In the woods outside of Black Castle, It was moments after Riku had hung up the D-Phone to warn Aqua of Namine's impending assassination attempt and Nixe kept Rhyme and Beat at bay with her Keyblade. She wasn't being malicious with it though. She would just smack either one on the wrist or bop them on the head with the broad side of it when either tried to make for the phone.

"Message delivered. Thanks for the use of the phone." Riku said before rearing back and pitching the phone up into a hollowed out part of a nearby tree, several feet up off the ground.

"Aww come on, yo! We need that!" Beat groaned.

"Nothing personal guys. We just can't have you telling my mom that I was here until after we leave." Nixe said as Riku nodded in agreement.

"She'll likely know where we are simply by the caller ID and where these two are stationed. We should probably leave while we can." Riku said as Nixe nodded.

"Good idea. Take care you guys!" Nixe said as Rhyme scrambled up to stand on Beat's shoulders, the two attempting to retrieve the phone from the tree.

"We're never trusting you with our phone ever again, yo!" Beat yelled as Nixe and Riku ran into the woods.

"Bye Nixe! Take care!" Rhyme yelled after them with a cheery smile.

…

Soon Riku and Nixe were gliding across the stars on Nixe's Keyblade Glider, headed for worlds unknown.

"So where to next? We've got all the worlds before us. Or did we want to find out what is at that address in Sublime?" Nixe asked.

"I think that address needs to be top priority right now, but let's take it a little slow. I kinda need to get myself together." Riku said as Nixe looked at him over her shoulder.

"Worried about Aqua?" she asked.

"Yeah. She's my friend and things are…well they're kinda strange at the moment." Riku said as Nixe looked away slightly.

"I imagine they would be, what with the Sisterhood trying to kill her and all." Nixe said as Riku looked at her.

"You heard that, huh?" he asked.

"Kinda hard not to." She replied.

"I suppose I owe you an explanation." He said, Nixe exhaling loudly.

"Not really but I'd appreciate one anyway." She replied. Riku took a deep breath as the glider came to a stop, Riku sitting down on the edge of it, Nixe doing the same so they were seated side-by-side.

"I have a confession to make. Sora didn't send me to protect you. Namine, the girl he came here to find…she sent me to protect you." Riku replied as Nixe shrugged.

"A little weird that the girl who gets kidnapped would want me protected. Why would she want me safe? Why not her? She's the one in danger isn't she?" Nixe asked but Riku shook his head.

"It's complicated." He replied as Nixe nodded.

"Then I won't ask. You've followed me and tagged along without placing a single demand on me. It's only fair that I not make any demands of you." She said as Riku looked towards her.

"I appreciate that. The truth would probably make you want me to leave and Namine asked me to protect you and I said I would. That is my mission. Protecting you. Making you stronger. That is why I am here." Riku said as Nixe smiled towards him, her helmet vanishing, her Keyblade Armor and Riku's coat magically providing them with a breathable atmosphere.

"I've actually kinda enjoyed it. I was partly afraid of visiting the other worlds because I'd likely have to visit them alone. But then you show up and instantly I've got a travel buddy." Nixe said as Riku chuckled.

"I know what that's like. Traveling alone, it's no fun." Riku replied as he leaned back, resting on the glider.

"So…um, I've been meaning to ask. Is there a future-Mrs. Riku out there?" Nixe asked hesitantly, absently wringing her hands and kicking her feet. Riku merely chuckled and shook his head.

"I've got a few vacancies." He replied, earning a snort of laughter from Nixe.

"Really? I'm kinda surprised you don't have girls dripping off of you. Or are guys more your-…" Nixe said but stopped when she noticed the dark glare Riku was giving her.

"Never mind." She muttered.

"Actually it's just a case of, the right girl hasn't come along yet. There was one that was a strong contender but I was only a kid then and I haven't seen her since I was six." Riku replied as Nixe gave him a sad look.

"That's a bummer. Was she cute?" Nixe asked, getting a laugh out of Riku.

"Yeah she was. Memory's a little fuzzy but I still remember her." Riku said as Nixe smiled. He then looked towards her with a curious expression.

