you say that?"

"Huh? Well... Axel...and that guy who was keeping watch on me...when I talked to them, I knew how they felt. They wanted to help me."

"Ah." Riku nodded, listening to her words. Coming to the understanding that she was seeing this for more than just black-and-white.

"I really didn't like that guy with the cross-shaped scar, though!"

"I see...to be able to get through to one's enemy like that..."

"You're such a sour puss, Riku!" Kairi pouted, crossing her arms together.

"Honest aren't we, Kairi?" That was so like her, it almost made him smile.

The two of them made their way down to the Hall of Empty Melodies. Where from the balcony above, they could see as Saïx surrounded Sora, Donald, and Goofy with Heartless Shadows and Armored Knights. Perhaps this was a well-timed part on Saïx's end, waiting for the right moment when Kairi and Sora would meet up so that Sora would be encourage to fight off the last Heartless they needed for Kingdom Hearts to protect Kairi. If this were true then Riku really underestimated Saïx. For a Nobody who claims not to have a heart to feel he sure was conniving.

"Sora!" Kairi called down to him, alarmed by all the Heartless that surrounded him. But at the same time...she was so glad to see him. "Sora! It's really you!"

"Kairi!" Sora had been distracted, glad to see Kairi again and that she was okay, the touching reunion was short-lived. He had let his guard down when he turned to Kairi, letting the Heartless jump on his back while he wasn't looking.

"Huh?! You leave Sora alone!" Kairi had jumped down to come to Sora's aid, only to be halted as some of the Heartless came to surround her. Attracted to her light as a Princess of Heart. They jumped her, knocking her to the ground as she struggled to get back up from their tackle. "Sora-!"

'Back to the Darkness.' Riku was quick to her aid, disintegrating the Heartless around her with his darkness. Grabbing her arm to help her back up he gave her a gentle push to stand on her own feet again. Realizing that she was going to jump into the fray whether he liked it or not, he saw that there was no point stopping her. But she couldn't join the fight empty handed, she needed to arm herself. Using the power of Cetra bloodline and his influence over Way to the Dawn, he tapped into the light in her heart to bestow her with her own Keyblade, Destiny's Embrace. As a Princess of Heart she was worthy and had the power to be a Keyblade wielder. "Take it."

It prove to be true as the Keyblade did not disappear as she took it from his hands.

"Mm-hmm!" She was pleased with her Keyblade, determined to play her part in the fight. "This time...I'LL fight. You know Sora's completely hopeless without us!"

'Well, she's not wrong.' Riku had to sadly admit to himself, but silently still finding it funning that she pointed it out. It sure makes Sora an unreliable hero from the sound of it. But what's wrong with that? Most just couldn't understand him. Sora... He's the type of guy who becomes invincible with his friends around.

"C'mon, Riku!" Kairi charged at the Heartless, whacking at them like a brawler.

'Since when did the role of princess and rescuer reverse?' Riku couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow as he watched Kairi go after the Heartless like a slugger. Slightly proud and inspired by her, he summoned Way to the Dawn once again to join in the fray. 'Well can't let her have all the fun.'

Things got a little crazy once Maleficent and Pete joined the party as well. Though Riku was glad to see that Maleficent was alive and well with his own eyes. He was shocked that she wasn't here to stop them, though not surprised that she had her own goals in mind. Either way, he was glad that she wasn't against them.

"Get off!" Sora finally pushed the Heartless off of him. He started trying to look for a way up to help Kairi. But soon realize that she was okay, fighting off the Heartless pretty well with...a Keyblade? And Ansem? "What's going on?"

Things got a little crazy when Xigbar entered the fray. Showering Sora with bullets as he halted Sora's progress forward.

"Have you been a good boy?" He asked.

"Show yourself!" Sora demanded, tired of the games.

"Oh, it sounds like you haven't." Xigbar shook his head in disappointment as he came through from a Dark Corridor. "Sora! Roxas!"

"Roxas?" There was that name again. Sora turned to Donald to make sure he heard him right. "Hey, did he just call me Roxas?"

Turns out he wasn't hearing things as Donald nodded in confirmation.

"You really put Organization XIII in a pickle. I guess that must be why the Keyblade chose you. But MAN, did it pick a dud this time. You don't look like you're half the hero the others were."

'Wait. Others?'

"Are you done rambling?"

'Dang it, Sora, this might be important.' Riku grumbled to himself in thought as he pushed back a Heartless jumping at him with his Keyblade.

"Rambling? As if! All I'm trying to tell you, traitor, is that your time is up!" Xigbar proclaimed as he summoned his Arrowguns.

"Here he comes!" Goofy shouted as they braced themselves for combat.

Sora had his fight and they had theirs. They had to get rid of all these Heartless before they could even make it over to Sora and the others. But just like he has proven many times before. Whenever he's with his friends, Sora practically becomes unstoppable.

And Xigbar learned this the hard way as he was brought down to his knee.

"Why did you call me Roxas?" Sora asked, no, demanded an answer. To which Xigbar only laughed with a grin.

"Wouldn't you like to know..." Was the last thing he said as he faded away.

"Hey! Hold on!" Sora called out, but it was useless as he vanished into the darkness.

"Sora! It's Kairi!" Donald called to his attention as Kairi and "Ansem" were still fighting off the Heartless.

"Kairi! We're on our way!" Sora called up to them as he made a run for the door to the Naught's Skyklay to make his way up to them. By the time he had circled around, fighting his way through the high-ranking Nobodies to make it to the Hall of Empty Melodies' upper Floor, they had already cleared out the Heartless.

"Kairi, you were great!" Donald complimented her, drawing Kairi's attention.

"Oh?" She turned around, startled to see them there but still happy nonetheless. She walked over to meet up with Sora.

"You are different, Kairi, but I'm just glad you're here."

"You and Riku never came home, so I came looking for you."

"I'm sorry." Sora apologized, ashamed that he left her waiting for so long. She was counting on him to bring Riku home, but all he could do was leave her waiting for them to come home alone. But that didn't matter, she still ran over to him and hugged him. Her grip was so tight, as if afraid to let him go. "!"

Like he would disappear again...

"This is real..." Kairi almost couldn't believe it herself.

"..." Sora could understand the sentiment. He was feeling the same thing too. Finally returning the hug, though a little more gentle. Afraid that if he gripped to hard she might slip away again. Donald and the others found the moment so sweet.

"..." Riku thought the same thing too. Though he knew that he could no longer play his part in this. He had helped Sora and the others find their way to the Castle that Never Was and reunited Kairi with Sora. Now was the time to exit the curtains. Before it was too late to retreat.

Opening up a Dark Corridor, he turned to make his escape in the hopes of not being noticed.

"Wait, Ansem!" Sora called out to him.

'Can I have JUST one thing go my way today?!' Riku cried out in his brain in frustration. Stopping in his tracks as he slightly turned his head to look back at Sora. Trying to play it cool so Sora wouldn't notice a difference in "Ansem's" behavior.

"I mean, Xehanort's Heartless..."

'Sora, you're wrong!' Riku shouted in his mind but never corrected Sora out loud. "..."

"I never thought for a second that I'd ever see YOU again. Just thinking about all the things you did makes me really mad."

'Ouch.'

"But... But you saved Kairi, right?" Sora stated in honest gratitude. "I have to be grateful for that... Thanks."

"..." Seeing as Sora finally got all his feelings about "Ansem" off his chest. Riku felt that it was his time to go. Walking away, he was halted once again, this time by Kairi.

"Riku, don't go!" Kairi begged as she grabbed at his arm.

'I see once again my cover has been blown.' Riku groaned in his head as he turned to look down at Kairi with pity and hurt. 'Really Kairi, you and Naminé. You two really must be one and the same person.'

"Huh?" Donald and Goofy gasped in disbelief.

"Kairi, what did you just say?" Sora couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Riku." Kairi repeated to Sora, trying to make him believe her. But his disbelief was still enough for Riku to possibly make it out of there without his secret being revealed.

"I'm no one- just a castaway from the darkness." Riku insisted, trying to breakaway from Kairi's grip without hurting her. But she wouldn't let go.

"Sora, come here. Say something to him."

"?" Sora was still having a hard time understanding what was going on. But Kairi trusted this "Ansem" and was pleading for Sora's help, how could he not do what she asked? Besides...something did feel familiar about Ansem. These thoughts ran through Sora's head as he walked over.

"Here." Kairi placed Sora's hand in Riku's, much to both parties discomfort. "You'll understand."

"?!" Sora looked at Kairi saying with his face, 'Is this for real?'

"Close your eyes." Kairi insisted.

"..." Humoring her this far he might as well see where this goes. Squeezing his eyes shut while Riku eyes looked back at Sora in nervousness. He longed for this moment to be done and over with but at the same time still afraid about the truth being revealed. But it in the darkness, all is revealed to those that hide in it. Sora could see Riku for who he truly was. Even as he opened his eyes again to see the Ansem there, it was still Riku hiding in the darkness. "Riku…"

"..." Riku silently braced himself for what was to come next. Hoping that the reprimand and the accusations against him would be quick and done. However, he did not expect for Sora to fall to his knees, gripping Riku's hand like it was a lifeline. It was...heartbreakingly touching.

"It's Riku. Riku's here..." Sora struggled to hold back the tears as Riku turned fully around to face him, unconsciously doing it on instinct to make sure that his friend was okay. "I looked for you!"

"C'mon, Sora. You've got to pull it together." Riku gently said down to him encouragingly, not using his Ansem voice as he knew his friend needed to hear this from "him". Also, if Sora kept this up, he might actually start crying too.

"I looked everywhere for you!" Sora looked up at Riku, his eyes glazing with unshed tears.

"I didn't want you to find me." Riku honestly admitted.

"!" Sora had that look in his eyes as he shook Riku's hand, 'no, don't say that.'

"But it was him that was helpin' us, wasn't it?" Goofy cleverly pointed out.

"Huh?" Donald still not putting the pieces together.

"Those clues we kept finding. That musta been Riku."

"I was starting to worry you guys weren't ever gonna catch on." Riku honestly admitted to Goofy and Donald. Sora got back on his feet again, finally letting go of Riku's hand. "Sora never did pick the brightest friends."

"What do you mean by that!?" Donald stomped his foot in a pout at Riku's teasing. All joking aside, Sora kept focus on the matter.

"Why didn't you let me know you were okay?"

"I told you. I didn't want to be found." Riku looked away, realizing that he gave away falsity in his words. So he kept going as he looked at his hands. "Not like this... I couldn't. I fought with Ansem. With...Xehanort's Heartless- when it invaded my heart, and I won. But to use the power of darkness, I had to become Ansem myself."

"Does that mean...you can't change back?" Kairi asked in honest sympathy.

"..." He never tried... Looking back at his friends, he spoke with determination. "This battle isn't over. And until it is, I still need the power of darkness."

"Then...let's finish it." Sora spoke with such innocent logic, as if the answer were that simple. But to be honest, it kinda was. "You're still Riku, no matter what!"

Everyone nodded in agreement with Sora, lifting a weight off of Riku's heart that had been weighing down for a long time now.

"So how 'bout it: Think we can handle one last rumble together? The King's waiting!" Sora said, looking back at Donald and Goofy.

"Yeah! Let's get going!" Donald cheered in agreement.

With the reuniting of lost friends, Sora had unlocked the Oblivion Keyblade in his heart. A powerful weapon that he will likely need for the battle to come.

This all felt like a dream to Riku. He was back with his friends again and they still accepted him. It almost felt too good to be true.

