"Hey you! Stop right there!" A guy shouted as he ran after me.

I looked back as I ran to see a figure in a black cloak running after me. It was Riku but he was in his Ansem form, working for DiZ. I run outside the mansion to find the gates closed. Darn it! They figured out my route! I turn around only to be pinned to the gate by Riku. "Gotchya. I bet you were going to tell your Superior Sora's progress. Weren't you?"

I cursed under my breath. He smirked and took off my hood. He gasped, "You! You're… you're the key! The memories… you're Natalee!"

"Bingo," I said.

"You… I thought you would never end up working for them… especially after a year since you've been separated. Don't you want to see him?" He asked.

I replied, "What's it to you?! You ran away as well!"

He let go of me and turned around. He took a few steps forward and said, "That was the old me. If I could go back in time, I would change that."

I said, "But you can't so I guess you're going to have to live with it. I have to go now, ta ta!"

I open a portal and ran into it. I find myself in the lounge and I sigh in relief. "I'm assuming you were seen. You should be more careful because a slip like that could end up in your death. You should know better than that Natalee." Saix said.

During the past year, I have almost become one of the elite members of the Organization. I knew almost everything and led some of the most top secret missions. The only thing that hindered me from becoming part of the elite was that I couldn't control the Heartless and Nobodies yet. "Well, at least I came back in one piece." I said with a smile, hoping I would not get in trouble.

Saix rolled his eyes and said, "So how much of Sora's memory is back?"

I sighed, "One more day until he awakens. We have very little time to get Roxas back."

Saix chuckled lightly, "Also one more day till your boyfriend wakes up too. Am I correct?"

My eyes widened. He realizes he struck a nerve and said, "Not like he matters anymore. You can't run to him anyways."

I sat down on the couch and Axel came over and sat down next to me. I sighed and he said, "So, I guess he must have said something about Anthony. Well, let's cheer you up. Wanna go for some ice cream?"

I smiled and said, "Sure."

He opened a portal to Twilight Town and we bought ice cream and went to our old spot on the clock tower. I took one bite of my Sea Salt ice cream and asked, "Any luck with Roxas today?"

He sighed, "Nope, today I sent in Dusks and they had no luck with him. He doesn't remember a thing. You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"

I replied, "Yes. But I can tell you this; he will remember tomorrow when he comes across DiZ's computer."

He said, "Then why don't we try to take him to it now!"

I said, "I don't know if that will be safe for either one of us. After both of us managing to get in I could imagine the security being raised. Plus, I think DiZ wants something from me."

He asked, "Why do you say that?"

I replied, "Intuition. My intuition is never wrong too."

We sat in silence, munching on our ice cream. I broke the silence and said, "How about we team up tomorrow? You get Roxas and I'll keep you posted on what's going on outside."

He said, "But you just said-"

I cut him off, "I know, but I can risk it. Plus I know every back door to that place. I've been spying on them for the past year. I know every trick up their sleeves."

He said, "What if you get caught? You can get killed!"

I said, "That's a 'What if', that doesn't mean its going to happen."

He laughed and we finished our ice cream and went back 'home'. I started to head to my room until I heard Saix call my name. I went over to him and Xemnas. I greeted, "Hello Xemnas and Saix. What makes you send for me at this hour?"

Saix said, "It's been about a year since you joined the Organization and we thought you deserve a little something."

I raised an eyebrow and Xemnas said, "I will grant you power over all of the Nobodies and Heartless."

He raised his hand and dug it into my chest. I gasped in pain. I could feel all this power seeping through my body. With that power, a burning pain came along with it too. I could feel something being etched on my back, shoulder to shoulder. I felt blood seeping through my black spaghetti strap shirt and through the back of my cloak. My legs started to feel weak. He finally let go and I fell to the ground unconscious.

I woke up and it was 6:30 am. I found a couple Dusks standing in a corner of my room and I asked, "What do you want?"

One replied, "We have come for you my liege. As you may know, you can control Nobodies now. We were told to take you to your room and clean the blood stains off your back and put you to bed. By the way, you now have a huge tattoo across your back, shoulder to shoulder. Would you like me to read it to you?"

