Chapter 2

Merlin's new abode seemed just as cluttered—yet comfortably chaotic—as his last in the Third Quarter of Traverse Town. This time, however, a large computer took up one of the walls. Seated on a cushioned stool was Cid, typing away on some new computer program. Peering over his shoulders were Aerith Gainsborough and Squall Leonhart, better known as Leon.

"Meet Hollow Bastion's Restoration Committee!" Yuffie declared as Sora, Donald, and Goofy pushed the squeaky door open. The occupant's of the house turned in surprise to see their old friends again.

"We missed you so much!" Aerith said with a smile.

"Well, if you louts' ain't in top shape," Cid declared with his dry-humored drawl and (for this story) censored language.

Leon crossed his arms and looked at the three through peering eyes. "I knew it," he said gravely.

"What?" Sora said innocently. "I haven't been here long enough to do anything!"

"Guilty conscience," chuckled Donald to Goofy. The sniggered quietly.

"Ahem." Leon cleared his throat, making Donald and Goofy meticulously study the floorboards. "As I was saying. A few days ago, suddenly everyone here just—well, to put it bluntly—remembered you. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary; just like recalling something from a long time ago – forgotten but not lost."

"What?!" Sora, Donald, and Goofy yelled in unison. "How could you guys have forgotten us?"

"So where have you been anyway?" Yuffie questioned, itching for news. "There's been no trace of you for an entire year, ever since the worlds returned to their original states."

"We've been sleepin'," Goofy said.

"Where? In a refrigerator? No, wait, maybe in Leon's sock drawer! It's like a black hole in there!" Cid slapped his knee and roared. Leon gave Cid a gentle but forceful smack on the back, toppling him off of his stool. Cid began to mumble something about "decent office attire."

"Umm, okay. Either way, has any of you seen the King or Riku lately?" Sora yet again asked an impossible question. Sadly, everyone shook their heads no.

"I wish the King were here, and then we would have had help earlier with our significant problem," Leon said. "Hollow Bastion has an infestation –"

"Of Heartless? Or maybe Nobodies?" Sora chimed in.

"The usual. Yet this time seems different; the Heartless and Nobodies are acting as coordinating groups. Come with me over to the Bailey and you'll see what I mean." Leon walked towards Merlin's door and pulled it open. "Oh, and Sora? Watch your step." Leon vanished out of view.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy, after saying goodbye to their old friends and receiving cards designating them as Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee Honorary Members, ran across the street and up the stairs to the Bailey. It was an old concrete wall that ran alongside the entire side of the town. Tall, grey, and ominous looking, Sora couldn't help but wonder what was meant to be kept out.

The inside of the Bailey was just as dreary as the outside, if not more so, because of only a few shafts of light illuminating the passageway. Leon was leaning against a stone wall, watching with somber eyes some scene below the wall. Pointing out of the opening, Leon stated with a note of sorrow in his voice, "Look at that." Sora, Donald, and Goofy could only look on in horror, as thousands upon thousands of Heartless and Nobodies roamed the lifeless ruins below them. "We all want to restore Hollow Bastion to its former splendor, and make a paradise for all to enjoy once again. We can handle everything, except for this – which is why we were all extremely glad you showed up when you did."

"We can handle this, no problem," Sora smiled and gave Leon a thumb's up. Donald and Goofy also nodded their acknowledgements.

"Good. I knew I could count on you three. On the other hand, do you have any idea what's been going on lately?"

"Well, we know a guy named Pete is plotting with the Heartless, but he's too thick to tie his own Velcro sneakers. However, there is Organization XIII to worry about, the ones' who can control the Nobodies."

"Well, well. Speak, and we appear." A sinister voice rang out among the small group. Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Leon looked all about them but saw no one. Sora ran out of the Bailey, searching for the mysterious voice.

"Where are you! Show yourselves, you cowards!" Sora yelled in a thunderous voice.

"My, no need for harsh words, boy." An individual in black suddenly appeared on top of the nearest wall. Raising his arms, five more beings in black also appeared.

Goofy gulped nervously. "It's Organization XIII!"

"How perceptive you are. The Keybearer surely chose intelligent individuals for friends." Goofy looked dumbfounded for a moment, then furious. "However, we cannot stay for long because of matters demanding the utmost care. I thought we could have conversed like friends, but I guess not." The other members of the group in black laughed.

"Come down here and fight! Let's settle this here and now, whoever you are!" Sora deployed his Keyblade out of his being, readying himself for battle.

"I do not believe today is the day for our confrontation. However, there is someone else who is eager to do battle with you. You might say they even have an old score to settle."

"What are you talking about? Is this your strategy, talking nonsense until I fall asleep of boredom?" Sora lunged toward the group.

Suddenly, another figure in black materialized directly in front of Sora, blocking his Keyblade with a long, sinister looking black staff. Sora jumped back in surprise, nearly landing on top of Donald, who had followed right behind him.

"Who are you? Are you with the Organization too?" Sora demanded. His Keyblade still at the ready, he eyed his new opponent cautiously.

"Hmmm, now that's a tough one." The voice startled Sora; he suddenly had an intense feeling of déjà vu. "Shall I give you a hint Sora? Maybe not; I want to see who you've turned out to be!" The person in black stood there laughing, enjoying the confusion and inner turmoil Sora seemed to be in.

"Who are you!? And how do you know me! I doubt I've ever met someone as bizarre as you or your friends before!"

The being in black suddenly became very still and quiet. "How dare you speak to me like that, traitor." Suddenly, time seemed to slow down. The being darted almost too quickly for the eye to see towards Sora, and lashed out with the black staff and struck Sora hard and swift in the stomach. Sora flew and hit the wall behind him with a loud crash. The wall caved in slightly where he landed, indicating the force of the impact and the power behind it. A small sound wave from the concussion blew Donald's hat off.

Sora fell to the ground, but quickly wobbled to his knees, then fell again due to the stars circling his head. "Hey, what was that –" Sora was cut short by the tip of the black staff resting delicately on the Adam's apple of his throat.

"Do you really want to know who I am? I'll tell you – no wait, even better, I'll show you." With the staff still resting against his throat, the person threw back the hood of their cloak. Sora gasped, and Donald and Goofy could only look on in utter disdain: staring Sora down was a pair of ocean blue eyes identical to his own, but frozen with icy hatred.