"Uh, where am I?"
Tyler mumbled, rubbing his head as he found he was in a cell similar to the one that held Kairi. When Tyler realized this, he began to panic.
"Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, OH SHIT! FUCKING SHIT, GET ME THE HELL OUT!"
He was not chained down and still had his ring on, so he summoned his key blade and attacked the bars. But as soon as the blade made contact, he was thrown against the back wall.
"Ow my ass, heeeyyy… could someone let me out?"
After getting no reply, Tyler continued to attack the bars and get thrown back until a voice said.
"Stop it. We need you alive. If you keep this up, you won't last long. There's no way out, other than through this darkness thing, such a wonderful power."
The voice Tyler heard did not resemble Xemnas, who he saw speaking. Then another came.
"These bodies suit us well, don't you agree?"
It was Saïx, the second in command of the Organization. But like Xemnas, his voice seemed distorted.
"What do you want with me Xemnas?"
Tyler demanded boldly, making them both just laugh.
"What's so funny!"
Tyler yelled.
"Xemnas…? Ha, you wish. No, I'm much worse than Xemnas."
The man who appeared to be Xemnas said.
"You mean they don't know? They're just making it easier and easier on us."
Saïx said after seeing how confused Tyler looked.
"If you're not Xemnas, then who are you?"
Tyler said, puzzled.
"Since you're going to be dying anyway, it won't hurt to let you know. It might even be a little fun to see your expression. We are not who you think we are, we're ancient beings in fact. We travel from story to story looking for a way out so we can finally destroy the real world that had forsaken us. Your world, not some fictional world thought up by filthy humans. My true name is Zephon and this is Duma."
Said Xemnas
"Destroy … my world? Why?"
Tyler asked.
"Yes, destroy your world. It is father's bidding. It would have happened long ago if it weren't for people like your friend Stuart."
"You mean there are more people who can do what Stuart does?"
Tyler said, now slightly distracted from the fact he's locked up.
"Yes, there are, but your friend is nothing like any of them. He seems connected to us, unlike any other human. But he is also different in the respect that he's one of the few who's ever been foolish enough to even tell someone about the gift, let alone bring someone back and someone in. But it's not like we're complaining. After all, he's our ticket out of here. Now then, we have to go to make sure your friend is nice and drained by the time he gets here. We wouldn't want to drag out this little fight. That is, if he even makes it here… Have fun."
Tyler looked utterly bewildered and said nothing, so they left him in his cell alone. He knew he must get out, but he couldn't control the darkness, so he was trapped.
"I have to think… how am I going to get out of here? Come on think… think… think."
Tyler said to himself, as if it was going to somehow make him have a brilliant idea. But sadly, he came up with nothing. Tyler was now pacing back and forth. It had been about a day or two when on the back wall appeared a dark portal and a voice that brought a smile to Tyler's face.
"Come with me if you ever want to get out of here."
Tyler walked into the darkness without a second's hesitation as soon he saw him it was. It was Riku, but in Xehanort form.
"I would have gotten you earlier, but I was being followed. My name's Ansem."
Started Riku, but Tyler interrupted him and said.
"No it's not… You're Riku."
Tyler said with a hint of awe and relief
"Thanks for saving me. I thought I would never get out, but there's no time, we need to find my friend. He's probably with Sora looking for me."
Riku just stared at Tyler then said,
"How do you know my name?"
"Um well, ya about that… I know how you were taken over by Ansem and how you had to get Roxas, so ya. But it's not important. We need to find Stu I mean Startux I need to tell him something before it's too late."
"I'm sorry, I can't help you."
Riku said, turning away, seeming ashamed.
"But why….Why can't you help me?"
Tyler whined in desperation.
"I lost track of Sora while I was being chased by the Organization. They seem to have gotten much stronger all of a sudden. And if you're right and he is with Sora, I can't let Sora see me. Not like this… But I am looking for him so I can help him from the shadows at the very least. I could use your help."
Riku fell silent.
"You know what? I think I will help you. But only on one condition."
Riku looked up at Tyler and said,
"What would that be?"
"You have to stop hiding from Sora."
Tyler said firmly, making Riku look very taken aback.
"But I can't let him see me like this."
Riku protested clearly torn between wanting to see Sora again and not wanting to be seen himself.
"You just don't get it do you? It really doesn't matter what you look like… You and Sora are best friends and that will never change, no matter what. All Sora really wants is to find you and know that you're ok. I know that, because that's what friends are for, to be there when you need them most. Don't let Sora down… Now promise me, if you want my help, you have to let Sora know you're all right."
"Ok… I promise"
Tyler's words made Riku give in. He knew Tyler was right.
"Ok, let's get going. Where should we go first?"
Asked Riku
"I don't know, I know where he would be if anywhere else, but I doubt he would be there with my luck. No, I think we should check the last place I would think to look."
"And where would that be?"
Asked Riku
"Twilight Town, he always said how much he hated having to be there for the beginning."
Tyler answered nearly blowing his cover.
"Beginning… What do you mean beginning? Beginning of what?"
Riku asked, not understanding.
"Um, never mind. I'll tell you later."
Tyler said quickly.