The computer monitors in DiZ's basement lab were all bouncing information at us as we observed the digital situation with Sora. His vitals were all stable, and everything else seemed to be doing really well, too. It was hard to say when he would awaken, but DiZ was betting on a month. I was hoping it would be sooner, but a month was better than another year. We'd be growing gray hairs if it took any longer...
"Is this really going to be alright?" Riku asked, leaning back against the wall with his feet crossed. Since his acceptance of the darkness, he seemed to keep his hood up all the time now. I was curious if it was because I'd see, but I already knew. It didn't matter if he looked like Ansem. He was still Riku. Strong and a little snobbish. Still my best friend. "That world isn't complete yet."
DiZ chuckled and licked his bar of ice cream. "Good work for a beginner. As Roxas grows within the data of Twilight Town, I will work out the kinks."
"I-I tried..." I groaned. "So I forgot a few things here and there, but he could have fixed that!"
"Nonetheless, we were able to finish the necessary parts of the program," DiZ nodded to the monitor with Sora's information on it. On the bottom of the screen was a white bar and a percentage. "The days will be long, and we must keep an eye out for the Organization. I hope the two of you will continue to do your best."
"No need to ask if we will," Riku said plainly. He and I looked to one another, nodding in agreement. "It is for our friend, after all."
I nodded in agreement and folded my arms. Glancing over to the entrance to the deeper parts of the lab, I confidently grinned under my hood. It was going to be a long wait but so worth the trouble. Sora was going to come back to us. We had the means to make it happen.
"In the meantime, I guess I'd better head out and keep an eye on the Organization," I said, putting my hands on my hips. "Who knows when they'll try and take Roxas back?"
"Ah, wait just a moment, Kara!" DiZ called out to me. He rose from his chair and approached me. I stood with my back to the door and eyes looking up at the tall man. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me worry, and it didn't seem like it was just my imagination. "Riku will focus on defending our position from the outside."
From the outside? What does that mean? I wondered.
"What?" Riku blurted. He dropped his arms to his sides and took a step away from where he was relaxing. "You mean you're going through with it? It's dangerous. The data is not complete. Something could go wrong."
"We cannot risk those shrewd Nobodies sneaking inside and sabotaging this work," DiZ argued back. "If we are to ensure that Roxas remains where he is, then let us act. It will not fail."
"Is there a reason why I don't know what you guys are talking about?" I stared at Riku and DiZ with a suspicious eye.
They were definitely up to something, but I didn't find out until DiZ led me into the chamber holding Donald and Goofy's pods. A code was punched into the empty pod standing next to theirs, and DiZ gestured to it with a nod of his head. No need to ask him what he meant. I knew that he was telling me to step inside.
The question was why he wanted me to go in it. My memories were doing just fine. There was no need for Namine to dig into them and pull things out of place.
"It is as you said," he told me. "We do not know when the Organization will try and take Roxas back. Perhaps they will try and go inside the program."
"Are you saying... you want me to go inside it to beat them?" I asked.
"Should the occasion ever arise," DiZ explained. "This will allow you to stay close to Roxas and Sora, both. Connect your heart with them and work from the inside-"
"To speed up the process," I cut in.
Smirking, DiZ tucked his arms behind his back and stepped out of my way. "Potentially. It will still take time."
I nodded and stepped inside the pod. It was a cozy space, but still a little cramped. Riku arrived before the entry of the pod was closed tight. It was going to be a while before we saw each other in the real world again. He was going to be protecting me from the outside. That was all the comfort I needed.
"It is a daunting task, yes," DiZ said, pressing a few buttons. I gulped and watched the pod door closing slowly. A heavy vapor poured down, making me feel drowsy. I breathed out slowly and tried to listen to his words as closely as I could manage. "Only the necessary memories will be left in tact. The rest will be held back in order for you to connect with Sora's memories. We do not want to break your mind. Remember... you are to free Sora."
Shifting my sleepy eyes between him and Riku, I nodded slowly and inhaled deeply. The pod was closed now. Riku's voice sounded muffled. It was hard to make out what he was saying, yet I still felt comfort. I knew what he was telling me but in my heart. He will be there to watch over me.