Author's Note: FINALLY! I'm sorry for the delay in getting this posted, but I can honestly say that it was hard to write this chapter. School and life have also gotten in the way. But what's done is done. The chapter is up for your enjoyment now. WHOOHOO!

Zephyr: You're way too excited.

Apolla: You would be, too, bro, if it took a while to figure out where the story was going.

Zephyr: Hmmm. Touché. That, and she was pretty excited last about finishing that book.

Me: Oh, right! That reminds me. I did finishing reading Kingdom Keepers: Shell Game, which is the fifth installment in the Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson. It was really good. I definitely recommend it to you guys to read. And I mean the ENTIRE series. You can get copies at Barnes & Noble, Hastings, and probably Half Price Books. Although I have no idea why you would want to sell them. I quite enjoyed them, and it sort of reminded me of Kingdom Hearts. Thanks, Zeph.

Zephyr: You're welcome :D

Me: So, enjoy the chapter. I hope to get the next chapter written and up and readable within the next two weeks (gotta give me some room for homework and chores). Enough of my rambling. Enjoy the chapter

Ren: Xanthe in no way, shape, or form owns Kingdom Hearts, any Disney characters used herein, or any Final Fantasy characters. They were created by none other than Disney and SQUARE-ENIX. She only owns us.

Chapter Eight: Mysterious Tower

"That will be 5 munny," an elderly woman said.

Axel pulled out the exact amount from his pocket and took the ice cream bar from the vendor. It was his favorite flavor—sea-salt ice cream.

"Thanks, ma'am," he said, handing the munny to her.

"You're welcome. Have a nice day!"

Axel walked off in the direction of Station Plaza, where his usual spot was. He had just got back from helping with Heartless-duty in Radiant Garden. Although the town had been completely restored, there were still a few Heartless running around. Not much, but a few. He figured he could use a break.

Axel was halfway through his ice cream already when he noticed something moving behind a building. It was only we he got within a ten foot distance did he realize what it was.

"Damn Heartless," he muttered. He quickly finished off the rest of his ice cream and summoned his chakrams. In a blaze of fire, they appeared by his side.

He took out each Shadow one by one. He thought he had taken care of the last of them, but was disappointed when five Neoshadows and ten blue creatures appeared from the ground.

"What the—!" The blue creatures—he remembered that they were called the Unversed, specifically Floods—caught him off guard, and one landed a hit. He growled as he recovered, sending out a pillar of fire. Three of the five Neoshadows and seven of the Floods were caught in the crossfire, and immediately disappeared as the flames died. The other three were blasted back, causing major damage. Axel threw his chakrams at the Neoshadows and the last of the Floods closest to him, which were immediately destroyed. The last Neoshadow actually bothered to put up a fight, but it didn't last long. Within seconds, it was nothing more than black specks on the ground.

They shouldn't have been here, Axel thought. Especially those Unversed. Better tell Yen Sid.

He ran as fast as he could in the direction of Station Plaza.

xxx

"Whoa!" Zephyr exclaimed. "Look at that tower!"

"Wow," Apolla said, looking up at the huge clock tower.

The group arrived at the Station Plaza in Twilight Town. Since this was really their first time off the island, Apolla, Ren, and Zephyr were awed by the sight of the Station Clock Tower.

Donald was scratching his head. "We shouldn't have landed here," he said.

Ren looked surprised. "Why not?"

"'Cause Master Yen Sid really leaves in a different area called Mysterious Tower," Goofy explained.

"Hmm, wonder why we landed here instead," King Mickey said.

"Maybe we can't get to Master Yen Sid the way you used to because we're supposed to go the long way," Apolla thought out loud. "Maybe something went wrong?"

"Could be," Donald said, though still unsure.

"We won't know until we ask him ourselves," the King said.

"So wait, this is a train station, right?" Apolla asked. "So won't we need tickets?"

"Gawrsh," Goofy said. "Apolla's right."

"Well, I know we don't have any munny," Zephyr said.

"We?" Ren questioned.

"Okay, I don't have any more munny. I spent it all on my shoes."

"I have 500 munny," Apolla said.

Zephyr gaped at his sister.

"What? Unlike you, I save my munny."

"I've got 800," Ren said. Turning to King Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, he added, "How much do you guys have?"