"So what about you? Any guys that are interested in you?" he asked as she groaned, flopping onto her back on the glider.

"I wish! The only guy even remotely my age is Medy but he's too old for me. He's nice and fun to hang around with but again, too old and not interested. Laaurim, Ludro, and especially Vincent are way too old for me. None of the kids around Sublime really want to hang around me that much. Most of them are preteens anyway." Nixe groaned.

"Looks like we're both losers in the game of l-o-v-e. I end up playing matchmaker for my friends if anything. First I had to get involved to help Sora and his girlfriend Kairi voice their feelings and then I had to help Aqua and her boyfriend Ven out of a slump." Riku said as Nixe sat back up.

"That sucks. Watching your friends fall in love and knowing you're alone." Nixe commented.

"Nah. I'm not the only one. Terra, your mom's ex, is also in the single's club and then there's Axel and he's one of those goes-a-little-too-far-sometimes. You know?" he asked as Nixe giggled in amusement and nodded.

"Yeah. I know the kind." She replied as she looked at the stars.

"Hard to believe isn't it?" Riku asked, noticing her gaze.

"What is?"

"That each of those stars represents a world." Riku said as Nixe gave a nod.

"Yeah, and I've only seen about seven in my whole life. You been to many worlds?" Nixe asked as Riku chuckled.

"Oh yeah. I've been to quite a few. Castle Oblivion, Twilight Town…" Riku rattled off as Nixe sighed.

"It must be fun going to all those worlds." Nixe commented.

"I don't mind sharing the experience. Like you said, it's no fun traveling alone." Riku said as he stood up, extending a hand to her. Nixe took his hand but when she stood up, the Glider jostled slightly, causing her to stumble forward into Riku's arms. They both looked at each other awkwardly for a moment before quickly separating.

"(Ahem) So what was it about those worlds?" she asked nervously as Riku smiled.

"They're wondrous. I can show them to you if you want." He said as she smiled at him. (Music Cue: A Whole New World – Disney's Aladdin)

"Really?" she asked as he stepped forward, the glider starting to move on his command.

"I can show you the worlds.
Shining, shimmering, splendid.
Tell me, princess, now when did,
you last let your heart decide."

Riku sang as the stars flew past them…

"I can open your eyes.
Take you wonder by wonder.
Over, sideways, and under,
on a Keyblade Glider ride."

He sang as the he motioned to the worlds around them…

"A whole new world,
a new fantastic point of view.
No one to tell us no,
or where to go,
or say we're only dreaming."

He sang as Nixe stepped forward, marveling at the worlds…

"A whole new world.
A dazzling place I never knew.
But when I'm way up here,
it's crystal clear,
that now I'm in a whole new world,
with you."

She sang as Riku smiled and sang…

"Now I'm in a whole new world with you!"

Nixe then started to sing as the Glider rounded a world, revealing a beautiful cloud before them…

"Unbelievable sights!
Indescribable feeling!
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling,
through an endless diamond sky."

They then saw a particularly clustered asteroid field, Nixe quickly moving to shield herself as she sang…

"A whole new world."

But her arms were moved away by Riku as he guided them masterfully through the field.

"Don't you dare close your eyes!"

He sang as Nixe smiled happily, singing…

Nixe: "A hundred thousand things to see."
Riku: "Hold your breath, it gets better."

They sang as they cleared the asteroids, Nixe putting her arms out, doing the King-of-the-world bit on the front tip of the Glider as they sang…

Nixe: "I'm like a shooting star, I've come so far I can't go back to where I used to be."
Riku: "A whole new world."
Nixe: "Every turn a surprise."
Riku: "With new horizons to pursue."
Nixe: "Every moment gets better."

They then entered an open area of space, with only the world before them as they sang in unison…

"I'll chase them anywhere!
There's time to spare.
Let me share this whole new world with you."

Nixe looked towards him with a smile, Riku smiling back as he sang and she replied…

"A whole new world." ("A whole new world.")
"That's where we'll be." ("That's where we'll be.")
"A thrilling chase." ("A wondrous place.")

