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Chapter 23- Infiltration of Darkness

A bolt of lightning illuminated the foreboding castle before Iji and Riku. Only one light shone forth from a lonely window.

"Whoa, what kind of Princess would live in a place like this? It's a dump!" Iji said with a hint of disgust in her voice.

Riku stole a concerned side glance at her. 'She's changed from when I first met her… Somehow, she doesn't seem so pure anymore… And it's my entire fault, too.'

*****

The doctor proudly held his completed Heart up. "There you go. This time it's sure to work!"

The doctor started forward with his work. A streak of red pounced out from under the table, sending the doctor and the Heart flying. A faded purple streak grabbed up the Heart and the two headed for the door where their accomplice was waiting. She hurried them out of the door, but not before blowing a raspberry at Sora and the others.

The doctor shook his fist as they left. "The nerve of those brats!"

"We'll catch them!" yelled Sora, and took off after them.

*****

Iji crept over to the double doors of the castle and slowly pushed them open. She beckoned Riku over and the pair silently slipped inside, careful to follow the walls. They climbed up a pillar to the next level to avoid going up the stairs which looked creaky.

Riku halted Iji back as they came to a room. He pointed and they heard a voice coming from inside.

"You've got to stop going out there. You're only getting yourself hurt." said a woman's voice worriedly.

A growling voice spoke next. "I know… but I have to stop these creatures from taking over the castle. They want to come inside."

"I love you for protecting us, you know." responded the woman. "Lie still now. I've got to dress your wounds."

A pain-filled snarl erupted from the room.

"Go to sleep. You'll be better in the morning. Good night, my prince."

"Good night, Belle."

The main light faded. Soft footsteps came towards the door. Iji and Riku ducked behind an alcove. A glowing candlestick emerged from the door, followed by a beautiful brown-haired woman in a golden gown. She walked down the hall, not noticing the extra two shadows that tailed her. The woman entered a library and set her candles down. She picked a book from the shelves and started to read it by the light of the lamp. Riku snuck slowly behind her chair. Iji followed suit.

"Mademoiselle!" shouted an unknown voice as Riku burst out from behind her.

In a flash Riku flipped a gag around Belle's mouth. The woman gave a stifled gasp of surprise and struggled to stand up. Iji quickly tied a rope around her legs and arms, leaving her defenceless. Riku tied a separate blindfold on. He gave thumbs up to Iji.

Iji grinned. This was fun.

The light from the candles suddenly snuffed out, leaving the entire room in darkness. Belle fell to the ground, knocking herself out cold.

"Huh?" Riku said in confusion. "Iji, what'd you do to the candles?"

"I didn't do anything!" retorted Iji. "I swear they went out themselves!"

"Belle!!" A roar echoed throughout the castle.

The floor started to shake violently.

"Let's get out of here!" Riku pushed Iji.

The girl didn't budge.

"Iji!" Riku pulled at her arm.

Still nothing…

Sparkles of light floated past his face, making him turn around. One of the bookshelves started to glow, illuminating Iji's and Riku's faces.

"No not now, Iji!" Riku said, feeling his blood run cold.

The girl's eyes had clouded over. She lifted an arm out towards the bookshelf and a Keyhole formed.

The shaking of the floor halted as there was a final thundering stomp. Riku twisted his head and gaped. A huge, werewolf-like beast towered over him.

"Where is Belle?" The brown-furred creature snorted angrily.

Riku jumped back and called out his sword. "I'm taking her with me."

The beast's eyes narrowed. "She stays here with me."

"The Keyhole is open. Where is the Keyblade Master?" Iji's voice sounded eerily disembodied.

"Keyhole?" The creature looked up from Riku.

Riku quickly weighed up his options. It didn't seem as though he could win with Iji in her state. And he would also have to protect his capture as well.

The beast's attention snapped back to Riku and he spotted his love tied up on the ground. "How dare you injure my Belle!" The beast bellowed furiously and swung a clawed hand at Riku.

Riku jumped back. This strange being was starting to annoy him. Hatred filled his Heart.

"I summon the Heartless!" he called and struck his blade into the ground.

A swirling pit of darkness erupted from the floor. Dark trails of mist floated around Riku as a multitude of black claws burst out of the abyss. The beast backed up.

"Attack him!" ordered Riku heatedly.

The shadows glanced from their summoner to the beast, and then back again.

"Attack!" commanded Riku, pointing at the beast.

The shadows ignored him, instead running behind him. Riku turned to yell at them again when he saw their objective. The mass of Heartless overtook Iji and leapt into the Keyhole. A beam of darkness shot back at Iji, piercing her through the chest.

"Watch out, Iji!" Riku heaved Iji with all his might, pushing her out of the way of the beam.

The beam spread out and covered the entire room in darkness. In the distance they heard something shatter. The silvery lustre of the Keyhole turned to a purple colour. The shape of the Keyhole changed into an elongated Heart. Two glowing gold eyes opened and a Darkside stepped out into being. The Heartless loomed over them all.

"This world… has been cast into the shadows." said Iji weakly.

"We're getting out of here." Riku grabbed the Iji and Belle and teleported back to the ship.

"Belle!" The beast's roars echoed from the descending darkness.

*****

Sora, Jack, Goofy and Donald glared down at Lock, Stock and Barrel. The three masked children looked close to tears.

"We were just following orders! Oogie Boogie told us to steal the Heart!" Stock protested.

"It's all Barrel's fault!" chimed in Lock.

"But, you guys said…"

*****

Riku collapsed onto his hands and knees when he finally reached the ship. He gasped for air as sweat dripped off him into pools. Iji and Belle both lay a couple of feet away. Determinedly, Riku forced himself to stand. He slung Belle heavily over his shoulders and dragged her down to the pods.

Iji's eyes fluttered open as she came to. She sat up. "Riku? Did we get her?"

Riku heard her and started to climb back up the stairs. "We got her. You did well…-" Riku reached the top step and stared at Iji.

On her white wing was a splash of black that extended out from the wing-shoulder joint. It was like a horrible ink stain that seemed to be slowly spreading.

"What are you looking at, Riku?" Iji frowned as she laid eyes on him. There were larger streaks of darkness in her eye.

"We're going back." announced the teen.

"What about the last Princess though? Shouldn't we go search for her?" asked Iji.

"We'll have time later. Right now I need to get you back to Hollow Bastion." Riku took up the controls and set the warp drive.

Iji placed her hands on her hips. "You said I could come along, Riku. Why are you dumping me off now when we're so close? What am I supposed to do while you're gone?"

Riku didn't turn around to her. He didn't want to see the damage he felt he had caused. "Hades wanted to enter you in a contest, didn't he? Why don't you go ask him for something to do?"

Iji glowered. "Fine, then." She slumped into her chair. "Last time I trust you," she grumbled inaudibly for Riku's ears.