Kingdom Hearts III: Xehanort's Ambitions
Chapter 9
Stolen Light
Life happens. Thank you for your continued support and happy reading!
"Reveal yourself, oh sacred door of legend and lore!" Cried out Xehanort. He held his Keyblade straight before him, his bemused colleagues behind were clueless about his intentions. Braig elbowed Isa in the chest, shoving him against the railing of the balcony, Isa caught himself swiftly before he became a permanent black mark on the pavement of Radiant Garden.
"Watch what you're doing you idiot!" Screamed Isa as he punched Braig in the shoulder.
"Ahh lighten up Mr. Moonshine, a little rough housing never killed anyone. Speaking of killing, exactly what or who are we doing away with in this supposed hidden realm your trying to reach?" Asked the one eyed shooter.
In the center of the small round room before them, a mystical door magically sprang up from the ground. It was shaped like a silver crown and had intricate little carvings all along its sides. Xehanort chuckled darkly. "Were doing away with light itself in this world, only then will we gain entry to that cursed castle. Then at last that witches desire to conquer all worlds will be fulfilled."
…
"All aboard prepare to land in Radiant Garden!" Squawked Donald.
"Here we go! AHYUCK HYUCK!" Commandeered Goofy with his signature laugh.
"Great work fellas!" Cheered on Mickey as he gave the two pilots a squeeze on their shoulders.
"Now then. When- "Mickey turned around to address the rest of his comrades, only to find the four teenagers passed out on the metallic gummi ship floor. "HEY WAKE UP!" Hollered Mickey.
When they remained motionless. Donald hopped off of his chair and held up his wand. "Let me handle this King! Thunder! WAAAAHHHH!" Shrieked the sporadic duck. A lightning bolt dropped down on the floor near Sora's head. The resounding clap of thunder rocked the ship.
"GAAAH!" The group shrieked as they all jumped to their feet. Donald chuckled satisfyingly and sat back down.
Mickey chuckled. "Now then. When we land on the balcony of the castle here in a moment we should go straight for Ansem's study. Hopefully we'll come across something that tells us more about this Keyblade that returns hearts."
"Right." The group nodded.
"Good. Now onward fellas! Let's land this thing! The worlds are counting on us!" Said the King.
…
"Not again! Stop it you guys, that tickles!" Giggled Tron as Sora randomly battered his keyboard. Donald and Goofy chuckled with amusement.
"Will you knock it off Sora? We're trying to find something useful here, not tickle torture Tron." A very annoyed Riku mumbled.
Sora walked away from the computer screen and cuffed his hands on Riku's shoulders. "Ahh lighten up Riku, we missed Tron and were just having fun."
"And I have missed you three users in particular." Chimed in Tron.
"See even he agrees!" Said Sora with a cheeky grin. Riku rolled his eyes and continued to pull miscellaneous stacks of journals from Ansem's old mahogany desk.
"Maybe you should try asking him some questions on the Key that Returns Hearts if you're going to continue to fraternize with him." Suggested Riku.
Sora snapped his fingers. "That's a good idea! Hey Tron!" He then bolted out of the office and back to the computer lab. Riku sighed as he opened what felt like the fiftieth book so far. This one was titled Experimental Records Vol. 13.
"Doesn't that just make you want to curl up on a couch with it?" Grumbled Riku as he flipped through its pages. On the very last page however he noted that someone had written on the bottom of it. "The Secret place is at the base where all of our heartless begin, and then, make haste."
Riku set the book down on the desk and pondered this for a moment. "The secret place at the base…I wonder…" He paused his train of thought. Riku made his way out of the office and through the lab, heading down the stairs to the base of the heartless factory. He scanned the area, noting for some sign of a hidden entrance. He then noted a trail of faint black boot prints that ended at the center of the open floor. "That's got to be it." He thought. He drew out his blade and pointed at the final footprint, a keyhole revealed itself just inches away from it. A brilliant beam of light shot out of his blade and unlocked it, revealing a descending spiral staircase into the unknown. Riku's eyes widened with disbelief, but he still needed to press onward.