They then looked towards the stars together, Nixe resting her head on his shoulder as they sang…

"…For you and me-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e."

(End Music) Riku was smiling at her as she smiled at the worlds ahead of them.

"You know…maybe we could…you know, be a thing." Nixe suggested.

"You hardly even know me." Riku said.

"You've risked your life on several occasions to protect mine and you know as much about me as I do you. So what more reason do I need?" she asked as Riku paused.

"Yeah…what indeed?" he asked himself softly. He looked at her with a worried expression but it wasn't her he was worried about.

"Do I…do I have feelings for her? Is…is it even possible for me to feel for her? If she knew what I was…she'd…should I even?" he pondered as he looked at her, watching her as she continued looking out at the stars.

"So, I dunno about you, but I think we've wasted enough time out here. We need to find out what the Sisterhood is doing in Sublime. You game?" she asked as Riku nodded.

"Yeah." He replied softly.

"Well okay then. Hang on!" she said, Riku quickly putting an arm around her from behind as she turned the glider and accelerated, the two flying into the stars together.

Meanwhile in Steadfast Stadium…

Sora sat in Laguna's office with Laguna, Isa, Jeckt, and Gabranth. Laguna sat across from him while Isa stood dutifully over the President's shoulder. Jeckt stood with his arms crossed, his back to the wall near the door but smirking, while Gabranth stood to the side of Laguna's desk, helmet under one arm.

"Man I can't begin to tell you how much we appreciate what you did for us! To take down a Sister is something that's never been done before since their first appearance eleven years ago! You're a hero to the worlds and on behalf of Steadfast Stadium and its people, I thank you." Laguna said but Sora shook his head.

"I was just doing what came naturally. Finding Namine is all that interests me right now." Sora said as Isa gave a nod.

"In my experience, Master Sora is not a foe to be underestimated." Isa said as Laguna and Jeckt both looked towards the Luna Diviner.

"Yeah, how exactly do you have any experience with the kid?" Jeckt asked as Isa looked towards Sora.

"Because he is the one who freed me from Darkness. My Nobody, Saïx, once stood in opposition to Sora but in the end, Sora was simply too powerful and Saïx fell before Sora's power. Sora has singlehandedly defeated foes beyond our comprehension. He is a true Keyblade Master." Isa explained as Sora nodded.

"Yeah, sorry about beating you up like that, Isa." Sora said, legitimately apologetic.

"Don't be. You did me a great service. Because of you, I am here now. I believe Lea owes you the same debt." Isa said as Laguna shrugged.

"Well regardless, the whole town considers you a hero and defeating a Sister is worthy of something. Unfortunately the best we can do is name you the new Steadfast Champion." Laguna said but Sora shook his head.

"Thanks but I really don't need it." Sora said as Jeckt chuckled.

"Take it kid, you earned it fair and square." Jeckt said as Sora shrugged.

"Actually I was hoping that you might have some kind of clue that could help me find Namine or help mess up the Sisterhood's plans." Sora said as Laguna tapped his chin.

"Well, we do know that the Sisterhood has a minion at work in a world called Lantern Kingdom. It's kinda interesting. Reaper 2 reported that the minion there just recently lost control of the situation. If so, then now would be a good time to really finish off her plans." Laguna said as Sora gave a nod.

"It's as good a place as any. Thank you Mr. President." Sora said but Laguna scoffed.

"Bah there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Laguna." Laguna said as Sora nodded.

"Okay then. If you need me, the Reaper's Game can contact me." Sora said as he started to leave.

"Will do!" Laguna replied before Jeckt suddenly grabbed Sora by the shoulder.

"You're good kid, but one day we're gonna have a title rematch. Mono-e-mono." Jeckt said as Sora smirked and gave him a determined nod.

"You're on!" he replied as Jeckt grinned and released him. Sora was walking out of the arena when he saw Reno and Rude standing at the foot of the steps, waiting for him.

"So you're leaving already, huh Sora?" Reno asked with a smirk, tightening his gloves.

"Yeah. I have to keep searching for Namine or keep messing up the Sisterhood's plans until they tell me where she is." Sora replied as Reno smirked.