"In the past, I was overcome by the darkness and betrayed you. Look what's become of me." Riku admitted as Sora re-equipped himself. "I wasn't sure I wanted to see you...but Kairi insisted."

He was stopped in his ranting as Sora pinched his cheeks, giving them a stretch for good measure.

""Wasn't sure?" Wasn't sure what?" Sora huffed at him, tired that Riku was still beating himself up about the past. What was done IS done. He just wanted his friend back. "I'm fine with whatever! You're still Riku, no matter what your face looks like!"

"!"

"But it's really quite amazing!" Sora pointed out, backing up a little as he measured their height difference with his hand. "I had to stand on my toes to match your height."

"...Heh." That was a good one on Sora's part, he almost made Riku shed a traitor tear in laughter. "Geez... You really don't know how to read a person's mood!"

"Alright then!" Sora smiled with a big grin, grabbing both Kairi's and Riku's hand. "Let's finish this up and go home! The three of us, back to our island!"

That actually got a big smile from Kairi and a grin from Riku. They were all ready to go home...

So ready for what was to come, they proceeded on through the next door. Leading to the chamber called Proof of Existence. A chamber filled with doors that teleported to different locations in the castle. Realizing that only one door was open at the moment, they took it out of the chamber. Where it took them to an open area that gave them a great view of Kingdom Hearts...and two other surprises.

"What's that?" Sora asked, noticing the weird light coming off of Kingdom Hearts.

"It's the King and DiZ- I mean, Ansem the Wise." Riku replied, not really knowing exactly what they were doing either. It wasn't revenge, Mickey and Riku both clearly stated to DiZ that they would not help him with his revenge. So it must be something else. "They must be higher up. We better hurry."

Sora nodded, heading off towards the next opening as the others followed after him. When they were suddenly split as another Organization member made his appearance between them.

"?!"

He said nothing. Snapping his fingers as giant cards circled around the others.

"!" Riku could Sense the Magic that was happening. He was casting a form of Transform on them. "Sora! Some members of Organization XIII see fighting as a game. No matter what the rules are, you'll always have a chance to win. Don't miss that chance."

"!" Sora couldn't ask Riku what he meant by that, but at the snap of the guy's finger the cards opened up to reveal that Riku, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy had all disappeared. They had all been Transformed into the cards. "You!"

"I'd rather we just skip the formalities." Was the last things Riku heard as Luxord introduced himself. Being sealed away in a card was making Riku…rather sleepy... "The first to run out of time is the Loser."

By the time Riku came to, Sora had defeated Luxord with one finally slash from his Keyblade. Cutting through Luxord's Cards defense. He fell to his knee as he faded to darkness.

"How could you...Roxa…" He asked Sora with his last breath.

"That's SORA!"

"..." Luxord just looked down as the darkness took him.

As his spell was broken with his defeat, the others had come back from the cards.

"You okay?" Kairi asked, realizing that Sora had to fight that guy alone.

"Yeah! No worries." Sora assured to her, grabbing yet another Secret Ansem Report that had fallen from a defeated Organization member here. Guessing that it would just have to be something he'd ask Aeris later to decode for them, once this was all over. Stashing it in his pocket with the other one from Xigbar, he looked on ahead. "Let's keep moving."

The door took them back to Proof of Existence. Although unlocking a new door to them. Realizing that they would have to unlock their way towards the door that lead to Kingdom Hearts or king Mickey and DiZ, they press onward. The unlocked door took them to a circular hallway that lead to an open area.

A new challenger was awaiting them. Observing Kingdom Hearts from the windows as they made their way in.

Saïx…

"Only you could have made it this far in one piece...Roxas." Saïx spoke, finally acknowledging them as he turned to face them.

"That's really getting old!" Sora was getting sick and tired of the Organization calling him that. But he couldn't say more as Donald and Goofy had moved in front of him to defend and block him off from Saïx.

"Yeah! He's Sora!" Huffed Donald.

"..." Saïx ignored their protest as he pulled out his Claymore. "Different name, same fate."

He had shot out a powerful blast with the swing of his Claymore, sending a powerful wave towards Sora and the others. Sora, Donald, and Goofy blocked the blow with their weapons. But Kairi couldn't pull out her Keyblade in time. Taking one for the team, Riku shielded Kairi with his body. The brunt force on his back push the two of them away from the others which Saïx sealed them apart with a Barrier. Leaving Sora, Donald and Goofy to fight him on their own.

"Can you feel it in the moon's power?" Saïx questioned them as he basked in the light of Kingdom Hearts, before coming at them in full berserker mode. "Moon shine down!"

"!" Sora and them had to take quite a beating from Saïx for a while as he charged through them with brute force.

"Be Gone!" He commanded as his Claymore came down, devastating the ground. "All shall be lost to you!"

Realizing that Donald and Goofy were just taking the beatdown with him, he came to terms that he would need to step it up a notch. Activating his Drive Form as he called for all three of his chosen Keyblades to his aid. It helped...but Saïx had a lot of health to help take a beating himself. The fight would be long and hard, and Sora would have to wait between Saïx's berserker rampages to deal him some real damage.

It took them some time. But, eventually... They got him.

"Well fought... If I had a heart..." Saïx grunted before he lost the remainder of his strength. He stepped back. Dropping his Claymore to the ground. Turning back around, letting his last moments be facing Kingdom Hearts. "Why... Kingdom Hearts... Where is my heart?"

A heartbreaking question to ask. One that the others didn't think him capable to ask. In his last moments, he reached out to Kingdom Hearts...before fading away to darkness like the others.

Leaving nothing behind but another Secret Ansem Report...

"..." Sora lowered his head, giving Saïx a moment of silence. Organization XIII, their all...so sad. Riku and Kairi approached- now that the Barrier was gone. Turning to face them, he asked the question that was burning through his mind since the moment he came to this castle. "I don't get it. Why's everybody been calling me Roxas?"

"Because, Sora." Riku struggled for a second, contemplating if he should tell Sora this. But...even if it hurts him for the moment, it was his right to know. "Roxas is your Nobody."

"My...Nobody?" Sora nearly screamed that out in shock. "But that's crazy, I never turned into a Heart...…"

Suddenly the memory hit him.

"Oh, right."

"It was when you came to rescue me, remember?" Kairi clarified for him.

"Xemnas was the one who found Roxas." Riku explained further what happened, crossing his arms as he went through everything that happened while Sora and the others slept. "He could use the Keyblade because he was your Nobody. That's why Xemnas brought him into the Organization-

"But Roxas betrayed them. After that I fought him because I thought it would help you wake up. I lost, but the next time we met I made sure I was the stronger one." Riku admitted, uncrossing his arms as he came to a realization. "Maybe I didn't need to fight him after all. I think he left the Organization because... ...he really wanted to meet you."

"?!" Somehow this news just made Sora feel sad... "Roxas… I wish I could meet him, too."

"..." Riku then walked closer to Sora, pointing towards his heart. Telling Sora that Roxas was there without saying a word. Sora got the message. "All right. Let's go."

This was no time for moping about. They had a fight to finish.

"Riku...how did you meet Roxas?" Sora had to ask.

"I met Roxas because of a guy named DiZ." Riku admitted, seeing that there was no reason to hide this from Sora anymore. "I didn't trust DiZ at first, but we both needed each other's help."

That was all Riku was going to say on the matter, they needed to get going. Mickey and DiZ were just up ahead, Riku was sure of it.

Returning to Proof of Existence they went through the next unlocked door. Which actually was the locked off stairs leading out of the chamber. Coming up from the stairway, they could see DiZ, or more correctly Ansem the Wise, shooting a machine's light at Kingdom Hearts.

'No, that wasn't it.' Riku thought to himself as he observed. 'The gadget's absorbing light from Kingdom Hearts. And it looks like the machine was being overloaded.'

Sparks started to fly from the machine. More than likely overheating in Ansem's hands, but he still kept going.

"All my research amounted to nothing, compared with that one boy's heart." Ansem said as Riku and the others picked up the tail-end of Mickey and Ansem's conversation.

"Ansem! The machine!" King Mickey said in alarm as the gadget began to spark and shake violently in Ansem's hold.

"All the more proof that hearts cannot be contained by data." Ansem accepted that he was wrong in his calculations and hypothesis, turning to his friend to warn him of the exploding outcome. "Run, my friend! It's going to self-destruct and anything could happen!"

"But..."

"Your Majesty!" Sora called out in alarm. Whether he was referring to king Mickey, king Ansem the Wise, or both, Riku would never know.

"Sora, the rest is up to you..." Ansem looked to Sora as everyone approached. "And Roxas- I doubt you can hear me- but... I am sorry."

"Ansem!" Mickey called to him in alarm as the machine shook more.

"My heart is telling me what I must do. Please allow me to do what it says!" Ansem said over to Mickey, pleading with him not to interfere.

"No!" Mickey was going to try and grab Ansem away from the Machine, but Riku pulled him back. Understanding to respect the wishes of another's heart...and the wish for redemption. "Riku!"

"His heart's decided. We can't change that." Suddenly he smelt the stench of darkness approaching them. "!"

A Nobody who's presence Riku's never had the chance of meeting before had arrived. But he recognized his pictures from Hollow Bastion Castle from his times patrolling with his mother.

Ansem the Wise's Apprentice … Xehanort's Nobody...

"I was wondering who would dare interfere with my Kingdom Hearts." The Nobody said as he made his appearance through a Dark Corridor, looking over the group. "And look- here you all are. How convenient for me."

"..."

"Ansem the Wise..." He looked over at his teacher. "You look pathetic."

"Have your laugh." Ansem didn't care anymore. He was tired of being ruled by his anger and thirst for revenge. It never got him anywhere... "I deserve as much for failing to see you for the fool you are."

"Students do take after their teachers. Only a fool would be your apprentice. After all, none of this would have happened without you." The Nobody claimed. "YOU are the source of all Heartless."

'That's a bold claim.' Riku thought to himself. 'Heartless have been around the worlds LONG before the fall of Radiant Garden and LONG before Ansem's research. They've always been in the dark.'

"It was your research that inspired me to go further than you ever dared." The Nobody continued.

"I admit...my disregard brought chaos to more worlds than one." Ansem claimed, not denying his part in all this. "But what were YOU seeking?"

"..."

"You erased me from the world, only to take my name and continue research better left forgotten... Is this the answer you've been looking for?"

"All that and more." The Nobody answered.

'All right, I'm getting tired of calling this guy "Nobody". Who is he?' The world answered Riku.

XEM...NAS...

"I carrying on what you yourself began, and I'm creating a brand new world, one heart at a time." The Nobody- Xemnas...continued. Behind his smooth words and charisma...his reasoning...was insane. "I thought you'd praise me, but all you ever do is hold me back. I understand, though. Unlike me, you have a heart. And you're powerless to control it. Consumed, by the jealousy you feel toward the student who surpassed you."

"Xehanort." Ansem sighed, shaking his head. "Foolish apprentice of a foolish man. You have surpassed nothing- only proved how little we both know. We may profess to know the heart, but its essence is beyond our reach. We're both ignorant- as oblivious as when we began. I'm afraid that any world you try to create... Any world of yours...would be an empire of ignorance."

Ansem had to look back at him in the face to say that one. A solid burn...

"That is why you and your creation are destined to fall!" Ansem proclaimed. He turned back to his machine. "We've said enough! Riku, you know what to do!"

"..." Riku nodded, understanding Ansem's last request.