I ran to my bathroom and I could see something written on my back. I tried rubbing it off with water and rubbing alcohol. One of the Dusks said, "It's no use, we tried that too. It's permanent."

I asked, "Can you read it for me? Then I can at least know what it says."

That same Dusk came up to my back and read, "It says, 'Breaking the walls of my rational maze'. Also, it's kind of glowing and looks like the ink is moving. It flows like a river, a river of darkness. What could all of this mean?"

I said, "Who knows, I'll think about it later. I need to do my mission. Thanks for your care while I was passed out."

One of them said, "That is our duty, my liege."

They disappeared and I followed my normal morning routine and headed to the lounge. Saix said, "Are you feeling alright?"

I said, "Yeah, but I found something tattooed on my back."

He asked, "What is it? Can I see?"

I took off my cloak and he moved the straps out of the way so he could read it. He said, "'Breaking the walls of my rational maze'? The ink looks like-"

I cut him off, "I know, like its flowing. Like it's a river of black ink or something like that."

I put my cloak back on and he said, "Yeah, that's weird. I'll notify the Superior and we'll look into it. For now you have the same mission. Check on Sora's progress and try to halt it as much as you can. And this time, help Axel try to get Roxas back and if he doesn't come back, destroy him."

I nod and Axel and I run through a portal into digital Twilight Town. We see Roxas and I make a couple Dusks surround him. Axel says, "Look at what it's come to. I've been given these icky orders to destroy you, if you refuse to come back with me."

Roxas says, "We're… best friends, right?"

Axel scratches the back of his head and said, "Sure… but I'm not getting turned into a Dusk for… Wait a sec! You remember now!?"

Roxas said, "Y… eah."

Axel replied, "Great! But, you know, gotta make sure and all. So, umm… What's our boss's name?"

There was a long pause and Axel sighed, "Can't believe this…"

Roxas grabbed a stick and it turned into a keyblade. I sent some Nobodies after him and he destroyed them all. Axel got his chakrams out and I got my bow and arrow ready to shoot. Then time paused, Axel was frozen but Roxas and I weren't. We heard DiZ's voice say, "Roxas, to the mansion! The time has come!"

Roxas shouts, "Hayner! Pence! Olette!"

I said, "You better get to that mansion."

He shouted, "What's it to you!?"

We heard DiZ's voice say, "Roxas hurry. I'll deal with this Organization miscreant!"

Roxas ran for it and I ran after him only to be beamed into DiZ's computer room. Riku grabbed me and pinned me to a wall. DiZ said, "Take off her hood. I would like to see who exactly I am dealing with."

Riku slid off my hood as I kicked his only remaining hand that had a grip on me. I run into the next room to find Anthony, Goofy, and Donald in their pods sleeping. Riku opens the door and I pull out my bow and arrow. I aim at him and he stops dead in his tracks. I shoot an electric arrow and the arrow stayed in its punctured hole in the wall next to Anthony's pod. I run out the front door only to find Riku waiting at the gates for me. I see DiZ walk through the mansion doors and he said, "We figured you would take this escape route. Now we can finally kill you so the Organization can't get to their precious Kingdom Hearts. It's a shame that Anthony won't ever get to see you again. You WERE such a nice girl. What made you turn so evil?"

I laughed, "Since when were you the good guy? I know the reason why you're trying to kill me. It's just to get your revenge on the Organization. Well, look where it's gotten you. Riku is a perfect example. You just hurt someone and now you'll hurt Anthony. I know how ashamed you are for what you did to Riku."

There was a long pause of silence until Riku said, "I think you'll do more damage to Anthony when he sees what a bitch you've become."

Riku charged at me and managed to tear the back of my cloak. I sent a flood nobodies and heartless at him and DiZ. DiZ disappeared like a coward and I opened a portal. I didn't care where I ended up, just as long as I got away before Anthony and the gang finds me. I walked through the portal and ended up in Master Yen Sid's tower. I heard Master Yen Sid clear his throat behind me and I turned around to see him sitting at his desk. I greeted, "Hello Master Yen Sid. Long time no see?"

