Bloodbath Kingdom

by SpringBorn

Sora, Donald and Goofy crash land into a world that is unknown to them. They soon meet Lanna Scarlet Kennedy, a young agent sent to the old village in Spain to save her parents. OcXSora Is being rewritten. Other characters include Jake, Sherry, Chris and Jill. Finished

5. Chapter 4

Bloodbath Kingdom

Author: Springborn

Co Author: Warrior of Six Blades

Chapter: Four

(Leon, Claire's, Maleficent and Pete' P.O.V)

Maleficent was far from pleased to see Riku had not only interfered and was still alive no less. No, he had defeated Krauser just as Jake was about to fall and was showing prowess in wielding both light and darkness. It made her all the more furious to see him once again interfering in her plans as she was still sore about Riku's betrayal back in Hollow Bastion.

Leon on the other hand was thankful for the stranger who saved Lanna and Jake. His odd weapon making him wonder if he was connected to Sora, but curious of why someone who used darkness was helping them. Were not all people using darkness evil after all?

'Whatever the case, I'm glad this guy is on our side.' Leon thought thanking God for the miracle Lanna and Jake needed.

Claire smiled in relieve to see the young man show up but wondered who he was. She saw his weird weapon and remembered Sora's blade. Were they friends and had the same ability? It was intriguing though. Though she was worried about the wound on Jake's chest and seeing Lanna puke up blood made her very worried about the two. She rubbed her stomach gently.

Pete saw Riku and could feel the anger radiate from Maleficent, whimpering a bit in fear. Both nervous and wondering if she would use him as target practice for her anger. It wouldn't be the first time... "Y-Your...majesty? W-What do we do now?" he asked, stuttering a bit as his tiny ears flattened against his head.

Claire inwardly smirked as she saw the reaction to the fat cat, thinking it was a bit enjoyable to see him cringe.

"Simple, Pete, despite the set back of Riku's appearance. I already planned on taking my revenge on him soon enough, at first I was gonna leave the traitor to flee. But sense he chose to bare his fangs against us, it saves me the trouble of hunting him down." Maleficent said with venom in her tone as she glared at his form on the screen.

"He used to be your ally?" Leon asks surprised that someone would work with her and suddenly leave. Maybe he grew a conscience and left, much for the better in his mind. It at least explains how he uses darkness like Maleficent does.

Pete nodded and glared at Leon. "Of course but he doesn't deserve the power!" he said. "He betrayed us because of Sora!"

Claire blinked. "Sora...?" she asked, not seeing the connection yet and blinked. "Riku is Sora's friend. Like Kairi is." She wondered if Kairi had a keyblade as well but the girl seemed fragile and not the type to be on the front lines.

"Indeed and he shall pay for driving a blade through me and sending my powers out of control, causing my mind to go into a berserker's rage in my dragon form. I'll enjoy making him squirm, but we need to keep him from interfering again." Maleficent says knowing Riku was going to be a thorn in her side. Not too dangerous, but she knew not to take him lightly.

Claire looked confused. "If he did than how are you still alive?" she asked, confused. From what she saw of the darkness, if one used it too long it would drive them mad...unless Maleficent was already mad with darkness and power. That was a good possibility.

Pete snorted. "A bad witch never stays down!" he said, hoping to earn some points with his master. He looked up at the tall witch and winced, still seeing that she was mad still.

Maleficent ignored Pete as she looked at the redhead. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to revive yourself after being struck down in a berserker rage? Let me tell you now, it wasn't easy. It took me a full year to do so, but in the end I have obviously beaten death itself. It takes more than brute strength to slay me, as Sora found out, but all in good time will I claim my revenge on them all." Maleficent said keeping her anger in check as she cooled down.

"Wesker, we should proceed to focusing on the next phase of our plans and your mastering of your dark powers." Maleficent suggests to the man watching all of this silently.

Wesker nodded as he stepped forward. "Yes. The traps have been set," he said. "Now that Krauser is gone, we need to increase our pieces. Though Salazar will be harder to beat." He smirked as he had two monsters in mind now, both from Jake's and Leon's past. "They are finishing up now and they know the scent of their enemies."