"Well I'd say just killing that Sister is enough to really T them off. Keep that up and soon there won't be any left." Reno said as Sora nodded.

"But then at least Namine won't be in any danger." Sora said as Reno looked at him.

"Sora…there's something you should know." Reno said, a hesitant look on his face.

"What is it?" Sora asked.

"Namine's in danger, yes, but I don't think she's really eager to come back to you." Reno said as Sora looked at him confused.

"What do you mean?" Sora asked. Rude seemed hesitant to say anything too. Reno sighed, running a hand over his head and down to the back of his neck, rubbing it, not wanting to say anything.

"Not long ago, we had a run in with another Sister, the Seventh Sister. Until then we didn't even know the Seventh Sister even existed. We understood the Sisterhood to be incomplete, with them still trying to recruit their remaining numbers. Last we heard, they were at six, but then the Seventh showed up. They are…or were, at full strength." Reno explained before looking Sora in the eyes.

"Sora, the Seventh Sister…its Namine." Reno said as Sora's eyes widened in alarm and disbelief.

"What?!" he asked softly.

"Before you freak out, there is room for doubt that she's turned evil." Reno said, quickly calming Sora.

"What do you mean?" Sora asked as Reno scratched the back of his head.

"If we'd met before Namine arrived, I'd likely not recognize you. But when Namine was here, we fought. During the fight, she did something to Isa's and my memories. She unlocked memories within us we didn't know we had. The memories came back slowly at first but now I remember almost every detail of Axel's life in Organization XIII. His friendship with Roxas and Xion, his holding Namine prisoner in Castle Oblivion, his regular pursuits of Xion, his hunting down Roxas, his kidnapping Kairi, and finally his sacrifice to help you reach the World that Never Was. I remember all of it, and Isa remembers everything about Saïx too, all because Namine unlocked those memories within us. We've gotten far stronger since then. We think she might've done that so we could be better protectors for this world." Reno explained as Sora pondered on his words, a smile of relief appearing on his face.

"Then Namine isn't a bad guy. She's trying to help in any way she can. Thank you Axel." Sora said as Reno sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Okay, let's get one thing straight. I'm Reno, that's R-E-N-O. Got it Memorized? Axel is dead. You should know that." Reno said but Sora merely smiled and shook his head.

"No he's not. He's in Twilight Town with the rest of my friends right now." Sora said, surprising Reno.

"He's what? Axel's still alive?" Reno asked as Sora nodded and reached into his pocket.

"Yeah, I've still got the pendant he gave me a while ago to summon him if I needed his help. It doesn't work here though. I think it's a distance thing." Sora said as he held up the pendant with the chakram engraved on it, surprising Reno.

"Well I'll be. Huh, now it all makes sense." Reno said in thought.

"What does?" Sora asked but Reno smirked at him, resting his nightstick on his shoulder.

"Nothing you need to worry about for now kid. Now go on. Namine's waiting for her knight in shining armor to rescue her. And tell her that Reno…No, tell her that Lea said to say thanks for the memories." Reno said as Sora gave a nod.

"I will. Take care Axel!" Sora said before running off into the streets, summoning his Keyblade Glider and armor as he ran.

"Oh now you're just doing it on purpose!" Reno called as Sora rocketed off into the sky. Reno watched him leave with a smirk, twirling his nightstick in his hand.

"….." Rude said but Reno merely smirked.

"Nah, I didn't forget. He's got enough on his mind right now. No need to worry him with something like this." Reno said as he held his nightstick across in front of him, smirking at it as it started to subtly glow with a fiery red aura, a brief outline of a sword-like object appearing over it before fading.

"I know you're there, but you're meant for someone else. Got it memorized?" Reno said to the outline with a smirk.

End Chapter 47

Looks like there's a bit of romance blooming between Nixe and Riku only Riku seems a bit hesitant. Why is he hesitant? Well, I think the next chapter might shed some light on that and the mystery as to how there are two Rikus.

The song above was a slightly reworked version of "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin. As usual, I do not own the song.