Aqua had just finished telling Mama Odie of the current situation. Sora's Sentiment simply stood off to the side, not really seeming to pay attention.

"My-my-my. You got yourself into a whole heap-a-trouble. But now I'd like to hear it in the tin man's words." Mama Odie said, hopping up from her chair and approaching Sora's Sentiment.

"But Mama Odie, he has hardly said more than two words since manifesting like that." Aqua said as Mama Odie laughed.

"You just sit down now and let Mama do the talkin'." Mama Odie said to Aqua as she put her arm around the Sentiment and listened closely. A long metallic tone was heard from inside of it, but Aqua couldn't make out what it said.

"Mmm-Mmm-Mmm. That's terrible." Mama Odie said shaking her head.

"I know." Aqua sighed.

"You bet it is, my gumbo's burnin'!" Mama Odie yelped as she hurried to the bathtub and turned down the heat underneath it. She then turned back to Aqua.

"But really now, I can help you all out with your problems." Mama Odie said as Aqua perked up.

"You mean you can bring Sora's heart and body back?" Aqua asked as Mama Odie paused and gave her a "look" with an arched eyebrow.

"What? I never said that! I said I can help, I never said I could bring him back." Mama Odie said, confusing Aqua. Sora's Sentiment "looked" at the voodoo priestess as well.

"Then how do we bring him back?" Aqua asked as Mama Odie gave her a dismissive wave.

"Oh that's easy. Just break that talisman his heart's trapped in and his heart will return to his body. It's that easy. What I'm talkin' about is you 'n' Sora's problem gettin' along." Mama Odie said as Aqua took a heavy sigh.

"I really screwed up. I didn't tell Sora the truth about Xehanort and Ter-." "Girl, I know what the problem is. Otherwise I wouldn't be helpin' you all now would I?" Mama Odie interrupted.

"So what do we do? Can Sora even hear us the way he is right now?" Aqua asked as Mama Odie turned towards Sora's Sentiment. The Sentiment leapt to its feet and pointed to its "ears," nodding.

"Oh good. So you're really going to help us with that?" Aqua asked as Mama Odie laughed and nodded. Suddenly a bunch of swampland creatures started gathering around. (Music Cue: "Dig A Little Deeper" from Disney's the Princess and the Frog)

"Girl, I help people like you all the time! Rich folk, poor folk, healthy people, sick people, animals of all kinds, I help 'em all! And you are no different. Let me tell ya…" Mama Odie said before she started to sing.

"Don't matter what you look like,
don't matter what you wear.
How many rings you got on your finger,
we don't care, no-
(Plus animals) -We don't care!"

"Don't matter where you come from,
don't even matter what you are!
A dog, a pig, a cow, a goat;
we got em' all in here!"

Then the animals replied…

"We got em' all in here!"

Then Odie started singing again…

"If they all knew what they wanted,
what they wanted, need to do.
I told them what they needed,
just like I be telling you!"

Then she and the animals started singing…

"You gotta dig a little deeper!"

Then Odie sang…

"Find out who you are!
(Plus animals) You gotta dig a little deeper!"

Then Odie started dancing over towards Sora's Sentiment as she sang…

"It really ain't that far!
When you find out who you are,
you find out what you need."

Then she and the animals sang…

"Blue skies and sun shine; guaranteed!
You gotta dig!
(Animals: Dig)
You gotta dig!
(Animals: Dig)"

Then Odie turned to Sora's Sentiment as she sang…

"Now Sora is a brave little boy,
but 'cha wanna be alone again?
That ain't gonna make you happy now.
Did it make you happy then? NO!"

Then she and the animals sang in unison…

"Lonely ain't got no soul!
Lonely ain't got no heart!"

Then she sang, putting her arms around both Aqua and the Sentiment…

"All you need is some faith 'n' trust.
So make yourselves a brand new start!"

Then she and the animals sang…

"You gotta dig a little deeper!"

Then Odie added…

"Don't have far to go!"

And the animals replied…

"You gotta dig a little deeper!"

As Odie sang…

"Tell the people Mama told you so!
Can't tell you what you'll find,
maybe love or grant you a piece of mind.
Dig a little deeper and you'll know!"