Claire didn't like the sound of that. Traps? New enemies that go by the scent of one's blood? What have they cooked up?

Leon didn't like the sound of things as the witch and Wesker both left in those green and black flames. Leaving them alone with Pete as he continued to watch the live feed, along with the parents.

(Scene Change: Lanna's group, Riku, and Ada.)

Riku released a breath he was holding as he heard the body of Krauser thud to the floor behind him. Turning to Lanna and the others giving an assuring smile that he is fine. "Mission accomplished, Ada. How's Lanna?"

Ada looked up. "Weak but she's fine. The pills will need time to get into her blood" she said as the girl was leaning against the wall, her face a bit paler than normal. "Are you going to be able to fight?"

Lanna gave a smirk that would make her father proud. "Of course. I'm not done yet," she said. Donald shook his head, chuckling a bit as he went to check on Jake.

"Do you want me to heal you?" The duck asked, seeing the wound on his chest. Jake smiled glad for the assistance. "Sure, I can use some healing magic right about now." Jake said watching Donald's magic working on his chest.

Goofy looked at Riku and Ada as Kairi went to Riku, clearly relieved to see them.

"You guys have good timing!" Goofy said smiling. "Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't shown up!" Riku smiled glad to have been of help to a friend of Sora's. In a way...it felt like they were his friends too.

"No problem, Goofy. After how you looked after Sora, it's only fair I return the favor you guys have done for Kairi and myself." Riku said referring to Sora and how they've been there for him.

"How did you find us?" Kairi asked, smiling at Riku. She was very happy that Riku and Ada had found them. Seeing Jake and Krauser fight, it had unnerved them all.

"We saw you on a video feed when we were looking for the pills for Lanna" Ada explained. "It was Riku who noticed that Krauser was using darkness."

Goofy nodded. "Makes sense," he said and smiled at Riku, giving him a bear hug. Donald smiled and soon finished healing Jake. "All done," he said and stepped back a bit, seeing the wound was healed with no scar.

Lanna looked at Sora to make sure he was still breathing and sighed in relieve. "I'm sorry Jake. I don't doubt you, I was getting worried and the others wouldn't let me go alone," she said and smiled lightly. "Something just felt off."

"Any other day I'd be angry at you, Red, but now I'm just glad you're alright." Jake said smiling at her before turning his attention to Riku. "You also have my thanks, man, we really needed all the help we could get." Jake said looking sadly and worried at Sora. Which Riku looked to curious sensing a power that felt familiar keeping him asleep.

"I see, what happened to leave Sora like this?" Riku asks walking up to Sora and looking at him carefully. Trying to remember where he sensed this power before.

"He was fighting Mendez, an old enemy of my dad's. Sora thought he finished him and had his back turned...He killed Mendez and he passed out" Lanna said, sighing. "It's like...he's in a guilt coma or something." Her tone was tinged with worry, her light gray eyes filled with concern.

Kairi would have glared at Lanna at the moment but felt her worry and understood it. Sora looked vulnerable at the moment. She just wanted to hug him till he woke up.

Ada was silent as she watched the scene, wondering. "Does Sora hesitate when killing?" she asked.

"Hard to say, he never talked to us about it if he was." Jake informs looking confused and worried about the possibility.

Ada nodded, thinking."It's just a theory. If he is not used to killing, his mind could have shut down in order to process it," she said, thinking that this boy was too pure for this world.

Kairi bit her lower lip as she didn't like to kill either as it was unsettling. "No one should take a life. It's horrible," she said.

Lanna sighed. "Kairi, we've been through this," she said and stood up slowly. "Krauser, the villagers, Wesker, Maleficent...they don't care. They will kill anyone who gets in their way. Me, you, Jake, anyone, that will get in their way of their goals. It's hard, I know but it can't be helped right now." Kairi glared weakly and looked away.