He stepped down into the dark stairwell and spiraled his way to the bottom. Noting every dark depressing detail about it on his way down. Finally, he had reached the final step, where a familiar light blue marble door awaited him. He pried it open with ease and stepped through to find that the rooms theme continued. Chain designs illuminated the walls and directed his attention towards the center of the chamber, where a single throne chair awaited. Just beyond the chair in the wall were two glass capsules that resembled the ones found in Ansem the Wise's lab.
He cautiously stepped towards them, wondering if a trap would go off if he approached. All appeared to be safe however as he reached the one capsule that contained a body in it. It donned an organization XIII cloak. "Could this be one of Vexen's spare puppets? He wondered. The puppet then astounded him by slowly reaching its arm toward his face. "It's got to be, hold on Xion!" He told it. He then pressed button at the pods base to open it. The puppet appeared to have been weakened by its time spent in there, as it fell to its knees upon taking its first step.
"Hold on there, I've got you." Said Riku as he scooped the lifeless doll up in his arms. Just as he was about to turn around however, he felt a blade getting jabbed into his back. Riku whirled around with his Keyblade drawn, and found a suit of blue toned suit of Keyblade armor like his own standing before him. The armor clashed its sapphire blade with Riku's, relentlessly delivering blow after blow without hesitation. Riku quickly broke out of the charade and made a dash towards the stairs. The armor pursued him up until he touched the first step. Moments after he started gunning up the staircase, the armor could be heard clanging to the floor in pieces.
"What on earth was that thing? Is that some sort of twisted trap Xehanort set up?" He wondered as he started to pace himself to catch his breath. After what seemed like an eternity he found himself once more on the floor of the heartless factory. He quickly sealed the entrance with his blade and hustled up to the computer lab anxiously. "Just think, soon you will be reborn, my dear Xion…..I won't let go of you this time. I promise." Riku vowed silently.
"Riku you're back…who is that?!" Exclaimed Sora as he pointed towards the lifeless stranger in Riku's arms. Riku froze for a moment, he had longed for this day forever now, but he never planned on how to explain this to his best friend.
"Well you see, it's a puppet body that Organization XIII made. It's completely harmless because it has nothing to it. No heart, no mind." He stuttered. Sora continued to give him a quizzical look a little longer, but then finally unfolded his arms.
"Ok. You just had us worried where you disappeared to." Sora said with a grin.
"Haha. That's easy. I found a hidden chamber Xehanort must have created ages ago. It's rigged with a trap however, so I couldn't do much exploring, but I couldn't leave this behind. I felt bad that it had been locked up for so long." Explained Riku. He carefully sat the helpless creature upright in a chair.'
"Now then what did you learn from Tro-" Riku started but was cut off by a blood curdling shriek.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPP! THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!" Cried Kairi and Namiri in unison.
Sora and the gang quickly bolted out of the study and followed the sounds of fright out into the courtyard, leaving the puppet behind. There they found Namiri and Kairi back to back, blades drawn to defend themselves from an ever growing circle of shadow heartless.
"HEHEHEHEYAHYAH! Get them little runts, capture those two!" Pete commanded from several feet away. He quickly spotted the hero's rushing into the scene and pointed his stubby arm towards them. "Heartless! Round up! Get those little maggots instead!" Barked Pete.
"I don't think so! Strike Raid!" Said Sora as he hurled his Keyblade into the wave of shadows heading towards them. Effectively eliminating every last one.
Pete's eyes widened, but his confidence quickly returned. "Do you really believe that's all I've got?" Questioned Pete as he snapped his fingers. Sora and the others quickly fell to the ground as a massive earthquake was triggered. A digitized portal formed over the castle courtyard. Everyone watched in awe as an eerily familiar black dragon claw cautiously swiped at the air out of its depths. Within seconds the portal flashed a blinding white light and the dragon form of Maleficent was flapping its treacherous wings in the air.
