Here it is. The chapter that started it all. Enjoy.

Sora, Jenna, and Mooneye just stared at the spot where Balto use to be. He had disappeared right before they even got a chance to touch him. Jenna felt like she's going to cry her eyes out.

"Balto…are you really…"

"No he's not, Jenna!" Sora said. "Balto is not gone! He made a promise to all of us that he'll return!"

"I wouldn't be too sure of that, Sora." Mooneye said in a low voice.

"Huh?" Sora asked.

"It appears that Mooneye is right for once."

Sora, Mooneye, and Jenna turned around. Kie and Neon were there. And so was Lavendra – the true Lavendra. Lavendra was a lot taller than any of them. She had long dark green hair, tan skin, and her non-human eyes were a darker red. She wore a light green v-neck cloak, long black boots that went all the way up to her knees, and wore a necklace with the Heartless symbol on it.

Sora and Mooneye brought out their blades. Lavendra made a sinister chuckle.

"Well, Keyblade Master – how do you like the real me?" She asked; spinning around so Sora could get a better look at her.

"So that's what you really look like, huh?" Sora said. "Well, I thought I faced some ugly monsters before, but you just take the cake."

"You better be careful on what you say!" Lavendra said enraged.

"Whatever." Sora said. "I guess the real reason you and your two subordinates are here is to gloat that the portal to Kingdom Wolves is finally open."

"My, you're one smart boy." Lavendra said. "Yes, and also to gloat that you'll never see your hybrid-wolf friend again."

"What are you talking about, Lavendra?" Sora said. "Of course we'll see Balto again. He made a promise to us."

Lavendra, Neon, and Kie laughed.

"You think he'll come just for making a promise?" Lavendra asked.

"I don't think! I know!" Sora said.

"Well, I'm afraid to tell you that you're sadly mistaken, Keyblade Master." Lavendra said. "Your hybrid-wolf friend has sacrificed himself in his own free will. By doing that, he has opened his heart, releasing the sacred wolf that was inside it. After serving its purpose of opening the portal to Kingdom Wolves, the sacred wolf would soon disappear – along with its carrier: Balto. He will be trapped in the realm of darkness till the end of time!"

She, Neon, and Kie made such sinister laughs. Jenna's legs were trembling from hearing that. The fact that Balto is now trapped in the realm of darkness forever – was something Jenna could never bare with. Tears were slowly coming out of her eyes. Sora and Mooneye were growling by the three villains' laughter.

"YOU'RE WRONG!" Sora shouted.

Lavendra, Neon, and Kie stopped laughing and look at Sora with annoyance.

"Balto WILL come back!" Sora exclaimed. "Even in the very deep part of darkness, there's always a bit of light! That bit of light will guide him back to us!"

Mooneye and Jenna look at Sora. The way he had said it – it sounded like he knows for sure of what he's saying. That Balto will come back, even in deepest part of darkness. And he and Jenna would be reunited again. Jenna now believes Sora. She believed every word he had said. She's no longer afraid. She knows – without a doubt – Balto will come back to her. Mooneye looks at Sora with a smile on his face.

The Keyblade has chosen the right wielder. He thought.

Lavendra, Neon, and Kie, however, looked irritated.

"Believe whatever you wish, Keyblade Master." Lavendra said. "I've got what I wanted. So I have no further discussion of this nonsense!"

Then she, Neon, and Kie walked towards the portal and stares at it.

"Finally, after all these years, I'm going make all the worlds exactly how I envisioned." Lavendra said amazed.

"Yes, your majesty." Neon said. "The time has finally come. Your excellent plan has succeeded."

"Who would have thought it would be this easy?" Kie said. "Your Majesty, please – go in first."

Before they were going to walk into the portal, Sora and Mooneye have blocked Lavendra, Neon, and Kie's way.

"You're gonna have to go through us first!" Sora said, holding his Keyblade tightly.

"The both of us!" Mooneye said, holding his Wolfblade tightly.

Lavendra gave an annoyed look. In a quick second, she went straight to Sora and pushed him away with her hand. Sora went flying – straight to Mooneye – then they both hit the wall hard, nearly avoiding Jenna. Lavendra laughed, along with Neon and Kie.

"See, I told you I'm far powerful than any of you when I have all my powers back." Lavendra said. "I did say I wanted a rematch with you, Keyblade Master, but I can tell right now that I can beat you in a second. Besides, I have worlds to rule."

Just as she, Neon, and Kie were about to walk into the portal, Mooneye tried his best to close it by concentrating.