He stared at me with a blank face. I couldn't tell if he was pissed off at me or in disbelief that I was here. We sat there for about a half an hour or so in silence until I heard Pete yelling outside. I go to the window to see Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Anthony standing outside talking. I got another arrow and shot it in the grass. They looked up and I hid under the window. I heard Anthony calling my name in joy until I heard Master Yen Sid say, "Ah, so you still care for him deep down inside. That's a good sign. For a minute there I thought you lost your marbles."

I said, "I can't let him find me, just yet. We'll have to hold on. At least I can give him a piece of me to hold onto for now. I have to go now, before he-"

I was cut off by a couple knocks on the door. He said, "Show yourself if you like, or hide under the desk for now."

I ran under the desk and he sat at his chair a little farther than usual so that he wouldn't squish me. He said, "Come in."

Donald, Goofy, Sora, and Anthony came in and everyone except for Sora and Anthony bowed. Donald said, "Master Yen Sid, it's an honor!"

Sora greeted, "Hey there!"

Donald hit him on the head and shouted, "Sora, show some respect!"

Master Yen Sid gestured that it was okay and said, "So, you are Sora. Now then, have you seen the King yet?"

Goofy replied, "Yes, we did, Master. But we didn't get a chance to talk to him."

Master Yen Sid said, "Yes… the King has been quite busy of late. Therefore, it would seem the task of instructing you four falls upon my shoulders. You have a perilous journey ahead of you. You must be well prepared."

Sora said, "You mean… we have to go on another quest? I was looking forward to finding my friend Riku, so we could go back to the islands."

Anthony said, "Oh! Natalee was up here! One of her arrows was shot from this tower. Where is she?!"

There was a moment of silence until Master Yen Sid said, "She left in a hurry. She does not want to be seen. I can see her heart; she does have a pure heart but…"

Anthony said, "But what?"

Master Yen Sid replied gravely, "But it's very close to being engulfed into darkness."

Everyone gasped and Anthony said, "Where can I find her?"

He said, "I'm afraid I do not know, but beware. Your journey of finding her will be extremely perilous. You may find her in the deepest darkness with the Nobodies and Heartless."

Anthony said, "I don't care where she is, I will find her and bring her back. Even if it costs me my life. Just as long as she is safe."

Master Yen Sid said, "I figured you'd say that. However, everything in your journey is connected. Whether you will find your way home to the islands… Whether you will return alone or with your friend… Whether or not the islands will still be there… Whether Anthony will return alive with Natalee or not… And, whether or not Anthony and Natalee can return to Earth. And the key that connects them all is you, Sora."

Sora replied, "I'm… the key?"

Sora summons his keyblade and Master Yen Sid says, "Chosen wielder of the Keyblade! You are the key that will open the door to light."

"But wait a sec- how come the Heartless are still running around?" Sora asked.

Master Yen Sid replied, "Your past endeavors did prevent an immense effusion of Heartless from the great darkness; make no mistake about that. However, the Heartless are darkness made real- and darkness yet lingers in every heart. The Heartless are fewer. But while darkness exists in a single heart, it will be difficult to eliminate them."

Goofy said, "Gwarsh, that must mean… if everybody's heart was full of light, them Heartless'd go away!"

Master Yen Sid nodded and said, "Now it is time to speak of the enemies that you will encounter."

Master Yen Sid shows a hologram of Donald which turns into a heartless and he said, "If one such as you, Donald, yields to the darkness in their heart, they too will become a heartless. But you know this. The Heartless are always lurking and ever seeking to capture new hearts. Never let your guard down! Now then…"

Master Yen Sid shows a hologram of a Dusk and said, "At times, someone with a strong heart and will- be they evil or good- becomes a heartless, the empty shell they leave behind begins to act with a will of its own."

The Heartless hologram disappears and he continued, "An empty vessel whose heart has been stolen away… A spirit that goes on even as its body fades from existence- as you see, Nobodies do not truly exist at all. Nobodies may seem to have feelings, but this a ruse- they only pretend to have hearts. You must not be deceived!"

