Chapter 9

Riku growled, "Xehanort has Kairi. She's the most powerful Princess of Heart. We need to stop him."

"How?" Sora asked, "We can't take him on in his home turf. That's suicide. Even I know that."

"I know. We'll need help," Riku sighed.

"I'll go get Yensid and Lea," Mickey suggested, "while you two go to Kairi."

Riku nodded, "Thanks Mickey."

The mouse nodded and disappeared.

"C'mon," Sora led the way to the gummi ship, "Kairi needs our help!"

Riku nodded and followed him to the gummi ship. What is it's a lie? What if Kairi isn't really there? I feel like this is just a trap. If it is then we're both so dead.

Sora paused and turned to look over his shoulder, "Riku."

"What if it's a trap?" Riku asked slowing to a stop.

"Even if it is, better that we go and it isn't then we not go and it end up being true," Sora smiled, "Even if it is a trap at least we went. If Kairi really was there but we didn't go then they will destroy her once she serves her purpose."

"You're right," Riku nodded, "Thanks Sora."

"Besides, Lea's coming to help. And Mickey and Yensid!" That is awesome," Sora grinned.

Riku chuckled, "Alright, alright. Let's go."

Sora climbed into the gummi ship and followed the trail to the World That Never Was. The place was very gloomy. The only source of light was the moon but even that was usually dimmed by clouds. The gummi ship landed in the middle of a dark meadow. The grass was flattened and grey. The trees, the few there were, were bent and twisted like they were writhing in agony. The sky was covered in dark clouds. Sora glanced around uneasily, "This place is creepy."

"You can say that again," Riku nodded, "It reminds me of the Realm of Darkness."

"It's supposed to."

Riku turned to see Saix standing over them next to Xigbar.

"You two," he hissed.

"Actually there's four of us."

Sora turned, "Crap."

Xikari and her friend stood behind them.

"You two have perfect timing," Saic smirked.

"You arrived just in time to witness the fight to the death for membership within the Organization," Xigbar added.

"'A fight to the death' that's it," Riku whispered.

"I'm confused," Sora said.

"That's okay," Riku nodded. It all makes sense now.

"You get to watch," Saix summoned a large amount of berserker nobodies that quickly grabbed and restrained the two boys.

"Let me go!" Sora struggled.

"Sora," Riku hissed, "Stop."

"What?" Sora stared at him in shock.

Riku nodded, "Stop. I know what I'm doing."

Sora swallowed and nodded, "Alright." He stopped struggling.

The nobodies shoved them less then gently along the path to the towering cathedral that served as the largest building in the world.

Sora swallowed again. His mouth was dry. He hadn't been frightened last time but this was different. There was a difference in the air this time.

Riku felt it too. He felt his skin crawl. I told Sora I knew what I was doing. I'm not sure that I do. I hope beyond all reason that I am wrong. I've never wanted to be more wrong in my life. Riku shook his head, "I hope I'm wrong."

Sora sighed. They were surrounded by nobodies. The two newest aspiring members of the Organization stood calmly across from each other. Sora felt a knot form in his stomach. This really is a fight to the death. He glanced at Riku.

Riku met his gaze and mouthed the word "Wait."

Sora nodded. He cringed as the fight started. They were vicious and unrelenting. Both of them had a power that none of the other Organization members could even dream to achieve. He shook his head. If even one of them joins then we're deader than dead.

The girl's hood was knocked off.

Sora stared at her in shock, "Kairi!?" He felt the sting of betrayal settle in his heart.

She snarled and leaped up, flipping over him and landing behind him. "Now," she whispered.

He nodded, "Alright." she leaped forward and sliced at her. she stumbled backwards but he had just cut off her necklace.

"What are you doing?" Saix asked harshly.

"Winning," Kairi shrugged.

Riku sighed, "I was hoping I was wrong."

"You knew?" Sora asked.

"I figured it out the moment Saix said fight to the death," Riku explained sadly, "That's why I told you to stop struggling. I knew Kairi could take care of herself but only to a certain point."

"So, you obviously had an ulterior motive for 'joining the Organization' Princess," Xehanort smirked.

"You know already," Kairi shrugged, "It no longer matters. I am no longer a Princess of Heart, having opened myself up to the darkness."

"I know," Xehanort nodded, "but you retain the abilities you had as the last Princess."

Kairi smirked, "Good luck using them to manipulate me."

Xehanort smiled, "Destroy her friends."

Kairi's face remained cold as steel and unflinching.

"You aren't going to stop me?" Saix chuckled.

"No," Kairi shook her head, "Go ahead, destroy them. I don't care."

Sora stared at her, "What?"

"It's an easy fooling tactic," Riku whispered, "Feign indifference and the antagonist is less likely to do as they threaten."

Sora nodded, "Let's hope that's all it is." I had never imagined Kairi would be this hard to read. She's usually so bright and happy. Did she really open up to the darkness?

"You truly do not care?" Xehanort laughed, "Saix destroy them."

Saix lifted his claymore over Sora's head.

Kairi didn't flinch. She had her hand closed over the necklace and didn't spare the two boys a glance.

Saix brought the claymore down with surprising speed.

Sora didn't have time to get out of the way so he curled into a ball. The huge weapon didn't hit him. He opened his eyes and looked up.

A suit of gold, red, and brown armor stood over him with a Keyblade that was almost as big as the claymore.

The boy shoved off his hood.

Riku's eyes widened, "He looks like Roxas."

Sora looked at him, "Yeah he does."

The boy rose up onto a gust of wind.

Kairi's eyes had been closed. When they opened they were an opaque glowing gold. Her entire body started to glow, "Sorry Xehanort but your plans played right into mine."