"Well done my minion. It appears that old man kept his word." Spoke the actual Maleficent as she appeared beside Pete. Pete grinned proudly at his handiwork.
Riku was the first to break his gaze at what just occurred. He glared at both Maleficent and the dragon before him. "How is this possible? You can't retain both of your forms simultaneously! Everyone knows that!" Interrogated Riku.
"Muhahahaha!" Maleficent chuckled in her ghastly voice. "That is because I now have power over the data of all worlds. That being just summoned is indeed my true form, but it is merely a copy. It doesn't belong in this world any more than you wretched fools do."
"But that's impossible!" Cried Mickey. "That data is under protection at my castle and you can't set foot there because of the Cornerstone of Ligh….oh no! You didn't!"
The wicked mistress cackled at the King's distress. "Oh yes I did indeed my dear little King. I obtained the power to overcome your protection of that castle and obtained the digitized journal data on the worlds from your computer. I now have control over anything in its contents, and can even summon beings from within its pages at will!" Maleficent explained delightfully.
"If you harmed her I swear I'll-…"Mickey started but was cut off by the dragon shooting a ball of searing green flame towards him. The King deflected it with ease and charged towards the two villains. Maleficent wrapped herself up in her cape and teleported out of there immediately. Her sinister laugh echoed in the air around them.
"Later losers!" Sneered Pete before he dipped into a dark portal and vanished.
Mickeys brow furrowed furiously. "Sora! Riku! Donald! Goofy! Kairi! Namiri! We must quickly do away with this illusion and make haste to my world. The Queen and many others could be in danger!" He commanded. Sora and the gang nodded in agreement and held their weapons steady.
"Let's do this!" Said Sora.
"I got your back!" Added Riku.
"We'll do what we can!" Chimed in Kairi and Namiri.
"Ah enough of this. BLIZZARD!" Squawked Donald as he unleashed a hail of frost upon the beast.
"Right behind you Donald! Charge!" Said Goofy as he spun his shield at its clawed feet.
The demon pounded the ground furiously, its tremors fractured the pavement greatly. The dragon then ensnared the circular platform with is seething emerald flames. Cutting off any chance of escaping by foot.
"Dark splicer!" Yelled Riku as he dove into the dark abyss beneath him. He then weaved around Maleficent's head, slashing at its luminescent green eyes repeatedly. She quickly grew angry with his quick movements and began to snap at him rapidly. Seconds before unleashing his final blow, the mighty beast grazed his arm with one of her foul fangs, causing him to withdraw.
"Damn!" Exasperated Riku as he warped away from her, clutching his bleeding arm.
"Alright that's enough! Donald, Goofy! Trinity Limit!" Screamed Sora as he pointed his blade into the air, his comrades rushed to his side, completing the other two points of the formation.
"Let there be light!" The trio shouted. A heavenly glow blinded everyone momentarily as the beast bellowed in agony. Unfortunately, they soon found their brief advantage ended by swift claw slash, effectively slamming them into the castle wall. When the dust settled, it was evident that the blow knocked them out as they laid flat on the ground.
"Sora!" Kairi cried out. "That's it! Namiri help me!" She begged as she began slashing at the beast's legs.
"Right!" Agreed Namiri as she cast a round of blizzard magic.
"Ladies! Watch out!" Screamed Mickey as Maleficent lifted her front legs into the air to perform another earth shattering quake. He quickly shoved the two of them out of the way and suffered the consequences. He was rebounded into the castle wall as well, knocking him out senseless.
"Mickey!" Yelled Riku as he ran back after Maleficent, pinning his wounded arm against his chest to stifle the bleeding, he aimed for her eyes once more. And was greeted by a ball of intense flame. Luckily he foresaw the move and deflected the flame, reducing it to smoke.
"Why is she so strong? She was never this powerful before!" Wondered Riku as he ran towards the girls to deflect a ruthless claw swipe from the monstrosity.
