Bait, Chapter 26.

The coming days found the group returning to Twilight Town and Yen Sid's tower, where training resumed with a new found intensity. Mornings and evenings would be dedicated to sparring sessions, when the air was coolest and least likely to wear them all out. Afternoons found them practicing magic or buried in the countless books Yen Sid had about history and magical theory. Even Lea was taking these lessons more seriously after that mishap in the courtyard of Disney Castle.

The last hour of daylight focused on Sora and the psychological training Yen Sid felt he needed. It involved putting him in an enchanted sleep as Yen Sid projected scenarios into his mind, closely watching how he reacted and giving advice and correction at the end.

Riku didn't particularly care for this method- it was too similar to the layered nightmare Organization 13 had put Sora in during the Mark of Mastery exam. But he didn't question it either, knowing no matter how intense the scenarios were- Yen Sid would not allow Sora to come to harm.

They had just finished one of these sessions, and though he didn't know the details of it, Riku had a pretty good idea what sort of scenario Yen Sid had subjected him to this time- watching a friend or comrade get hurt or killed. Most likely Yen Sid had used him as the subject, as Sora acted unusually clingy toward Riku afterward.

It was obvious Sora was deeply troubled during the evening's sparring session. He was distracted and hesitant in his fighting, and Riku kept defeating him in these makeshift duels. He even tried getting Sora's attention by using the same tact that had annoyed him greatly on the Destiny Islands all those years back-teasingly telling him that unless he defeated him this time, he would share a paopu fruit with Kairi. All that got him was a punch in the face followed by a very angry Sora storming back to the tower.

"Sora, wait. It was only a joke! SORA!" Riku ran to the tower in Sora's wake, only to find him crying quietly in the corner of the room.

"Sora?"

"I've... so nearly... lost you both... on so many occasions." Sora whispered. "Sometimes... All I want... Is for things to be back to the way they were before all this started. That comment... it brought back one of the last happy memories we had before all this started."

"Oh, Sora..." Riku was at a loss for words.

"I was so happy to finally find you again. I thought things were going to be normal again. But then all this happened. The Organization wants to rip us apart for their own ends! I almost saw you die right in front of me. I haven't been able to erase that image from my mind ever since!"

Riku grabbed Sora by the arm and lifted him so the two sat face to face. He felt something slip out of his pocket and shatter, but paid no mind to it. Pulling the younger boy closer to him, he embraced him and spoke reassuringly in his ear.

"Its alll right, Sora! I'm right here, we're both safe!" He felt Sora look up and push him away.

"Yeah, but for how long? The war is going to begin, sooner than any of us would like, and the Organization will track us down. They want me and most likely one more among us as a vessel for Xeanhort's heart. They have no problem striking down anyone who gets in their way and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. It's either kill or be killed, and I most certainly will not allow my precious friends to get hurt on my account!"

"Sora... what are you saying?"

"I want them all gone, starting with the one who hurt you the worst in that dungeon!"

Riku couldn't believe what he was hearing. Sora- gentle, merciful Sora was speaking of becoming an avenger. Just how much had his best friend changed since the Mark of Mastery, or even since their journey as Keyblade wielders began?

"Do you realize what you're saying, Sora? This is what master Yen Sid has been training you for. If you lose control again, you could wind up hurting more than your opponent. And if you go off on your own to avenge us, nobody will be there to save you like last time!"

"It's a risk I'm prepared to take..."

"Don't do this Sora!"

"This is my decision, Riku. Stay out of it!" Sora stormed off- heading to his room in the tower, where Riku could hear the door slam shut.

What on earth has gotten into him? Riku wondered. He stood up and made to retire to his own room for the night, when he heard something crunch under his foot. Looking down, he realized he had stepped on a piece of the object that had slipped from his pocket earlier.

"Oh Shit!" Riku's eyes widened when he saw exactly what he had just dropped.

It was the jar of salve Yen Sid had made him, which he had made a point of keeping on hand during sparring sessions in case his injured leg pained him again. It was the same stuff that clouded the mind if one was exposed to the fumes. Just how high of a dose had Sora received during that altercation?

End of Chapter 26