Last time we learned that Sora and Kairi will be dead in less than a day, unless Riku, Aiden, Usagi and her friends, find Kurayami and return the stolen heart crystals. Our heroes listened to Roxas and Naminé as they told their story to Aiden, Usagi and her friends. As Ami worked on a means of finding the fiend, we learned more about the relationship between Usagi and Mamoru. Naminé offered to try and restore the memories of the couple's previous life. But then things took a turn for the worst as all of the wounds Sora and Kairi sustained in their struggles against the darkness came back. Now they have less time than before, especially Sora. 'Nuff said, on with the show!

Chapter 6: Against the Clock

"I thought you said we had a day before their life energies would run out," said Mina.

"I didn't know this would happen," said Naminé, "their wounds are killing them quicker than the life energy drain," she looked at Sora and Kairi, "Kairi's wounds aren't as bad, but Sora has been fighting the darkness longer than she has. His wounds are killing him quicker than hers are."

"How long?" Mamoru asked gravely.

"Four or five hours at the most," said Naminé, "that's how much time Sora has left."

"Well, that's just peachy," said a shocked Aiden.

"There has to be something we can do to help them," said Mako, "something to keep them alive."

"There is," said Naminé, "my magic, while it can't completely heal their wounds, it can slow down their bodies deterioration, while at the same time boost their life energies somewhat. But I won't be able to keep them going for long. I could maybe give them another hour, an hour and a half at the most."

"So we'll have at the most six and a half hours to find Kurayami and get back the heart crystals," said Riku.

"But how are we going to find her?" Usagi asked.

"Haven't you been paying attention?" an annoyed Rei asked, "Ami-chan has been making a tracking program that'll find that monster! God! You really are a dumpling-head!"

"Don't call me that," muttered Usagi, "only Mamo-chan can call me that."

"How much longer until your program is ready?" Riku asked Ami.

"Another minute or so," said Ami as she still worked on her pocket computer, "I already have the entire city layout installed, and soon I can lock in on the energy signature of the creature. If Kurayami is anywhere within 100 miles of Tokyo, we will find it."

"There's another problem," said Artemis.

"You told us how badly the battle went," said Luna, "even if you do find it, how will you get the heart crystals back?"

"Oh," said a dumbfounded Usagi, "I really haven't thought of that."

"That abomination wiped the floor with us," said Aiden, "and that was with Sora and Kairi fighting at full strength. How are we supposed to beat that thing without them?"

"And let's not forget that it can take our heart crystals as well," said Mako, "something I'd really don't want to happen."

"Neither do I," said Rei, "once was enough."

"I really don't want to go into the dark again," said Usagi, "Not that I'm afraid…I…okay, I am afraid of the dark, but that doesn't mean I don't want to fight."

"Like you really could help," said Roxas.

"What's that you said?" an irate Usagi asked, "are you calling me useless?"

"Well, I…it's just that," said a slightly nervous Roxas, "well, from what I saw through Sora's eyes, you really weren't all that much help earlier. I mean, you really freaked out when those Heartless went after you."

"They surprised me," said Usagi, "that's all. It won't happen again."

"And she'll have us to help," said Mina.

"We're all stronger together," said Ami.

"Individually we're formidable," said Mako.

"But together we're unstoppable," said Rei.

"That's right," said Usagi, "and we'll have Mamo-chan with us the while time, right?"

"Absolutely," said Mamoru, "no way am I letting you, Usako, or the others face that monstrosity without me."

"And you'll have me," said Roxas, "I didn't get a chance to kick that monster's tail, I owe it a good trashing."

"We'll definitely be ready for it this time," said Riku, while Aiden nodded in agreement.

"We have a few surprises for that Kurayami bitch," said Aiden.

Just then Ami's computer beeped, "it's working! I'm detecting the creature; it's in a warehouse. If we hurry we can be there in less than an hour."

"Then let's go already!" said Usagi.

"What about Sora and Kairi?" Riku asked, "Are you sure they'll be alright without us? I'd never forgive myself if anything were to happen to them."

"They're safe for the moment," said Naminé, "I'm already boosting their life energy."

"We'll stay and help you, Naminé," said Luna.

"We may not look like it," said Artemis, "but Luna and I have our own magic. How else could we have survived for a thousand years?"

"You both are a thousand years old?" Aiden asked.

"We were both in the Moon Kingdom," said Luna.