"Umm...5000 munny total," the King said.

"So we've got, 7300 altogether," Apolla said. "How much are tickets?"

"We've got enough," Donald said.

Apolla gave him an odd look. "Okay," she said slowly. "Then I guess all we have to do is get the tickets and board the train."

Zephyr put his hands behind his head. "Sounds like a plan," he said.

The group began walking to the doors of the station when black creatures appeared out of nowhere. Apolla jumped.

"It's those creatures from the island!" She took a fighting stance, despite not having a decent weapon. I can at least beat them away, she thought.

Zephyr and Ren mimicked her actions.

King Mickey noticed what they were doing. "You three better head inside!" he told them.

"No way!" Ren said.

"We're gonna help you out!" Zephyr added.

The King had to give them points for enthusiasm.

"These are Heartless, right?" Zephyr asked as one of them made to attack him. He blocked its attack quickly.

"Yep," Goofy asked as he swung his shield at a few of them. "How'd ya know?"

"Our parents," Apolla said, batting the Heartless in front of her into the Thunder spell Donald had just cast. "They told us about them in the stories they used to tell us."

"Oh." Goofy couldn't help but smile.

Apolla and Ren were about to attack the Heartless that had just appeared in front of them when they suddenly caught on fire. Within seconds they were gone.

Everyone looked at Donald.

"It wasn't me!" he cried out.

"Of course not," a voice said. "It was me."

The group turned and saw a man standing behind him, holding two chakrams in his hands. He was no taller than Ren—maybe a head taller. He was wearing khaki capris with a red and white tank top, black, red, and white sneakers, and black gloves. He had spiky, flaming red hair.

"Axel!" the King exclaimed.

"Long time no see, Your Majesty," Axel replied. "See you got the name memorized."

"Aw, gosh. How many times do I have to tell ya? Just call me Mickey." The King turned to Apolla, Zephyr, and Ren and added. "The same goes for you three."

"Sora," Axel said. "You haven't aged at all."

Everyone looked at Zephyr, then looked at each other and laughed.

"Again?" Zephyr whined. "I'm not Sora. I'm his son, Zephyr."

"Well," Axel said, scratching his head. "You sure look like him."

"I seem to be getting that a lot."

"What are ya doin' here, Axel?" Goofy asked. "I thought you'd be in Radiant Garden?"

"I like it here better. That, and I needed to talk to Yen Sid."

"You too?" Apolla asked. "Why?"

"Need to tell him about all of the Heartless that showed up all of a sudden. And the Unversed are showing up again."

"What?" Mickey asked, surprised. "Oh no!"

"Not them, too!" Donald exclaimed.

"The Unversed?" Apolla asked. She looked at Zephyr and Ren, who shook their heads and shrugged, just as confused as she was.

"Yen Sid should tell us more about what's going on," Mickey said.

"Then let's get going!" Donald exclaimed. Everyone made a break for the Station, Axel quickly on their heels.

If Sora's kid is here, Axel thought, then where is he?

xxx

"What is with this place and towers?" Zephyr asked.

Apolla, Zephyr, and Ren were the first ones out of the train. And gazing at yet another tower.

"This is Yen Sid's tower, right?" Apolla asked. "Seems like it fits. You know, because of his reputation."

"Yeah," Ren agreed. "So, we should probably be respectful." When he said this, he gestured towards Zephyr.

Zephyr noticed. "What?" he asked.

"Yen Sid's room is on the top floor," Donald said. "We better hurry."

"The top floor?" Zephyr whined.

"The top floor," Axel repeated. "Got it memorized?"

Apolla and Ren nodded. Zephyr sighed.

Like father, like son, Axel thought. Kinda reminds me of Roxas in a way, too.

"Come on," Mickey said. "Let's hurry."

The group ran through the large wooden doors and ran up the spiral staircase. They entered a room that was marked by a moon when a group of Shadows and Soldiers appeared.

"More Heartless?" Apolla asked as she pulled out her wooden sword.

"These guys never give up," Ren said, following her gesture with Zephyr following him.

Axel summoned his chakrams. "Don't count on it." Taking one look at their choice of weapons, he added, "Those aren't gonna do you much good."

