OOOOO
She Will Light The Way
Chapter Seven
An Ominous Wind Blows Through

The past several years had been a long, winding, tragic road for the young King of the land of Disney.

From receiving his Keyblade and beginning his tutelage, to befriending the other young Key Bearers of his generation, only to lose them one-by-one, to seeing various worlds swallowed up by the darkness. Upon Sora sealing the Door to Darkness, he thought the road had finally come to an end, thinking that even more when he met and befriended Riku within the depths of Castle Oblivion, helping the boy confront and conquer the darkness lying within.

And, then, it all came crashing down.

Riku was pushed to desperate lengths in his quest to save Sora, torturing and damaging himself and taking upon the image of the being he hated the most.

Sora was swept up within the schemes of the Organization, placed in a no-win situation where he was forced to sacrifice his freedom for someone he deeply cared about.

Now, their mutual friend Kairi was forced to step up in their place and try and pick up the pieces, fighting against her tangible enemies and her own dreadful fears.

And King Mickey Mouse was still trudging along this road, hoping the end would come soon, hoping for salvation for the many others he had passed along the way.

After departing from Hollow Bastion in the Gummi Ship that had been (until recently) in the possession of Sora, the Mouse King began to scour the worlds in search for Sora's lost companions, Donald Duck and Goofy having been swept aside by the Organization and cast into darkness. Fortunately, it didn't take nearly as long as Mickey thought it would to find them, and that they had arrived on a hospitable world – one they had recently visited, the Pride Lands.

With the two of them secured, Mickey decided a little detour might do some good. As Donald and Goofy rested and convalesced aboard the ship, Mickey went to pay a little visit to his old master in order to better assess the situation, gain clarity on his next course of action, and... to settle the doubts plaguing his heart.

And so the road brought him back here, where his journey began, the tower sanctum of Master Yen Sid.

"I do apologize for the sudden interruption, Master." Mickey said, after a quick exchange of pleasantries between master and pupil. Well, former pupil in truth, but Mickey had never fully considered himself successfully graduating from apprenticeship.

"Not at all, Mickey. It is always good to hear from my old student." Conversely, Yen Sid did consider the monarch worthy of ascending beyond his tutelage. "Even under such dire circumstances." There was a brief pause, as the wizened wizard observed his former student. "I have done as best I can to keep myself abreast of the situation, but I would like to hear the goings on from someone who has had their feet on the ground."

Mickey shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid I can't tell you much, Master. Ever since leaving Hollow Bastion, I haven't had much contact with anyone else. As far as I know, Sora is still the Organization's captive, Kairi has just begun her quest, and Riku is... he's broken away from Ansem, but I don't know where he is or what he plans to do." The young King deeply sighed at the thought of his wayward friend, as Yen Sid stroked his beard in contemplation.

"I see, I see." The Master murmured to himself. "I do wish there was more I could do for the three of them from here, but I'm afraid things of spiraled out of control beyond my worst imagined scenarios. I never thought an intruder would stumble into the Islands and usher young Kairi beyond their protective boundaries, nor would the Organization make such a brash play. When you informed me of Sora's impending awakening and his need for guidance..."

"I didn't think things would turn out this way, either." Mickey said, eyes cast down at he floor of the study. Partly because Yen Sid's unerring and focused gaze was set upon him, peeling away at his being to peer into the deepest recesses of his heart. Even after all these years, Mickey found his Master intimidating in the worst of times. "All of this, all of this heartbreak and separation and tragedy, it reminds of what happened ten years ago." Now, Mickey raised his vision to meet eyes with the wizard. "What happened to Aqua, and Terra, and Ventus."

Yen Sid shut his eyes ponderously and sighed. One of denial and rejection. "Now, Mickey, it has been long enough that I thought you would have learned that was beyond your control. Beyond our control." Then, very quickly under his breath, Yen Sid added, "Though it is more than a little ominous both those events and our current predicament were orchestrated by an iteration of Xehanort..."

