Ok now, there really is no other way to put this so I'm just going to try and make it incredibly blunt.

I…am….

So

So

Really

Truly

Deeply

Desperately

Insanely

Remorsefully

Indefinitely

And Forever Will be...

Sorry for not updating this for a really loooooooong time. I have no excuse other than my life had to take over again. So for those of you that have waited I hope you can forgive me and I sincerely thank you for your supreme patience.

And Again I apologize for taking forever to update to the full chapter. Lets just say there is a reason I went to culinary school and decided not to become an author (sigh)

To be honest the time it took to write this chapter this afternoon is probably the first time in forever that I have been able to sit down and actually do something like this.

I really do hope you enjoy! Again I AM REALLY SORRY FOR THE DELAY!

I'm not promising it wont happen again though...

Sora: (Smacks author across the face) There, hope your happy with that audience members! I'll deal him another one next time he slacks off!

Riku: Agreed. The Author would like us to inform you that he does not own Disney, Square Enix, or any of its characters that are used in this story.

Enjoy! Please...don't hurt me Sora...

Sora: I'm not promising anything. (Winks at audience)

Kingdom Hearts III Xehanorts Ambitions

Chapter 5

Rising Forces

The sunny blue afternoon sky of destiny islands had quickly diminished into a starry deep blue abyss. Sora and Kairi were sitting at the edge of the dock listening to the sound of the wave's splash over their bare feet. Sora was still shirtless from swimming earlier, but Kairi had thrown back on her top and skirt and was resting her head softly against his right shoulder. Sora's arm was woven around her waist to support her from falling on the dock.

"Hey Kairi, remember when we used to think that those were just stars in the sky?" Asked Sora.

Kairi sighed and then looked deeply into Sora's blue eyes. "And that a little over a year ago we were sitting in this same spot dying to see what awaited us outside this world?" She replied with a smile. Sora chuckled as he stroked her cheek softly. Kairi blushed but then turned her gaze towards the sky again.

"Do you remember what I told you that night Sora?" She asked quietly, afraid that he might have forgotten.

Sora then reached into his shorts pocket and pulled out a star shaped pink hued charm and held it front of Kairi's face. "You told me to never change who I am." He said before pecking her on the cheek. "A promise that I have always met for you my dear."

Kairi giggled, as the tension faded away. "Yep you're definitely the same goofy boy who's always been there for me after all these years." She then motioned for Sora to hand her the charm, he continued to dangle it in front of her before she snatched it. She then stood up and walked over to her purse on the beach, Sora followed, wondering what she was up to. Kairi pulled something out of her bag and appeared to be attaching it to the charm. Sora peeked his head over her shoulder but Kairi swatted him away.

"Back off nosy, you'll see it in a moment." She said as she tediously worked on the thlassa charm. Sora sighed and slipped back on his plaid shirt. Slowly he fumbled with the buttons while waiting for her, he stopped at the top two and left them open to give him some air.

"Done! Now close your eyes…" Said Kairi. Sora smiled as he closed his eyes down to a crack, as he saw Kairi reached up over his head she noticed this and swatted his nose.

"Ow! Again with the cruelty?" Sora joked.

"No peeking!" Kairi teased him. She then lifted her arms over his head again and placed the newly modified thlassa charm around his neck. "Ok you can look now!" She told him eagerly.

Sora looked down at the charm and admired it with his hand, a small yellow star that resembled a paupou fruit now dangled at the bottom of the chain. He then looked back up at her, curious for an answer.

"It's to symbolize the start of our relationship, maybe one day we'll actually share one ourselves." Said Kairi sheepishly as her cheeks grew rosier than ever.

Sora then wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her into his chest. They looked deeply into each others eyes before Sora spoke. "I don't think we need a piece of fruit to symbolize anything, because I already know in my heart that our destinies were meant to be intertwined with one another." Kairi's eyes widened with surprise as he then kissed her tenderly on the lips. He then broke off for a moment to see Kairi's reaction. She then smiled like she never had before and threw herself onto him for a full-fledged kiss.

Sora swung his right arm under her legs and twirled her around to complete the kiss. Kairi's silky brown hair twirled around the back of his neck as he set her back down. Suddenly the two broke off at the sound of clapping. Sora and Kairi searched for the noise only to find two familiar cloaked men standing before them.