C'mon. He thought. Must focus… Make sure the portal is closed before Lavendra walks in. Concentrate…

It worked! The portal had somehow closed before Lavendra even got a chance to step through. Lavendra, Neon, and Kie were wide-eyed with shock.

"W-What happened?" Lavendra screamed.

"The portal!" Neon exclaimed. "It…It disappeared!"

"But…how could this be?" Kie asked.

Sora and Jenna were surprised as well, but were also relieved.

"YOU THREE!" Lavendra shouted to Sora, Jenna, and Mooneye. "Which one of you did this?"

Mooneye chuckled.

"That would be me." He said. "I closed the portal and sent it somewhere else."

"H-How did you do that?" Lavendra asked, shocked.

"I'm the Wolfblade Master." Mooneye replied. "That means that it's my job to guard Kingdom Wolves from monsters like you. It also means since Balto has opened it, I can now open, close, and transport the portal – whenever I please."

Sora was amazed.

"Nice job, Mooneye." He said.

"You're going to pay for that, Mooneye!" Lavendra shouted in rage. "You hear me! PAY!"

Before she was about to do anything to Mooneye, Lavendra froze. Something was happening to her.

"No… I-Impossible!"

Lavendra's body then started glowing. Soon the spirit of Cecelia appeared.

"No! This is my body, you witch!" shouted the spirit. "Get out right now!"

Everyone was staring at Lavendra and the spirit of Cecelia with shock. Sora, Jenna, and Mooneye looked at eachother, puzzled. Neon and Kie didn't know what to do.

"You wretched girl! How dare you interfere while I have important matters!" Lavendra shouted.

"Screw your important matter!" exclaimed Cecelia. "Kingdom Wolves is mine now! Not yours! So go back to swimming in a cup!"

"Why you little-"

Before Lavendra could finish her sentence, the whole room started shaking. Bits of the ceiling were coming down.

"Neon, what's going on?" Lavendra exclaimed.

"It appears that the spell of this Castile has been broken – due to the portal being closed." Neon replied. "We better get out of here now! The whole Castile is gonna collapse!"

He didn't need to say it twice. Kie disappeared. Neon did as well. Before Lavendra did, she warned Sora and Mooneye.

"We'll meet again. I'm gonna hunt you down, Mooneye, until I get that portal out of you!"

Then she was gone. The whole place was shaking even more and bigger pieces of the ceiling were coming down.

"We gotta get out of here!" Sora said.

"But what about Balto?" Jenna asked.

"Don't worry, Jenna, we'll see him soon!" Sora said. "Trust me! Right now, we need to leave this place before we get crushed!"

Jenna looks at Sora then nodded.

"Are you ready, Mooneye?" Sora asked.

Mooneye nodded. Then the three of them ran towards the exit.

In the middle of the room, a dark force was coming out of the floor. Soon, a tall wolf Heartless appeared. Its gold colored eyes saw two humans and a beautiful female husky running out of the room.

Follow them. Came a voice from inside the dark wolf. They are your only hope. This isn't your true self. Your true self is with them. That's why you need to go after them.

The dark wolf obeyed the voice and went after them. The stairs leading to the bottom were collapsing. The dark wolf's special ability made it easier to go down by jumping down from one big falling piece to another. The two humans and the female husky were in a far distance. The dark wolf ran very fast to catch up to them.

You must not lose sight of them. Said the same voice. They carry your light, especially her… She holds tight of your light – far more.

Suddenly, a massive part of the ceiling fell, blocking the dark wolf's way. The dark wolf had to look for another way to catch up to the two humans and the female husky. It is the only thing he knows what to do. Nothing else.

You made a promise to them. Came the same voice that was guiding the dark wolf the whole time. And you always keep your promises. Now go and reach for it. Reach for your light!

Hearing that made the dark wolf even more determine to catch up with the two humans and the female husky. It is something he must do and he's not gonna let giant parts of ceiling get in his way.

Sora, Jenna, and Mooneye were close to exiting the Castile, but the whole place was shaking even more, causing massive parts of ceiling to block their way.

"Oh no!" Mooneye exclaimed. "This is the only way out!"

"What do we do?" Jenna asked.

"I got it!" Sora said. "Everybody, stand back!"

He then brought out his Keyblade and used it to drove into the rumble like a drill, getting through in seconds. Mooneye and Jenna were wide-eyed. Sora looks back at them.

"C'mon! We need to get out of here!"