"I understand that, Master." Mickey countered in protest, missing the softly spoken addendum. "But all the same, it's just a little too eerily familiar to watch three friends be torn apart like this. Even after all this time, the three of them are still gone. Completely vanished. And I would hate for that to repeat, with Sora, Kairi, and Riku." Yen Sid knew his former student deeply missed the other three Key Bearers from a decade ago. Though they had met only briefly, Mickey had always been a compassionate and empathetic individual, and the fact that he couldn't be of much assistance to his fellow wielders in their greatest hour of need had always followed him, even after all this time. "Especially Riku."

"I have been thinking quite often about those six in recent days," Yen Sid said, seemingly changing subjects away from the Mouse King's heartache. "Both our recently crowned Keyblade Wielders, and our three lost Bearers. In fact, I have been retracing the paths the latter took during their trials and tribulations and have come up with an interesting theory." Now, Mickey was looking expectantly at the sorcerer, his hopes seemingly buoyed by the musings of his old teacher. "Now, while I lack any concrete proof as of yet, I do believe that Aqua, Terra, and Ventus all crossed paths with our three young Bearers of this day and age, a decade ago."

Yes, yes, that made some sense. Mickey was present when Aqua had an encounter with a young redheaded girl on a world once known as Radiant Garden, he recalled. That would match up with Kairi. Right appearance, right location, right age.

"But what does that have to do with anything, Master?" Mickey asked, earning a chuckle from Yen Sid.

"Many, many things. Hopefully. It means that Sora, and Kairi, and Riku possess a link with the past, with out lost Bearers. With the tragedy from ten years ago. And as we've seen before – and hopefully will see again – the bonds that Sora, Kairi, and Riku share with each other are strong. Incredibly strong. A power that can defy all expectation and reality. That link the three share with each other and with others – including those lost to us – is the key to bringing and end to the Organization and setting things right."

"I... think I understand." Mickey said, slowly. He had seen and heard of many miraculous things those three had been able to accomplish, but this still felt like a big leap to take based on a theory even the Master wasn't entirely sure of.

"You're skepticism is warranted, to a point." Yen Sid said, as if sensing what his former student was feeling. Another old habit and trick of the sorcerer. "Our situation is dire, but we have all seen the wondrous and impossible things the heart can create, even greater when two hearts are linked together." Mickey nodded. "The connection those three share is special, but it will not create a miracle on it's own. We must have faith in our friends – for Sora to maintain his hope within the depths of despair, for Riku to once more succeed while struggling against himself, and for Kairi to stand up to this challenge and overcome it and herself. And, we must give them a helping hand in creating a path where they can finally reunite."

Looming over his desk, Yen Sid looked down at Mickey and asked, "Now, do you have faith, Mickey?"

From his tone of voice, Mickey knew his Master wasn't referring to others in general. He was speaking of one person specifically.

"I do." Mickey did believe in Riku. Even if he had lapsed. Even if he had given in to a darker impulse in desperation. Riku was strong and courageous, and valued Sora and Kairi above all else. For the two of them, Riku would overcome. "I have faith that Riku will cast aside this shadow and be himself once again. That he will reunite with Sora and Kairi soon enough."

Yen Sid found the answer deeply satisfying, nodding in approval. "And what will your next course of action be? To assist our young Keyblade Warriors in their trial. Do you know?"

"Of course I do! We still need to find a gateway into the Organization's stronghold. Even if we can't defeat them then and there, at the very least, we can stage a rescue of Sora."

It was funny how Yen Sid could simply use a few words and gestures to clear up Mickey's disposition. Mickey supposed that was just the proof of their connection, that his Master could see deep within his heart and knew exactly how to cure whatever ailed it.

"Then go forth, my faithful student, Master of the Keyblade. Find the path to light upon the hopes and dreams of others, and let your heart guide you to a better and brighter world."

-O-SWLTW-O-

Kairi and the Gullwings warped down to their destination world, one that was dominated by a dark, Gothic castle planted in the middle of gnarled and twisted forest. Like with their transit to Twilight Town and the Land of Dragons, the four girls appeared in a sudden beam of light, being deposited right in the middle of the dark and gloomy interior of the castle. It was deathly still and silent, no one other than the four otherworldy travelers were present. Kairi couldn't help but feel she should recognize this world, that it seemed familiar from her readings of Sora's adventures, but she couldn't quite place it.

Besides, she found other matters more pressing at the immediate time.