A dark haired man with a ponytail and an eye patch continued to applaud obnoxiously. On his right a blue haired man with an X shaped scar on his forehead grinned mischievously.

"Bravo, Bravo Sora! You really have grown since I last saw you at our fortress! What a show the best romance I must have seen in YEARS!" Braig continued to exaggerate for the hell of it. Isa then motioned for him to stop as he approached Sora.

"Let's cut to down to the crap shall we Braig?" Said Isa as he pointed at Sora.

"Wh-What do you want?" Demanded Sora through clenched teeth. His chest was burning with the same sharp pain he had experienced around the mysterious cloaked man before.

"We want your thlassa charm. Now hand it over." Isa said fiercely as he continued to hold out his hand in offering.

"Why would you want it?" Kairi asked Isa, a hint of fear lingered in her voice as her eyes flitted between Sora clutching his heart in pain and the two cold men before her.

"Not really much of your business sweet heart, top secret orders from the big X-man himself." Said Braig as he waved his finger tauntingly.

"Now hand it over!" Isa demanded more furiously than before.

"Never!" Cried out Sora as he raised his hand and swiped it down sharply. After a bright flash and the sound of clanging metal the Kingdom Key Keyblade materialized in his hands.

"You're really going to take us both on alone?" Questioned Isa.

"No he's not!" Kairi yelled back. She mimicked Sora's movement and summoned her Keyblade and nervously pointed it at Isa.

"HA! This is to rich Isa! You're going to take us on too? HAHAHAHA!" Braig continued to mock the two for his own amusement while Isa drew out his Lunatic Claymore and pointed it back at Kairi.

"Seriously princess, don't get cute with us we just want the charm." Said Isa.

"Kairi don't fight get out of here!" Commanded Sora.

"No way! Remember what you said earlier? Were meant to be together so I'll always have your back!" Kairi retorted. Sora looked over at her and met her gaze. He finally nodded in agreement.

"Alright then you two were not handing it over so you better be ready to fight for it and lose!" Sora taunted.

Braig finally stopped laughing and summoned his signature Arrowguns. "I've been loaded up for this all day so bring it! Keyblade to Keyblade!" He cried out as he directed his guns at Sora.

"You chose a bad night to fight with me." Said Isa as he pointed at the bright fluorescent full moon in the starry night sky. He then raised his Claymore towards the moon. Within moments a flash of blue light occurred and he entered his berserk mode. His yellow eyes glinted demonically and his blue hair flowed manically in his radiating aura. Isa bared his fangs at Sora and Kairi.

"Get ready Kairi!" Sora yelled at her as he charged at Isa with his Keyblade.

(In the Depths of Radiant Garden)

A porky creature that resembled a dog leaned against an ornate wall in what was once the room of a lost boy. His "mistress of all evil" had ordered him to spy on the intruders in the castle, however to his disappointment he was not allowed to attack them.

"This sucks." Pete grumbled as he scratched the back of his bald head. In the room behind him, a meeting of some sort was taking place. Pete noticed the large oak door was opened just a crack, he peered through the slit, only pushing it further open by a hair. He could see five people wearing gray cloaks that resembled those of Organization XIII. He didn't recognize any of them but noted the backs of their heads. The group was huddled around what appeared to be a bed and were all listening to the one in the middle with rose tinted hair.

The blonde haired woman on the far left swatted the dirty blond haired guy next to her on the back of the head. The guy on the far right had orange solid locks of hair and was much burlier than the others; the little guy next to him with short spiky blue hair appeared to be looking at something in his hands, possibly a book. Pete then pressed his short spiky ears against the door to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Everybody hush he's awakening!" The rose haired one said. Suddenly the boy with platinum hair laying on the bed before them began to stir. Riku stretched his arms and legs and slowly opened his aquamarine eyes. They darted everywhere around the room, eventually landing on the five familiar faces before them; he quickly sat up in shock and pushed himself up against the tan cobblestone wall.

"What the hell are all of you doing here!?" Riku blurted out. He swiped his arm to summon his Keyblade but nothing happened. "What?" He seriously started to wonder if he was dreaming, he suddenly noticed that the gray cloaked man he knew as Marluxia was holding his Keyblade, carefully examining it in his hands.