"I think that may be part of the problem, but not enough for this for two reasons. One, Sora HAS killed before. He killed most of Organization XIII trying to protect other worlds and rescue Kairi when she got captured. Plus he killed Maleficent once, so he isn't completely new to it. Though it may be tough to deal with killing these guys, it's not something that should make him faint and STAY asleep. The second reason, is because I can sense someone's power keeping him like this." Riku explains to the group startling them at this bit of information.

"What? Who?" Donald asked, confused by this. "Who would keep him asleep?" Goofy, Kairi and Lanna were equally confused.

"How can someone keep him asleep?" Lanna asked, looking at Sora. "I don't see any markings on him. It's not Maleficent is it?" She looked at Riku, hoping that wasn't the case.

Ada looked at Riku, knowing he would explain further.

"No it's not someone from the outside, this is coming from within and I know this power I'm sensing anywhere. It has to be Roxas, but the question I'm wondering is how he's doing this and why?" Riku says not sure why the nobody who merged with Sora would try to keep asleep.

"Roxas? What's this guy have anything to do with it and how do we help spikes wake up?"

"Roxas is Sora's nobody, a being that was half of Sora and his power given physical form. They were split into two beings once and I had to capture Roxas to force them to merge as one again. I admit at first he wasn't happy about the whole thing and even fought Sora once because of it, but I thought he was at peace with Sora after that..." Riku explains looking guilty about the role he played on Roxas's life. Poor guy never even got to enjoy the beach or have proper friends thanks to DiZ and partly himself. Roxas never really got his answers or his revenge for someone he cared for as well...

"Maybe it's teach him something," Goofy suggested, looking at Riku. "Maybe Roxas saw something that we didn't and wants to help?"

Donald looked puzzled. "But why knock him out?" he asked. "It doesn't make sense," Kairi nodded as did Ada. "Time will tell," Ada said. "I'm sure he will give answers once he wakes up." Ada looked at Jake. "Don't let Lanna go to sleep, Jake. I'm not comfortable with how she's coughing up blood. She could choke on it."

Lanna had dozed off a little, not ignoring the situation but she felt exhausted.

"Trust me, I doubt she's gonna allow herself to go to sleep until she knows for certain Sora is okay." Jake said watching Lanna carefully himself, keeping close to ensure if she does doze off completely, he'll catch her. Riku hummed in thought as he considered what Goofy brought up, it was a valid point as Roxas should be more aware of what's going on in Sora's heart than anyone else.

"You do have a point, Goofy, but like Ada said, we'll just have to wait. Both for Sora's sake and Lanna's. You don't mind waiting here with these guys a bit do you, Ada?" Riku asks not wanting to hold her up, but at the same time a part of him wants to be here for Sora.

Ada looked at Riku. "I don't mind. It's best to have them alive and alright before we head out" she said. "Plus her family would want her alive." Lanna snorted lightly.

"Not gonna die," Lanna said and yawned, shaking her head as she tried to stay away. "Sheesh...now I know how drunk people feel like..." Donald blinked at that.

"You drink at your age?" he asked. Lanna laughed at that. "Only at home and my parents know," Donald sweatdropped. Kairi shook her head. "Drinking isn't good for you. It ruins your skin and liver," she chided.

"Trust me, with this job you will drink," Lanna said standing up slowly and looked at Sora worriedly.

(Scene change Station of Awakening: 3rd P.O.V.)

Sora dodges as Roxas throws both of his keyblades like buzzsaws, only for Roxas to reappear behind him again throwing his keyblades at Sora.

"Aaaggh!" Sora cries as he gets knocked into the air and hit again by a dual strike raid. Seeing Roxas going for another above him, Sora forces his body downward with a retaliating strike to Roxas's left leg. Making his aim off and break Roxas's combo as both fall to the ground.

"Is that all you got?! How will you save Lanna and the others if you can't bring yourself to come at your enemies with the intent to kill?!" Roxas shouts at Sora who grit his teeth, knowing what he was saying. As Roxas speeds around in a blur of light making Sora tense knowing what was coming.