"I wish the system hadn't dumped us into the middle of the castle." Kairi admitted in a quiet voice, as she and the others gathered their bearings. "Makes me feel like we're a bunch of thieves, breaking in in the middle of the night..."

"If you're feeling like a thief, then you're with the right company, at least." Said Yuna with a slight laugh. Kairi felt herself smile at that, despite herself and the situation.

"If this is a world Sora has been too, I'm sure they're use to a bunch of strangers appearing out of thin air and barging in to their personal business." Paine pointed out, red-eyes piercing through the darkness around them. Kairi only shook her head.

"I would honestly prefer to do things a little more properly than 'barging in' on people." The Key Bearer stopped. For a moment, she thought she had heard something. Something very light and quiet striking the stone and carpeted floors about them. But it was so faint she very easily could have been imaging in it.

It was silent now, but she kept herself on guard and alert.

"And I don't just want to rely on goodwill earned from Sora." She finally allowed herself to continue, after mimicking Paine and scanning the general area. "We should do this the right way. Let's sneak back out and try knocking and asking permission."

Paine snorted softly. "Have you seen how big those doors are? How big this room is? No one is gonna hear us. We're fine just rolling with where we've been put."

"Also, sneaking out wouldn't change anything." Yuna pointed out. "We still broke in, technically."

Kairi pouted and puffed up her cheeks, petulantly. Yuna was suppose to be on her side. "Well, you said I'm Leader right? Then, as Leader, I'm making an order."

"You are the Leader, but this is also a democracy. You're being overruled." Paine said.

"Since when our you guys a democracy? You didn't want to have lasagna for dinner last night, so you challenged everyone to arm wrestling for the right to decide what dish to make."

"I don't like baked pastas."

Yuna sighed and shook her head, as Kairi and Paine continued to argue in stage whispers. "Well, it seems like Kairi has really started to gel with us. She's almost acting like a real Gullwing, right Rikku?" Her cousin didn't immediately respond. "Rikku?"

During all of these antics, Rikku had skulked off a bit from the three, eyeing some of the artwork and various fancy looking objects scattered about the area, fingers twitching in anticipation (old habits do die hard, after all). But, the blonde behaved herself, mostly because she was a teensy bit irritated by the bickering in the background. More the circular nature of it than anything else.

"All right, Rikku, looks like it's all up to you." She told herself, while clearing her throat. With both her hands cupped around her mouth, the blonde shouted into the black haze around them.

"Helloooooooooo! Anybody heeerrreeee!?" The suddeness of the outbursts silenced her two teammates, as Rikku's voice echoed and bounced off the cavernous walls of the castle. "Sorry to bother you, but we're just you're friendly neighbourhood Keyblade Master and her friends dropping by! Wondering if you've seen anything weird? Like a big, ominous looking obelisk? Stuff like that!? HELLOOOOO!?"

"Rikku!" Kairi hissed, still speaking in hushed tones, despite Rikku's boisterous declarations. "What are you doing?" She had left the remote to their shock collars on the Ship, she was just realizing. It might have been handy to have, here and now.

"I'unno." Rikku shrugged. "Just figured I'd get the ball rolling. You two weren't settling stuff anytime soon, and hey, they are friendlies on this world, right? Wouldn't hurt to just announce that we're here."

Begrudgingly, Kairi had to admit to herself the blonde made a lot of sense. She still wasn't comfortable with the idea of, what was essentially, breaking in to someone's home, but the sooner they made contact with some friends, the easier things would go. But something else also struck her as odd. How seamlessly she just sort of fell into a trivial argument with Paine, even in the midst of something of critical importance. It almost alike in her little spats with Sora or Riku, or with her school friends like Selphie and Rydia. Had she really developed a report with the Gullwings that quickly?

Pushing the thought aside, Kairi took another look around the chamber. There was still no sound or movement, despite Rikku's announcement. Was the castle empty? She wish she had brought the Journal with her. She could swear the name of this place was right on the tip of her tongue...

"Regardless, I think it's time we should get moving." Yuna stepped to Kairi's backside, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We're not going to accomplish much if we just stand around and talk. If we explore, we're likely to find someone to assist us, or even the Stone itself, if we get lucky."

Paine agreed through actions, as opposed to words, taking long strides forward through the the darkened atrium. "This is a world Sora has been to, right?" She asked Kairi, as she moved.