"The Keyblade, a marvelous weapon indeed." The pink haired man said, looking up to catch Rikus murderous stare. "Easy now Riku, this isn't what you think it is." He said calmly.

"The hell it is! I was knocked out, dragged to some unknown place unconsciously, only to wake up and find myself surrounded by my enemies without a weapon! If this isn't what I think it is then…then…" Riku suddenly fell at loss for words. His rage was now faltering, and he was beginning to notice what was different about each of these Organization XIII members.

The electrifyingly blond haired woman on his right looked a little less menacing than he remembered. Larxenes cruel smile was now a soft beautiful one, she was even wearing a little make up surprisingly. The lazy short blond haired guy next to her he knew as Demyx was now holding an ordinary acoustic guitar in his right hand rather than his unforgettable evil blue sitar. Marluxia still looked the same, his face was a little less menacing looking as well. On his right was Zexion who was reading from a tan book, the scars had vanished from his face as well. Leaxeus still looked as rugged and tough as ever, but his cold scowl was now replaced with a warm smile. Riku also noted that unlike Organization XIII, the cloaks they were wearing were a light gray, not black.

"What-" Riku started.

"We are no longer nobodies, or for that matter part of the Organization at all." Said Marluxia. Riku was about to ask another question but Marluxia continued to cut him off. "When all of us died as nobodies we thought that it was the end, we suddenly all found ourselves with hearts again, all in the places we originally lost our heart, all at the same time." He continued, Marluxia was now pacing by the window overlooking the town square. His emerald eyes scanned the massive landscape, taking in every detail he could see. "Eventually we all found each other in this castle, we confirmed that not only us five but the entire organization had been revived in this state. We also found out that Xehanort himself had come back as well and that…. certain members of the old Organization were now his permanent pawns." Marluxia sighed deeply, Riku started to believe that he was somewhat depressed about this.

Marluxia then walked back over to Riku. "And so the five of us were left with a choice, we could resume our normal lives and pretend nothing ever happened, or we could team up and ensure that the one responsible for all of this never harmed a soul again. And for that reason, the five of us joined forces to forge Organization X, each and every one of us was a traitor to Organization XIII in one way or another so its not like we were going against unknown challenges." Marluxia shrugged like it was no big deal.

Riku was now truly at a loss for words, these people that had all thwarted him or his friends at some point in time… were now… on their side? "So Marluxia what exactly are you trying to say here?" He asked. Everyone except Riku busted out laughing.

Riku raised his eyebrows curiously. "Did I say something wrong?"

"We just told you that we are now our original selves, meaning the pseudonyms we were given by Xemnas no longer apply to us," Said Larxene, or at least who he thought was Larxene.

"Oh… right." Said Riku as he face palmed himself, remembering what Lea had told him earlier.

"Well to make this a little more proper I am Lumiara, the one you used to know as Marluxia." Said Lumiara as he offered his Keyblade back. Riku grabbed it and Larxene raised her hand to speak next.

"I'm Arlene." She said, and then bumped Demyx in the shoulder.

"My real name is Meyd. Not very rock star like, is it?" He said with disappointment.

Zexion then closed his book and looked up at Riku. "My name is Ienzo." He then looked up at Lexeaus.

"Aleus." He said with a curt nod.

"Huh. Well then now that you have all introduced yourselves, mind explaining why you knocked me out and brought me here?" Asked Riku.

Lumiara rolled his eyes and pointed at Ienzo and Aleus. "Well all I asked of these two was to hack the Organizations computer and steal some intelligence, nothing in the mission log said to knock you out in the first place."Said Lumiara.

Ienzo interjected. "For the record, I'm not the one who knocked him out he did." Said Ienzo pointing up at Aleus. Aleus whistled and looked the other way. Lumiara rolled his eyes again and turned back to Riku.

"Anyways, I figured eventually we wanted to inform you guys of what we've accomplished and that were willing to help out if you ever need it." Said Lumiara.

Riku blinked in disbelief. "Oh…ok then well we certainly do appreciate the offer but I don't think there is much you can do to help us." Said Riku sheepishly. Suddenly he felt a slight pinch on the back of his head.

