It looked like we arrived in a deserted desert with no signs of life anywhere. That was until I noticed a little town just up ahead.

When we reached it, I was surprised to see such a small town so successful, depicting on where this town stood upon. But something struck while I was inspecting the town, and Alex noticed it, too. Everywhere we turned we kept on seeing these weird statues. "Some kind of religion?" asked Alex.

"I don't know. Let's just hurry up and get this over with."

We continued to walk through the town when, for some reason, I began to feel a burning sensation coming from the side of my thorax. I stopped and began to look for the cause of it. "What's up?"

"I don't . . . where is it coming from?"

"What?" I opened my jacket and reached into one of the pockets inside the left side of it. I pulled out a silver necklace that had a familiar charm. It was the Alchemist Crest, but on the center of it was a white diamond that was glowing. That was, probably, causing the burning. "What is it?" asked Alex.

"It's a little parting gift from Aaron, but I have no idea how, or why he gave it to me. He couldn't of known about the exam because I didn't tell anyone about it." I looked closely at the glowing gem and saw that a thin light was illumination from it. It lead me to, what looked like, two boys. One blond with a red trench coat, and the other was a giant suit of armor; at least 10 feet tall. "I think it wants us to follow them," I said, gesturing towards the two boys.

"Any particular reason why?"

"I'm clueless right now, but I think we should listen to it. It could help us find the Oathkeeper." I put the necklace around my neck and we started following them, keeping at a balanced distance so we didn't get caught.

For some odd reason, we followed them to a church. "What the hell?" I said, completely confused. Whatever they were doing, it looked like they were looking for something, or someone. "Just stay close and keep your eyes open. I'm starting to have a hunch about what they're up to." We followed them into the church and stayed behind the doors, trying not to be seen. When I saw them walk down to the underground section of the church, I started to get suspicious about this town. They were definitely up to something, and I, sure as hell, was going to find out what it was.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Alex.

"Why not? Who knows what it could be. This world is taken by Darkness if a Keyblade is lost here. And if it's a Heartless, no matter what shape, or form, it's our job to take care of it."

When I saw that they had disappeared into the lower level of the church, I grabbed Alex's hand and I quickly followed after them.

The hallway was dimly lit by fire pitches that ran along both sides of the walls. This was, seriously, the most creepiest Cathedral I have ever been in.

When I saw the boys stop, so did we. I was sweating bullets. What I was feeling was something I don't feel often: fear. But why? I'm not scared of some little kid and his tin can.

We saw them enter a room on the right side of the wall. When they entered I thought, if we enter, we'll be spotted. A light bulb lit up in my head. "Al, get on my back."

"What? Why?"

"Just do it. It's the only way we'll be able to get in without being spotted." She took my hand as I pulled her up onto my back. I unsheathed my claws and dug them into the wall. Alex opened the door and I crawled upside-down to enter. She closed the door quietly and I, swiftly, crawled straight up to the ceiling and landed on the beams. As Alex got off, we crouched down and I intended to listen to whatever conversation they were about to have.

"I had a feeling one of you would show up one day," said the Preacher.

"Well, let's not add that up to pious premonitions," began the blonde boy. "You knew we would come for the Stone!"

That definitely got my attention. The Stone?! Did they mean the Philosophers Stone? Then it caught my eye. The stone on the Preachers finger. That was what those two boys were after, but why? I could tell the difference between the real stone and an imposter. "Idiots."

"What's wrong?"

"These boys have a blind eye. That Stone is a complete fake."

"And you can tell how?"

"I can tell by looking at it. Plus, the charm doesn't lie." It's true. If it was real, the gem on my necklace would be shinning down on the thing. I couldn't believe they were wasting their time on nothing but a shiny rock.

"Do you mean this, young man?" the Preacher continued.

"I knew it. Alchemy without a Transmutation Circle. Completely ignoring the Principle of Equivalent Exchange. It could only mean one thing."

"Yes, the Philosophers Stone."

I swear, I was getting bored with this already. I could tell Alex was, too, the way she was leaning against the beam next to her.

Just as we were about to ditch the scene, light from a Transmutation caught the corner of my eye. The damn Preacher turned the ground into artificial sand.

As Alex was about to jump down, I stopped her. "Wait. I want to see what they do." My eyes were locked on the Preachers right hand. I saw him push a button behind him that opened a hidden gate. What came out of it was something completely out of the ordinary. A Chimera. Animals that were combined, by the likes of Alchemy, to create one sick creature.

I wanted to jump down, as well, but my legs wouldn't move. The creature was attacking the boy left and right, but when it got ahold of his right arm, I thought he was done for, until he socked the sucker with his other arm, knocking it out. And what I saw was, to me, shocking. He, too, had an automail arm. "Well, I see the resemblance," said Alex, trying to be a smart ass. "So, you think he's the kid they're after?"

"Positive. Besides, the gem doesn't lie," I said, holding up the chain.

"Well, how would I know if I can't see the damn thing." She smaked my hand, breaking the chain and sending it down to the floor right in front of the blonde kid. I looked at Alex entirely pissed at her, I couldn't speak. "Ooops. Sorry." She was going to be sorry in a minute.

Before I could lift my hand, I heard some more commotion below coming from the damn Preacher. "Fools! Alchemists are nothing, but sinners. If you want the Stone, come and get it!" The Preacher used the Stone to Transmute a gun missile out of nothing. "We got trouble," said Alex, forming the same idea I had: we had to help those two boys, or they'll be used for shooting practice.

We both materialized our Keyblades, jumped off of the beams, and deflected every bullet fired at us.

"If you two were smart, I'd suggest you get out of here. Alex, go with'em. I'll handle this." Hearing the footsteps behind me gave me the idea that they took my lovely advice and left. Now it was between me and this Preacher I've been hearing about.

"You know, jealousy will get you nowhere. Keep it up and your slick little kingdom will come tumbling down."

"Who said anything about jealousy? You know nothing about my organization!"

"Oh, I do. I also know that your little 'Stone' is a sad replica of the real deal."

"And what do you think you can do about it?"

"Well, all I know is one thing. Once you rise to the top, the only thing that can bring you down is . . ." I raised and pointed my Keyblade at a Sun God statue to my right. " . . . gravity." With one quick gesture with my Keyblade, I sent that statue flying towards the Preacher, knocking him to the ground.

While he wasn't looking, I made my own exit, for I had some explaining to do.