"Well you both look good for 1,000 year-old cats," said Riku.

"They do look good," said Naminé.

"And you look even better," said Roxas.

"Likewise," said Naminé. They then embraced and kissed, "just don't do anything reckless. I'm finally able to touch you in the flesh, and I'd hate for this to be the last time."

"Nothing could keep me away from you," said Roxas. They then kissed again.

"Ahem!" said a slightly annoyed Rei, "celebrate later, we have a deadline you know."

"She has boy issues," Ami whispered to Riku.

"I figured as much," said Riku. He then looked at his unmoving friends, "just hold on, Sora, Riku, we'll be back soon."

"Don't give up," said Aiden to Sora and Kairi, "we've come too far for this to be the end."

Sora and Kairi responded by muttering Bob Dylan lyrics, then switched to Eric Clapton.

"I honestly didn't know they were such fans of classic rock," said Riku.

"We can ask them when they're awake," said Aiden.

"I believe I may have a theory," said Ami as everyone, minus Naminé, Luna and Artemis, left the room and headed outside, "I noticed that both Sora and Kairi have one metal filling in the exact same back tooth."

"Oh," said an astonished Riku as his hand touched his lower left jaw, "I completely forgot about that, I have the same filling in the same tooth as well."

"You're kidding!" said Usagi.

"How'd that happen?" Rei asked.

"Halloween, about five, no, six years ago," said Riku, "we all got so much candy that night. Of course, being kids, we ate a lot of it before we went to bed, or tried to go to bed. We were up all night, wired like maniacs from all the sugar and chocolate. Since then I've never had anything with sugar or chocolate in it after 8 o'clock."

"Actually," said Ami, "it's the caffeine in chocolate, more than the sugar, that can keep you up at night."

"I guess that's true," said Riku, "Anyway, we all still had a tone of candy from that Halloween, it took us a week to finish it all. By some twist of fate, we all got cavities in the same tooth. Our dentist said that we were lucky, for we would be the last to get metal fillings in his office. He'd be doing porcelain fillings from then on.

"Lucky us, I'll tell you this. Metal fillings hurt, even when you've been doped up on gas and Novocain."

Riku then looked at Ami, "what, are you suggesting that Sora and Kairi are picking up a radio signal in their fillings?"

"It's quite possible," said Ami, "there is a local radio station that plays western classic rock and roll, and it's possible that our unconscious friends are picking up the signal."

"I thought that sort of thing was just an urban legend," said Mako.

"Truth is stranger than fiction," said Mamoru.

"If that's true," said Riku, "why can't I pick up a radio station? I have the same filling as Sora and Kairi."

"It probably has something to do with them being unconscious," said Mako.

"Their subconscious minds are receiving the signal," said Ami, "that is the theory I'm sticking to."

"Well ask them what was going on in their heads when they wake up," said Aiden, "and we will get to ask them."

"Darn right," said Riku.

Unknown to our heroes, the opposition had found Kurayami first, or rather, her general position in the city.

"Are you sure that thing is working?" Mimete asked as Eugeal drove them through a warehouse district.

"I told you already that there's nothing wrong with the tracking device," said an annoyed Eugeal, "Kurayami is somewhere in these warehouses. We just need to get closer in order to figure out which one exactly."

"I believe we have been shown the way after all," said Nikolai

The car then stopped next to a warehouse that pulsated with a dark purple glow.

"She's in there," said Eugeal as she parked the car and everyone got out, the tracking device in her hands She looked at the darkly pulsating warehouse, "someone has been busy."

"Umm…" said a nervous Mimete, "do we have to go in there?"

"What's the matter," said Eugeal in a teasing tone, "afraid of the dark?"

"I…what? No!" said an irate Mimete, "I'm not afraid of the dark! It's Kurayami, she's the one who should be afraid of me when I get my hands on her!" With that she stomped to the warehouse door and went inside.

"I believe she has taken the concept of being the mother of the monster to her head," said Nikolai as he and Eugeal followed Mimete inside.

"She's just that way," said Eugeal.

Inside the warehouse was a living nightmare. The normally large empty space used to store goods had been twisted into a three dimensional labyrinth, like that of an M. C. Esher drawing, but made of solidified darkness.

Hundreds of Neo Shadows crawled across the mind-boggling maze, as well as a few Darkballs and Invisibles hovering here and there.