"King Mickey, my friend, forgive me!" Ansem said, getting out his last goodbyes. Just in time as the machine overheated to the point of explosion. "Farewell!"

"!" The light was blinding, making it hard to see. But Riku knew what he had to do. He turned around, grabbing the others to stop from approaching Ansem. Knowing that king Mickey and the others, even if they didn't really know Ansem, would try to save him. He was grateful that Kairi helped hold Mickey back. Riku had to stop them, for their own sakes. And for Ansems...

The explosion unleashed a mushroom burst of light, that had spread and engulfed the area as Riku turned around to see what had happened. Blinding everyone as they took a step back.

Eventually the light faded, unleashing the hearts from Kingdom Hearts that the machine had absorbed into data. Raining them down on the world below the castle...attracting the Shadow Heartless.

The blast of light had knocked everyone down. Taking them a second to get back up again.

"Riku?" Riku heard Sora calling out to him, running to his side as he struggle to get back up again.

"Ah...huh?" Something felt different. He could feel it as he got up on his knees again. He felt...smaller.

"Riku!" Sora called out to him again.

"!" Sora was right next to him, but his vision felt strange. Something was over his eyes. Wait...his blindfold?!

He got up on his feet, slowly.

"Wow!" He heard Donald and Goofy gasp.

"Riku!" Kairi called, she sounded so happy.

'Was- was there something on his face?'

"Ansem did say "anything could happen"..." king Mickey said, coming up with an explanation.

'Anything can happen to WHAT? What's going on?!' Riku knew what happened, he could feel it. 'My body...I'm- I'm ME again...'

"Riku, you gonna take that off?" Sora asked, probably talking about his blindfold.

"Oh..." Right...He could see the world in the Light now. It took him a second to adjust his eyes to it, but he could see clearly with his Lifestream eyes.

"What was that?" Sora asked about the blindfold.

"His eyes couldn't lie." Mickey answered.

"Lie?" Sora turned to Riku, slightly pouted in accusation. "And just who were you trying to fool? Huh? Huhhh?"

"Myself." Riku didn't have it in him to make up excuses right now. He still couldn't believe that he got his body back...

"Riku…" Sora wasn't expecting an honest answer. "C'mon, man! Why did you try to do so much on your own?"

Sora ran over to the others in gesture.

"You've got friends...like us!"

"..." That was true...although he had relied on the help of others. He could have put more trust in them, instead of carrying out so much on his own. But if he were being honest, he regretted nothing. If his actions helped his friends...his family...he would gladly go through them again. No matter how painful they were. But even so, he was glad that all of them had his back. Though he'd never tell Sora that. "Have you forgotten? I'll tell you why. 'Cause I'm not a total sap like you."

"Say that again!" Sora dared him. Riku would have gladly told him again, but Kingdom Hearts was starting to act up...

"Uhhhh-oh!" Donald could say that again.

They all ran to look over the balcony to see a swarm of Heartless climbing their way up the castle walls.

"What should we do, Riku?" Sora asked, opened for suggestions.

"We must defeat Xemnas." Riku answered. "He's the Organization's last survivor."

"Right!"

'Guess I don't need this anymore.' Riku reached for his black coat, removing it to reveal the clothes under it. A new outfit in the others eyes, but secretly a nice gift from his mother he's had for a while. But he'd never tell them that. "C'mon!"

Picking up the Secret Ansem's Report left behind by Ansem, they continued onward. Riku's coat flying away in the wind. The time for hiding from the darkness was over.

It actually felt good fighting alongside Sora instead of against him for a change. The two had a good synch in a fight. Sora's Oblivion and Riku's Way to the Dawn fought together like brothers-in-arms. Although Riku's Cure spells were still weak, Sora and Donald easily made up for it, and Riku carried a lot of items to back them up.

They fought their way up through the High-Rank Nobodies to reach the Ruin and Creation's Passage. The pathway to continue up the platforms was invisible, revealing itself through a step of faith. The path still blocked by Nobodies. They had to fight their way through to reach to the top.

"Sora! Riku!" Kairi called to them, pointing out to the windows as Shadow Heartless climbed in. The Heartless were heading their way.

"There's going to be no end to this!" Riku practically groaned. They didn't have time for this.

"Together we can stop 'em!" Sora said, getting pumped.

"Hmph." You could always count on Sora to look on the bright side, Riku couldn't help but grin. Regardless, this was going to be a long fight. "!"

A fight they did not expect Maleficent and Pete to tag in for them.

"Be gone from here! Leave these creatures to us!" Maleficent commanded as Pete and her arise from Dark Corridors. Standing between the Heartless and them.

"But there's no way we can take 'em all!" Pete complained in honesty.

"I will be sending them after Xemnas." Maleficent explained her scheme, already plotting to use the Heartless to her advantage. It almost made Riku smirk. Some things never change. "Or, perhaps, you would rather fight them yourself?"

"..." Pete actually pondered this for a moment, scratching his chin in thought. "Frankly, my dear, I'd rather...RUN!"

"Off with you then!" Maleficent wasn't going to stop him if that was his choice.

"..." Pete WAS scared, he wasn't afraid to admit or show it. But he still wasn't running away. Looking to the side, he noticed Mickey there. "Well, if it ain't the boat-boy King."

"Time to weigh anchor, Captain Pete!" Mickey insisted, implying that it was time to stay and fight.

"What, like "abandon ship"? I don't think so!" Pete got Mickey meaning all wrong, but got the message.

"Sora! "Your Majesty"! Do not forget-" Maleficent called for there attention again, "when I've destroyed them all, this castle shall be mine!"

"Now lookie here. Opportunities like this don't come along every day, ya know." Pete pointed out to Mickey in reminder before running back to Maleficent's side. Whether through the darkness or through his fears, Pete would always have her back. Just as he has for a long time. "Bring'em on!"

"We gotta hurry." Mickey told the others as Maleficent and Pete charged into oncoming Heartless.

"But..." Sora didn't like the idea of leaving them to fight off the Heartless on their own.

"They're doing what their hearts command. We can't interfere." Mickey explained, learning from the experience with Ansem. The best way they could help them now was to end the fight with Xemnas and stop him from acquiring Kingdom Hearts.

Sora silently understood this. Heading off with the others as they took the stairway up to The Altar of Naught.

There, Xemnas was waiting for them. Standing under Kingdom Hearts.

"Ohh...my Kingdom Hearts...ruined. Now I'll have to start all over again." He didn't sound so displeased by the news. He turned around to face them. "Warriors of the Keyblade! Go forth, and bring me more hearts!"

"No!" Mickey, Sora, and Riku all declined without hesitance. Summoning their Keyblades for battle.

He must have lost his mind. Riku couldn't see why he would expect a positive answer. Either Xemnas has too much confidence in his charismatic persuasion or he was crazy?

"Denizens of light, answer this: Why do you hate the darkness?"

"Aw, we don't hate it. It's just kinda...scary." King Mickey answered in honesty. "But the world's made of light AND darkness. You can't have one without the other, 'cause darkness is half of everything. Sorta makes ya wonder why we're scared of the dark."

"It's because of who's lurking inside it." Riku answered, bringing Mickey back to the subject at hand. He mustn't fall for Xemnas's clever words or philosophy trip. King Mickey has to rise his Keyblade once again to face the one lurking in the darkness, without falter.

"Then allow me another question." Xemnas asked them again. "You accept darkness, yet choose to live in the light. So why is it that you loathe us who teeter on the edge of nothing? We who were turned away by both light and dark- never given a choice?"

"That's simple." Riku said, not falling for the guilt trip. For a guy who claims to have no heart, he sure knew how to pull at the heartstrings. "It's because you mess up our worlds."

"That may be..." Xemnas did not deny it. "However, what other choice might we have had?"

"Just give it a rest!" Sora said, hearing enough of this. "You're Nobodies! You don't even exist! You're not sad about anything!"

"Ha, ha, ha." Xemnas couldn't help but smile at Sora's observation. "Very good. You don't miss a thing. I can not feel-sorrow... No matter what misery befalls the worlds. No matter what you think, what you feel, or how you exist."

"!" They all covered their eyes as Xemnas summoned a blinding light.

Riku could Sense the presence of Magic.

This feeling...was it Manip? No, it was something stronger...

Lucky for Riku, he was immune to such Magic. But the others...not so much. He would have to break the Magic put on them.

"All Cure!" Riku raised his hand to the sky, casting All Cure, pulling his friends from the spell.

"Wah?" Donald looked around in confusion, along with Goofy and Kairi as they came back. King Mickey seemed to pulling it together again just fine. Sora...not so much.

"What's happening? Why isn't Sora coming back?" Riku couldn't understand, why wasn't the spell working? Was his Magic still not strong enough?

"Xemnas must have a stronger hold on Sora." King Mickey concluded. Perhaps Xemnas wanted grab ahold of Sora, no- Roxas, by himself. He must be trying to get ahold of the Keyblade again.

"Sora! Where are you?" Kairi called out to him.

"Sora, answer me!" Riku was starting to get worried.

Luckily Sora flapped back down on the ground by them after a few seconds, before they started panicking. Looks like he broke himself out of the spell, but was a little worse for wear. Almost like he had just gotten out of a fight.

Everyone ran to his side.

"You're okay!" King Mickey said in relief as Sora got back on his feet.

"Where's Xemnas?" Sora had a point. They all looked around, wondering where Xemnas could have disappeared.

"Wha?!" Donald was the one that spotted him. He was Floating above near Kingdom Hearts.

"Here me, Kingdom hearts!" He beseeched to the collection of hearts. "It seems we must begin anew. Ah, but know this: I will give to you as many hearts as it takes. Mark my words! You can no more be complete without me than I without you."

Whatever he was doing must have been working. Stray hearts around Kingdom Hearts were gathering to him.

"Heed me, Kingdom Hearts! Lend me your power, so that we may be complete! The power to erase the fools that hinder us."

"Xemnas! No!" Mickey shouted, knowing the taboo he was about to commit by absorbing others' hearts into himself.

"Hearts quivering with hatred..."

"Xemnas! Don't!" Sora pleaded with Xemnas to stop.

But he ignored it.

"Hearts burning with rage..."

"You'll never win!" Donald insisted to him that his attempts were folly.

"Hearts scarred by envy..." Xemnas continued to absorb the worse of the worse parts of hearts. The parts consumed by darkness. Not understanding that were other parts of the heart that makes it whole. "That fool Ansem said the heart's true nature was beyond his understanding. But it's not beyond mine! Hearts are the source of all power!"

"!" They were all blinded by the light as Kingdom Hearts blazed its power. Giving to Xemnas what he asked...but not what he needed...

"Xemnas! You can't hide from us!" Sora declared as the light finally simmered down, revealing that Xemnas was no longer there. Leaving behind only a Secret Ansem Report that fluttered down to the ground by their feet.

"We're not gonna let him get away now!" King Mickey insisted.

"Look at that!" Kairi pointed out. Something had appeared on the side of the Altar. Something big.

"What's goin' on?" Goofy asked as they approached the large door floating in the sky.

"Kingdom Hearts..." King Mickey answered.

"Let's go. Xemnas must be inside." Riku didn't know what Xemnas had waiting for them on the otherside, but Riku was ready to finish this. Riku could Sense in his heart the Worlds' hearts gathering all their power to help open up this path for them. They mustn't take this gift for granted.

"The worlds gave us this doorway." Mickey was certain of this. "They want us to be the guardians of their destiny!"

"Hm," Sora nodded in agreement.

"Once we go through, there's no turning back. It's victory...or oblivion." Riku pointed out. Reminding the others, especially Sora, that it was best to prepare themselves. "So, Sora...are you ready?"