The beast then bowed its head lower to the ground and backed the three of them into a corner as it charged an immense ball of flame in its mouth.
"Damn! Everyone block this as best as you can!" Hollered Riku as he placed himself before the girls. The three of them cowered in fright as Maleficent leaned in closer.
"Time to pay you foul witch!" Hollered an unfamiliar voice. Riku barely made out the image of larger man above Maleficent's head. He quickly slammed his Keyblade into the beast's eye and knocked her straight into the pavement. The ground shook tremendously from the impact. When the dust began to settle, it was evident that she had been defeated.
Beside the dragon's head, a tall gold armored man with a large brown toned Keyblade. He began to notice his destructive force upon the environment as he scanned the area. Upon noticing everyone that was knocked out he removed his helmet, revealing his shoulder length earthy toned hair and piercing brown eyes.
"Who are you? Why do you have a Keyblade?" Asked Riku as he cautiously approached the man, unsure of whether he should be considered friend or foe.
"The names Terra, and you can relax. I know exactly who all of you are. I'm just glad that I got to settle the score with an old rival here." He motioned at the dragon's lifeless body.
"Wait you know who we are?" Asked Kairi. Terra glanced at the red haired girl and chuckled.
"She resembles Aqua so much." He thought. "Yes I do, I'm an old friend of the King's. Actually, where is he? Lea said he would be right around here?" He asked.
"I'm right here." The mouse muttered feebly as he pushed himself off the ground, using his Keyblade as a support. Riku quickly ran over to his side and helped him onto his feet.
"Your majesty, it's been awhile." Said Terra as he bowed down before him. Mickey stared at him for a moment in disbelief.
"Terra, is that really you?" He asked.
"In the flesh." Terra chuckled.
"Oh boy! Am I glad to see you!" Exclaimed Mickey as he leapt up and gave him a brief hug. Terra's eyes widened in shock, but quickly broke into a genuine smile.
"It's good to see you to King Mickey." He replied. He then glanced at Riku.
"So you must be Riku, boy have we got a lot to catch up on."
"We do?" Asked Riku with a half raised eye brow.
Terra laughed. "You have no idea; I take it then that you must be Kairi." He motioned towards the red haired princess, then at the shy platinum haired doppelganger beside her. "And you are?"
"N-Namiri. Nice to meet you." She stuttered.
"Pleasure to meet you too." Terra replied. "So then that only leaves one question, where is this Sora I've heard so much about?"
An alarmed look immediately donned on everyone's faces. They all bolted over to their fallen comrades beside the crumbling castle wall.
"Sora! Donald! Goofy!" They all cried out, leaving a bewildered Terra behind. He slowly walked over to the area that the four of them had surrounded. Clueless as to what all of the commotion was about.
Riku and Mickey held their blades high and chanted in unison. "Heal!" A familiar flow of green tree leaves encircled the wounded trio and then vaporized. Seconds later, they began to open their eyes.
"What happened." Said Sora with a yawn. Stretching his arms up and outward he began to survey the area, and noticed that there was a newcomer in their midst.
"You seem really familiar, like I've met you before, but I can't quite put my finger on it." He noted as he scratched his hair.
"The names Terra. And you would be right to believe that, the last time I saw you and your friend Riku here you were both barely up to my belt buckle." Terra motioned with his hand.
"Really? That long ago?" Asked an intrigued Riku.
They all noticed right after his comment however that the air had been robbed of its usual warmth. The haunting cackle of Maleficent echoed off the castle walls.
"Such a touching reunion. Is that really you Terra?" She bellowed out from nowhere.
"No it can't be. Didn't I just end you?" Shouted Terra furiously. A dark portal suddenly formed by the defeated dragons head. Maleficent walked chillingly out of its depths. She then tapped the beast with her scepter, it slowly began to dissolve away in bits of scrambling code. Vanishing into the sky forever. She then cast Terra a wicked grin of malice and delight.
"No my pet. That was merely a copy of me from the data worlds. You can ask your new friends all about it later, that is, if they still choose to side with you after they learn what you have done for me."
