Festering Power

Hey everyone! So lately, I know I shouldn't be too hasty about this, but can you guys share this story with everyone, please? I need more motivation to keep writing my stories. Please don't think I'm desperate, it's just that why should I keep writing a story if only a few people are going to read it? Just saying. Anyways, I think I will be updating more because I FINALLY got out of school and have some free time on my hands. So be ready for more updates soon enough. In any case, enjoy and review!

Disclaimer: I don't any characters mentioned in the story. Square Enix and Disney do. I only own the unknown.

Riku was the first to wake. He stared at his surroundings, taking them in. Then, he noticed Sora's unconscious body laying a few feet away, facing up. He clutched at his head, trying to remember what had happened the past few days. He knew that that Eliza girl, who was Kailee's sister, was on the loose, trying to put down her younger sibling. She had told him thatthey were soon to be completely consumed by the darkness and that time was running short for him. Then, she had sunk a sort of needle into his infested calf, filling it with more Shadow Crosser poison. He had felt his heart rate slow and then stumbled across to Kailee and Sora at the party. But then what? All he could recall was a foggy, blackness that had enveloped them and then a deep internal pain had ebbed from him but it wasn't from his actual body that he felt.

Then how did I end up here?

"Oh the eternal question for the wandering hero," a female voice came to his ears as he stood up.

"Who's there?" Riku asked.

"I can't believe that the poison hadn't of worked faster," the voice sighed. "That's what I get for messing with keyblade wielders."

"What are you talking about?" Riku's hand itched for his keyblade.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Eliza stepped out from being hidden in the shadows. "After all, you want to save Sora and Kailee, right?"

"What's going on?" Riku demanded, growing impatient.

"Tsk, tsk. Well, mustn't I explain everything now?" She crossed her arms and began walking towards her left. "You see, we need all three of you. Especially, Kailee. You're all necessary to Xehanort's plan."

"Who's that? And what plan?"

"Someone you don't need to know about yet and it's none of your business!" she yelled, throwing both of her hands back. "Why do all keybladers have to be so stubborn and stupid?"

"You better watch your mouth before I—"

"Before you what? Show me a few fire tricks? Trust me, Riku. I've already seen all of your moves before. I know you like the back of my hand," she grinned. "Now, I'd be nice to me. I would want a quick and painless death, after all."

"Death?" Riku's breath caught in his throat.

"Yep. Now you see this?" Eliza held up a bag of, what looked to be, blood mixed with organs. "This is what happened to the last keybearer. Xylen and I decided to rip him up into little pieces because he was being a bad prisoner. If I were you, then I would be nice and ask to be beheaded."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Now that's private," Eliza finished, stepping back in the shadows.

Riku's body pumped with fear and adrenaline. He turned back with his keyblade to see if there was any keyhole available so he could unlock it, but came up with nothing. Some other trick by those people. Why would they be so cruel as to do stuff like that? He'd seen some really horrible things done by Organization XIII and even experienced darkness himself. But that was nothing compared to the atrocities that this new group was committing. So many lives lost. And then, how they must treat the ones that wield the Keyblade. Who knows what would happen to him or Sora. Maybe even to Kailee. So far, things had gone downhill ever since they had met her. He didn't fully regret it but now, things were getting too out of hand for even King Mickey or Yen Sid to handle.

Maybe that's why King Mickey told me that she would be our salvation. I hope that she can save us now that we're stuck in this.

Sora was still completely unconscious. It seemed as though that soul tearing had a very negative effect on him. He kept experiencing these strange yet familiar memories that floated in between his dreams. Most of them were his memories. The time he spent at the islands, those two years that he spent out adventuring with Donald and Goofy in search of the king, Riku and Kairi. Also, the new ones where he had spent time with Kailee visiting the worlds that had been infiltrated by Shadow Crossers. But then, other, strange memories of people he had never even met before were beginning to emerge. In each dream, he was being called by a different name. And he even responded to that particular name.

But who were these people? One of his memories suddenly appeared before him. It was back when he was about 5, hanging out with Riku on the main island, staring at the stars.

"Hey. I'm gonna head back," Riku stated, after getting up.

Sora mirrored his actions. "Yeah. Me too."

They both stood up and began walking in the direction of the village. It had been a pretty normal day for them. Well, save for the part where they met that strange, blue-haired lady earlier that day. But, other than that, it was just a day of fun and games for the pair of young boys. Now, it was time to rest and began the same routine for the next day. Just as Riku glanced over, a tear escaped from Sora's eye.