Yuna and Rikku followed along with their friend, leaving Kairi to lag behind. "I think. I'm having trouble remembering the full picture, but it all seems familiar to what I've read in Sora's Journal."

"Ah, so you're all friends of Sora. That would explain much."

"That were are." Kairi said, almost automatically. Then she realized she didn't recognize the speaker's voice – a suave, French-accented masculine tone. Kairi and the Gullwings all stopped in their tracks and scanned the room, but finding no one else in the vicinity.

"Um... excuse me, is someone there?" Kairi asked, weakly.

"Down here, madam." There was second speaker too, another male with a refined accent to his voice. They could also now identify where the voice was coming from, closer to Kairi than the others.

The four girls looked down near Kairi's feet to find... well, Kairi certainly didn't know what to expect, but she was still caught off guard by what she saw.

There was a golden, three-branched candelabra and a small, brown pendulum clock, but they were more than just everyday household items – they were... mobile! Ambulatory. Alive? As the girls looked on, the candelabra hopped towards them, while the clock awkwardly tromped over on it's four stubby "legs", giving them a better view, and also revealing the objects had humanoid faces. The candle within the central holder had eyes, a nose, and a mouth sculpted out of the wax, while the face of the clock was also the face of a person, it's two hands serving as a mustache.

Kairi's brain tried to process the sight, she knew some of the worlds and it's inhabitants would be very different from the narrow sample she had experience, but this was a little too much too fast for her. Over her shoulder, she cast a look at her companions, hoping them could offer an explanation.

"Don't look at us like that, this is a new experience for the three of us, too." Was all that Paine offered.

"Do not be alarmed, mademoiselles," the candle greeted warmly, as he and his companion approached closer. Kairi bent down at her knees to get a closer and better look. "We were merely drawn by the commotion you made," Paine smacked Rikku on the back of her head, "but we were most fortunate to find friends of that dashing young man, no?" The living candelabra made a sweeping motion with both arms, bowing to Kairi. "Allow me to introduce ourselves, I am Lumière. And this is my constant companion, Cogsworth." Lumière motioned to the clock at his side.

"It's good to meet you, Lumière. Cogsworth." Kairi returned, the wheels in her brain turning in overdrive. She had certainly read those names before. "I"m Kairi. And these are Yuna, Rikku, and Paine."

"A pleasure to make all your acquaintainces, I am certain." Cogsworth replied, stiffly and formally. "But I do have to ask, you four made quite a racket earlier, and I would advise against such things. Our Master is not wholly receptive to unwanted visitors showing up on our doorstep, unannounced." The redhead bowed her head in contrition.

"I'm so sorry about that. We didn't mean to just barge in here."

Cogsworth nodded with his oddly flexible wooden clock neck. "It's all right, I'm certain. Just a word of advice and – HEY!"

Without warning, Rikku had scooted forward and snatched Cogsworth into the air, examining him with an intense and inquisitive eye, while the clock man vehemently voiced his opposition to such treatment.

"I say, this kind of treatment is unheard of! I am a steward of this castle, and I shall not be handled in such a manner, now put me down this instance!"

Rikku ignored the complaints, keeping all her attention on the body of Cogsworth, particularly his inner workings. "Say, clock dude, awkward question her, but uh... do you mind if I try and take you a part? See how you... 'tick'?"

Cogsworth trembled in rage, as his clock hand mustache rapidly rotated around the circumference of his face. "As a matter of fact, yes, I would mind that very much, madam!" He shouted, the tone of his voice almost equally Rikku's earlier, despite his admonishments of the Gullwing's earlier actions.

"Okay, okay, jeez, sorry I asked. Don't get your gears all twisted up..."

"Wait! I remember now!" Kairi stood up to full height, hopping slightly on the balls of her feet. "Lumière. Cogsworth. You two were once human. You were changed into these forms by the curse of an enchantress, right?" Both cursed humans nodded. "That settles things, this is Beast's Castle." Honestly, it was embarrassing it took Kairi this long to remember, seeing as how The Beast was one of the few of Sora's companions she was even remotely familiar with. The fearsome, moody, and temperamental creature that had wandered through the darkness through sheer force of will, coming to Hollow Bastion to rescue one of her fellow Princess's of Heart, Belle.