He was ready.

He ran up to the door. Taking the transparent Bridgeway to it without fear. Beyond this door was the beginning of the end of their journey. And Sora was prepared for what lies ahead. They were all ready to end this!

The door was locked. But it was a small hinderance for one with the key. He returned back to the others side at the Altar for assistance.

Together with king Mickey and Riku, the three of them used the power of their Keyblades to unlock the Door to Kingdom Hearts.

"It all ends here!" Sora said, readying himself for the fight.

They all walked in. Cautious of what lies in Kingdom Hearts. Everything felt weird...like a city lost in the dark.

"Huh?!" And there Sora spotted Xemnas. Standing on a colossal Nobody outside of the city.

"So...it seems your hearts have led you to obliteration." Xemnas shouted over to them. "Perhaps it doesn't pay to be too loyal to one's heart. I will have to be sure and remember that."

With the wave of his hand, he sent a skyscraper flying at them. They ran, jumping out of the way in the Knick of time. Barely avoiding the rubble as the building shattered on impact. King Mickey and Kairi had landed outside the door during the commotion. The door was closing.

"No!" Riku shouted as he reached out to Mickey trying to make it back in before the door closed. He didn't make it in time. "There goes one of our Keyblade wielders. We'll two of them. Looks like we'll have to handle this with just the four of us.'

"We can take him on our own!" Sora said, not giving up as he summoned his Keyblade. Riku followed suit.

Sora lead the charged through the city. Cutting down the next building Xemnas threw at them. Having none of that as he sliced it into pieces. Sora lead the four of them outside of the city and towards the edge where the Nobody lies.

The colossal Nobody kept throwing buildings at them which Sora did an amazing job slicing through and using their pieces to jump the gap. Riku was impressed with how strong Sora had become. Although that pride was sadly overshowed by slight annoyance that it took the possible end of the worlds for Sora to finally focus like this.

They had jumped into the Nobody, coming to the realization that it worked like a ship. It had cylinder passageways. If they caused enough impact damage to the cylinders they could overcharge the core and take this thing down. And what luck did they have that Nobodies came flying at them as if volunteering for the job.

They started with the Left cylinder. Moving back from the left and right cylinder as the colossal Nobody naturally unleashed its charge. It took some stunt dodges to move out of the way of the charge burst, but it kept them alive and un-vaporized. And soon they had flung enough Nobodies into the cylinder to have it explode from overcharge. Once the cylinders was destroyed, they leaped their way to the center of the colossal where the energy core was.

The Core was protected by high-ranked Nobodies' Barrier. But that was a small stepping stone to get to the Core. And with the four of them, they took care of the Nobodies in no time. Although things got a little more hectic as stronger Nobodies came out the closer they came to destroying the energy core. Good thing Riku and Sora nearly made an unstoppable tag-team.

In no time the energy core was destroyed and the colossal stopped moving. With the battleship sized Nobody no longer a threat, they made their way up to the top. An Armored Xemnas was sitting on a thrown at the top. Waiting for them.

"Cursed Fools." He sneered at them, not rising from his thrown as the thrown literally attacked them. It would seem that he was controlling the colossal from his thrown and still had the power to use it to attack them from within it. He had called forth attacks from weapons like Xigbar, Xaldin, Saïx, Axel, Demyx, and Luxord. As well use that giant sword in his hands when Sora and them got too close. The battle was hectic with jumps and dodges as weapons came flying all over the place. But summoning the weapons of his fallen comrades was not the strangest thing about this. What Riku found the most strange was that his armor gave off the same essence as a Keyblade.

"This fight will go on forever if we can't get in close to Xemnas!" Riku was getting frustration at being pushed back. Apparently, so was Sora. Riku could see him breathing hard. Not out of exhaustion, but rage. "Sora?"

"Let's go!" Sora shouted as he tried to Form into his Valor Drive. But instead, in the moment of his heart overcome with frustration and rage, he turned into his Dark Form. His Anti Form.

"!" It was the first time Riku has ever seen this Form of Sora's before. And he would be lying if he said it didn't terrify him. "Get back!"

Grabbing Donald and Goofy under his arms, he jumped back as Sora had a ravage time-out-on-the-town with Armored Xemnas. His feral behavior and movements reminded Riku of a twitchy Shadow Heartless. He even looked like the Heartless Sora Copy Riku made of him back at that time in Neverland...but more ethereal and sinister as the darkness smoked off from around him.

'By the Lifestream…' Riku watch in horror with wide eyes as Sora made short work of Xemnas's armor. This wasn't normal. What the Darkness was happening to his friends...?!

"URR-AHAHHH!" Xemnas groaned as Sora struck the last blow. A light shined out from Xemnas's armored. Pushing Sora back and out of his Anti Form.

"We got him!" Sora pumped his fist in victory.

"Sora, what the heck was that?!" Riku asked in genuine concern.

"Heh, jealous of my Valor Form?" Sora gloating, thinking that Riku was getting jealous of him taking the final blow and how cool he looked doing it.

"That was not your Valor Form!"

"What are you talking about? That totally was."

"No, that wasn't. I've seen all your Drive Forms and THAT wasn't one of them." Riku insisted, pointing at him with an agitation in the gesture.

"I'd think "I'd" know what Forms I take better than anymore." Sora brushed off with a grin, resting his hands behind his neck. He had no idea what Riku was talking about.

"!" This was insane. He honestly believed that he had gauged into Valor Form. No, more than believed. It was like his memory had altered to fit his intended course of gauging into Valor Form, blocking out all existence of his Dark Mode. He was fully aware of what he did but at the same time not! Riku looked back to Donald and Goofy. "Is this often?!"

"Well..." Donald struggle to give him an answer, kicking a foot around as he cupped his wings/hands behind his back. "It doesn't happen too often... Sometimes?"

"Are you serious?!" Riku wasn't able to get to the bottom of this as the light shined brightly again, taking them back to the World That Never Was. Back at the Altar where Kairi and king Mickey were waiting on them. Xemnas had returned as well, clutching on to his wounds. All five of them got on defense, ready for if Xemnas decided to attack again.

"..." Xemnas had fell to his knee, almost looking surprised that he had lost. "I need...more rage... I need more...hearts..."

"Xemnas." Sora felt sorry for Xemnas, lowering his guard. After all this he still didn't understand what made up a heart. "There's more to a heart than just anger or hate. It's full of all kinds of feelings. Don't you remember?"

"..." He said with his last words, looking at Sora as he fades. "Unfortunately...I don't."

And then he was gone. It's over. It's finally over. They did it!

Sora, Donald, and Goofy cheered amongst the group in victory.

"Gosh, you all did great." Mickey praised them in their win, along with Kairi. Riku had walked away as they had their post-victory fest, looking off at the edge of the altar. Sora noticed Riku not joining in the fun. He walked over to his pal to see how he was doing. Now that all of this was over, Riku's plans afterwards were still in the unknown.

"You're coming back with us, right?" Sora asked him.

"I had given in to the darkness." Riku didn't feel like he had the right to return home after his actions.

"Riku!"

"How'm I gonna face everyone?" Riku seriously asked Sora, turning back to face Sora in his self-frustration. Only to be caught off guard as Sora squished his face between his hands like The Screamer.

"Like this!"

"Pfft Heh-ha hahaha." Sora got him good, he couldn't help but laugh. But then again, Sora was always good at making people laugh when they were down. But the fun was over when the castle started to shake, making everyone brace themselves. "?!"

"Hurry!" King Mickey ran up to them in warning. They have to go, the castle was falling apart!

"I'll open a path!" Riku had raised his hand to open up a Dark Corridor. But nothing came out... "Huh?"

He gasped. Why wasn't this working.

"You don't belong in the dark realm anymore, Riku." Mickey explained as Riku was looking at his hand in confusion.

"How do we get out of here, Your Majesty?" Donald ask. It was great that Riku was part of the light realm again. But that still meant they were stuck in the World that Never Was.

"Hmm..." Mickey thought about, drawing up a blank so far.

But coming in from behind like a ghost, Naminé appeared to save the day.

Riku could Sense her presence as she appeared. While Kairi and Sora...could feel her.

"..." Not saying anything, she turned around. Pointing as she opened a Dark Corridor for them.

Mickey and Donald ran up to the Dark Corridor to investigate its sudden appearance. Going through Naminé as they ran up to it. Not realizing that she was there.

She faded away again.

"Who did this?" Donald questioned the sudden doorway out, which could possibly be a trap.

"Welp, I'm not sure." Mickey honestly admitted. If it was their only way out then they should take it. Regardless of the intent of its caster. "But we'd better hurry and get through."

Pluto was the first to go through. For the most part he had followed from the back after returning to king Mickey, staying out of the way and out of the fight. Coming out once the major threats were gone. Goofy soon ran in after.

"Wait for me!" Goofy ran after Pluto, king Mickey following soon after them. Leaving the more cautious Donald to follow after them last.

"C'mon!" Donald called to the others. Braving through his cautionary nature to follow his friends and his king into an unknown exit. Their only way out- that was closing...

Once they had gone through, Naminé had reappeared again. Sora and Kairi had approached. A little cautious of getting too close in case she disappeared again.

"Thank you, Naminé." Kairi said to her in gratitude.

"Sure." Naminé nodded to Kairi before turning to Sora, smiling as she saw an old friend again. One that didn't remember her, but was still precious to memory. "See? We meet again, like we promised."

"Huh?" Sora didn't recall making any promising to this transparent girl, nor has he ever met her before. But his heart made him feel like they were friends.

"You said we'd meet again, But when we did, we might not recognize each other." Roxas answered, coming from Sora's heart like a ghost. Making the whole experience a little freaky for Sora. He had to take a step back.

"I did, didn't I?"

"But I knew you."

"Mmm...it's strange." It was like the two of them were having a conversation in their own little world while Sora and Kairi silently watched.

"I think I understand." Roxas replied as the changes to his existence have come to clarity, placing a hand over his heart. "I see myself the way you remember me. And you see yourself the way I remember you."

She smiled at him.

"I always thought Nobodies were doomed to fade back into darkness..."

"Yeah, but you and I didn't." Roxas smiled back. "We got to meet our original selves."

"So, we can be together again!"

"Right." Roxas agreed, walking to stand by her side. Facing towards their other halves. "Anytime Sora and Kairi are together."

"We'll be together every day." Kairi promised them. "Right, Sora?"

"Uh...yeah!" Sora was surprised by her declaration, but nonetheless happy about it.

"..." Both Naminé and Roxas smiled at their other halves, knowing that the two of them were going to be okay. Kairi had taken a step forward to Naminé, raising out a hand to her. Naminé took her hand. Returning to Kairi's heart in a yellow shining light that auraed around Kairi as well, catching Sora off guard at the gentle process.

"Look sharp!" Roxas teased at Sora's confounded look, making Sora flinch in attention for a moment. Before he calmed down to face his other half. Roxas didn't have to say anything. He closed his eyes as he looked up to the sky. He faded away into blue balls of light, returning to Sora as the blue aura engulfed him in its soft glow. "..."

"Uh! Huh...?" Sora was so surprised at how...natural that felt. His hands felt around where his heart was, feeling Roxas's presence in his heart. It was strange being aware of his existence there, but at the same time not unnatural. As if a flow returning back to the place where it belonged. It was a little unsettling, to be honest.

"Don't worry. You're still you." Riku said, finally walking over to them after giving the four of them some space to say what they needed to say to each other. Reassuring Sora as he came to terms with his other half's existence inside his heart.