"If you die here, Lanna and everyone you care for will die by Wesker and Maleficent's hands!" Roxas shouts rushing toward him as time slowed down Sora seeing Roxas coming and feeling a protective rage burning in him.

"I WILL PROTECT LANNA!" Sora shouts knocking Roxas skyward much to his shock and pride feeling Sora's heart at that moment. The love and determination to protect her. It was helping him push away any guilt about killing his foes to save her. Sora outstretches his hand to keyblades that Roxas uses.

"Light!" Sora calls making them come to him as they acted like glowing wings. Roxas lands and curses knowing he's in for a world of hurt as Sora charges and beats him down ruthlessly with the strength of THREE keyblade wielders now.

One keyblade naturally enhances the strength and magic of it's wielder, but when dual wielding your power is further increased. So THREE of them naturally means big trouble for your enemies...and right now Roxas is the target.

"You're finished!" Sora shouts focusing his magic into all three keyblades as he uses explosion. The three keyblades letting out a charge of light magic as the two stolen keyblades spun around Sora and knocked Roxas to the other side of the station.

"Aaaagghhhhhh!" Roxas shouts in pain, barely hanging on to life as he felt himself about to fall off the edge of the station. Closing his eyes expecting to fall. 'At least I helped Sora get his fighting spirit back, for both his and Lanna's sake.' Roxas thought before feeling Sora pull him back to safety. Looking up he could see Sora with a friendly look in his eyes again.

"You okay, Roxas?" Sora asks much to the nobody's confusion, why was he being so nice when he put Sora through a life or death test against his will?

"Yeah, but...why? Why care for me when I was attacking to kill you?" Roxas asks sure that Sora wasn't told of Roxas's reasoning before hand. So he had no way of knowing Roxas did this to make him learn the much needed lesson. That sometimes you do what you have to do in order to protect those you care for.

"I did this because I don't want you hurt. I mean, yeah, you put me through a lot of pain fighting me like this, but I understand why now." Sora said surprising Roxas and making him secretly hopeful. Does he really understand?

"Sometimes I'll do what I have to do for the sake of those I care for. Killing is not something I like, but some enemies are just too dangerous to be left alone. People like Maleficent and Wesker, they have to be stopped no matter what." Sora said making Roxas smile, he really does get it. Sora smiles at Roxas as he offers a hand up.

"That is why I helped you and why I want to say, thank you, Roxas." Sora thanks Roxas as the nobody takes his hand to pull him up.

Sora and Roxas could hear faint sounds of voices coming from the darkness. It was Kairi and the others as they waited for him to wake up. They were all worried about the spikey haired boy.

"Sora? Can you hear us?" Kairi asked. "I think he's waking up!"

"Kairi..." Sora said wondering how his friends were doing making Roxas's smile. Thankful at least his other was lucky enough to have such friends to care for.

"No problem, Sora, just glad you finally get it. I mean we've been at this for nearly an hour now!" Roxas says happy that he finally got it. Fighting someone for an hour straight is NOT fun, especially when you are trying to make them freaking learn a much needed lesson.

"Hey! It's not my fault you're hard to beat and you wasn't making it easy for me to accept that lesson either!"

"It's NOT supposed to be easy you idiot!"

"Well I learned it didn't I?!" Sora shouts back before Roxas shakes his head helplessly. Sora was just a stubborn case, but at least he got the point so his job was done. Besides, he could hear the others outside worried about him.

Best not keep them waiting.

"Sora, come here." Roxas says confusing the boy, but walking forward none the less.

"Okaaay. Why?" Sora asks as Roxas merely smiles at him in a assuring manner. "I'm gonna help you wake up so you can help Lanna, your friends, Lanna's family, and Elly's family." Roxas says making Sora happy before Roxas puts a hand on top of Sora's hair feels himself..drifting...

"It's time to awaken Sora, I'm sure you'll be fine now." Roxas says as Sora feels his consciousness drifting somewhere.

(Scene Change: Lanna's group, plus Riku and Ada 3rd P.O.V.)