"Sora, what's wrong?" Riku's face etched with worry and concern.

"Huh?" Sora responded, confused.

"You're…." Riku pointed at the brunette's face.

Sora reached up to feel a tear sliding down his cheek. "That's weird. It's like something's squeezing me inside."

"Somebody up there must be sad," Riku replied.

"Up where?"

Riku looked up towards the sky. "They say every world is connected by one great big sky. So maybe there's somebody up there in all those worlds who's really hurting and they're waiting for you to help them."

"Well gee, do you think there's something I could do?" Sora asked.

Riku crossed his arms and closed his eyes, deep in thought. "Hmm…Maybe they just need you to open your heart and listen."

Sora brought his arms up to the back of his head. "Hmm… I dunno Riku, you say some weird stuff sometimes, but I'll try it."

"Okay."

Sora then fisted his hands and brought them to his chest. Then, he closed his eyes and opened up his heart to the worlds.

Kailee was getting more frustrated and fearful by the minute. The moment that Xylen had stopped talking to her, he had chosen to reveal the many other prison cells that were around her. They were all aligned in a neat circle, around a bright fire. She had tried to look for Sora, Riku, or her family amongst the jail cells but came up with nothing since there was a multitude of prisoners. She had to escape somehow. But the only reasonable way to escape was by death, or worse, teaming up with Xylen. No. She couldn't let that happen. She would rather die than embrace the darkness.

She had tried to manage her time in her pitiful jail cell by coming up with escape plans. Kailee had come up with at least 8 foolproof plans just in case if she ever got a chance to at least get out of her cell. Now, she had to wait. Recently, though, she had begun to dream of strange people who she did not recognize. A girl who had the opposite of her features was a frequent visitor. She had been to many worlds, according to Kailee's dreams and was now on the brink of some sort of discovery. But, before Kailee ever saw that revelation, she would just wake up. She never truly found out who that stranger was.

After several days of staying in the cell, surviving on nothing but a bit of water and bread, Xylen came to get her. She had asked to where they were going but he just gave a violent tug to her arm, pulling her forward. Kailee tried to fight as much as she could, trying to break free of his grasp. Somehow, something or someone came up from behind her and hit her on the back of the neck just so she would stop struggling. Xylen had to carry her to the lab where he was met up by Xehanort and Eliza. They chained her up and brought in Riku and Sora, too. They made the pair sit in uncomfortable chairs, their legs and hands tied to it with chains of darkness and flesh eating worms if they ever dared to struggle. Sora tried to threaten them but the only thing he got was a head turning slap from Eliza. Kailee slowly came to afterwards.

"Have a nice nap?" Eliza asked, a smug smile on her face.

"You bitch!" Kailee screamed. "How could you do this?"

"Simple. It just took some willpower and some forgetting," Eliza explained.

"Don't interrogate the prisoner further. We already have enough information," Xehanort said, silencing Eliza. "Xylen have you readied the machine?"

"Yes, Master Xehanort," Xylen pulled out an odd looking type of machine.

"Master? Oh so you're working for someone? I thought Xylen was a leader, not a follower," Kailee challenged, trying to break free of her chains. "What's that for anyway? You're going to show us how to play with fire?"

"Enough!" Xehanort yelled, his temper coming short. "We shall begin the ritual immediately. Free the prisoner."

Now's my chance.

Eliza strode over to unlatch Kailee. "Don't try anything funny. You don't want to see your friends die, now do you?"

That's not going to happen today.

Just as soon as Eliza had set Kailee's left hand free, Kailee landed a sidekick to Eliza's stomach. Eliza was sent back, clearly winded. She summoned her keyblade and aimed it at the roof. "Stopra!"

Time stood still. Well, at least for Xehanort, Xylen, and Eliza it had. They were each stuck in one position: Xehanort trying to get his keyblade, Xylen running at her, and Eliza rising from the floor clutching at her stomach and giving a death glare at Kailee. Riku and Sora were, thankfully, still moving but with a consequence. Once Kailee had escaped and frozen the enemies, both boys had felt the jolt of adrenaline coursing through their veins. But, so had the flesh-eating worms. They instantly were set on to gnaw away at their flesh, leaving nothing but bone behind. Now, they were both remaining still, but their faces were etched with pain. Kailee ripped through the worms as if they were bands of licorice. The worms hadn't gotten too far in chewing the flesh but they had gotten deep into the skin because both boys were showing red, bloody flesh.