"Riku! Can you hear me?" Asked a familiar voice. Riku looked around the room for the source, but no one had said anything.

"Did you guys just hear someone call my name?" Asked Riku. Everyone in the room raised their eyebrows quizzically.

"Riku this is Master Yen Sid; no one else can hear me for I am speaking through your mind." Said Yen Sid.

"You can use telepathy!" Riku thought.

"One of the many perks of being a Keyblade Master." Yen Sid replied with a chuckle. He then cleared his throat and continued. "Whatever you are doing currently you'll have to resume later I'm afraid, for it appears that something rather dark has arrived at Destiny Islands that requires your attention immediately."

"Crap. Do you know what is happening exactly?" Riku asked.

"Hmm. It is definitely Xehanorts forces, but as to how great in number they are I am unsure. And I can almost count on your friends being involved in the battle taking place now." Replied Yen Sid gravely.

"Got it. I'm on my way." Riku replied. He then looked back at Organization X to find them all staring at him melancholy.

"You alright Riku?" Asked Ienzo as he tilted his head curiously.

Riku immediately jumped off the bed and opened a light portal. "That was my master, Yen Sid. He said Sora and the gang are in trouble." He then withdrew his Keyblade, not knowing what awaited him on the other side. Just as he was about to step through the portal, he realized who was behind him.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Inquired Lumiara.

Riku froze in his tracks. He really wanted to believe their story, but he didn't trust them just yet. Riku racked his mind struggling to find the right words. "Listen, I-"

"It's ok Riku. We understand." Interrupted Ienzo. Riku looked over his shoulder and gave a curt nod then entered the portal, vanishing without a trace.

(Back on Destiny Islands)

"Gotcha now!" Screamed out Braig as he fired off an arrow assault at Kairi. She cartwheeled and avoided most of the purple hued projectiles. Just as she got back on her feet however she realized a stray bullet was about to strike her head on.

"Kairi look out!" Sora cried out as he dashed in front of her and deflected the blow with a deafening clang of his Keyblade.

"Aw kiddo here thinks he can protect princess from every move I make. How cute, and annoying!" Braig said mockingly as he warped behind the duo and fired off another arrow assault which Kairi blocked with ease.

"Lend me strength." Isa whispered darkly as he slowly raised his claymore towards the sky. A blue aura engulfed his body. Isa slammed his claymore into the ground and an icy blue wave of light threw Sora up into the air. Kairi gasped as she watched Braig pepper Sora with arrows while he was in midair. Sora yelled in agony and then fell to the ground with an almighty thud. His Keyblade vanished as he began to lose consciousness.

"No! Sora!" Kairi cried out as she ran to Sora's side. As she cradled his head in her hands she through a foul glare at Braig and Isa, who were hovering midair above them.

"Just leave us alone!" Kairi screamed at them.

"Just hand us the thlassa charm and this can end now!" Isa screamed at her furiously. His berserk mode was beginning to falter as his fangs were fading away and his hair stopped flowing in a beastly way.

"Why do you want it so badly?" She asked, the desperation for this battle to end was evident in the her faltering voice.

"Xehanort wants it. He thinks it will be useful in developing what we have in store for your little boyfriend there." Said Braig as he lowered himself to the ground and walked over to Kairi. He held right hand open. "Now be a good princess and hand it over, before we put him in much worse shape than he is right now." Said Braig deviously.

Kairi reluctantly reached behind Sora's neck and undid the charms clasp. She fondled it in her hands for a moment before raising her hand to place it in Braigs clutches. A massive light portal suddenly opened up several feet away. Riku dashed out of its depths freezing in horror at the exchange that was about to occur.

"Kairi don't do it!" Riku called out to her as he sprinted towards them. Kairi looked aside in shock at what just happened. Braig seized the moment and swiped the thlassa charm from her grasp. He then warped back up to Isa's side in midair.

"Mission accomplished." Braig said satisfactorily, Isa nodded with approval and glared back down at Riku, Kairi, and Sora.

"Listen closely because I'll only say this on-" Isa froze in mid sentenced and blankly stared in the direction of the portal. Five gray cloaked figures had entered the scene, and all of them were glaring at Braig and Isa venomously.

"Lumiara." Isa gasped.

"Isa." Said Lumiara.

"Aleus." Said Braig.