Terra clenched his teeth even tighter. "You wouldn't dare."
Maleficent waved her finger as if she were a school teacher. "That is where you are wrong my dear. You see Terra here stole the heart of one of the seven princesses for me."
Everyone except Riku gasped. He marched forward and stood by Terra's side. "So what! You probably manipulated him just like you did to me to steal five other hearts years later!" Said Riku, trying his best to defend him.
Maleficent then cast a ball of magic that floated down towards them. Within it, it showed Terra clashing blades with a man in white robe. "Ah but that's not all he did Riku. You see Terra's heart was so consumed in darkness that he ended up-"
"NO!" Cried out Terra.
"Killing, his, Master." She spoke with a sense of distinguished satisfaction. The orb showed the white robed man falling to his knees and then fading away into light. The illusion then dissolved away.
Terra bowed his head in defeat. "Yes, that may be true. You and Xehanort led me down the road to darkness. I became his vessel…..but I belong to the darkness no more." He spoke quietly as he approached the wicked fairy. He then leapt into the air and prepared to strike her down. "BUT THIS ENDS HERE!" Seconds before coming into contact with her Maleficent smirked and wrapped her cloak around her. Vanishing into the twilight sky. Her sinister laugh reverberated into against the castle once more, leaving a puzzled audience behind. Terra fell to his knees, feeling as if he was slipping into the darkness all over again.
Mickey walked over to him and placed his hands on his shoulders. "Awe Terra. The past is the past. You can't let that determine who you are. If you want to be part of the light again, then you can! Just ask Riku over here. He's been down the same beaten path as you."
Terra picked himself off of the ground. "Thanks your majesty. But I just don't think it will be that simple." He said dreadfully.
"Ah that's enough, just call me Mickey! And as much as I would love to have this reunion continue we need to hurry back to my kingdom quickly." He then held his arms into the air and muttered a quiet incantation. The gummi ship suddenly zipped into view through the sky and landed on the pavement before them.
"C'mon fellas let's go!" Hollered Mickey as he hopped on board. The rest of the gang followed suit, Terra and Riku however hesitated.
"Maybe this was a bad idea." Muttered Terra.
Riku cuffed him on the shoulder. "Hey, you're the one that said we needed to catch up. And now I think I can see why. But we can't do that if stay behind. So you're going to have to stop feeling sorry for yourself at the moment. We can talk later."
Terra scoffed at first, but then broke into a soft smile. "You're right. Let's go."
"Good now just hop on board and…crap! I'll be right back!" Said Riku as he sprinted into the castle, realizing he left the puppet body behind in the office.
"What's taking him so long?" Asked Donald as Terra hopped onboard.
Sora laughed. "Oh nothing. He just forgot his new friend in the castle."
"New friend?" Everyone else asked.
Sora just continued to grin. "He can explain later."
…
(Meanwhile, at Disney Castle)
Queen Minnie strolled up to the highest spot in her throne room. Her pink flower dress flowing gently behind her. She then turned to face the room of women that were chatting before her. And attempted to get the rooms attention.
"Attention please!" She squeaked as loudly and politely as possible. Slowly the conversations began to falter in silence, the woman gathered around the queen, eagerly waiting for her to speak. "You're probably all wondering why we have summoned you here today. The reason is an evil cruel man named Xehanort, once thought to have been deceased, has returned."
The woman around the room gasped. One in particular, a woman with blond hair tied up in a bun wearing a glowing white dress and tiara, stepped forward. "Your highness, is the one who ordered that wicked Maleficent to collect our hearts a few years ago?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yes Cinderella. It is." Answered Minnie.
"But then why did you request other women besides the seven princesses of heart to attend? And where is Kairi?" Asked Belle. She noticed an irregular ruffle in her gleaming golden dress and attempted to remove it.
