Interim
And so Sora, Donald, and Goofy journeyed forth into the unknown, reaching worlds familiar and new. They visited the Land of Dragons and battled alongside Mulan, found Belle with the Beast in his castle, Hercules defending the Olympus Coliseum from Hades, Pooh had completely lost his memory within the 100 Acre Woods, Ariel still trying her father's patience, Aladdin attempting to impress Jasmine, Jack Skelington trying to be Santa Claus, Captain Jack Sparrow battling zombie pirates, and Simba trying to oust Scar from the Pride Lands. They also went back to the Disney Castle for a quick visit when thorns and Heartless overran the castle. Going back in time to the Timeless River, they prevented the Cornerstone of Light from being taken by Pete for Maleficent's evil purposes. However, for all the good that the trio had been doing, little did they know that they were falling right into the trap the Organization had set for them.
In a massive castle nestled between the realms of light and dark existed the realm of nothingness, the home of the Nobodies. Here the remaining members of Organization XIII plotted the downfall of the Keybearer and the new age of darkness. Sitting in a room of thirteen chairs, all varying in their heights, sat six people in black cloaks.
"Concerning No. VIII, he is no longer a member of this esteemed Organization. Trying to reveal the truth about Roxas to Sora could have complicated our already complex plans. If he is found, he is to be terminated on sight. Understood?"
"Yes," replied the others.
"Now, about the Keybearer. How has he been progressing?" the Nobody sitting on the highest chair asked. His chair read No. I, and he was talking to No. II at the moment.
"He so far has been oblivious to our plan. He has visited eleven worlds so far, and has released large quantities of hearts in each. However, with Axel's interference, he has almost betrayed our true intentions to him before the time was right. If we can keep them separated, the plan should still be able to work out quite well."
"Good," drawled No. I. "And the plans involving the takeover of Hollow Bastion for the use of the machine?"
This time, No. IX answered. "We are amassing the Heartless and Dusks outside of the city limits. We have kept the citizens on a false sense of security by keeping them out of the city and from attacking anyone. When the time is right, we will destroy their bailey and storm the city, collecting more hearts than we have ever collected before. Also, with the Keybearer and his friends occupied, we can slip into the castle and retrieve the machine and all of the necessary documentation without any guests."
"Excellent," No. I replied. "No. IX, you will oversee the invasion of Hollow Bastion. Finally, how is your investigation into the recent events at Twilight Town coming, No. VII?"
"It seems that Riku and the man called DiZ were the ones who created the basement under the old mansion where they were hiding Sora, Donald, and Goofy in large sleeping pods until that witch Naminé fixed their memories. It seems that is also where Roxas was taken to be rejoined with Sora."
"And what of King Mickey?"
"Unfortunately, no sign of him as of yet. We tracked him to Hollow Bastion when No. XIV was released, but soon after her awakening he disappeared. The Heartless and Dusks tracked him through the city until he used a dark portal. From there, we lost him inside the corridors connecting the portals."
"I see," said No. I. "He, even more than Axel, could disrupt our plans for the Keybearer. If at all possible, eliminate him as well."
"I will do my best," said No. VII.
"This concludes our briefing. Each of you has chosen from the target worlds' the one that each of you will use to coerce its residents into darkness?"
No. IX replied, "Besides the conquering of Hollow Bastion, the Coliseum with its Netherworld."
No. III replied, "The world where the princess of heart Belle resides with her companion the Beast. His curse should be easy to manipulate into turning him against her."
No. II replied, "The Land of Dragons – a people called the Huns are ready for an invasion and could use a little...help."
No. X replied, "A cursed chest on an island near Port Royale could turn greedy human men into the perfect servants for us."
"Good. Then we will continue with our original plans. Any changes or unwanted interruptions, deal with swiftly. Go, and let us begin our new existence!" No. I waved his hand, and the other five members of the Organization disappeared into their own black portals. "Now, as for myself, I believe I will go and watch this spectacle for myself. Even if I cannot feel joy or happiness at the downfall of the Keybearer and his underlings." And so the leader of Organization XIII disappeared as well.
As the Organization continued with its plans, Sora, Donald, and Goofy had reached Twilight Town to check up on Hayner, Olette, and Pence. To Sora's joy and dismay, they told him that Kairi had come looking for him in Twilight Town. She had been thrown out of one of the dark portals along with the dog Pluto. After telling them her story, Axel reappeared and kidnapped Kairi, taking her to who knows where through yet another black portal. After reassuring the trio it wasn't their fault that Kairi was kidnapped, Sora left again.
I guess I'll have to change my promise to Geni, Sora thought as they boarded the gummi ship. Now I have to find and bring Riku, Kairi, and Geni back to the Destiny Islands. Strapping himself in, they blasted off once again into the black pool of space.
As they were flying, the two squeaky voices of Chip and Dale came over the radio transmitter. "Hey you guys! Something bad is happening in Hollow Bastion; it's completely covered in darkness! You had better hurry up and get over there right away – the gang might need you; plus, Geni went to visit Aerith and them there yesterday, and we haven't received any word from them since!"
"What?!" Sora shouted. "Donald!"
"I know, I know! Changing directions south by southwest – preparing gummi ship for hyperspace!" Donald fiddled with the controls until the stars around them began to turn into lines as the ship sped up to incredible speeds. "We'll be reaching Hollow Bastion in ten minutes. Prepare for a rushed landing!"
Hold on guys, Sora thought. We'll be there as fast as we can. Just hold on until then; Geni, you had better be safe.