Wait... Lumière and Cogsworth mentioned a "Master"... and this is Beast's Castle... And the four of us our intruders...

Kairi's eyes shrank to pinpricks.

"Oh no..."

As if answering her realization, a fierce and violent roar split the air, shaking the very foundation of the castle. The Gullwings all stood on edge, expecting a fight, while both Lumière and Cogsworth wore worrisome faces.

"Intruders! Always intruders! If it's not one thing, than it's the other!"

From the top of a balcony mostly shrouded in shadows, far off in the back of the room, a large shape leaped down, clearing the great distance between the balcony and the girls, and crashing down on the floor before them. A hulking, bestial figured covered in fur appeared before four, growling threateningly at the intruders. Paine and Yuna stood to fight, where Rikku took a different approach.

"Holy crap!" The blonde exclaimed in fright, taking several brisk steps away from the monster. "Protect me, clock guy!" Rikku held out Cogsworth at arms length, surprising the clock man, who stammered nervously.

"Beast! We're not your enemies!" Kairi quickly said, trying to avoid an unnecessary fight. "We're sorry for entering the castle without permission, but we're here for a good reason, and Sora -"

"ENOUGH!" Beast bellowed, rearing up to his full height, showing off the entirety of his formidable glory. Oddly enough, one of his hands was bandaged up. "All of you, leave at once! I will not offer you another opportunity!"

Paine and Yuna showed no sign of backing down, Beast showed no sign of relenting, but Kairi showed no sign of giving up the pacifist angle. Peering beyond the darkness behind Beast, Kairi saw a figure coming down the stairway, and desperately hoped this was who she thought it was...

"Belle. Belle!" Kairi cried out, jumping up and down and waving her arms, trying to draw attention to her. As the figure grew closer, her appearance became more apparent – a young woman in her late teens or early twenties, with dark brown hair tied back with a blue bow that matched the colour of her dress, and a white apron worn overtop it. Kairi was more than grateful to have her feelings confirmed, that her fellow Princess of Heart was here. "Over here, over here! We could use a hand... You remember me, right?"

Belle quickly stepped forward, settling next to the Beast, her very presence seeming to calm the hulking, cursed creature just a bit. With a semblance of peace restored, Belle's brown eyes began to study Kairi, who smiled awkwardly underneath the scrutiny. "Wait, yes, I think I do remember. From last year, you were with the other Princesses... Ka... Kal... no wait, Kairi. It was Kairi, wasn't it?"

"Yes, yes! I'm glad you remembered me."

Belle smiled softly. "You've changed so much, you were a little difficult to identify." This caused Kairi to chuckle nervously, scratching at the back of her head. Belle then turned to Beast. "Kairi is Sora's friend, Beast. There was no need to get so angry at them."

Beast shrunk away in shame, taking time to look at each of the girls in the eyes. "My apologies..." He grumbled in a low voice.

Yuna and Paine had similarly settled down, taking a more relaxed stance. "We're at fault here, too." Yuna apologized, with a slight bow. "It was a bit out of our control, but we shouldn't have just showed up in your home without warning, and caused such a ruckus." The brunette looked to her cousin, who also offered a mild, quiet apology.

Belle then turned back to address Kairi. "But what are you doing here? You're the last person I ever expected to arrive here."

"Trust me, a little while ago, I would've said something similar." Kairi said under her breath, eyes cast down to the floor. "Well, it's a bit of a long story, but Sora..." She really should just be honest with Sora's friends as to what his fate was, but Kairi didn't think she could stand to. The darkest corners of her mind formed terrifying nightmare thoughts that if she did spill the beans, everyone would hate her for being so weak and vulnerable. That she was the reason why everyone's hero had been stolen away. That she was just a knock-off trying to fill a role that wasn't meant for her.

But, then, as Kairi's own doubts consumed and assailed her, a part of her heart flared up. Soothing waves rippled throughout her body, and she could feel they weren't just coming from just herself, but from Belle, as well. In that moment, her Light bathed her in sanctity and reassurance, intensified and amplified by the nearby presence of Belle. The Light of a Princess of Heart is strong. But when multiples stood together, it only grew stronger and brighter. The ripples of energy she felt within her were so much more clear to her than any other time in memory. It's not simple addition. Or even multiplication. The power is growing exponentially, maybe even quadratically...