"Good question Belle. You see the King and I have come to the conclusion that the seven princesses of heart that Xehanort was originally after may not mean that he needs anyone specific in particular. If someone has a heart of pure untainted light, they may be considered by his terms a princess of heart. We believe that you will all be safer in this world as it is protected by the Cornerstone of Light." Answered Minnie.
"I don't know if like this." Said Megara. "My wonder boy probably won't be too happy if I'm kept captive for too long.
"Shang and I need to protect our majesty. I can't stay here." Said Mulan.
"I don't like it, but If I have to I'll stay." Spoke Aurora softly.
"Oh but I promised the dwarves that I would make them dinner tonight." Said Snow White.
"I have a daughter now! I need return home to take care of her, Eric has a Kingdom of his own to run now." Said Ariel.
"I guess it's better than being put on trial." Spoke Alice.
"I hope Aladdin won't worry too much." Said Jasmine.
"Oh Beast, I'm so sorry." Said Belle as she spoke into her magical hand mirror.
"I trust that Flynn can handle himself." Said Rapunzel.
"Same with Tarzan, he was born with the apes, so he can definitely lead them without me." Spoke Jane.
"My friends will miss me but they'll be fine." Said Esmerelda.
"Jack will keep Will occupied. I'm almost positive of that." Said Elizabeth.
"Oh I just got back from Neverland. Now I'll be locked up here for a while. Oh well." Said Wendy.
"Now, now ladies. I'm sorry that it has come down to this, but it is for your own protection." Declared Minnie.
"Unfortunately my queen, that protection of yours no longer exists." A chilling man's voice echoed into the room. The ladies all gasped and huddled around Minnie in terror as twelve figures warped into the room, surrounding them in a circle. Eleven of the figures donned black Organization XIII cloaks, their hoods remained up. Master Xehanort remained in his usual attire and approached the frightened women slowly. Minnie separated herself from the crowd and stood before the foul man.
"That's impossible, what did you do to the Cornerstone of Light! That was sealed off by Sora!" Shouted Minnie defiantly.
Xehanort chuckled darkly. "You see the thing about sealing away entrances to worlds with Keyblades my dear, is that any Keyblade can just as easily unlock them once more." He said as he pointed his own weapon directly at her.
"No!" Gasped Minnie.
"Yes! Yes! I thank you for gathering all of the princesses here my Queen, this makes the collecting process much easier for me to accomplish." He said with a wicked grin.
"Not so fast Xehanort!" Chimed in Mickey as they stormed the throne room door. Sora and the gang flooded in after him, weapons all withdrawn and held ready to attack on cue.
Xehanort whirled around to challenge the heroines. He held his arm in the air to pause everyone for a moment. "Grab any seven of them that you wish men, but leave Kairi and Namiri unharmed." He then callously snapped his fingers and seven of the cloaked members dived after the princesses.
Mickey led the charge into the center of the room to try and stop them, but Xehanort waved his arm and cast a dark aura over the princesses, sealing them off with a barrier while the kidnapping commenced. The cruel man let out a sinister laugh as the screams of the women echoed off the marble walls. When the dark swirling aura finally vanished, seven of the princesses were gone, leaving the rest of them huddled together in tears. Xehanort stood alone now staring down at Sora.
"Are you now ready to surrender your heart to darkness boy?" He said visicously, like a lion waiting on his prey.
"Ill never give in to the darkness!" Declared Sora.
"Oh? Still resisting I see." Said Xehanort. He then swiped his arm through the air. Nothing happened for several seconds but suddenly they knew why.
"No, no damn it!" Said Sora as he buckled to the ground clutching his head. The dreadful voice in his head then returned in that moment.
Just give in already, things will be so much easier.
"Why are you talking to me, you've been silent ever since I got Ven's Keyblade!" Cried out Sora.
Every wall is meant to be broken, its only a matter of time before that one around your heart crumbles and lets me in.
"You can't have it!" Screamed Sora.
"Sora!" Cried Kairi as she ran over and hugged him. She glared venoumously at Xehanort. "What did you do to him!"
