Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I claim the rights to Kingdom Hearts or any of the relating subject matters that are expressed in this story. This is a fictional work that I am making for purely entertainment purposes and nothing more. Please support the official release!

(By the way, MASSIVE BIRTH BY SLEEP SPOILERS AHEAD, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!)

The stranger was fighting off the combination of Sora, Riku, and Axiri at once with seemingly no effort at all. Whenever one of them would find an opening the stranger would only divert another's attack into them, thus causing friendly fire over and over again. As they fought the hole in the sky suddenly expanded as an incredibly massive creature's head burst through. At first glance it seemed to have a divine face, one that was full of compassion and understanding. It was as though an angel had been carved out of blue stone. However, that description only applied when the beast had its mouth closed. Upon opening it revealed rows upon rows of gnashing teeth and a fearsome scowl seemed to erupt from its face. Where there was once light and hope now rested anger and despair. Luckily the only person who saw the beast's true form was Axiri and to be completely honest, he had seen far worse before.

He knew that someone had to go and push the beast back before it could travel through the hole entirely, but he couldn't leave Sora and Riku to fight this stranger alone. As they all fought on things began to go badly for them, the stranger launched a Blizzaga spell with a slash of his hand and froze Axiri's left arm. With another quick flourish Riku was frozen as well, it appeared that the stranger possessed powerful magic as well as physical strength. For the time being Riku was immobilized and there was no way Axiri would be able to push that beast back. He still wasn't at full strength after traveling to the Islands. Axiri flexed his left arm and it was suddenly enveloped by silver fire, melting the ice.

Axiri turned to Sora, "I'll handle this guy, you need to take Riku and leave this island!"

Sora hesitated, "But-!"

Axiri pointed up at the beast's head, "That thing up there is going to destroy everything when it fully emerges and unless you want all of your friends to vanish with no way to return things to normal, you have to go!"

Sora froze for an instant and then his eyes shone with resolve, "Okay, we'll all meet back up at Disney Castle!"

Axiri nodded, "There's a ride waiting for you and the Islanders on the mainland, I wasn't the only one the King sent."

Sora ran over to Riku and casted a Fira spell to thaw him out. Supporting Riku, Sora started off towards the docks. Axiri waited until they were out of sight until he addressed the stranger. "So, you've finally regained some semblance of a form." Axiri held his left arm in front of him and the snow colored chains began to glow white hot. "I have to say, you managed it a lot faster than I expected."

The stranger laughed, "Given ten years, it was only natural that I was able to regenerate this much of my physical form."

Axiri gritted his teeth as the snow white chains shattered and the gold-silver gauntlet began to glow with an unearthly flame. "I didn't want Sora and the others to see this, but since I'm fighting you I don't have much of a choice."

The stranger settled back into his battle stance, "You seem familiar, although I can't place where… No matter! I'll crush you in the name of my Master's revival!"

Axiri put up his guard in preparation for the upcoming fight, "As long as those three remain safe that won't happen and I'll protect them with my last breath! Neither Xehanort or you will have your way, Vanitas!"

Vanitas threw off his Organization cloak to reveal someone about Sora's age and height. He was dressed in a black and red suit almost identical to Riku's Heartless form, with a black visor helmet obscuring his face. His chest, instead of bearing the Heartless symbol, simply showed the outlines of his chest muscles in red. He held up his Keyblade, "Let's see just how powerful you really are!"

As Axiri and Vanitas fought Sora and Riku made it to the docks where they saw Kairi fending off Unversed with her Keyblade. Sora saw some other Islanders desperately trying to push one of the remaining boats out to sea and it was clear that Kairi was buying time for them to escape. Riku motioned to Kairi, "Sora, I'll be fine so go and help Kairi."

Sora set Riku down underneath a Papou tree and ran to where Kairi was fighting. Riku shook his head and then muttered "Heal," As the Curaga spell began to restore his vitality he watched Sora assist Kairi in defeating the remaining Unversed.

As Sora crushed the last one with his Keyblade Kairi helped the Islanders shove the boat into open water, allowing them to escape. While the Islanders rowed back to the mainland Sora and Kairi went over to Riku who was standing on his own again. "We need to get to the mainland before that thing-"Riku jabbed his thumb at the materializing beast, "manages to come through that hole completely and destroys everything."

Sora and Kairi agreed, "But what about Axiri?"

Riku could only smile, "Couldn't you tell when we were fighting?" Sora and Kairi both wore confused looks on their faces. "He was holding back."

As Sora, Riku, and Kairi began to row in the direction of the mainland Axiri was gaining the upper hand in his fight with Vanitas. Vanitas was strong, but he just couldn't keep up with Axiri's insane speed and crushing strikes. Axiri kept pressing on Vanitas' guard with his flames and fists until he finally broke through. Vanitas was sent flying backwards with a powerful left hook that exploded with silver flame upon impact. "The way you are right now Vanitas, you can't defeat me. I have the strength of Eraqus and his three apprentices within my heart. Their power makes my fists unstoppable to someone like you."

Vanitas stood up slowly, "I may not be able to defeat you in my current state, but I will only continue to get stronger as time passes. Soon enough I will have the strength to take Riku's heart by force and revive my Master!"

Axiri snorted, "As if I'm going to give you the chance!"

He lunged forwards to deliver the finishing blow, his left fist shining with an intense light. "Twilit Brea-!"

Before Axiri's attack could connect, the hole in the sky expanded and the beast on the other side broke through.