Jenna and Mooneye then followed Sora. They could see the hole in the wall they made to get into the Castile – now they're gonna use it to get out. As Sora, Mooneye, and Jenna got closer, the hole was blocked by a wolf-like Heartless.

"We have no time for this!" Mooneye shouted, bringing out his Wolfblade.

"Well, looks like we're gonna have to make time!" Sora said, holding his Keyblade tightly.

Just they were about to attack, Jenna went in front of Sora and Mooneye. She was staring at the wolf-like Heartless with her mouth open.

"Balto…?"

Sora gasped. Then all of a sudden, dozens of wolf-like Heatless appeared. Sora and Mooneye examined each and every one of them.

"Great, it brought more for us." Mooneye said sarcastically.

"No, Mooneye, that's Balto!" Sora exclaimed.

Mooneye looks at him, puzzled.

"I'll explain later." Sora said. "Right now, we gotta get around Balto and protect him."

Sora, Jenna, and Mooneye were around the wolf-like Heartless. The other ones were getting close.

"Now it's my turn to protect you, Balto." Jenna said.

The wolf-like Heartless looks at her then to everyone else. The other ones jumped on them.

"Balto…!"

Jenna then hugged the wolf-like Heartless. That hug made the bit of light inside him grow.

It is time. Go! Reach! Reach for the Light!

A massive bright light came out of the wolf-like Heartless, destroying the others. Sora and Mooneye opened their eyes and saw Balto, nuzzling Jenna.

"Jenna…you saved me…thank you." Balto said, still nuzzling her.

Jenna looks at him with happiness.

"Balto!"

The whole place was coming down fast. Sora had to jump and destroy a giant part of the ceiling before it crushed Balto and Jenna.

"Um, guys, we need to get out of here – NOW!" He exclaimed.

They nodded. Then all four ran out from the collapsing Castile.

A few minuets earlier…

The people and dogs of Nome were resting next to Balto's old wooden fishing boat, waiting for Sora to return. They were resting in front of a warm fire (old wood from the boat's starboard side were used as firewood.) The people noticed Boris, Stella, Muk, and Luk were in the old steering room, but they didn't care. The four wild animals weren't bothering them. Beside, the people of Nome had other things to worry about – like how are they gonna get their town back, and what's gonna happen if Sora fails to stop those evil subordinates and their leader.

Children were hugging their mothers tight as she sang them a lullaby to keep them safe and secure. Most of the men were pasting back and fourth, thinking of what they should do if things turn out wrong. Dogs were just lying next to the fire sad, waiting for an answer on what's gonna happen. It was no different for Rosy and her family. They were worried about Sora, Balto, and Jenna.

"Why did Jenna go with Balto and Sora?" Rosy asked.

"I don't know, Sweetie." replied her mother. "Probably to be sure that Balto and Sora are safe. You know Jenna, Rosy"

"Yeah, you're probably right, mom." Rosy said. "Jenna's always with Balto. I think she'll follow him to the ends of the earth if she has to."

Her mother and father chuckled.

"Possibly." They said.

Rosy stares back at the Ice Castile and sighs.

"I hope Sora, Balto, and Jenna are okay." She said.

"Yeah, me too." Her mother said.

"Me, as well." Her father said.

"Mom, Dad." Rosy said. "This has been bothering me for while."

"What has, Rosy?" Her mother and father asked.

"Well…do you think it's possible that Sora can talk and understand dogs?"

Rosy's parents had their eyes wide open on what she said.

"Why, what makes you think that?" Her father asked.

"Well, before Sora got us out of that Castile," Rosy explained. "I saw Balto going to him and started barking at him. Sora just smiles at him and gave him a thumb-up. Soon all of the other dogs started barking at Sora. He then said to them: 'I've been through worst.' It was as though the dogs were…talking to Sora. And when we asked him how he found us, Sora said with the help of the dogs. This must mean he can speak dog!"

Her parents looked at eachother then back to Rosy.

"Well, Rosy – after what has happened, I'm starting to believe that anything's possible." Her mother said.

"If you think Sora can speak and understand dogs, I believe it too." Her father said.

"Thanks, Mommy and Daddy." Rosy said, giving them a hug.

Kodi saw and overheard everything.

"You are one smart girl, Rosy." He said to himself.

Kodi then looks back at Dusty, Ralph, Kirby, Nikki, Kaltag, Star, and Steele, who were all lying close to the fire.

"I'm sick of waiting!" Ralph said, breaking the silence. "I wanna know what's going on inside that Castile!"

"So do I, Ralph." Kirby said. "But you know we're no match against those Heartless, alone."