Xehanort scoffed. "I did nothing, it's the darkness that already existed within him that's turning against him. He may not be ready yet, but one day he will surrender. And I'll be waiting." He then turned to face Terra. "As for you, my former vessel. Are you ready to return to your proper place? Or do I need to remind you?"
Terra clenched his teeth. "You sick monster, I'll make you pay!" He raged as he charged towards the old man. Xehanort blocked his earth shaking attack with ease but Terra wasn't through yet. He attempted several more lethal blows, but he merely deflected every last one of them.
"Do not forget boy you swore your allegiance to me once. I am your true master!" Screamed Xehanort as he shot a dark firaga at him. Terra slammed the fireball aside and ran in for another attack. Xehanort swiped his blade in the air and moments later, Terra found himself pinned to floor by Xemnas and Terranort.
"Do you understand now?" Asked Xemnas.
"This is what you were meant to be, a vessel." Said Terranort.
"No! I'll never be a pawn for his nefarious acts ever again!" Snarled Terra. He then witnessed Riku lunging above and striking Xemnas square in the back. Mickey followed suit and struck Terranort, forcing the two of them to warp away from their friend and back to their Master's side.
"Were through here today, but we shall meet again soon." Said Xehanort with a venomous grin.
"I'm not done with you yet!" Yelled Terra as he went in for another attack, but by the time his blade was about to strike, the trio had vanished. Terra's attack pulverized the ground, causing the room to vibrate momentatrily. The room fell silent after that. Leaving everyone at a loss for words. Riku walked up to Terra and turned to face him.
"We'll get him one day, together." He said. Terra broke out of his staring match with the floor and looked at Riku.
"I hope your right." He replied.
"Mickey!" Cried out Minnie as she ran towards her beloved King. The two embraced for a while. Mickey then broke free of it and surveyed the room.
"YEN SID!" He screamed into the throne room, causing everyone to jump.
A puff of blue smoke appeared before the mouse and revealed the wise wizard. "Why have you summoned me, Mickey? This never happens." He asked. Mickey then went on to explain the events that had just unfolded to him and everything leading up to that moment. Riku and Terra then walked over to check on Sora, who was still being embraced by Kairi. His eyes were clenched tight as he continued to hold his head.
"Oh Sora, I wish there was something I could do to help." Whispered Kairi as she stroked his hair.
"Me too." Said Namiri as she looked longingly at Sora. Riku noticed this and suppressed his guilt, both of the knowledge of what happened between them and what he knew about Sora's dilemma with the darkness. Kairi picked up Riku's nervousness and began to question him.
"Riku, do you know something about Sora? Because if so I need to know." She pleaded. Riku gulped anxiously.
"Theres no way I would ever rat him about Namiri, that's his battle to fight. But she does have a right to know about what's ailing him. Especially after this fiasco." He thought.
Kairi had now released Sora and had crossed her arms, she slowly creeped up towards Riku. "I'm waiting." She said as she began tapping her foot.
"Well you see, when Xehanort attacked the two of us in the dream worlds, he may have done something to Sora's heart that causes the darkness within him to become stronger whenever he is near a powerful dark being. Such as Xehanort himself." He spoke sheepishly.
Kairi's face disapproving scowl faded into an innocent worried frown. "Oh no, poor Sora." She said as she went back to hugging him.
"His eyes changed color when he saved me." Namiri spoke softly. Everyones attention was suddenly directed towards her. She quickly caught on to this and looked startled.
"What do you mean?" Asked Riku.
"W-well when one of the Organization XIII members attacked me he got injured pretty badly. Just before I was about to get attacked though his expression changed, and his eyes went form blue to yellow. He attacked with an incredibly dark power and injured the member severely. He soon returned to his normal self and had no clue as to what had happened." Namiri stuttered nervously.
They all fell silent after this revelation. Riku then cleared his throat and spoke. "No matter what happens, Sora will always be a good person, and my friend. He will beat this; we'll all see to that." Everyone continued to look at their suffering friend. Wondering what fate would bring next.
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