"We have to get out of here before the spell wears off," Kailee made a grab for both of the guys' hands, making a run for the door. Kailee had no idea where she was going but she knew that she had to protect both Riku and Sora. She passed through a bunch of hallways and prison cells, managing to check if any of her family members were there. With no luck, she kept sprinting towards what seemed to be the exit due to large double doors standing in their way. She heaved at them but decided to use her keyblade and both Sora's and Riku's strength to open it. A green portal that looked over the world of New Orleans greeted them. Before Kailee jumped through, Sora pulled her back.

"What about your family?" he questioned. "Wee have to save them, too!"

"I know but…" Kailee trailed off. "I'll come back for them. Make sure of it. Besides, they can't do anything to them if I don't approve. You saw that they needed me so I can make them free my family before they can use me."

"Are you sure about that?" Sora asked.

Riku pulled them out of their conversation. "Umm guys. I think we better jump now!" A horde of dark, sinister Shadow Crossers, mixed with Heartless, Nobodies and other creatures, were scampering over to the trio. They each nodded to each other and bounded into the portal.

"Hi Minnie and Lea!" Mickey greeted them as they entered the infirmary. "Did Xylen hurt you at all Lea?"

"Not even a scratch. But I think it should really be you who we need to worry about, King Mickey," Lea slouched on the wall.

"Gosh, you two. I'm all right! Just a scar on my cheek, that's all," Mickey reasoned.

"But didn't you have those black, spider veins crawling on your face?" Lea asked.

"I did but Master Yen Sid found a way to heal me completely," Mickey gestured to a pure white dog that was resting on the floor. "Yen Sid said that I needed a sort of rare Shadow Crosser to heal my wound. He sent the three good fairies to search for one and they finally found one in Radiant Garden. This one's called a Scavenger. We had to do this blood bond for it to work and after that, the poor fella went to sleep."

"Did it hurt?" Minnie said, concerned.

"Well, it did a little bit. But then I fell asleep, too. Now I feel great!" Mickey stretched his arms above his head.

"But you still need your rest, Mickey," Yen Sid answered; finally being noticed that he too was in the infirmary with them. "We have many things to prepare for."

"Like what?" Lea inquired.

"Sora and Riku must know about Master Xehanort by now. The situation has gone far enough. It is urgent that they are aware of his presence," Yen Sid clarified.

"But how are we supposed to notify them if we don't even know where they are?" Mickey said.

"Actually, the three good fairies did not only look for the Shadow Crosser but also for Sora and Riku. They were last seen in a world called New Orleans."

"But what about Kailee?' Queen Minnie put in. "Shouldn't she get to know as well?"

"Yes. But she already has enough power to partially defeat him. It is Sora and Riku that need to exactly know who he is," Yen Sid shook his head. "Although, Kailee has a choice of whether crossing over to the darkness or to embrace the light. She has to make that choice. Yet, you're right, Queen Minnie. Master Xehanort will try and take her in with him, at all costs."

"What about me? Don't I get a part in this?" Lea pushed himself off the wall. "I did save King Mickey, in the first place."

"You do have a part in all this. You will accompany Mickey to go see Sora, Riku, and Kailee," Yen Sid turned to Mickey. "You shall explain what occurred a decade ago so they will understand."

"Yes Master Yen Sid," Mickey replied. "When are we leaving?"

"Soon. You still must rest," Yen Sid walked to the door. "I shall be back with the necessary equipment that you both need to travel. In the meantime, Mickey, why don't you explain what happened ten years ago to Lea here? I'm sure you'll both be entertained for a while."

"I'll leave you both to it. The castle needs renovating," Minnie placed her hand over Mickey's. "Hope you get better soon." With that, she left, too.

"So what is this big thing that happened with Xehanort, ten years ago?" Lea sat down at the foot of Mickey's bed.

Mickey sighed. "Well, it all started with three people. Terra, Aqua, and Ventus…"

Sorry the chapter had to be so short but I just am running dry! I REALLY want to put in Dream Drop Distance in here but then, what'll become of the Shadow Crossers in the real worlds? Who will protect them if all three of our heroes are asleep? Anyways, please pass this story down to other people. I know, I know. I sound desperate but it'll help me with my stories! And if you guys really want me to put in play Dream Drop Distance, shall I go according to the plot or make it an entirely different story? And by which chapter shall I put it in? Review please! Really means a lot! :)