Jake sighs hoping Sora would wake up soon as he watches Lanna sit next to him. Like a worried wife or girlfriend keeping vigilant watch over her love. Only Sora's scrunching eyes and slowly moving limbs hints his awakening as everyone sees his eyes open. "Hey, guys, what did I miss?" Sora asks hoping to start things off on a good note.

"Sora, your awake!" Kairi said hugging him. Donald and Goofy smiled happily as they looked at the boy as he woke up finally. "It took you long enough. You had us all worried!"

Ada watched the scene, smiling. "So the young hero is finally awake," she said.

"About time sleeping beauty, you had little red worried sick." Jake informed Sora with a teasing smirk making him confused and worried as he turned to Lanna.

"Lanna, are you okay? I'm sorry for making you worry about me."

Lanna looked at him and smiled lightly. "I've been better," she said and hugged him gently, her head on his shoulder. "I'm just glad you're okay." She buried her face into his neck. She had been worried as she didn't know if he wouldn't wake up or not. She shook slightly. "Whoever made you sleep remind me to kick his arse..." She joked a bit.

Ada raised a brow at the sight, a light smirk on her face. She wondered what Lanna's parents would think of this development.

"I think you're gonna have to wait for that. I already kicked it pretty good." Sora said both assuring Lanna and trying to save Roxas from a further beating for the moment. He doubts they'll meet, but he figured Roxas deserves a break.

Lanna chuckled softly. "Good" she said as she pulled away and looked him over. "But what happened Sora?" It was a question that was on everyone's mind. They wondered why he passed out the way he did and stayed asleep for so long.

"Roxas...felt I wasn't mentally ready to fight anyone else after sensing my reaction to killing Mendez. So he made me realize that if I was to save you guys, I needed to have the same resolve I once did fighting Organization XIII again. The resolve to kill my enemies without hesitation or being buried in guilt to protect those I care for and the innocent. It took a while, but I got it." Sora explained getting a nod from Jake and Ada as they understood Roxas's motives now.

"It's good that your back" Kairi said smiling at Sora happily, head tilted. "I was worried sick!" She hugged the boy tightly. "Do you have to scare us Sora?" She looked at Lanna and stuck her tongue out. Lanna sweatdropped a bit. 'Really...?' she thought. 'Resorting to that now?' She groaned inwardly.

This would be a long night.

"Alright, give the poor boy breathing room," Lanna said. "Or else you'll make him pass out again." She could feel the urge to hit her upside the head but held off because she was Sora's friend.

"True, plus I don't think Sora would like to see any claws come out for his sake either." Jake said with a smart ass grin. Ignoring the accusing stare Kairi was giving him as Sora got up.

"So does anyone care to tell me what happened while I was out or where we are?" Sora asks wondering why he was in a fancy looking castle.

"We went back to the village once you fainted," Goofy said to him and rubbed the back of his head. "Jake went to the castle to look for the pills for Lanna. We waited for a while. Lanna said she was going to go find Jake because she was getting worried and Lanna started to puke up blood. We all went and when we got here, Jake was fighting some guy that could control darkness. Riku managed to defeat him. Ada, right?" The dog knight asked the woman in red because he wasn't sure of her name and got a nod from Ada. "Ada gave the pills to Lanna and said it will slow down the plaga-thing."

Donald nodded. "That all happened when you were asleep," he said, not remembering the name of the castle either.

"I see..." Sora said before turning his attention to Ada. "I guess I owe you and Riku both my thanks then, Ada. Thank you for getting Lanna those pills to help us. We really want to cure her and appreciate you helping us." Sora said smiling his trademark smile at her while Riku shook his head.

"Anything for a friend, Sora, just try not to take anymore naps would ya? I swear you can be such a lazy bum sometimes."

"Hey! That's not my fault! Roxas dragged me into my heart and kept me unconscious."

"Which he did because of your hesitating, so it IS your fault." Sora and Riku bicker back and forth with no heat to it. If anything it was like two friends catching up. This point was proven as they both smiled and chuckled at each other.

The group smiled as they watched the two fight and bicker but knowing it wasn't in bad taste.

"So what now?" Donald asked, looking at everyone before looking at Lanna. "We still have to find your family." Lanna nodded as she pulled out the new map for the castle. "Ada, do you recognize the floor plan for here?"

Ada walked towards her and looked at the map, looking it over. "Somewhat, it's been updated since I was here last," she said. "Here's where we are now but we need to find three keys to get through the wall."

"So we just need to find those keys and get to the next part of this castle. Sounds simple enough." Jake said checking his guns and finishing reloading his Elephant Killer with the bullets Lanna gave him.

"What keys? I don't see a keyhole on this wall. Just some empty piece here like something was removed." Sora asks looking for a keyhole as Riku facepalms.

"Ada wasn't being literal, Sora, she meant the pieces missing from the wall are the key. It's meant to form some kind of creature clearly." Riku explains to his friend getting an 'Oh.' from Sora.

Lanna looked at the wall and ran her hand over the indents in the mural, frowning. "Three pieces all together it seems..." she said. Kairi stepped up next to her. "How can you tell?" she asked, confused.

"It's one big indent but you can see where the pieces are separated," Lanna explained and looked at the others. "Dad said they are separated in three different rooms."

Donald smiled, looking hopeful. "It shouldn't be to hard, right?" he asked. Lanna smiled slightly. "Hopefully, we can do with good luck," she said.

"So let's get this treasure hunt started." Jake said walking to a nearby door.

The group entered a small room with a heavy gated door on the left and a hallway that led straight and took another left to another room. They could hear the faint crackle of fire coming from somewhere.

Ada looked at the heavy gate and pressed on it but it didn't budge. It needed a key. "It's a jail," she said, looking at the door and looked back at the others. "I see it," Lanna said, looking through the window in the wall that viewed at the jail and saw a bell and box of ammo on one of the rafters and a cell room.

"What's in the cell?" Kairi asked, trying to get a better look.

"I'd say a man, but I think I see claws." Jake says spotting the weapons attached the the person's hands. "He doesn't seem awake though."

"Let's hope he stays that way," Goofy said as he found a box of hand gun ammo on one of the ornate chairs. "Whoa...these chairs look fancy!" Donald chuckled a bit. "Almost like the ones at the King's palace."

"Uh...guys...we have a problem," Kairi said as she had went to look in the hallway and saw two stone horses, blowing fire just above the carpet, blocking their way to the other room.

"I could try to freeze them if you like." Sora said about to bring his keyblade out before Riku stops him by gently grabbing his wrist.

"Sora, you shouldn't use magic for everything. Save it for fights where you need it, we just need to find a way to shut this off." Riku told him making Sora adopt a thinking look, before nodding in agreement.

"I found a key," Ada said holding up the silver key for them to see. "It's for the jail cell." Lanna nods.

"Great," Lanna said. "The lever for the fire might be there." She started her way towards the jail again as she remembered what Jake said what might be in the cell. She frowned. "I hate to say it but if we all go in there and whatever is in that cell comes out, it's gonna be tight."

"Best let me handle this then." Jake says not wanting everyone in the same room. It was too tight for everyone to dodge around properly if needed, let alone fight back without getting hurt. "I'm fast on feet and faced worse than Mr. Claws over there." Jake says hoping Lanna will trust him to handle this.

Lanna looked at Jake and nodded. "Alright," she said as she wanted to argue but wouldn't. She did believe in Jake and knew he could do this. "Just be careful and remember. He can't see but his hearing is great. Use the bells."

"Got it," Jake said taking the key and opening the door. Walking in as the others watched him both hopeful and worried. He did just get out of a near death fight with Krauser and now was doing this too. Though they had faith in him, watching as he silently walked around first collecting any items he saw and then going to the lever. Looking at the seemingly asleep man in the cell and couldn't see the key.

'Must be behind the bastard or he's wearing it on him. Either way, I need to get that bastard out of his cage and kill him.' Jake thought annoyed at the situation before pulling the lever.