"She has been busy," said an impressed Nikolai, "to do all of this in such a short time. Truly this is a fantastic creature we are dealing with."

"I'm more concerned about us," said Eugeal, "we'll be hopelessly lost in seconds if we try to find Kurayami in this."

"Looks like she wants us to find her," said Mimete. A Neo Shadow was standing in front of them, but it didn't attack. Rather, it beckoned them forward, as if it wanted them to follow it.

"What should we do?" Eugeal asked, "follow?"

"We may not have a choice if we ever wish to find Kurayami," said Nikolai. The three of them followed the Neo Shadow through the twists, turns, staircases and tunnels of the labyrinth. All the while Nikolai was leaving a trail of magic behind so they could find their way back out.

They eventually reached the 'center' of the maze where Kurayami sat on a reclining chair, holding the two heart crystals she took from Sora and Kairi.

"There you are!" Mimete said in a matronly manner, "do you realize how worried we've been?"

"I had no idea you cared," said Kurayami in a mocking manner, "I hate to think you went through so much trouble just to find me."

"You're the one in trouble!" snapped Eugeal.

"The second we get you home, you're grounded, young lady!" said Mimete.

"As if you could do anything to hurt me," said Kurayami as she stood up, returning the stolen heart crystals to her purse.

"Just where did you get those anyway?" Eugeal asked, "We haven't selected any target humans."

"I chose my own targets now," said Kurayami, "and I took them from two Keyblade wielders."

"Is this true?" an astonished Nikolai asked, even though he, Mimete and Eugeal had heard what Tomoe said about the battle, to hear it from Kurayami was no less amazing.

"They weren't as weak as I first thought them to be," said Kurayami, "but they were helpless before my power. And the other two Keyblade Wielders, they to shall soon taste my power and despair."

She glared at Nikolai, "you and your mistress are worried over nothing. Those Keyblade Wielders couldn't destroy me, and neither can you."

"But we have no desire to harm you," said Nikolai in a placating manner, "only to work with you."

"Work with me?" Kurayami asked in a disbelieving tone, "not to long ago you all wished to exploit me for your selfish desires. Now that you've realized that I'm far more than you can handle, you wish for my willing cooperation instead of submission."

"We can work something out," said Eugeal, "but first, if it's okay, can I look at those heart crystals?"

"They're not the ones you're looking for," said Kurayami, "I know about the talismans you Death Busters are looking for. Sorry to disappoint you, but they're not in the ones I took."

"Then can I see them?" Nikolai asked, "perhaps I can find a use for them."

"I already have," said Kurayami, "I will use them, and a lot more like them, to open my own door to Kingdom Hearts and create my own dark empire."

"You're going to do what!" Nikolai exclaimed, "no! That will never happen! Only Maleficent, the mistress of all evil, has the right to claim Kingdom Hearts for her own!"

"Let her try," said Kurayami, "I look forward to the look of despair on your precious Maleficent when I get to Kingdom Hearts first!"

"Well, aren't you the ambitious one," said Eugeal.

"The darkness and the silence flow through me like a wild river," said Kurayami, "their thirst for power drives me to greatness. I will cover this world and all other worlds in their everlasting embraces," she then glared at Nikolai, Eugeal and Mimete, "and you three are boring me now." With a wave of her clawed hand, the three Villains vanished.

They reappeared inside Tomoe's lab, "I take it that it didn't go well," said the mad scientist.

"That's the understatement of the eon," said Nikolai.

"You want us to go after Kurayami again?" Eugeal asked

"No," said Tomoe, "I've decided to let her run her own course."

"Say what!" exclaimed Mimete, "you're going to let that misbehaving brat take over the universe before us!"

Tomoe then looked at Mimete, as if daring her to say something else exuberantly.

"I'm sorry, Professor Tomoe," said Mimete as she bowed apologetically, "I shouldn't have talked that way."

"It's quite alright," said Tomoe, "and let me reassure you that we won't let Kurayami have her way, not for long."

"It sounds like you have had a contingency plan all along," said Nikolai.

"Of course I have had one," said Tomoe as he straightened his glasses, "since I began creating Diamons, I always knew that eventually one would rebel and seek her own ambitions. I anticipated that an out of control Diamon would be a danger to The Death Busters as well as the world.