Maybe everyone would hate her if they found out Sora had given himself up for her. Maybe they would show her pity. Or sympathy. Maybe it wouldn't matter, and they were just desperate for a hero. But none of that really mattered, at the moment at least. Kairi had a quest to do, and all the various minutiae surrounding would only complicate things.

Save everyone.

Protect those you love.

Fight the monsters.

Those were the things that mattered.

"Sora is busy elsewhere," Kairi finally said, calmly and confidently. "But there are other things that need to be done, and I'm picking up his slack." She flashed an easy and charming smile. Sora would always smile whenever something was troubling her, or Riku, his parents, or his sisters, and he probably did the same to those he came across, those who's hearts were in distress. "Right now, we – oh, these are Yuna, Rikku, and Paine, by the way – we are looking for something the Organization is using to further their goals." Beast snorted in derision at the mention of the nebulous villainous group. "It's something called a Blackheart Stone. This big black pillar sorta thing. I don't suppose anyone has seen something like that?"

"As a matter of fact, we have." Belle answered, earning a surprise reaction from the four adventurers. That was a promising answer.

"It was around three days ago." The Beast said in his rumbling, animalistic speech. "Without warning, it was just there on the rooftops." Beast held up his bandaged paw. "It looked suspicious, so I tried to root it out, but... something strange happened the moment I touched it, and it injured me." King Mickey had said the Stones reacted very strongly when touched by anything other than a Keyblade. Guess that settled that mystery.

"Well, talk about a lucky break! 'Bout time, too!" Rikku declared cheerfully, pumping her arms as she walked forward. "We know where it is right off the bat. No hunting or grunt work or fussing around required. All we gotta do is head to the roof, take out the Guardian, and then Kairi can give it the old chop-chop and we're on our way!" The Al-Bhed girl playfully bunched Beast in the arm, drawing her a weird look at the familiarity with which she addressed him. Not to mention she was cowering at his appearance not five minutes ago. "Lead the way, Beasty boy."

That comment just drew her an even stranger look. However, nothing could be said or done in response to Rikku's antics, as the gigantic double doors to the castle suddenly blew open, a violent and powerful gust of wind blowing through the area, whipping up everyone's clothing and hair, and sending an ominous chill reverberate through everyone's bodies. A figure crossed through the threshold, leaving heavy footfalls that echoed throughout the cavernous chamber. He was dressed in a black cloak, immediately identifying him as a member of Organization XIII, this figure being one of the ones Kairi was not readily familiar with – the tall and intimidating man with the ornate dreadlocks and immaculate muttonchops.

Immediately, the tension in the room rocketed up several levels, beyond the point of when Beast first appeared and the threatened the group. The dreadlocked man's cold and detached glare spread across, sizing up everyone in the group individually. There was a certain level of monstrousness and inhumaness in his eyes that caused the hairs on Kairi's arms to stand on end. It was a stark and absolute contrast with Beast and his expressive and emotional eyes.

All the same, Kairi willed Destiny's Embrace to come out, as everyone took a guarded stance.

"This is bad..." Paine said through gritted teeth. Her shield was already out at her side, one hand reached over her should, resting on the hilt of her sword.

"Xaldin!" Beast barked venomously, fur standing on end. Heckles raised. "I knew you would show you face again, eventually!"

"Settle down, Beast. I've not come here for you." Xaldin dismissed icily. The Nobody gave halt to his approach, once more surveying the group, cold eyes flickering from one person to the other. "I am here on direct orders from the Superior himself. I'll finish my business with you another day, yet."

"It doesn't matter what you're here for, we'll stop you all the same." Kairi fired back, trying to keep her voice even and controlled. The air in the room had suddenly gotten heavier and darker. There was a sinister gravity radiating from Xaldin, greater than any threat she had faced beforehand. But, Kairi knew that sooner or later she would have had to cross blades with the Organization's members. Better to rip that band-aid off as quick as possible.

"Ah, I've seen you've grown a backbone in this short little while." Xaldin noted, coming the closest he had to showing true emotion yet. Amusement, maybe? "As it would happen, I've come here... for you." With a dramatic gesture, the Nobody extending his arm, point dead ahead to Kairi.