"It's all we've got," Zephyr said as he whacked a Shadow away from him and into Mickey's attack.

"We might not be able to get rid of them," Apolla pointed out. "But we can still fight them back into any of your attacks. It's proven effective so far."

Axel threw a chakram at some of the Soldiers, three of them bursting into flames. As it was coming back to him, Apolla hit a Soldier hard enough to push it in the way of the chakram, and it disappeared within seconds. Axel grabbed his chakram out of the air.

"Guess you're right, then," he said. Axel took out the last Heartless and they ran out the door, up another flight of stairs, and into a room mark with a star. There were more Heartless in this room as well.

Apolla and Zephyr went after the Shadows that appeared in the middle of the room.

"This certainly feels like déjà vu," Apolla said.

"Same here," her brother said. "Same situation, just a different place."

"I know what you mean," Ren added as he batted away a Soldier.

Axel gave them a puzzled look.

As soon as the Heartless were gone, the group proceeded past the next door and up yet another flight of stairs.

"Another room, huh?" Axel asked. "And more Heartless."

Mickey shook his head. "No, we're here."

"That means behave, Zeph," Apolla said.

Zephyr glared at her. "Hey!"

"Then let's do this," Ren said. "We need answers."

He walked over to the door, turned the knob, and opened the door. Everyone walked in.

The room they were in now was a decent size—big enough to be a study. There were shelves full of books and other trinkets. In the middle, there was a desk and a chair with a tall back. Sitting in the chair was an old man with a medium-length beard wearing a blue robe and dark blue hat. There were shapes of moons and stars on the hat. The man looked quite stern, even when he appeared asleep.

"Maybe we should come back later," Apolla said. "He seems to be asleep."

"Maybe you're right," Goofy agreed.

"You would be correct, if that were true," the stern-looking man said. "However, I was merely meditating."

This made Apolla, Zephyr, Ren, and Axel jump. They literally thought that he was asleep.

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy walked up to the desk, and bowed. Upon seeing this, the other four stood be at attention, trying to be respectful.

"Master Yen Sid," Mickey began. "We've come to seek your advice."

"I see," Yen Sid said. He looked at Apolla, Zephyr, Ren, and Axel, and said, "Please, come closer. I fear you bring with you terrible news."

Walking up to the desk, Zephyr said, sounding quite surprised, "How did you know that?"

"I see many things, and know many things. Especially when it comes to keeping an eye on the tides between the light and darkness."

Apolla looked down at the floor. "Then you're right, sir. We do have terrible news."

Donald and Goofy looked at each other, concern outlining their brows. "Apolla?" Goofy asked.

She took a deep breath in, and then exhaled. "Our parents were taken. Terra and Aqua, too."

Axel looked at her, completely shocked by what she said. Sora? Taken? He thought about it a little more. So that's why these guys are here. Sora's kids and Riku's. They're here to save them.

"That is unfortunate," Yen Sid answered. "By whom?"

"Maleficent and Xehanort," Ren replied, knowing Apolla was still upset over what happened.

"Hmm. Interesting. How is it that Xehanort is alive?"

"He said 'It's amazing what darkness can do for a person'."

"Then it is as I feared. The worlds are indeed in grave danger. I'm sure your parents have told you about had happened twenty years ago?"

The trio nodded. "In a way, yes," Zephyr confirmed. "They told us about it in the form of stories." he paused for a second. "Never thought that they were really true."

"I see," Yen Sid said. "So then you know what must be done."

"You mean, we have to defeat Xehanort, right?"

"That is correct. This must be done in order to keep the balance of the worlds in check. Maleficent must be stopped as well. With their combined effort, there's no telling what will happen."

"Xehanort and Maleficent mentioned Kingdom Hearts and the Princesses of Heart," Ren added. "Does this mean that we have to keep them safe as well?"

The sorcerer nodded.

"There's something else," Axel pointed out. "The Unversed are back."

"I am well aware, but I do appreciate you keeping me updated. Thank you."

Axel looked shocked. "How'd you—?"

"There was only one other time that I sensed their presence, and that was thirty years ago. You know what I speak of, Axel."

It was true. The Unversed had first appeared a few days before he had met Ven for the first time all those years ago.

"Do you think that means that Vanitas is back as well?" Mickey asked.