"Hey, let's go home!" Kairi called over to them from the Dark Corridor's opening.

"Riku… C'mon." Sora said over to Riku, always welcoming him home.

"Yeah." Riku nodded as he followed Sora over to the Dark Corridor.

"(Gasp)?" Both of them walking until they noticed that the Dark Corridor was closing. They ran.

"Sora! Riku!" Kairi called them, turning around as she noticed the door closing behind her. Reaching out to them as she realized that they weren't going to make it in time.

"(Gasp)?!" "What...?" Riku gasped and Sora said, shocked at the sudden closing of the Dark Corridor. Something didn't feel right. It wasn't Naminé that closed that door...

Something in the distance had revealed itself from the darkness.

An egg. An egg being held up by two pillars of darkness. But it was more like an incubator as a colossal Nobody Dragon, Zemunasu, from the World of Nothingness hatched from its incubation chamber in a ball of light. With its first breath and first flight, it flew towards them. Shaking the already crumbling castle with the sheer force from its speed and massive size. Roaring off into the Nothingness as the castle came tumbling down.

The two of them were sliding off the altar top as the castle was flipping over, they were going to fall. That's when Riku notice a small fighter Gummi ship on another roof top of the castle as the alter was tipping over. At this angle he could make the jump. He ran for it.

"Riku!" Sora called off in alarm as he noticed Riku jumping off the edge.

Riku had made the jump, landing on the pilot seat, circling around to catch Sora on its platform wing.

"Sora!" Riku called for Sora to take the jump. Righting himself, Sora jumped on the edge of the Altar rail then jumped onto the platform. Bracing himself as Riku flew up to the side of Zemunasu. Both of them summoned their Keyblades. Sora ready to fight while Riku took the wheel.

But fighting this thing by just bashing it with their Keyblades alone would be impossible. They had to find a way to reflect Zemunasu's attacks back at it. Good thing they had Keyblades and Magic that could do just that. Riku casted Barrier and Reflega on their fighter ship, reflecting the Nobody's attacks back at it. Evading the ones they couldn't absorb while Sora batted away the strays with his Keyblade if the lasers got too close. Absorbing the charged energy into his Keyblade were he fired back a Megalaser at the beast once reaching full charge. Small Flyer Nobodies got in the way, but it was just more for Sora to shoot down. Riku was doing well driving the fight ship with one hand while holding Way to the Dawn in the other as well. But he had to stay on his toes. If he messed up just once and took a major hit, Sora would be the one to take the brunt of the force. Sora had to trust Riku with the wheel, while Riku had to trust Sora with their backs. A test of comradery through trial by fire...heh, they were almost excited by the challenge.

They had to go after Zemunasu at all sides before he eventually went down. Falling into the darkness below. Refusing to give up the fight, it transformed. Bursting from a sphere of darkness, stronger...better. On its head was the thrown from that time in Kingdom Hearts, Armored Xemnas was waiting for them there. He was still alive...

They both jumped down onto its head. Their fighter ship falling into the abyss of darkness, taking with them their only chance to turn back. They summoned their Keyblades to their side, ready to face off with Armored Xemnas once again. The fight almost went the same as before- with the exception of Sora going all Anti Form again.

"Embrace Nothing." As they fought, Xemnas released a powerful strike which its waves knocked them off the platform and into the void of darkness. "Hearts are power. Nothingness...is...eternal."

Using the debris of buildings flying towards into the void as well, Riku had jumped onto one as Sora knocked back towards Xemnas like a Riding Shot. Where he broke through Zemunasu's defenses with the crashing building as he slashed it for more areal impact in a Meteor Rain.

Riku had jumped back down into Armored Xemnas's thrown room while Sora used Aero to glide back to it, where the fight continued on. All they had to do was avoid his giant sword and Blizzard Lasers and they'd be fine. The fight went on for some time. But with the two of them at each others back, they had each other covered and Armored Xemnas didn't stand a chance.

A light shined from Armored Xemnas's body as Sora gave the final blow, taking them to a realm between realms. Neither of Light nor the Dark. There Xemnas confronted them in his Final Form.

"Heroes from the realm of light... I will not allow it to end this way- not yet." Xemnas declared. "If light and darkness are eternal, then surely we nothings must be the same... Eternal!"

"You're right, light and darkness are eternal." Riku acknowledged the balance, agreeing with the importance of one not surviving without the other. "Nothing probably goes on forever, too. But guess what, Xemnas?"

"That doesn't mean YOU'RE eternal!" Sora finished for him.

"Heh-haha. No more eternal than that radiance of yours..." Xemnas chuckled at their folly, summoning dark-light energy to his hands. No...that wasn't quite right. This power he was holding...it was solidified Nothingness. "Anger and Hate are supreme."

"!" Sora and Riku were caught off-guard as Xemnas suddenly warped to Sora, grabbing him by the collar.

"We shall go together." Xemnas span Sora, throwing him into the air where his Nothingness choked around Sora like Thunder. Teleported to him in the air where he struck Sora with his Ethereal Blade, Interdiction.

"Ha!" Riku jumped up to Sora's aid, drawing Xemnas attention away from Sora as he recovered himself.

Getting back into the zone of the fight, Sora used Reversal to avoid Xemnas's Nothingness energy. Using the push from the Nothingness energy to keep himself up in the air with Riku as he joined the fight. Going after the openings that Xemnas left as they all nearly warped through the nothingness sky. Eventually Sora fell down, taking the fight back onto the ground. Which surprisingly made things worse as Xemas warped leaving mirror image of himself, distracting them as he came at them from any side. And even blasted them with a wave of Nothingness energy burst that devastated its path.

They went at him, trying to avoid his Ethereal blades that he used as dual swords.

"Bind!" He said as they got close enough, calling forth a sphere of Nothingness that burst out like thorn vines. "Be gone!"

"Sora!" Riku called, throwing a High Potion at Sora as he took the brunt of attack from the front.

They continued on. Taking the fight from the ground and the sky.

"Pierce!" Avoiding Xemnas's projectile shot Ethereal blades as they came back down to the ground. Xemnas grew tired of their dodging. "Why don't you vanish?"

"Gah!" Sora grunted as he blocked the bombardment of Ethereal Blades being shot straight at him. "?!"

But grew alarmed as Xemnas circled the Ethereal Blades all around him.

"Fire!"

"Ah!" He couldn't dodged them all. The ones at his back getting a good hit on him. Taking the massive blow, he had no choice but to Curaga himself. "Heal!"

Xemnas came at Sora from the front again with his Ethereal Blade bombardment. But this time, Riku was there to Cover Sora and Reflect them back. Xemnas took this chance while they were blocking the remaining Ethereal Blades, warping to Sora's side and grabbing him. He warped Sora away from Riku where he trapped Sora inside a Barrier, forcing his Nothingness into Sora's Heart. Riku tried to stop him, going straight after Xemnas. But the force of Xemnas's Nothingness energy pushed Riku back.

Riku recovered himself, landing on his feet. He looked to Sora noticing how more of Darkness brought out from the energy was starting to consume Sora.

"Sora!" Readying Way to the Dawn he charged back in. Reflecting back the Barrier Walls Xemnas's Mirror Copy was creating in attempts to hold him back. Riku knew he had to get to Sora to help him, or else he was doomed! "Rrahh!"

"Dark!" The Mirror Copy just kept putting up Barriers to halt Riku. Some actually working to push him back with a shock of Nothingness energy. He actually had to destroy the Mirror Copy as he made his way over to the real Xemnas.

"Ah- Yah!" He jumped up at Xemnas's opening, thrusting Way to the Dawn at Xemnas's head while his hands were busy. But Xemnas moved his head to the side, dodging the Keyblade. Realizing that his opportunity was lost, Riku knuckle locked with Xemnas free hand to keep him from attacking. The move was enough for Xemnas to lose his grip on Sora, dropping him to the ground. With Sora safe and Xemnas's other hand now free, Riku uppercut Xemnas in the chin with the butt of his Keyblade. Going in for another back hand strike to keep Xemnas back, he then grabbed hold of Xemnas's arm. Locking it down in his grip as he swung Xemnas around and flung him in the air. Landing back down to the now standing Sora's side. "Rrahh! Is that all you got?!"

"Heal!" "Hmph." Both Sora and Riku casted Curaga while the other took a Healing Potion as they recovered from the damage while they had some distance from Xemnas.

But Xemnas was quick to recover, and they were back in the fray again. Going at Xemnas for a time, till it seemed like he was on his last legs.

"Ah! It's over!" Sora shouted at Xemnas. Whom answered to him by stepping back, summoning the darkness into his hands and brought them together. Making the energy into a ball of fury that shot off thorn vines of dark, surrounding them in darkness.

"There's no such thing." Xemnas said as he took to the sky, summoning the energy to fire massive amounts of Ethereal Blades at them...all at once. "Ha ha Ha-ha!"

"Sora!" Riku called out in warning to brace themselves, Sensing the massive buildup of energy from Xemnas. Something big was about to happen.

"Ha!" "Yah!" Riku and Sora Reflected as many of the Ethereal Blades as they could, deflecting the laser attacks. Some of them got through, blasting whatever part they hit. It hurt, but they couldn't stop reflecting the ongoing attacks. If they stop even once they were done for. They had to keep going until all the Ethereal Blades were gone! Back-to-Back, covering each others blind side.

It was tiring, and the Ethereal Blades' light shined brighter and brighter as more came at them until it consumed the darkness in a blinding light. Once it was all over, and the last Ethereal Blade projectile was shot out, they fell to their knees in exhaustion.

But Xemnas would give them no time to rest.

"Riku!" Sora cried out as Xemnas dashed in, slashing Riku back with Interdiction. Sora realized he left himself open. Xemnas went in for it. "!"

"Hah!" Riku dashed back, Covering Sora with Way to the Dawn as he blocked Interdiction. But he didn't push Xemnas back, he swirled around for another strike. Riku realized he had no time to dodge or block at his angle. So he pushed Sora out of the way and took the hit himself. "Gah!"

Riku took the blow to the back, the force spinning him in midair. Sora rolled on his feet again, making eye contact with Riku as he saw an opening. Riku saw it, too.

"Sora!" Cooperating with Sora as he leaped toward him, he handed Sora his Keyblade. Falling down as Sora continued on his projectile path towards Xemnas, going at him with BOTH of their Keyblades.

"Hah! Back off!" Sora swung at him with Combo after Combo until he pushed him to the sky. Leaping back to Riku's side, Sora held out Way to the Dawn to him. "Riku!"

"..." Nodding in understanding, he place his hand on the Keyblade's handle as well, using the concentration of both of their light to release the final blow on Xemnas.

"Light!" "Use it all!" Sora and Riku shouted as they use the power of the Keyblade. As Xemnas was on the last of his strength they dashed in and struck the final blow together. "YAH!"

"Curse you...Keyblade..." Xemnas growled through his teeth. He clutched on to his wound, reaching out to them as the Nothing started to consume him as he faded away.

"We did it!" Sora cheered, fist pumping as it was finally over.

"I wouldn't be too sure of that." Riku groaned out as Nobody Dusk surrounded them. Coming back-to-back they squared off against a thousand Nobodies.

It was like the Great Maw all over again.

They were already exhausted from their fight with Xemnas. And Riku was already weakened by his wounds. The fight was a lot harder than it would have been. Sora was the one to carry the torch in this fight. Riku did his part but his body was already damaged and at its limit.