"With that in mind, I began infusing a safety protocol in all Diamon Seeds. Should they get out of hand, it is within my power to destroy them from a distance. I say let Kurayami have her fun, for now. I say let her collect as many pure heart crystals as she wishes. Who knows, maybe she may find the talismans.

"But we will have the final word in this manner, or should I say, I have it. I have the ultimate hold over Kurayami. I have the power to destroy her at a moments whim."

"Then destroy her now," said Nikolai in an insisting tone, "now, before she does something that cannot be undone by any of us."

"Why so hasty?" Tomoe asked. He then handed Nikolai a 3-ring binder full of computer printouts, "while you and my Witchly friends were chasing down the prodigal creature, I had been processing the data collected from her battle with our enemies.

"Look at it, Nikolai Shadowstalker, look at the data and tell me that you are not intrigued at just how much this fusion of darkness and silence can do. Look at it and tell me you are not seeing the work of the ultimate living weapon."

"I'll look at it," said Nikolai as he took the binder and opened it to the first page of printed data, "but everything I see, I'll have to show to Maleficent later for her assessment."

"Of course," said Tomoe, "that is your copy to keep, and you are free to show it to your mistress if you wish."

"So what do we do now, Professor Tomoe?" Eugeal asked.

"We ought to make another Diamon," said Mimete, "just in case Kurayami decides to come after us."

"You really think a normal Diamon can stop that thing?" Eugeal asked in an annoyed tone.

"I can assure you that we are quite safe from Kurayami," said Tomoe, "remember, I can destroy her any time I wish."

"As long as you remember that wishes don't always come true," said Nikolai as he read the data.

"Are you sure this is the right place, Ami-chan?" a nervous Usagi asked as she, Ami, Rei, Mako, Mina, Mamoru, Riku, Aiden and Roxas, stood outside the purple glowing warehouse. They reached the area in less than 45 minutes and found the right warehouse soon after.

"I'm afraid this is it, Usagi-chan," said Ami, "I know, this place gives me the willies to."

"This whole building is saturated with dark magic," said Rei, the evil energy her ESP sensed was giving her goose bumps.

"And I thought Halloween Town was creepy," said Roxas.

"I've been in worse places," said Riku.

"Same here," said Aiden. They both shuddered at the memory of their experience below decks of The Death Stalker. Riku especially shuddered since it was in the brig of that hated pirate ship where the Hakonian, Rakel Mindblighter, tried to destroy his mind with The Evil Eye.

"It is creepy," said Mako, "but we have to in there."

"That creature," said Mina, "Kurayami, she has our friends heart crystals."

"We can't wait," said Roxas, "Sora and Kairi are running out of time."

"We know," said Usagi, "so, who's going in first?"

"Don't look at me!" said Mina.

"I wouldn't go in first for 50,000,000 yen!" said Mako.

"I wouldn't go in first for a billion yen!" said Ami.

"You couldn't pay me enough to get me to go in first!" said Usagi.

"You girls are such wimps!" said an irate Rei.

"Well you go in first!" said Mina.

"No way!" said Rei.

"I'll go first!" said Aiden, "I don't want to, but somebody has to do it."

"You have my utmost confidence," said Mina, while Usagi, Ami, Rei and Mako nodded in agreement.

"Right," said Aiden. He then sighed to himself, "girls."

"No offense, Aiden," said Roxas, "but I'll go in first. I've had a lot more experience with Heartless than you have."

"Oh really," said Aiden in a disbelieving tone, "and what was this experience?"

"How about nearly a year of vanquishing Heartless?" Roxas asked.

"We'll talk later once Sora and Kairi are out of danger," said Riku, "I'll go first, end of discussion!"

"I second it," said Rei.

"We'll be right behind you," said Usagi. Yet she looked again at the darkly glowing warehouse, "umm…"

"I'll be with you the whole time, Usako," said Mamoru.

"Oh, Mamo-chan!" said Usagi as she clung to his arm adoringly, "I'll never be afraid with you around."

"Makes you wish we had someone to hold onto," said Mako.

"Yeah," said Mina, while Rei nodded in agreement. The thee of them then eyed Riku, Aiden and Roxas.

"What are you up to?" Ami asked.

As if in answer, Rei grabbed Riku's arm, while Mina grabbed Aiden and Mako grabbed Roxas.

"Umm…" said Roxas, "I don't think Naminé will approve of this."