"Braig." Acknowledged Aleus.

"Arlene." Said Isa.

"Ienzo." Said Braig.

"You two!" All five of them cried!

"Hey what about me? Meyd!" Said Meyd.

"Shut up Meyd. I always thought your name sounded better as Demyx!" Yelled out Braig.

"Put a cork in it Mr. BRAGSALOT!" Meyd said mockingly.

"What did you just call me you little pipsqueak?" Said Braig through clenched teeth.

"Enough!" Demanded Lumiara. He withdrew his scythe and pointed it directly at Isa. "We are Organization X! Our one and only goal is to eradicate Xehanort from the face of the worlds. And anyone who stands in our way goes down with him!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Braig broke into a fit of hysterical mocking laughter. "I don't think I can take any more surprises today Isa. Organization X, what a hoot!"

Isa motioned for him to zip it. "Listen here Organization X, our mission here is complete, so we will departing to deal with you five another day." Said Isa. He then directed his glare back at Riku and Kairi, who were still trying to absorb what just happened. "As for you two and your friend. We wont be seeing much of you for a while, so enjoy the peace. We got what we came for, and Xehanort thanks you for your cooperation." He then summoned a dark portal and the duo swiftly departed.

As the dark portal vanished Organization X quickly rushed over to the trio.

"I thought I told you not to come." Said Riku.

"Just because were on your side now doesn't mean were going to listen to you." Said Lumiara with a smirk.

Riku just smiled and shook his head. "What happened to him?" He asked Kairi.

"They both attacked him at once and...he blacked out." Kairi said worriedly as she stroked Sora's spiky locks of hair.

Riku noticed the grim look on her face and put his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, he'll be alright. Sora's been through far worse than this, I'm sure these guys can vouch for that." Said Riku as he shot Lumiara a devious look. They all smirked sheepishly.

"K-Kairi." Sora mumbled weakly.

"Sora! How are you feeling?" Kairi said, relief washed over her as his eyes flickered open.

"W-weak. R-Riku. W-when did you g-get here?" Sora whispered hoarsely.

"Boy they really did a number on him didn't they?" Said Meyd observantly. Aleus elbowed him in the gut to keep him quiet.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Asked Lumiara?"

Riku picked up Sora under neath his shoulders and swung his right arm over his back to support him as he stood up. "We need to get him back to main island and let him rest up. Then I think were going to pay The King and Yen Sid a visit." Said Riku as he made his way towards the boat Kairi and Sora had taken earlier.

"I've got a better idea." Said Lumiara as he strutted past Riku and opened a light portal for all of them to go through. Riku just rolled his eyes and motioned or everyone to follow him.

(In the World That Never Was)

Xehanort stood on the balcony gazing up at the shattered artificial Kingdom Hearts Xemnas had created. Behind him stood Even, who was tediously working on the puppet Xehanort had brought back with him. Xehanort had already placed a piece of his heart in the puppet, so it took on the appearance of young Xehanort instantaneously. It sat quietly in a lounge chair while Even practically recorded every movement it made in his journal. A dark portal suddenly opened up by Xehanort, Braig and Isa stepped out swiftly to deliver the news.

Xehanort turned around to face his men, he held his chin high, waiting to hear the news he so desperately desired. "What did you find?" He asked the pair.

"Here." Said Isa as he held out Kairi's thlassa charm. "Kairi had given it to Sora as a token of deep esteem appreciation, or something along those lines."

Xehanorts eyes lit up with delight. "Perfect! There's only one way to know if this is good enough for the task though." He said smugly as he walked over to his puppet. Xehanort tied the charm around the puppets neck and stepped back. The puppet picked up the charm and took a closer look at it, suddenly its eyes widened in shock.

The puppets appearance as young Xehanort began to dissolve away to reveal a short young long haired girl that looked nearly identical to Kairi. The puppet dropped the charm to check out its new form. Her hair was a silky smooth platinum that drooped past her shoulders. Her eyes glowed a soft amber tone rather than the maniacal orange all of Xehanorts other vessels were known to have.

"Dark beauty from Kairi riven, the name Namiri you shall be given." Said Xehanort. A wicked triumphant smile formed on his face. "Get ready Keyblade boy for your fate has been sealed!"