"That's highly doubtful," Yen Sid replied. "Vanitas was once the dark part of Ventus' heart. Since Ventus was able to defeat him within his own heart once they had joined, the Unversed, along with Vanitas, had disappeared from existence."

"So," Apolla began. "How are they here now?"

"That is an interesting question, young one. One that I unfortunately cannot answer."

"Guess we'll have to find out on our own then," Zephyr said.

Mickey nodded. He looked at Yen Sid and said, "We'll let you know as soon as possible."

"I appreciate that, Mickey. Do you have all of the necessary preparations?"

"Mostly. We should probably stop and get more provisions."

Apolla, Zephyr, and Ren smiled at the thought of possibly going to another world.

"But what about Apolla and the others?" Donald asked.

Mickey hadn't thought of that. Without Keyblades, without any sort of useful weapon, the children were in danger.

"Do you not have Keyblades?" Yen Sid asked the trio.

"No, Master Yen Sid, sir," Zephyr said.

"Yet you came anyway."

"Please, sir," Apolla pleaded. "We want to help our parents. We want to save our friends."

"Even if we don't have Keyblades, we can still fight," Ren pointed out.

"Our parents taught us everything we know."

"I'm sure that they have," Yen Sid said. "In fact, I was there when they started training you. Though I can honestly say that they started you too young, I'm sure their efforts have made you strong and wise in combat. In fact, I don't doubt that you will become Keyblade wielders. But when, I cannot say."

"What do you mean?" Zephyr said.

"I was there the day that your parents performed the Passing of the Power ceremony. Only those who have participated in this ceremony will have the power to wield a Keyblade."

The trio became excited. "So, you mean—?" Apolla asked.

Yen Sid nodded. "Yes, Apolla. One day, you will have a Keyblade of your own that will present itself to you. Zephyr and Ren as well."

"Sweet!" Zephyr exclaimed. "So, it's only a matter of time, then?"

"Yes. But you have to earn it. Not just the matter of want will yield you a Keyblade. Keyblades choose their masters. You have to prove that you are worthy of such a weapon."

The three friends looked at each other. Apolla was the first to voice what they were all thinking. "Then maybe they will appear to us while we are looking for our parents. And for Terra and Aqua."

Yen Sid nodded. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy looked less worried, and were genuinely happy at the news the three were to be wielders. It was the whenthat worried them the most.

Axel sighed. Inside, he knew these three could do it, but in his mind there was a hint of doubt. "Well, I say wherever our next stop is, we better get you guys some back-up weapons there until your Keyblades appear."

Ren nodded. "Agreed."

"Then it's settled," Yen Sid said. "Get provisions for your journey. Then, you must travel to the different worlds, ensure that they are balanced, and make sure the Princesses are safe."

"Then it will only be a matter of finding Maleficent and Xehanort, defeating them, and taking care of the Unversed," Mickey added.

"And getting our parents back," Apolla added as well.

"Yeah!" Zephyr agreed.

Sheesh, Axel thought. Like father, like daughter and son. Doesn't help that he looks just like Sora.

Saying their good-byes and giving their thanks, the group set back down the stairs. They made it outside the tower when they noticed the Gummi Ship parked outside.

"Hey!" Zephyr exclaimed. "How did it get there?"

"Master Yen Sid probably used his magic to summon it closer to us," Goofy said.

"Makes sense," Axel said.

The group loaded up the ship and blasted off. Everyone was quiet, letting everything Yen Sid had said sink in. It was when they were back in space that anyone broke the silence.

"So, where to?" Zephyr asked.

"Radiant Garden?" Goofy asked.

"Radiant Garden's too far away," Donald pointed out as he turned the ship to the right.

"Then where?"

There was a beep coming from the dashboard. Mickey took a closer look.

"There's a world in trouble," he said. "Somewhere we've certainly never been before."

"Does it look like we'll be able to resupply there?" Axel asked.

"Not sure, but it's a lot closer than Radiant Garden."

"Guess it'll have to do."

"What's the world called?" Ren asked in curiosity.

"Palumpolum," was the King's answer.

A/N: Hopefully I managed to stay in character with Axel. And hopefully I stay in character with the characters that are appearing in the next chapter. Anyone else excited about visiting Palumpolum?