"For Kairi?" Yuna cocked her shotstaff, calmly leveling it at the enemy. She was ready to fire at a moment's notice.

Xaldin scoffed, cocking his head. "I am as surprised by this turn of events as any other. But with the boy under our jurisdiction and control, we don't need any other Keyblade users mucking about and ruining our well-laid plans. We don't know how exactly you came to obtain the Keyblade, nor learned about the Blackheart Stones, but it makes no difference." Slowly, Xaldin's voice was rising, from a cold drawl to a booming tone. "Your journey ends here and now."

Xaldin threw his arms into the air.

"You will find no victory."

The air in the room began to shift by Xaldin's command. Picking up, skorling and whirling about as it centered on Xaldin. The air currents visible to the naked eye.

"No salvation."

Six black whirlwinds manifested around Xaldin, in a rough hexagonal pattern. Rumbling, storming winds blowing through the chamber, pushing Kairi, Beast, Belle, and the Gullwings away.

"No mercy!"

The twisters broke, revealing six purple spears with a vague dragon-shape to their design. They flew into the air, zipping about Xaldin, as the Nobody took hold of all six of them, three in each hand. The winds still whipped and turned around him, causing his dreadlocks to wildly snap around his head, lifting him from the ground.

"I, Xaldin, Number III of Organization XIII shall mete out your execution, here and now. I gave my word to the Superior, and shall not fail in my duties.

"Prepare to die!"

And so Kairi comes across the first true challenge of her heroic journey. Settle in, folks, things are about to get pretty rough...

-So, not a whole whole lot this time around, another "bridge" chapter, linking the last chapter to our next arc, the next step of Kairi's own journey. But, there is one important thing, at least, regarding the connection to Birth By Sleep. Now, BBS is the only game in "canon" with this story, other than KH I, COM, and (the first half) of KH II, and, with the benefit of hindsight, I want to draw a more direct connection between this story and the events of BBS. Most notably, that our Bestiny Trinity are the inheritors of the BBS Trio. Hey, even the places the characters are mirror the end of BBS – Kairi/Aqua are desperately trying to save their friends and stem the tide of darkness; Riku/Terra are both swallowed by the darkness, tormented by an iteration of Xehanort, and assuming his form in one way or another; while Sora/Ven are sealed away from the rest of the world, awaiting rescue.

And we've already seen Kairi have a run-in with Aqua. How much longer until Sora and Riku cross paths with their counterparts? Stay tuned...

-One thing to note in this chapter is that I think it reveals two weakness of mine – one general for writing, one specific for KH stories. The general one is that I struggle at describing locations and physical space; I think I am generally solid at dialogue, descriptions of peoples and other beings, and action, but, yeah, I'm bad at just describing a room. I have strived to make improvements, but still struggle.

The other, more germane, thing is that, for whatever reason, the Disney portion of KH always eludes me. It feels like the lesser third compared to when I write the Final Fantasy or Original KH stuff, and I don't know why. I grew up with the stuff, and I enjoy a lot of Disney's current output, but, again, it's just something I have struggled with. Regardless, I am not going to let that weakness slow me down. This is a story about Kairi, her struggles, and her development, so the Disney stuff is just their to facilitate that. I guess, in a way, this story is the opposite of a true KH experience – the Disney stuff stays in the background, where our main character's arc is the focus, when it's normally the other way around.

-And a little note for clarification, as you may notice I type "Lumière" with an accent mark, but not "Namine". My reasoning for that is, in Japanese, the "Ne" character in Namine would naturally be pronounced with an upward inflection, making the "Nay" sound, so the mark is pointless. It's just there to teach us godless Westerners how to say the name, just like how they used the mark in "Pokemon" to make sure our parents knew how to pronounce it.

Yep. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!

But now, we're on the brink of a very big moment. Just how will Kairi's first real clash against the Organization go? Any thoughts, predictions, fears, ideas, or anything of the sort, please, let me know and don't be afraid to review or comment. It means the world to me when you take a bit of time out of your day to extend a few words to me and my stories, so don't be shy. I'd love to hear from you all!

Until next time, enjoy, and let the light guide your path forward.