Sora said, "Nobodies… They don't exist…"

Two more holograms of dusks appear and Master Yen Sid continued, "Now then… the beings you see before you is known as a Dusk. They are the most common form of Nobody. But there are others- some larger, some with frightening and unique powers. Be vigilant! On your journey, you will meet an alarming number of Dusks. They will all attempt to do you harm."

The holograms of the Dusks disappeared and Master Yen Sid continued, "Still, they are nothing but empty shells, destined to return to darkness. But-"

He changed the holograms to show Organization 13 people. Sora, Donald, and Goofy got a little scared while Anthony clenched his fist and said, "I'm going to kill those bastards for taking my girlfriend and for manipulating her."

"Who are these Nobodies?" Sora asked.

Master Yen Sid replied, "The beings you see before you now are different. These powerful nobodies have formed a group called Organization 13. It commands the lesser Nobodies."

Sora said, "Organization 13…"

Master Yen Sid continued, "While Heartless act on instinct, Nobodies function in a higher manner. They can think and plan. And it seems they are working towards a goal. What that goal is, we do not know. The King sensed the danger, and journeyed forth to fight it. He found the dark realm's keyblade, and with it, closed the door. Now he's traveling from world to world, fighting the Heartless as he seeks the answer to the riddle of the Nobodies and Organization 13."

Sora said, "Then I guess we better go find the King first!"

Donald asked, "But where could he be?"

Anthony said, "And the King must know where Natalee is. He might have seen her."

Sora replied in agreement, "Yeah. And the King must know where Riku is, 'cause the two of them were together in the realm of darkness when we closed the door. You know, after defeating Ansem."

Master Yen Sid said, "So, before you go, you will need more suitable traveling clothes. Those look a bit too small for you. Through there, you'll find three good fairies. If you ask, they'll create for you appropriate garments."

Goofy said, "Gwarsh, Sora, you sure are growing fast."

Sora laughed, "Uh, I guess…"

They all laughed and walked into the next room to get Sora's new clothes. I came out from under the desk and said, "Whew! That was a close one. I'd better get going now!"

Master Yen Sid said, "Wait."

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around and replied, "Yes?"

Master Yen Sid said, "I can see something glowing through the giant rip on the back of your cloak. What is it?"

I replied, "Well, yesterday the Superior gave me the power to control the Nobodies and Heartless. When he did, this tattoo appeared on my back. The ink looks like its flowing, like a river of ink or darkness. It says, 'Breaking the walls of my rational maze'. Do you have any idea what that means?"

His eyes widened and he warned, "Beware. You are a losing your sense of reality. If you immerse yourself in this dimension too much, you will not be able to return back to yours. Anyhow, they should be out any second now. Would you like to leave a message?"

I said, "Give him one of my arrows. Hopefully that can keep him satisfied for now."

I gave him one of my arrows and I opened a portal to go back 'home'. I walked through and found Demyx and Saix waiting for me in the lounge. Saix greeted, "Ah, there you are. We were wondering where you were. What took you so long?"

I sat down on the couch with Demyx and I replied, "I was beamed out of the digital Twilight Town. Riku and DiZ tried to kill me, but I barely managed to escape. I found myself in Master Yen Sid's tower and barely managed to be seen by Sora. When Sora left the room, Master Yen Sid told me the meaning of the tattoo on my back."

Saix asked, "What does it mean?"

I replied, "He said it means that 'you are a losing your sense of reality'. He also said that if I immerse myself too much in this dimension, I may not be able to return back to my dimension."

Saix said, "We won't need to worry about that though. We are not planning for your return to your dimension anyways. So, Sora is back which means Roxas has joined him. Axel hasn't returned because he failed his mission again. He better not show his face here anymore. Anyhow, that is all for now and you can hand me your torn cloak. Here's a new one."

I took off my cloak and I handed it to Saix. He gave me a new one and Demyx and I walked back to our rooms discussing the events of today and making plans for tomorrow. We all said good night to each other and went into our rooms. I put my new cloak on a hanger in my closet which is filled with a bunch of other cloaks and took a shower. When I dried myself, I could see the tattoo glowing on my back. I stood there for a while staring at myself in the mirror and thinking of me not being able to see Anthony or not ever returning to my true home back on Earth. I put my pjs on and went to bed, trying to shrug these thoughts off.