"Miss Aqua, might I have a word? Heh-heh-heh, you's a hard one, that's what I heard." Odie said as she pulled Aqua aside towards the gumbo filled bathtub. With a wave of her hand, a glowing image of Aqua, Ven, and Terra appeared within the tub as Odie sang…

"Your friends was some lovin' men;
you were family through and through."

She then turned Aqua towards Sora's Sentiment before singing…

"Sora's got your friend's heart now!
What he has in him, you got in you!"

Odie said, poking at Aqua's heart before singing with the animals…

"You gotta dig a little deeper!"

Odie then added…

"For you, it's gonna be tough."

And the animals sang…

"You gotta dig a little deeper!"

Then Odie sang…

"You ain't dug this far enough!
Dig down deep inside yourself,
you'll found out what you need."

Odie sang before she and the animals sang in unison…

"Blue skies and sunshine; guaranteed!"

"Open up the window! Let in the light deary!" Odie shouted as she shoved Aqua towards and into Sora's Sentiment as the animals sang…

"Blue skies and sunshine!
Blue skies and sunshine!"

Then Aqua gripped a hold of the Sentiment's hand which gripped back as she sang with a smile…

"Blue skies and sunshine...!"

Then Odie finished…

"...Guaran- te-ed!"

(End Music)

"So…ya think you can work together again?" Mama Odie asked with her hands on her hips with a smile. Aqua was still holding the Sentiment's hand as she smiled at it then nodded.

"Definitely." Aqua said as Mama Odie smiled again.

"Oh if that ain't just precious. Warms my heart to see things workin' out the way they's supposed to be. But ya better hurry. Facilier and Mim is waitin' in the graveyards for Xehanort to arrive to collect Sora's heart and body. If you don't stop them in time, you're gonna have problems. Shanty deary will show you the way." Mama Odie said as Aqua nodded understandingly and determinedly.

"I understand. Come on Sora let's move!" Aqua said as the Sentiment turned around and lunged out the door, Shantotto leaping onto its back without it stopping.

"Good luck dearies! Now you all be sure to come back and see Mama anytime you want, now ya hear?" Mama Odie called as the three disappeared into the fog of the bayou.

In the Graveyards…

Facilier and Madam Mim were still waiting with Mateus and Gabranth.

"Once we have Maleficent on our side, we will be unstoppable." Mateus said as Mim laughed with a snort.

"Oh I can't wait!" She giggled with glee.

"But what about that guy with the long hair and the even longer sword? Every time I did a readin' on him I drew the heartless, the eternal darkness, and the evil cards every time." Facilier said with a worried look. (A/N: I know nothing about voodoo and tarot cards so don't flame if you do).

"Sephiroth has no interest in our plans. He is content to stand on the sidelines and watch." Mateus said as Gabranth approached him.

"With all due respect my liege, there is one thing that has taken Sephiroth's interest. A single warrior known as Cloud Strife. Perhaps we could find a way to use this warrior to convince Sephiroth to join our side, if only long enough to destroy Xehanort." Gabranth said as Mateus pondered.

"Hmm…Strife." Mateus said mid-thought. He had heard that name before and he then realized from where. His lips curled into a sinister smile as a plan formulated in his evil mind.

"We can certainly use that lowly worm to our advantage. All we need to do is inform Sephiroth where he is." Mateus said as Facilier grinned.

"You know exactly where the guy is, don't you?" Facilier asked as Mateus smiled in pride.

"He is currently my…"guest" in a world under my domain along with a few others who have attempted to challenge my rule. They are of no threat to me anymore despite the fact I allow them to live." Mateus said. Just then Gabranth spotted something.

"My liege! Intruders!" Gabranth said, pointing towards the entrance to the graveyard where Aqua, Sora's Sentiment, and Shantotto had arrived.

"Stand down, judge. I want to see how this plays out." Mateus said with a stoic and curious expression. Shantotto hopped down from the Sentiment's back before the three of them approached slowly. Aqua was in the center, Sora's Sentiment to her left, and Shantotto to her right. Their Keyblades and staff were drawn and they were ready for battle. Mateus walked up to the middle of the road with Gabranth to his right, Facilier to his left, and Mim hanging back with Sora's body.

"Greetings pawns of the light. We have been expecting your arrival." Mateus said stoically.