Once the fight was over and the adrenaline was gone. He dropped to the floor. Sora kneeling by his side as Riku caught himself with his hands. Trying to catch his breath again in his exhaustion. Their Keyblades disappearing into light.

"Sora..." There was no way he could continue on in his condition. Sora would have to go on without him, he'd only slow Sora down. "I can't..."

"Don't say another word!" Sora interrupted him, already knowing where he was going with this. Sora would have none of it! "It's not over. It's just not."

Sora helped pick Riku up again. Placing his arm over his shoulder as he carried him, using his other hand to support his back. Riku couldn't believe that Sora wasn't leaving him, it was the best option. If at least one of them could survive, it had to be Sora. But Sora wasn't giving up! Not on either of them!

"How can you say that?" Riku said in disbelief. "Even if we could go on...look where we are."

It was hopeless...

"Aw, c'mon, Riku." Sora said, telling him to lighten up. "You've been hanging out in darkness too long. You gotta try and think positive!"

"..." Maybe he has been in the darkness for too long... "Sora?"

"Hm?"

"You lead."

"Got it." Sora began to walk, holding on to the back of Riku's belt to help hold him up. Carrying the both of them into the unknown of Nothingness. The vastness of emptiness and the silence was unsettling. Almost as much as the wind that had come from nowhere and went nowhere.

"You know..." Riku said, breaking the silence as they walked on. Since they were probably going to be in this place for a long time, he might as well get some things off his chest. "I always figured I was better at stuff than you."

"Really?" Sora slightly groaned in annoyance but didn't deny it. "Hmph."

"Are you mad?" Riku genuinely asked in concern of how Sora would take the truth of his thoughts. Looking back up to Sora with what little strength he had to see his reaction. But Sora simply closed his eyes with a small grin as he shook his head.

"No." Sora replied, looking back at Riku. "I kinda always thought you were better at everything, too."

"..." Riku was silently relieved that Sora was mad at him. The true admittance to his thoughts was his fear that Sora might still hold a grudge against him, or despise Riku for his talent that Sora worked so hard to match. But Sora seemed to be the better person than him- especially his past self. Where Riku got jealous of Sora's power once he got ahold of the Keyblade, Sora simply tried harder to become a better match for Riku. So he could stand on equal grounds in friendly rivalry. A bond like brothers... how Riku missed that.

"Riku- look. What's that light?" Sora called as he spotted what looked to be a way out. They continued toward it. Taking it to whatever place that lead them out of the Nothingness.

They were out.

But now they were in the realm of darkness.

Riku recognizes the place. The Dark Meridian. King Mickey and him had rested at this place before Riku found himself in Castle Oblivion. The sound of the waves gave him comfort and reminded him of their islands, but the ocean lacked the smell of sea salt and the sea breeze was an imitation. And the moon in the distance gave off a false light.

'Home sweet home, I guess.' Riku sighed in his head as Sora and him came to a stop. "End of the road?"

"Yep." Sora chipped back as they looked off at the beach and oncoming waves.

"Put me down. I can walk." Riku assured, regaining some of his strength back from the rest. Sora stayed on standby in caution, reaching out when it looked like Riku was about to fall. But gave him his space as Riku stood up on his own feet again. Riku smiled back at his with a slight shrug, as if saying, 'See? It's fine'.

"..." Sora nodded in acceptance, pleased that Riku was okay. Then walked a little ahead, to the edge where the ocean waves met the sand. This place sorta reminded him of home. But...it was nothing like home... "You know...maybe the darkness has gotten to me, too."

Riku had been struggling to stay on his feet once Sora had let him go. Toughing out the pain and exhaustion as he tried to stay up on his own. But it was too much. His body couldn't take much more strain as he dropped to the sand.

Sora had heard him plop down.

"Riku!" He ran to him, sliding to his side as Riku tried to get up again. Settling with keeping himself up by his hands.

"This world is perfect for me." Riku looked up at the Dark Meridian, accepting his fate in the darkness. Coming to terms with the places and people that he would never be able to see again. People that he cared about, now safe in the light. "If this is what the world really is...just this, then maybe I should fade back into darkness."

"Riku…" Sora sadly looked to him as Riku sat up on his knees, looking off into the distance.

"If the world is made of light and darkness... We'll be the darkness."

"..." Sora stayed quiet for a moment, taking in Riku's words, before plopping down to sit by his side. "Yeah. The other side...the realm of light is safe now. Kairi, the King, and the others are there."

"That's what I mean." Riku said, glad that he could count on Sora to understand him. If he was going to be trapped in the realm of darkness with another soul, he was glad that it was with a friend like Sora. "Hey, Sora... Could you help me? I want to get down to the water."

"..." Sora nodded, getting back up as he placed Riku's arm around his shoulder again and helped lift him up. Carrying him closer to the water.

"At least the waves sound the same." At least that was one less thing he would have to miss... They had stayed by the border of the waves in silence for a while. Listening to waves come and go, before Riku broke the silence again. "What I said back there...about thinking I was better at stuff than you..."

"Hm-mph."

"To tell you the truth, Sora... I was jealous of you."

"What for?" That admittance caught Sora by surprise.

"..." Riku...couldn't tell him the whole true. About being an Ancient and his Cetra family roots and stuff. The family he longed to meet again, separated by worlds... It wasn't ready to tell Sora that part of his story- not yet. Not when the truth affected more than just him. But...he could tell Sora the raw root of his truth. "I wished I could live life the way you do. Just following my heart."

"Yeah, well, I've got my share of problems, too."

"Like what?"

"Like...wanting to be like you."

"Hmm." The truth was almost laughably ironic. "Well, there is one advantage to being me... Something you can never imitate."

"Really? What's that?" Sora asked, looking over in genuine curiosity.

"Having you for a friend."

"!" Sora's eyes widened, touched by Riku's words, before he turned back towards the ocean. His face taking on a more smug, content look. "Then I guess... I'm okay the way I am. I've got something you could never imitate too."

For a while they just sat there along the beach, resting. Watching as time went by, looking up to the dark sky as the wind blew on their face from the ocean. Listening to the sound of the waves, enjoying its cool water as it touched their feet. Not caring as it soaked through their shoes. For the moment- this feeling reminded them of home...

But the moment was interrupted for Riku as he felt something bump into his foot. Looking down he saw that it was a bottle that has washed up on the beach. There was a letter inside. Curious of its content, he picked it up. Opening it up to pull out the letter. Even before he finished reading the first sentence, he could already recognize the handwriting. The three of them had done homework at their homes together since elementary school, he knew Kairi's handwriting when he sees it. Judging from the content, he got a feeling that this letter was meant for someone else.

"Sora?"

"Hm?" Sora looked over at Riku, noticing the letter in his hand.

"I think it's for you." Riku handed it over to Sora whom had started to read it aloud.

"Thinking of you, wherever you are." But then Sora stopped. He began reading to himself as his heart started to resonate with the writer behind the words.

We pray for our sorrows to end,

and hope that our hearts will blend.

Now I will step forward to realize this wish.

And who knows:

Starting a new journey may not be so hard

or maybe it's already begun.

There are many worlds,

but they share the same sky -

one sky, one destiny.

- Kairi

And through the bond between both their hearts, a door was opened to the realm of darkness from the light. Opening a door to lead Sora back to her.

"Light." Riku was shocked to see it, Sora was in the same boat.

"The door to light..." But Sora wasn't one to let an opportunity slip by. He jumped up on his feet, holding out a hand down to Riku. "We'll go together."

"Yeah." Riku got up on his own feet, too. Finally recovering naturally from his wounds. The light shined brighter, warming them. It was almost too beautiful in this dark place. Walking together, they went towards it.

Destiny Islands

The light shot them down from the Twilight sky like comets. Coating them in its light which protected them as they landed into the waters near the island they use to hangout.

They shot back up from the ocean waters for breath, the light faded from them as they looked around. Almost not believing that they were back on their islands.

But someone was waiting for them.

"Sora! Riku!" Kairi called to them from the shore, waving at them.

They were back. They were really back! Sora couldn't help but laugh in joy as he rushed to swim back to shore, Riku soon following after him. Once close enough to stand on the water Sora ran to shore, Riku taking his time as he let Sora have his reuniting with Kairi. Turns out she would have to wait as Goofy, Donald, and Mickey jumped into the water after them.

Donald and Goofy leaped at Sora, tackling him into the water as they hugged him, laughing in relief as their friend made it back okay. Mickey leaped at Riku, too, whom in turn caught him holding him up in his arms. Putting back down as Mickey hugged him, the both of them looking back at their friends in silent joy that they were all here, they were all okay.

"Hehe," Sora grinned pulling out Kairi's Lucky charm as he looked back up at her. Which in turn Roxas and Naminé were also looking back at each other. Sora was starting to cry as he quickly wiped away the tears. "W-We're back."

"You're home." Kairi held out a hand to him to pull him up from the waters. He took it, in turn, giving Kairi back her Lucky Charm. Just like they promised...

… The Next Day Near Nightfall Elsewhere ...

Radiant Garden

Aeris had felt when the others had returned to realm of light. Finally letting go that breath she was holding in when Riku and Sora finally made their way back too. They gave her quite a scare taking so long like that. Her heart felt like it was going to burst with worry. But they were okay, they were back. Her son was back.

Back on Destiny Islands...

But it was all right. He was still a Gummi Ship or a Light Path visit away. Though they may be worlds apart now, they still looked up at the same night sky.

And not too long after their return, Sora sent her the remaining Secret Ansem Reports through Moogle Mail. Apparently the last remaining Organization XIII members were holding them and Moogles were the fast in-between-worlds travelers on record. Getting the reports to her before the end of the hour of sending. They could travel through pockets of space that connected to other worlds and run a business of delivering. If they can carry it, they can deliver it. A few stacks of paper posed no problem for them.

It would take Aeris until nightfall to finish decoding the reports and make copies for both king Mickey and Sora. It seemed only fair to keep king Mickey and the loop and giving Sora a set of copies since he was the one that did the work to collect them. She'd only hoped that he would be kind enough to let Riku read them as well, to keep him in the loop- along with Kairi as well. She had let Riku read the previous reports as he was involved with the situation as well. And as these last few reports were going, they had also directly addressing him, too. But knowing Sora, she was sure that he would read them with the others too. He was a good friend that looked out for them like that.

Going in order, she began decoding from the oldest report to the more recent.

Starting with Report 3:

Chaos not only affects this world, but many other worlds besides.

In the "Ansem Reports", my apprentice Xehanort had written under my name. I found the records of his hideous experiments along with his hypothesis about the door that had appeared out of the darkness in my basement.

All living things have hearts, and all hearts hold darkness deep within. Worlds are no exception - if the world is a being, the heart it holds must be colossal... And the darkness in its core must be monstrous indeed...

Did Xehanort pass through that door in an attempt to contact that dark realm? Not only Xehanort. It appears that my other five apprentices, believing it was for the sake of research, started deep into the darkness and were pulled into it.

Even Ienzo, Bleig, Dilin and Eleus… They have ceased to be human. I, too have had a lot taken away from me banished into a hollow realm of nothingness.

What is Xehanort hoping to gain with my pilfered existence? Will my people cease to smile? If the light of hope has been extinguished, I shall henceforth walk with darkness as a friend. Here in this realm to nothingness which I have been relegated.

Darkness in the midst of nothing. "Darkness in Zero".

Thus I will be known as DiZ. Discarding the name of Ansem… And going to search for revenge.

