Chapter 30

"Here we are!" Axel laughed, pointing to the tower.

"Well, we have to-" Donald started.

The ship opened, sending all of its occupants down to the place. They crash-landed in the training area, in front of Kairi and Orihime.

"Owww..." Sora held his head, feeling dizzy.

"Are you alright, Sora?!" asked Kairi.

"He'll be fine, he's the number one knucklehead!" said Riku.

"It seems that you have important information to give..." Merlin and Yen Sid appeared in front of Sora.

"Yeah...we should go inside first because this story is long..." Sora got up, rubbing his head.

Fifteen minutes later, in the tower, Sora told Yen Sid of what had happened.

"So it would seem that things are getting better for you. Now, the power of Lucario rests within you."

"You mean...the pokemon's name?" asked Sora.

"Names have power. Without a name, one cannot be identified. Anyways, the neithermen are staying silent. Other than the lesser beings, the leaders are not taking action."

"Why would they?" asked Riku. "I mean, one of their devices was discovered, and they are busy fighting against the heartless and the nobodies."

"That does not mean that they aren't planning anything," said Axel. "We cannot underestimate them at all."

"Sorry to interrupt," said Roxas, "but how is Xion doing?"

"She is still comatose. I am afraid that she will be that way for a long time."

"We have some good news, though," said Merlin. "I found the book."

No one knew what he was talking about until Sora shouted out, "Pooh's book?!"

"Yes! I was traveling down Radiant Garden and found a chest containing it. However, we need to find a key to unlock the seal on the book."

"What?!" exclaimed Donald. "But how can there be a seal on the book?"

"This must be the work of a powerful sealer, because no keyblade can work on it."

"He's right," said Kairi. "I tried to unseal it with my keyblade, but it just stayed in place."

"I've been meaning to ask," said Chad, "Where did Ichigo go?"

"He went to Soul Society for a few things," said Sora. "It was important."

"Have you guys noticed anything else odd?" asked Orihime.

"Well..." Axel said. "We found out that some of these clowns got their powers from somewhere. Especially Wrath."

"Yes...I have concerns about that," said Yen Sid. "I do not like how someone is giving these warriors more power. I want to say that Maleficent is behind this, but there were others whom have had power in worlds that she has not traversed in."

"Whatever they are, we will stop them!" proclaimed Sora.

"You've not changed a bit," said Kairi. Riku nodded, and Donald and Goofy were cheery.

"I'm concerned about this "Minus" alteration," said Ishida. "What happens if a world is mended of its problems?"

"Never thought about it," said Merlin. "Chances are, though, that it does nothing at all."

"Can this alteration be treated as multiverses?" asked Axel.

Everyone was silent, considering the notion. "We don't need to know the specifics, but we still have a game plan of visiting worlds, right?" said Roxas.

"First, you should stay here and train a bit," said Yen Sid. "You warriors need to get accustomed to the power that Ichigo gave you."

Suddenly, a crash was heard. Everyone except for Axel and Roxas stood up.

"Guys, it's just Demyx." said Axel.

"How do you know?" asked Riku.

"Look outside the window."

Sure enough, Demyx was there, along with Renji and Rukia. "How did you expect to teleport right through the barrier?!" roared Rukia.

"Don't pick on me!" cried Demyx.

"Alright, what is going on here?!" asked Merlin.

"Oh, guys, it's Sora!" said Renji. The soul reaper explained the situation that Soul Society was in.

"I do not like what is happening," said Yen Sid. "The thirteen darknesses are moving, gaining allies, and the last thing we need is a reduction in forces."

"We should put faith in him," said Sora. "I mean, the nobodies don't seem interested in fighting. Right now, we can go to other worlds and focus on the neithermen."

"What is Xheanort planning?" asked Riku. "Could he know of this place?"

"I am sure that he knows," said Yen Sid. "However, he must be weary. He has to wait until we have the seven lights so that he can create the X-blade. Keep exploring the worlds, and we will have a way of keeping the Keyblade War grounded."

"Master Yen Sid," said Goofy, "what about the other keyblade wielders? Where are they?"

"That would be my next point, Goofy," said Yen Sid. "I need Riku and King Mickey to find them. I have located two of them. One is in the realm of darkness, while the other is in Castle Oblivion."

"Where is the King?" asked Donald.

"He will be here shortly. Sora, you, Donald, Goofy, and Axel should go explore the worlds and find out if anything else is happening. I need Roxas and Demyx to stay here."

"For what?" asked Axel. "I mean, are you gonna give them something?"

"Yes. I will need them to go to the realm of sleep to retrieve a few things. There are also issues that Roxas and Demyx have to face."

"So, how do we get to this...realm?" asked Demyx.

"I'll teleport you there."

"What issues are you talking about?" asked Roxas.

"That is something that only you would know..."

At that moment, a light appeared near Yen Sid. King Mickey appeared, jumping forward. "Here I am!"

"Your Majesty!" cried Donald and Goofy.

"Are you ready to go, Riku?" said Mickey.

"Sure." Riku walked next to Mickey.

"Be careful Riku!" said Kairi and Sora. The two figures disappeared in a flash.

"I guess this is time to ask, but..." Renji started.

"Shinigami, I have a task for you," said Yen Sid. "I want you to train with me as well."

"Huh?!" Rukia widened her eyes.

"You could benefit from training here. The threats we face will be great, and the more powerful we are, the more the odds will change to our favor."

"Yes!" Renji and Rukia agreed.

"Well, we have to go, then," said Sora. He, Donald, Goofy, and Axel got up. Before Sora left, Kairi called out to him.

"Be safe, Sora!"

"I will!" Smiling, Sora and his crew went to his ship and flew off to explore more worlds.

Meanwhile, Ichigo and Kenpachi were in a desert. They did not know much about this place, but they knew that someone was here.

"This person must be crafty to have hidden here," muttered Ichigo.

"More like a coward!" Kenpachi was restless.

"Don't judge me so carelessly."

The voice echoed from everywhere. Ichigo sensed a presence in front of him. A man with long hair and red armor appeared.

"I suppose that accursed scientist of yours tracked me down, did he?"

"Who are you?" asked Ichigo.

"My name is Madara. I am from another world. I am suppose to be dead, but I am alive. I know that I was a nobody, but I am back to being me."

"How is that possible?"

"You may not know this, shinigami, but nobodies are special. In time, they regain their hearts."

"Why are you causing havoc across the worlds?!"

"It was only one world..."

"I'm tired of this non-fighting!" Kenpachi raised his sword up, but Ichigo used his sword to push it down.

"Wait! Let's hear him out!"

"Fine..." The shinigami decided to be patient, lowering his blade.

"In that world, I wanted to test the keyblader. He has done well and proven himself well."

"Who's side are you on?!"

"An interesting question. I guess I should decide based on who lives, right?"

Madara dashed forward, pulling a giant fan from behind him. Before he could attack, however, Kenpachi slashed the ground in front of him, creating a giant crack.

"I am Kenpachi, Captain of Squad 11!" He smiled, pointing his blade at him.

"You are not fighting alone." Ichigo drew both of his blades. "I am Kurosaki Ichigo, Substitute Shinigami!"

"Well, Soul Reapers..." Madara's eyes were glowing red, but Ichigo noticed that his eyes had a pattern on them. A dot surrounded by three circles and a star.

"I hope that you can show me the worth of your existences."