"We're here for my apprentice's heart and body. You can either stand aside, or we can bring you down." Aqua said as Mateus chuckled slightly.

"Come-come now. I am not unreasonable. We share a common goal, the defeat of Xehanort. I merely ask for your assistance in this matter since it is only logical that you, two warriors of the light, would seek do so." Mateus said as Aqua narrowed her eyes at the Emperor.

"Who are you and what is your part in all of this?" Aqua asked as Mateus smiled darkly.

"I am Emperor Mateus and at present I act as one of Xehanort's Pawns. I wonder, do you hope to defeat Xehanort on your own? Your apprentice is strong, yes, but he will not become a master in time to thwart Xehanort's plans." Mateus explained.

"What are his plans?" Aqua asked.

"He seeks to lay claim to Kingdom Hearts through unknown means. He has never revealed to us the method through which he intends to claim its power to us. If he succeeds, then his reign will be absolute and I know that you do not wish for that to happen. Therefore, I extend to you this offer of allegiance. Join me, and together we can stop Xehanort's plans forever." Mateus said, earning a dark glare from Aqua.

"If there's one thing I hate more than anything, it's a double-crosser regardless of what side they're on." Aqua said earning a curious frown from Mateus.

"You misunderstand me. I seek to preserve the worlds, not destroy them like Xehanort undoubtedly intends to do. Please reconsider." Mateus said as Aqua aimed her Keyblade at him.

"Forget it! I'm not helping you kill Xehanort." Aqua said as Mateus gave shrug.

"A pity. Doctor, I shall leave them to you and your witchcraft." Mateus said as he and Gabranth disappeared in a single Corridor of Darkness. Facilier and Mim both grinned at the three warriors.

"Well now. Ain't this just a kick in the head. I didn't realize that I'd end up fighting a true Keyblade Master and the ghost of her apprentice." Facilier said with a grin.

"Oh and don't forget that tasty little morsel!" Mim laughed, pointing to Shantotto who gave another one of her hearty laughs.

"Aren't you a prideful one with hair on your chest? You challenge me to a duel, a blood fest?" Shantotto asked mockingly as Mim smiled.

"You're on Shorty!" Mim giggled gleefully with a snort. Shantotto smiled challengingly.

"Are you sure you can handle her Professor? I hear Mim isn't one to be trifled with." Aqua said as Shantotto smiled up at her.

"Defeating this total loser won't be an issue. For if I lose, a pig will fly up and kiss you." Shantotto said as she and Mim started walking off to another area of the graveyard to fight.

"But it's been years since you last fought." Aqua said as Shantotto stopped before turning towards the Keyblade Master.

"It may have been far too long since the last war I won. But I can tell you right now, it will be fun." Shantotto said with a dark smile before turning and continued to follow Mim. Aqua then turned to Facilier who grinned sinisterly.

"What are you grinning about shadow man, you're outnumbered two to one!" Aqua said as Facilier chuckled.

"That may be so, but you see, I don't need a partner, I've got a helping hand." Facilier said as he raised the talisman, causing him to glow with an evil dark aura and a white skull visage to appear over his face as if it was face paint. His eyes turned black with small purple spots for pupils inside. His clothes became more vibrant shades of purple too. Aqua snarled in anger and she was about to charge forward and attack but suddenly felt Sora's Sentiment grip her shoulder as it vaulted forward with its Keyblade summoned.

"FACILIER!" Sora's Sentiment echoed angrily in its metallic tones before it swung down at the witchdoctor who raised his cane as if parrying. Much to Aqua's surprise, the cane resisted flawlessly against the force of the blow.

"Did you really think you could beat me like THIS?" Facilier asked as he shoved Sora's Sentiment back.

"Sora!" Aqua exclaimed as the armor landed in a skid on its feet next to her.

"I've got the power of a person's heart in the palm of my hand! Not to mention the fact, that this person is also a Keyblade Warrior! Don't even think that I'm not going to use it to my advantage!" Facilier shouted with a laugh as his powers flared again.

"Well what are you two lookin' at? Are YOU READY?" Facilier asked with a laugh as Aqua snarled angrily again.

This battle had just gotten personal.

End Chapter 20.

The Song above was a slightly altered version of "Dig A Little Deeper" from Disney's "The Princess and the Frog."