"..." That surprisingly answered a lot of questions. But left Aeris with a few more: If Xehanort had banished Ansem and had stolen his identity, when did Ansem the Wise disappear from his people? Before the rebellion of Genesis and Angeal? Or after Sephiroth had fallen into darkness? If he had not been taken away from the realm of light, would Radiant Garden have had a better fate?

The question permeated in her mind, clouding her thoughts with possibilities and "what ifs". But she had to focus. There was much more reports to be decoded.

The next one she had to tackle was Report 7:

While beings born of darkness and those lacking hearts may find them convenient, it is dangerous for others to make much use of the corridors of darkness. Darkness erodes the heart.

In search of a place to proceed with my research and planning away from prying eyes, I found myself in "Twilight Town." It is a quiet village, forgotten in the chasm between light and darkness. I situated myself in the basement of an abandoned mansion standing beyond the woods.

My underground research resulted in one new discovery after another.

When a Heartless is born, the body and soul left behind are reborn into this world as a different being.

They possess different intentions than their Heartless brethren, and while it is unclear what these sentient "Things" are after, it would appear they are responsible for much bedlam in the world.

My erstwhile friend the King and his subjects, along with a hero wielding the keyblade, are battling the Heartless even as a new threat approaches. This new threat... they have given themselves a fitting name, I suppose.

These non-beings: "Nobodies."

A great number of Nobodies have lost human form, as have the Heartless. Yet the Nobody born of someone with a strong heart retains its shape, but with the faintest visible changes.

It appears my betrayers have retained their human forms as Nobodies, and are gathering more followers in hopes of furthering a new scheme. "Organization XIII," formed of 13 Nobodies with my betrayers at its core, has divided into two: they are said to be carrying out some sort of research.

Seeking to uncover the plans of this Organization, I have decided to head for where six of its member have gathered. Towering over the outer limits of the realm between darkness and light: Castle Oblivion.

"..." Aeris already knew this stuff. However, it may be enlightening for Riku and Sora to have a review of this report.

She moved on to the next report. Hoping that something new would be revealed in Report 8:

It appears that I have been too distracted by the behavior of Xehanort and his cohorts, and by the events occurring in their vicinity. My friend's struggle to protect the realm of light from the threat of Heartless is now over, with Xehanort's Heartless - going by the name Ansem, Seeker of Darkness - defeated at last.

The other wielder of the Keyblade, this "hero," travelled from world to world sealing up keyholes and laying Heartless low.

Meanwhile, the King, who had dived into the realm of darkness, worked with the Keyblade-wielding hero to close the door to Kingdom Hearts from the realms of both darkness and light, thus holding off the threat of tremendous darkness.

But there are still a great number of Heartless afoot, and Organization XIII and the Nobodies continue to be active in the shadows. Indeed, the world is still a very dangerous place.

We must find a way to do battle with these enemies.

Thus I will both make amends and have my revenge.

It is for this reason that I infiltrated Castle Oblivion.

It consists of 13 floors above the 12 floors below ground level, with the contents of its "White Rooms" transforming in response to its visitor's memories. Organization XIII was conducting experiments of memories here.

The subject in these experiments, a girl named Naminé, appeared to possess extremely unusual abilities... were they attempting to derive something from these powers?

Refusing to be distracted by Organization XIII, I had returned to my own secret research when a new visitor appeared at the castle today.

It was Sora, the Keyblade-wielding hero who defeated Ansem, and his companions.

Deep underground, the stench of darkness arose.

All the players are coming together, it would seem.

"...Well that was new." Aeris commented aloud to herself. '"White Rooms" that transformed to it visitor's memories. There was more to Castle Oblivion than she thought. What else could possibly lie behind its walls? What secrets did it hide?'

Intrigued once again, she continued on to the next report with a little more energy.

Report 9:

I should have expected nothing less from a Keyblade-wielding hero.

Sora and friends defied the machinations of Organization XIII and rescued Naminé. Naminé was a witch who controlled the memories of others.

Most likely these powers were achieved through a special process when she was born. Naminé is a Nobody, created when a young girl's heart left her body.

Yet she has no corresponding Heartless.

This is because the young girl in this case was a princess.

Kairi, a resident of the Radiant Garden over which I had ruled, was one of the Seven Princesses that uphold the realm of light. With no darkness in her heart, Kairi produced no Heartless, and instead of vanishing, her body remained in the realm of light.

In other words, both the Nobody called Naminé and the Heartless - proof of a lost heart - are extremely unstable beings who lack the bodies needed to produce a Nobody. Therefore, they also lack Kairi's memories. One reason for this may be that Kairi's heart did not return to the darkness when separated from her body, but rather migrated to another vessel... deep within Sora's heart.

That is, Naminé is an alter ego of Kairi who directly interfered with Sora's heart. Could this be why Sora and whose hearts are connected to him were able to have their memories controlled?

She is a non-being in the truest sense of the word; having not even become a Nobody and with nowhere left to go, she is but the most fleeting of shadows.

"(Sigh)…" Aeris slumped into her chair as the long day of worrying, and now tedious decoding, was piling up on her. "This is starting to sound more like a diary entry than a scientific report."

"You seem troubled." Yazoo said, coming over to his mother as he noticed her distress. The three of them had decided to follow her to the HBRC Headquarters for the day to give her a hand and hangout with the others. At the moment all they had to do was goof around with Yuffie while Cid did some updates to the town's Control System. Yazoo had noticed his mother groaning at the desk in the corner, making him wonder over to see what was wrong.

"Mmm, it's nothing really. Decoding these reports is just becoming a little tedious, that's all. And it doesn't help that I still have so many more to go." Aeris groaned at the thought. But then began to feel a little bit guilty about her behavior. "But I'm not being fair. The writer behind these reports was going through hard times. And I shouldn't judge him for the fact that he was venting out through his work. He probably thought the knowledge of the events he recorded would be lost to the realm of light and recorder it to preserve the history. A good call for those that weren't there; a little redundant for those in the loop."

"You're exhausted." Yazoo pointed out bluntly, pulling up a seat beside her. "Can I help?"

"Y-Yes, that would be nice." Aeris was surprised by his offer, but not one to deny a selfless act of kindness from her quiet son. She reached over for the Scrapbook of past decoded reports, handing it over to Yazoo. "Here. This should help you understand the pattern of the writers coding. Take your time with it so we don't miss anything. And don't strain yourself, just do as much as you feel like doing. Even if you just decode one sentence would be a great help."

"..." Yazoo listened to her silently as he took the book from her. Without even nodding he took the next report after she grab hers, opened the Scrapbook and began deciphering the coding. Aeris left him be to his own devices. Yazoo was very clever and he clearly had shown to her that he still had that spark that he had as a child. He would be fine. She just hoped that he didn't get bored, like he usually does when things don't challenge him enough to keep his interest. Hopefully he'll get halfway done with one report before he gets bored and walks away.

For now she'll just focus on the report in her hand right now. Taking her time to decode it, she took another moment to review her work for errors.

Report 10:

Sora went to sleep in order to recover the memories he lost in Castle Oblivion. It would take quite some time to bring back all the memories he had created in his lifetime.

But Organization XIII held sway over Castle Oblivion.

Sora would need to be kept someplace more secure.

I persuaded Naminé to move the slumbering Sora to Twilight Town for safekeeping.

Naminé.

As I have written here before, she is a most unusual being. Born of the same process as a Nobody, but lacking virtually all the elements of a Nobody.

Perhaps she continues drawing in hopes of capturing that which she lacks: the memories of others, especially Sora.

I have arrived at a hypothesis.

I believe that Naminé was born as a special type of Nobody when Sora attached himself with the Keyblade, causing his and Kairi's hearts to leave their bodies simultaneously.

Naminé emerged as Kairi's Nobody... but the body and soul necessary to exist as a Nobody belonged to Sora. When a person's heart is stolen, a Heartless is born with no sense of self, and the body and soul left behind give rise to a Nobody.

But what if one willingly released one's heart from one's body?

Sora and Xehanort retained their selfhood even after becoming heartless.

Then there are Kairi and Naminé.

Kairi was exceptional for having no darkness within her heart. Also exceptional was that her heart, once freed, migrated to a new vessel - Sora. The combination of these two theoretically unlikely expectations may be behind this anomaly.

There are matters I must attent to while Sora is sleeping.

A new ally has appeared on the scene: Riku.

"..." Riku… So this is when Riku met Ansem the Wise. Most parents of Radiant Garden would have been proud of their child having an audience with the king. But Aeris knew that this was the turning point where Riku would get mixed in all this mess of Organization XIII and the darkness. Taking on so much of the burden by himself in some unnecessary need to repent and for redemption.

Riku had such a kind heart, more than he realize. He cares about people around him and his friends so much that if he ever causes them any harm, intentionally or not, it hurts him. His big heart tended to bleed for the pain others and he would never notice that his empathy was hurting "him" as well.

"I'm done." Yazoo announced, drawing Aeris out of her thought.

"?" That was fast. "You finished a report already."

"No, I finished two."

"What?!" There's no way!

"Here."

"Oh my light, you did." Aeris couldn't believe that he deciphered the coding style and had decoded two of the reports in the time she had been working on one. This was amazing. She had been familiar with the coding for over a year and he had picked it in less than an hour.

She almost couldn't believe. She still had her doubts. There's no way he could have picked this up so easily, he must have made a mistake in there, somewhere. But he didn't. Looking over his work: it was flawless.

Report 11:

I was reunited with an old friend at Castle Oblivion, but was unable to disclose my identity. If he knew the situation, he would likely try to stop me from carrying out my revenge.

As much as I would dearly love to converse with him as in the old days... that is now but a hopeless dream. My friend has been fighting in the realm of darkness. Most likely he found his way there through Traverse Town.

Like Castle Oblivion, that village also rests in the cleft between light and dark. It consist of the remnants of worlds whose hearts have been stolen by the Heartless.

It is where those who have barely escaped the destruction of their worlds eventually find themselves. This "realm between" is quite unstable with corridors of darkness appearing from time to time.

Whenever a world disappears, some of its inhabitants must arrive here through these corridors.

Surely Sora traveled these same corridors of darkness when he first came to Traverse Town. It seems my friend, fighting in the realm of darkness, appeared in Castle Oblivion through a corridor of darkness constructed by Organization XIII.

My new ally Riku also effected his return via one of these corridors. He swore to me he would give his all for his best friend Sora.

In fact, Sora's memories have been slow to return.

Thus I have asked Riku to bring me another Sora - his Nobody.

Sora is indispensable if I am to achieve my goal.

I require the Keyblade-wielding hero to fly through the realm of darkness and defeat Organization XIII.

"..." Everything checked out. It was easy reviewing his work with the original report next to it for comparison. She was done examining it and moving on to the next report in no time.

Report 12:

Apart from Naminé, Nobodies retain their memories of their time as humans, but Sora's Nobody, Roxas, has lost Sora's memories.

This is likely because Sora's time as a Heartless was short, having recovered his heart and returned to his human form soon after leaving behind Roxas, his Nobody.

It would seem Roxas is much like Naminé. Naminé is Kairi's Nobody, but came into being via Sora's body and soul. Likewise, Roxas is Sora's Nobody, but was left behind because Sora's Heartless regained human form using Kairi's heart instead of his own.

It may be that Sora's memories are slow to return because the half of him that is Roxas is still lacking.

I must convert Roxas into data and return him to Sora.

As a member of Organization XIII, it was exceedingly difficult to bring Roxas in. Having lost Roxas once, Riku laid everything on the line and used the power of darkness in their second battle, only just managing to bring Roxas back with him.