"What Naminé-chan doesn't know can't hurt her," said Mako as she held onto Roxas' hand tighter.

Back at Rei's house, Naminé suddenly sneezed, startling Luna and Artemis.

"Are you alright, Naminé?" Luna asked.

"I have a suspicion that someone I know is being naughty," said Naminé in an annoyed tone, "and that someone and I are going to have a little talk later."

"This isn't how I expected to find a girlfriend," said a slightly embarrassed Aiden as Mina continued to hold onto him.

"Nor me," said Riku as Rei continued to hold his arm. He then saw that Ami was standing alone. He held out his empty hand, "you can hold my hand if you wish, assuming Rei is willing to share me."

"I'm willing," said Rei as she winked at her friend, "come on, Ami-chan, there's plenty of room on this hunk for both of us."

"I'm alright," said Ami in a confidently reassuring manner.

"You sure?" Riku asked, "I really don't mind."

"Same can't be said for the rest of us," said Roxas as he tried to, gently, force Mako to release his arm, but she refused to let go.

"This is how you do it, my friend," said Aiden. He then looked at Mina, "would you mind freeing my arm for a second? There's something I need to do."

Puzzled, Mina released Aiden's arm. He then pressed his wrists in his special manner, "alright, let's do this!" He then held his arm out, which Mina quickly latched onto again.

"Why do you do that?" Roxas asked as everyone headed for the door to the warehouse, "I've seen you do that thing you do, through Sora's eyes, and we both want to know why?"

"I've also wondered why you do that with your wrists," said Riku, "and say those words."

"It gives me confidence," said Aiden as they reached the door and went inside.

Yet as they went inside, they had no idea that Hakura and Micihru were just around the corner, "the winds are whispering," said Hakura, "this is the place to be."

"The fates of more than one world hang in the balance," said Michiru, "the next few hours will be life or death for so many."

"All we can do is wait for the right time to move," said Hakura, "and hope those kids from another world are willing to do what has to be done."

They were all shocked and awestruck as the three dimensional labyrinth of darkness inside the warehouse.

"That creature did all of this," said Ami as she scanned the area with her pocket computer, "we'll have to be very careful, or we could end up lost in this maze forever."

"I really don't want to be lost forever," said a very nervous Usagi.

Just then the door to the outside slammed shut, startling everyone, especially Ami as she then clutched at Riku's empty arm.

Suddenly a cruel laughter filled the air, "the fools have found me, and here I thought I would have to go looking for you again."

"Kurayami!" said Riku through gritted teeth.

"Where are you, you bitch?" snapped Aiden, "give back our friends heart crystals!"

"You want the heart crystals?" Kurayami asked, her disembodied voice echoing throughout the labyrinth, "come find me and we'll talk," she laughed again.

"We'll see who get's the last laugh!" said Rei, her courage returning as she let go of Riku, while Mako released Roxas, Mina released Aiden, and Ami released Riku as well.

"We're not leaving without getting back those heart crystals!" said Usagi as she, albeit reluctantly, released Mamoru's hand.

She and her friends then stood together.

"Moon Cosmic Power…!"

"Mercury Star Power…!"

"Mars Star Power…!"

"Jupiter Star Power…!"

"Venus Star Power…!"

"…MAKE UP!"

With a flash of colors, Usagi and her friends had transformed into the Sailor Senshi. At the same time, Mamoru took out a rose and with a sudden flash of red peddles, became Tuxedo Kamen.

"All my foes are in one place," said the disembodied voice of Kurayami, "try as you will, it will make no difference; your heart crystals will all belong to me!"

"No way in hell!" shouted Aiden as he, Riku and Roxas summoned their Keyblades, "you're gonna pay for what you did to Sora and Kairi!"

"Put it on my tab," said Kurayami.

"Enough talk!" said Roxas, "come out and fight already!"

"Oh we'll fight alright," said Kurayami, "but not before I've had some fun first."

"What kind of fun?" Sailor Venus asked cautiously.

"Anything a baddie thinks is fun can't be good," said Sailor Jupiter.

Just then Sailor Mars, Riku, Aiden and Roxas all sensed something bad was about to happen.

"Look out!" they all warned, but it was too late to stop a black mist from surrounding and blinding all our heroes…

The end of chapter 6.

Next chapter our heroes are forced to play the sick games of Kurayami. Time is running out for Sora and Kairi. Who will survive? Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!