"Yeah, and we can't leave everyone else here!" Dusty said. "Sora and Balto told us to watch over them."

"Well, all we're doing is lying on the cold snow, trying to keep warm." Ralph said. "That's what we've been doing for the last three hours."

"Ralph, I wanna go back and help Dad, Mom, and Sora – as much as you do!" Kodi exclaimed. "But we made a promise that we'll watch over the people and dogs of Nome! So just drop it, okay?"

Everybody was shocked of Kodi's outburst. Ralph wanted to say something, but he didn't. Kodi then gets up and walked to a spot far away from everybody. Dusty, Kaltag, Star, and Steele went to him.

"What's wrong, Kodi?" Kaltag asked.

"Nothing." Kodi replied, not looking at him.

"Don't lie. I can see and sniff that something's bothering you."

Kodi looks at everyone then puts his head down.

"I'm worried about Dad." He said. "For a while, something keeps telling that he's in big trouble. I don't know why, but that's what I keep feeling. I can't shake it off."

"Don't worry, Kodi." Dusty said, getting next to him. "I'm pretty sure your dad's okay."

"Yeah, what Dusty said." Kaltag said. "Your old man can handle himself."

"Yeah, Kodi, Balto has always been able to get out of tough spots." Star said. "And Sora's with him. You saw what he did to that giant bird when we tried to break into the castile. He kicked its tailfeathers like it was nothing!"

"You're right, guys." Kodi said. "But…I just can't shake off the feeling."

"Kodi," Steele said, putting his paw on Kodi's shoulder. "I've know your father for a long time. Despite of what I said about him in past, he's a very brave and strong dog. He doesn't give up on anything. If he really is in trouble, he'll figure a way to get out of it. Believe me, Kodi. And your mother is strong too. Together, they'll make it."

Kodi was really surprise of what Steele said to him. This was the first time that he heard Steele calling Balto a dog instead of wolf-dog. Kodi smiles and nodded.

"Thanks, Steele." He said. "You have no idea how much that meant to me."

Steele nodded.

"HEY LOOK!"

Everybody jumped. Someone was pointing towards the Castile. The people and dogs on Nome looked and gasped. The high tower was the Castile was collapsing. Soon, all of it was coming down. After a few minuets, the Castile was destroyed. Everybody started whispering. Does this mean it's over? Did Sora finished off the subordinates and their leader? Lots of questions were coming out of people's mouths. Kodi ran towards the destroyed Castile. He had to see if Balto, Jenna, and Sora made it out of there. Soon, Kodi caught sight of them, along with a tall man with black hair, wearing some sort of body armor.

"Mom! Dad! Sora!" Kodi shouted to them.

Sora, Balto, and Jenna could see Kodi running towards them.

"Kodi!" They shouted.

"You guys made it out of there!" Kodi exclaimed when he got to them.

"Yeah, where's everybody?" Sora asked.

"We took everyone to the old boat." Kodi replied. "So, is it over?"

Sora, Balto, and Jenna looked down and shook their heads.

"No?" Kodi asked.

"We had no choice but to escape the Castile because it was coming down." Balto explained.

"There's good news though." Sora said. "Thanks to Mooneye, we have more time to stop Lavendra and her two subordinates."

"Uh, who's Mooneye?" Kodi asked.

"That would be me." Mooneye said.

Kodi gasped.

"You can talk to us, dogs, too?" He asked.

Mooneye nodded.

"But right now, we need to meet with everyone, Kodi." Balto said.

"What about the town?" Kodi asked. "Will it come back?"

"It should be back soon." Sora replied.

They followed Kodi back to the old fishing boat. Everyone ran up to Sora when they saw him. They kept asking him the same questions.

"Is it over?"

"Will we have our town back?"

"Who or what are those people?"

Sora made a whistle to get everybody quiet.

"Listen, the good news is that Nome should be back to normal soon." He said. "However, the bad new is – no it is not over yet."

Everybody was starting to panic.

"Don't worry though." Sora continued. "They shouldn't be bothering you guys anymore."

Everybody look back at the destroyed Castile. Dawn was approaching and the ruins of the castile were disappearing. Instead, there stood familiar houses and buildings. The town of Nome has returned. Sora smiled.

"Lavendra's spell is finally broken." He said.

End of chapter. This chapter is named after the song: "Reach for the Light" by Steve Winwood. A little fact - if weren't for this song, I don't think I would've came up with this amazing fanfic. For more info, check out my profile and look under my FAQs. P.S. I'm allowing anonymous reviews now. So please review.