But Organization XIII grows ever nearer. Here, Twilight Town, is where Roxas was reborn as a Nobody.

This is where Roxas first encountered Organization XIII and joined its ranks. They are bound to search this place thoroughly.

First I shall convert all of Twilight Town into data and construct a "world duplicate" in Sora's memories. I shall place Roxas within that world to live out his days and regain those memories.

There is little time.

"Oh, poor Roxas…" Aeris silently wept for Sora's Nobody. Feeling bad for Roxas more and more as she read through the report. He had just been born into existence and had been dealt a bad hand. Maybe if someone else had found him before the Organization, things could've been different... Maybe his return to Sora would have been less painful...

"Done."

"Wait, what?" Aeris looked over in disbelief as he was waving the last report to her in his hand.

"It's done. There are no more reports to be decoded." He said with indifference, handing her the decoded report with its original as if decoding it while she was reading through his other two works was no big deal.

"You had processed the information and put it into concept at such an astounding amount of time..." Aeris gasped. She couldn't describe how proud she was right now. "Yazoo, you're brilliant."

"..." He didn't show it, but inside he was glowing at her words. All that he would give away was a small, barely visible to the eyes.

Aeris read through his work. No longer doubting that it would be perfect.

Report 13:

My long and drawn-out revenge is nearing its end.

Xehanort, who took everything away from me. Though as a Heartless he is no more, as the leader of Organization XIII his ambition once again is to capture Kingdom Hearts, the most colossal heart of all.

His Heartless had attempted to draw out the great darkness from Kingdom Hearts, created from the hearts of all worlds. His Nobody, however, is now almost finished gathering human hearts to be assimilated into Kingdom Hearts as well.

The fool!

Only one mystery remains.

How did Xehanort manage to open the door that appeared in the basement of my castle...? No... any theory posited now, when everything is nearing completion, would be meaningless.

Roxas, Ansem, Naminé…

They defy all logic, yet there they are: singular exceptions to the rule.

The theories proposed by me by Organization XIII have been blown to pieces by a handful of strong-hearted individuals.

Sora, Kairi, Riku.

Ah, Yes - Riku.

Though his heart had its weaknesses, making it prone to darkness, he found support in the hope he discovered beyond suffering. This hope allowed him to stand his ground and turn the darkness in his heart from an enemy to his greatest weapon.

When all this is over, it is my fervent hope that he will be able to return with Sora to his island.

If I can, I should return to Radiant Garden, to look once more upon the beautiful water, the lovely flowers, and the hopeful smiles of the people.

Dear King, my friend!

I believe that, at some point in time, you will come across these, my truthful accounts.

How I wish I could have chatted with you again.

I was a fool, obsessed with revenge.

Forgive me.

"..." At least it looks like their king found closure. Ansem… may you find your way out of the darkness.

"Is that all?"

"I just need to write some copies to send to king Mickey and them at Disney Castle, and another for Sora and the others on Destiny Island." Aeris said, waving him off to not trouble himself with this. "I can take care of that on my own. You can go hang out with the others, I've got this."

"Very well." Yazoo replied, standing up to go take her suggestion.

"Thank you so much, Yazoo. You were a big help." Aeris warmly thanked him. "I couldn't have gotten this done so fast without you."

"Hmm," was all he would give in response as he turned around to walk off towards the others. Never showing it or breaking through his stone outer-character. But on the inside he was overjoyed and gloating in pride at his mother's praise. He contemplated at holding this over Kadaj for laughs. The look on Kadaj's frustrated face in jealousy would be priceless. The thought was tempting. But he decided to hold on to it for now- save it for a rainy day.

Aeris had taken a little more time to make the copies than she thought it would. By the time she was done her wrist was sore. Placing the original reports in the Scrapbook with its initial decoded paper on the other page across from it, in order of the reports, she got up to go mail out the other copies to king Mickey and Sora through the Moogle's Shop. Knowing how much Munny she was going to have to put down, she knew that they would get the reports in good time. Moogle's had the best delivery time, after all. No matter how far the destination was.

Getting up from her seat, Aeris stretched the soreness out of her body, lifting her arms in the air as she stretched her back. The silent popping along her back felt so good after sitting for so long. The sun had been long gone as twilight took over the sky.

Gathering up the copies, she turned back towards the others as she made her way to the door. She had noticed Yuffie was gone. Probably for an Ice Cream Run, knowing her.

"I'm heading out to mail these." Aeris announced as she walked to the door.

"Do you want us to come with you?" Kadaj asked, getting up along with his other two brothers to come and join their mother without hesitation.

"No it's fine. After sitting at that desk for so long, I need the fresh air." Aeris explained, knowing that there was ice cream on the way that they were waiting for that they would miss for her sake regardless. And she knew how much they have a growing fondness for ice cream, so that was saying much. Besides, she didn't want them to ruin their fun on her account. She'd just use the time for herself. "Just come home when you guys are done, okay?"

"Okay." "All right." "..." They all nodded in reply. She gave them a quick smile before heading out the door.

Aeris had walked through the Borough to the Marketplace, taking in the fresh night air. Bumping into Yuffie there, on her way back, with half-a-dozen Sea Salt Ice Cream bars and a letter addressed to Leon. No doubt bumping into a Mail Moogle on her way to Scrooge McDuck's Ice Cream Shop. She had waved to Aeris, handing her an ice cream bar before running back to Merlin's House. Aeris gratefully took the ice cream with a smile, eating it while walking to the Moogle Shop.

The Mailing was quick and she had so much time to herself. She found herself wondering to the Great Maw, towards the Dark Depths. Where Sephiroth and Cloud had vanished...

"..." Everything was going fine: Her sons were back; the Organization was defeated; Stitch and Sora's other Summons had found their way home with the return of the stolen Hearts bringing back their worlds; and, the town was back on track to restoring to its former glory again. Everything was going great. So...why wasn't Sephiroth here...?

She sat down by the edge, dangling her feet as she looked up to the sky, where the two of them had last been seen. She knew that the battle over the darkness in their hearts would be hard. And the road to the light would be tough. But she knew they would make it back. With two good women like Tifa and her waiting for them in the light, she knew that Cloud and Sephiroth wouldn't keep them waiting long. Until the day Sephiroth would find his way back home to her, she would call out to him with her heart. Reaching out to him with a hand and her light, whenever he was ready to reach out and grab it. She knew that Tifa was doing the same for Cloud too.

"Sephiroth... Hurry back, Honey."

… A Year Later ...

Destiny Islands

Riku had been resting at his old spot on the trunk of the bent Paopu Tree, looking off at the ocean. It has been some time since they returned to the island and things had settled down. Everything still felt that it was almost too good to be for real to Riku.

He had dived into the darkness and had returned... He had some how made it back home. But he knew that he couldn't have done it alone. It was the help of his friends that made this all seem real and ground him. Making him truly grateful for all the friends that he has, and the friends he had made along the way. Friends that held on to him even as he let go of himself. Friends that stood by him even as he pushed them away. They had his back, just as much as he strived to have theirs.

He was grateful for the chance to finally have met his mother, to be able to hug her outside of the dream world. She had shown him kindness, she had reached out in the darkness for him even after he disobeyed her. She taught him to be strong...

And even though the road to good terms was rough, he was glad to have met his brothers as well. Building a bond between them that he never thought he'd get to have. And now...everything seemed to be in its proper place. Life felt like it was going to be fine to him. Regardless of warnings, the future didn't look so scary at all anymore.

Nothing is like before, but- something told him in his heart that it was better.

"..." Riku heard as Sora ran up to him, jumping over the tree trunk to lean on it next to Riku. Silently watching the ocean alongside him. Though they had changed through their journeys, their world had stayed the same. "Nothing's changed, huh?"

"Nope. Nothing will." Sora agreed.

"What a small world."

"But part of one that's much bigger."

"Yeah." And Riku could live with that...

"Hey Riku...what do you think it was- the door to the light?" Sora tilted his head up to look at him.

"(Light Laugh)." Riku jumped down from the tree trunk, slightly surprised that Sora hadn't figured it out yet. He pointed to Sora's heart in answer. "This."

"This?" Sora looked down at his heart, covering it with his hand as Riku retracted his finger.

"Yeah. It's always closer than you think."

"..." It looks like he got it now. He smiled as it all made sense now.

"Sora! Riku!" Kairi called, waving to them as she ran over while carrying a bottle in her hand. Exhausting herself in the process. She was never really the best runner, so what she had to say must be really important. She bent over as she reached them, taking a moment to catch her breath.

"Hey. What's up?" Sora asked as they approached to make sure she was okay, while also giving her space to catch her breath.

"Look." She held out the bottle to Sora. Revealing that there was a letter with the symbol of king Mickey inside it.

"From the King?" Sora grabbed the bottle from her, realizing that the message inside could be urgent. Pulling the bottle open and shaking out the letter, rolling out the letter as the Riku and Kairi gathered around him to read it too.

The letter told of three previous Keyblade wielders: one locked away in slumber, another lost under the control of Xehanort and his darkness, and another trapped in the realm of darkness trying to save them. It told of their connections to king Mickey and to Ansem the Wise. Along with the rise of Organization XIII. The Keyblade wielder that had been under the control of Xehanort was actually the true body for the Heartless Ansem and the Nobody Xemnas. The real Xehanort was still out there. The King and master Yen Sid needed their help.

All the pieces lie where they fell. Where they wait for him...

Maybe Sora could help set things right. A boy like him who touches so many hearts- he could open the right door, and save all those people whose lives had been ruined. But they couldn't fight this as they were now. They needed Sora and Riku to head over to master Yen Sid's tower for training.

"..." Sora took some time to process all this. Kairi and Riku ended up giving Sora some space to sort out his thoughts. Riku already knew the choice he would make. But it was up to Sora to decided for himself whether he would go or not. He has already done so much for the worlds already, no one would hold it against him if he decided to stay. Twilight had covered the sky when Riku had decided to check on Sora.

He was still sitting on the Paopu Tree with bottle and letter in his hand, looking off in the distance.

"Sora." Riku called to him, getting Sora's attention as he walked over. By the determination on his face, he could tell what choice Sora had made. "..."

"Riku."

"You're minds made up?" Riku stood by Sora, looking off into the distance with him.

"Yeah." Sora looked off at his world in silence, knowing that it could be some time until he sees it again. Riku was doing the same. They wanted to take it all in.

Kairi had made her way over to them during that time.

"Sora." Kairi called, breaking Sora and Riku out of their thoughts as they looked over at her.

"Kairi, I..." Sora jumped down from the tree to meet her, feeling guilty about his choice. He knew his choice would mean that he was going away again, and she knew that, too.

"Mph," she nodded for him to go on with what he needed to say. She would listen.

"(Exhale)," he smile at her, glad that she would hear him out understandingly. Approaching he said his answer. "It's just...they really need me. I have to go. I am who I am...because of them."

"Heh," Riku couldn't help but grin at his answer. It was so like Sora. Kairi thought this, too.

"Heh." With a deep breath and a understanding smile on her face, she supported his choice. Reaching for his hand as she handed him her Lucky Charm again. Just like she did last time. As a promise for him to give it back to her... "See you soon."

*** Author's Notes ***

For the recorded this chapter was a mix of the game along with some parts of the manga counterpart- just enough to break off from the tension for a bit- with a hint of Kh: Birth by Sleep ending at the bottom of the chapter. Phew, this Kingdom Hearts II took some time to write, but it's still one of my favorite games in the series. I had fun doing it. See you all in Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance!