Back at the Mysterious Tower: Sora, Kairi, Riku, Roxas, Aqua, Axel, Archer, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Merlin, Archimedes, Jiminy Cricket, and Yen Sid have gathered. Roxas had just finished recapping the events from his perspective, after having been greeted by those who weren't present when he was revived.

Yen Sid spoke first, "We can all agree that it is good to have you back, young one, it gladdens me so to see that another one of ours has returned to the light." Yen Sid then faces Sora, "And I'm glad to see that you seemed to have finally achieved the power of waking, Sora, you are one step closer to becoming a Keyblade Master."

Sora chuckles and blushes, but points out, "Heh, so I guess even that doesn't make me a Keyblade Master, huh?" Riku playfully nudges him, then Yen Sid adds, "Hmm, for now, it appears that you activated the power unintentionally. True, you successfully managed to revive Roxas, formerly known as Ventus, but you now have to keep that power under conscious control, or you will lose both yourself and the one you're waking, perhaps forever." Sora then loses his smile, and sees the need to get serious. Yen Sid resumes, "the power of waking is not one to be used lightly, or recklessly. When one uses it, he risks himself being lost to the void, as it takes great concentration and vast energy to enter another's being and reconstitute it to full functionality. And excessive use of the power of waking could drain one's life force entirely, with little possibility of coming back."

Sora looks at Roxas, then at Riku and Kairi, before looking back to Yen Sid, who then adds, "Even for your loved ones, you should never attempt to abuse this power, regardless if you've mastered it or not. It is a powerful and valuable ability, one that proves your Mastery over the Keyblade, as well as the power provided by Kingdom Hearts, but as with all power, too much use can and will destroy you."

The room goes silent for a moment as everyone acknowledges Yen Sid's warning with sincerity. Then Merlin breaks the silence with his announcement, "Well, to move on to other news, I feel I must point out something that Archimedes and I discovered while I supervised Kairi and Lea- excuse me, Axel's training. It concerns the Keyblade War, and whether we know the truth of the events surrounding it or not."

Everyone then faces him with genuine curiosity, as well as slight concern. Archer responds first, "I'm not sure how this will help us in the short term, though?" Roxas decided to respond to Archer's issue, "Because that's supposedly the reason why my former master Xehanort started this whole mess to begin with." Archer acknowledges that, then adds "Ok, but how will us knowing the truth help us defeat him now? I understand not to repeat the mistakes of the past, but unless there's a battle strategy or secret weapon, I fail to understand why we can't go over this until after we've defeated him?"

The attention then diverts back to Merlin, "Well, after what I've found out, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out that Xehanort went crazy with his whole plan because he himself tried to find out the truth, which then caused him to go on this mission to supposedly make sure that it doesn't happen again." This is what really caught everyone's attention, and Archer was no longer questioning the wizard's logic.

"What do we know about the Keyblade War?" Merlin continued, "You students wouldn't know anything, understandably, as Roxas, formerly Ventus, never achieved Master status, while the newer Masters – Aqua and Riku – never got the chance to access certain entitled knowledge granted to those with the "Master" status. Only the older Masters know anything about the war, and as it turns out, it's really not all that much. I looked into the various reports, including the Secret Reports, and there's this one man, the "Master of Masters", who mentored 5 lesser masters, called the "Foretellers". There's the vague notion that one of the foretellers was a traitor, and how the Master of Masters planned it so the different factions, each lead by one of the Foretellers, competed against each other instead of working together.

This was all because the Master of Masters claimed that a Book of Prophecies said it would happen, and rather than using this information to prevent the war, the Master's excuse was to let the war play out, and then focus on how to recover after the war. Basically, the Keyblade War, according to the records, is because of some self-fulfilling prophecy that everyone was expected to go along with. Meanwhile, the Master then sent a sixth apprentice to travel the worlds while carrying his "Gazing Eye" Keyblade as well as a black box, to watch over the fractured worlds and see how they recover after the War. Then the Master and the Sixth apprentice were never seen or mentioned again in the reports after this. But that's not even the weirdest part.

I cross-referenced the timeline that the war supposedly took place in, with historical records of other worlds, and they just don't add up. According to the records of the Keyblade Masters, the Keyblade War took place mere couple of centuries ago, give or take a few decades, and then the One World that existed at the time was then split into many worlds, the ones you've all seen by now. Yet in some of these worlds, the ones I looked at so far anyway, their historical records indicate they've been separated for several thousand years, if not longer. It wasn't until I went at least that far back in their historical records until I found that they all shared a common theme: when their world broke off from a single, larger world. Again, that was thousands and thousands of years into their past, when I had to look at the very first recordings ever found in each of those worlds."

Once he reached that point, he paused to look at everyone in the room, and the air was filled with tension and curiosity. Merlin then addressed Yen Sid, and asked "Why is that? Why hasn't anyone done any further research on this? I'm not even a Keyblade Wielder, and yet I was able to piece this together. You'd think the other masters, who had likely travelled across many worlds as well, would've picked up on this. They should've seen that certain worlds alone contain architecture and records that predate the Keyblade War, even though technically those records should've started after the war? And shouldn't they have questioned and investigated the circular logic provided by this Master of Masters and his Book of Prophecies?"

Everyone else also turn to Yen Sid, who attempts to answer, "Because…. Because there is no more need… to look into the matter further. You explained it yourself perfectly, as for the dating of the other worlds, they simply must be mistaken…"

Merlin raised an eye-brow "All of them? All the ones that have records anyway?" Yen Sid then looks away, distraught, then repeats his previous statement, "There is no more need to look into the matter further. You explained it yourself perfectly, and the dating on the other worlds must simply be mistaken". The others look at him in shock and suspicion, while Merlin smiles as if he's caught someone in the act of theft.

Yen Sid then changes expression, as if he just woke up from a trance, and Merlin said, "As I thought, it appears as if the older Keyblade Masters are under a spell, or dare I say, a curse, to prevent anyone from looking into the matter further. And any evidence to the contrary is shrugged off and omitted from their own records."

Yen Sid doesn't attempt to disprove Merlin, but asks with mild difficulty, "How can this be? Who would be powerful enough to place such a curse on Master-level Keyblade Wielders, let alone ensure that future generations fall prey to this curse?"

Merlin responded, "I suspect it has to do with the Gazing Eye Keyblade that supposedly belonged to this Master of Masters. The records stated that he placed one of his eyes in the Keyblade, before giving it to the sixth apprentice and disappearing. I don't know what's with the black box, if there even is one, but the Keyblade might be tied to this curse. Master Xehanort has it now, correct? And he's amassing a New Organization 13 and plans to do God-knows-what with Kingdom Hearts once he summons it."

Roxas than responds to Merlin's theory, "There is a black box, at least, that's what Master Xehanort told me back when I was his student." Everyone then focuses on Roxas, and Merlin asks, "Are you sure? You sure it's the same black box I mentioned?"

Roxas replied, "Absolutely. When he wasn't training me and berating me about not being as good as his previous apprentice, he would talk about things similar to what you said, about how odd this Master of Masters was and something about a black box being taken across worlds after the Keyblade War, and how it might be tied to the cause of the war."

Yen Sid then interrupted Roxas's explanation, "Did you say Xehanort's previous apprentice?" Roxas looked at him as if he asked a dumb question, "Yeah, I did. He'd tell me how his first apprentice was everything he'd ever dream of in a student, the perfect partner. And how he went mad after the apprentice left him, and how since then he'd hoped to find someone of equal caliber, but never did, and always reminded me that I was never as good as his star pupil." Roxas ended that with noticeable resentment and a hint of jealousy in his voice. "I wouldn't be surprised if the apprentice jumped ship when he found out what Xehanort was up to. Since he wanted me to help him make the X-blade, and since he got interested in Terra and took over his body, I'll bet the apprentice caught wind of this and left before he was used in a way like Terra or I was. Master Xehanort even told me how he tried to beat the apprentice into submission, force him to stay, but the apprentice beat Xehanort in combat, left him, and never looked back." Roxas ended this time with a smirk of satisfaction.

Merlin then faced Yen Sid, "Did you know Xehanort had another apprentice before Ven?" Yen Sid replied, "No, of course not. That man was not one to make many friends, but not even Eraqus mentioned anything about Xehanort having another apprentice. Then again, Eraqus wasn't aware of Vanitas either."

After a moment of silence, Merlin declared, "Well, now that we're more aware of the questionable validity of the history of the Keyblade War, we can at least be weary of Xehanort's motivations behind his current plan to obtain Kingdom Hearts. Whatever he found, it must be what drove him nuts, but for now, we'll put this on hold and deal with Xehanort. After that, I'll look into this more, but you all just worry about preparing for the battle to come. As the Seven lights are now gathered, it's almost time to battle with the 13 warriors of darkness."

Then Archer added, "And I'll continue to monitor Maleficent's movements. If there really is a black box, she'll find it, and then I'll deal with it". Merlin and the rest nodded in agreement, then Yen Sid formally ended the meeting.

Ω

As the others left the Tower, Merlin and Yen Sid gathered by the window behind his desk, and spoke quietly.

"Do you really think all of those reports could be completely falsified?" Yen Sid asked, with a tired-ness in his voice.

"Not entirely," Merlin answered, "There could be some truth to them. But then, the most dangerous lies are half-truths. But clearly, whoever took the time to tamper with the older Reports didn't take into account other historical records."

"Or couldn't", Yen Sid interrupted. Merlin pondered this, "You think the tamperer did not foresee the splitting of the worlds? Or do you think he was interrupted before he could complete his fabrication of history?"

"Both" Yen Sid replied slowly, after a slight pause, and this was all noticed by Merlin, who began to show concern for his peer. "What's wrong, Yen Sid? The others are gone now, so fess up."

"Even before I found out recently that I could be compromised by whatever force is fabricating the history we've come to know, I've known for a little while now that my strength has been waning." Merlin looked at him in shock. Yen Sid briefly stared at him and continued, "Hmm, I didn't expect you to be surprised, but I suppose I should thank you for not prying into my private affairs. This was expected, old friend. None of us live forever."

"But even then-" Merlin tried to speak, but Yen Sid interrupted him, "This was a consequence I accepted the day I forfeited the ways of the Keyblade. It was either this, or to lose my memories of my time studying their ways. And even then, I extended my life beyond my shortened lifespan enough to be of aid to the Keyblade wielders of the current generation. And now, I offer my position to you, Merlin."

Merlin's eyes widened, then he took a step back. "Yen Sid, I…. I don't know what to say…" The former keyblade master smiled and responded, "This should have happened a long time ago, but I suppose this was for the best. Whatever curse plagues us older masters, it does not seem to affect Aqua, Mickey, and Riku. I hereby choose you as my next successor in the ways of the Keyblade. With this power and knowledge, may you be armed with all that you need to defeat the forces of darkness, and ensure the domination of the light."

And with that, Yen Sid had begun the Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony with Merlin, he summons his Keyblade, Ultima, and holding it by the blade, lends the handle to Merlin, who slowly reaches out to grab it. Once he grabbed the handle, Yen Sid continued, "and for your services to the Keyblade wielders, and to all the warriors of light, as well as your past exploits, and your mastery of the mystic arts as well as the ways of the sword, I hereby grant you the rank of Master." The room lit up somewhat, and a vibration is both heard and felt throughout the room, and then, all dimmed down, and the Ceremony was done.

"Congratulations, Master Merlin" Yen Sid said with a nod, "may you use your new status to gain unrestricted access to the Land of Departure, and obtain the knowledge you seek." Merlin displayed an awkward smile, and uttered only two words, "Oy vey…."

Ω

Outside the base of the Tower, the group prepared to go their separate ways, to each enjoy the calm before the storm.

Mickey decided to talk first, "Welp, we've got our seven guardians!"

Sora replied, "Yeah, but… I do wish that Terra and Namine could be here with us too."

"Since when do you mope, Sora?" Riku said with a friendly mocking tone, "Come on. Terra's gotta be with the Organization, which means we'll have a chance to save him."

Aqua then follows up on Riku's statement, "Leave it to Roxas and I. We'll bring him home."

Roxas follows up as well, "Yeah, I made Terra a promise. I said I'd be there for him when he needs me."

Then Archer spoke up, "As for Namine, don't forget, she's already safe, inside Kairi" he then pointed to Kairi's heart, causing her to place both hands on it. Archer continued, "I get that you're worried about her, considering that she lived her own life for a while, but she is still a nobody, and Kairi's nobody at that. You did your job, what you could for her, so no need to worry about her anymore. Whatever Kairi feels, sees, and lives through, Namine will experience it all too."

"Exactly Sora," said Kairi, finally, "Namine is safe here with me. And she always will be, trust me."

"And Donald and I are no keyblade wielders, but we'll always by right there to help keep ya ready!" Said Goofy, still with his optimistic and fatherly tone, "we've got your back, not just now, but always."

Then Donald walked up to Sora, "Three half-pints make a whole!" Sora smiled, embarrassed, "That again?" Then the group laughed. Then Archer spoke, "You could say we've got nine guardians, if you count Donald and Goofy." Kairi quickly responded to his observation, "Ten, if we include you too." Archer turned to her with a subtly shocked expression, then let out a small smile. Kairi continued, "You've been a big help to me and Axel, so I won't let you count yourself out."

Archer then resumed, facing Sora again, "And given time, I know others will joins us." "Yeah!" Sora replied.

Then Archer continued, "Master Merlin and Yen Sid gave us a break for the rest of the day. All of you should use this time to finish up any loose ends you have before we all head out to the Keyblade Graveyard, and end this once and for all." The rest of them all agreed with a nod and a grunt, then they split up.