"Raagghh!" The man screams awakening and breaking free as Jake steps back quickly, but silently. Pulling out his pistol and shooting the bell closest to the man.

RING

The man roared in anger as his claws went to full length and started slashing at anything in front of it. He couldn't see as it was all dark to him but relied on his hearing, twisting it's head left and right frantically, trying to figure out what set the bell off. He walked forward and left, heading towards the stairs.

Lanna watched, frowning. The gate had closed behind Jake as soon as the claw monster woke up.

'Oh no you don't.' Jake thought seeing the man's back exposed to him as he pulled out his Elephant Killer. Aiming it carefully on the plaga before firing three shots before the man spun around. Jake seeing this quickly and silently switched to his samurai edge and fired a shot at the bell near the man again.

The man roared and ran at the bell with it's claws and easily destroyed it as one of it's claws got stuck in the wall, tugging on it as it tried to pull it out but it was stuck. The plaga was in full view on his back, pulsating.

Jake seeing this unloads the last Elephant killer bullet he had left and starts shooting the plaga with his AK47. "Hurry up and die already." Jake muttered ready to dodge at a moments notice if he frees himself.

The man growled as he yanked his claws free as the plaga made a sickening squelching sound as it spewed out blood but it didn't die yet and spun around, claws out and ran at Jake.

Jake seeing this cursed and waited till the last second to dodge as the man ran past him. His claws grazing Jake's right leg as Jake whipped out his AK47 and shot a quick burst into his back again. Quickly climbing to his feet as the man stumbled from the shots and silently moving himself in front of a pillar.

"Come and get it asshole!" Jake shouts hoping that his crazy plan will work.

The man growled as he turned around quickly to face Jake and lunged at him, claws out. It got closer...

The group watched Jake fight the monster, holding their breath as they all wondered what Jake was doing. Lanna gripped her pant leg tightly as she stood next to Sora.

Jake smirks as he quickly rolls to the side and makes it back to his feet to see the man got his claws stuck in the pillar. As Jake breaks out his AK 47 and empties the remaining bullets into the man's back. Before switching out for his samurai edge to start shooting into his back in hopes of killing him quickly.

The man gave a dying roar as the plaga exploded and fell forward. Gold laid next to it as the gate door rose, letting Jake free. In the cell was the lever for the fire horses. The group smiled, relieved to see that Jake was alright.

"Jake! Are you alright?" Kairi called out.

"I'm fine! Takes more than wolverine here to kill me!" Jake says walking up to the lever and pulling it. Deactivating the fire breathing horses.

"Hey, the horses stopped breathing fire!" Sora cheered at the welcome sight of an open hallway.

Ada nodded. "Than let us go," she said as she started walking. Kairi followed after her with Donald and Goofy behind her. Lanna waited for Jake to join them. "Hopefully we won't have to face another claw monster."

"Here's hoping!" Donald said, having been terrified about the monster.

"Those guys are lightweights anyway, so I wouldn't be too worried." Jake said with a cocky smirk walking up to see Lanna waiting for him. "Told ya I'd be fine, little red." Jake says messing with her hair smirking. Sora and Riku also walk a step behind Ada as she seems to know where she is going and they don't want to risk getting lost here.

Lanna chuckled a bit. "Yeah, yeah," she said nudging him as she started after the others. Ada found a couple of boxes of ammo for her, Lanna and Jake as she split it up evenly between them. "We're gonna face more Zealots here, some with shields and maces," she said. "We'll need to be careful."

"Okay," Kairi said nodding.

"Leave it to us, we'll act as the front line fighters. You, Lanna, and Jake can back us up with your guns." Sora suggests patting Riku's shoulder who only smirks at his friend. Glad to team up with Sora, however temporary it may be, it always felt right fighting by his side.

Ada smirked. "Trying to impress your girlfriend, Sora?" she asked teasingly. Lanna blushed and looked away, seeing the glare that Kairi gave her. "Anyway, make sure to leave some for the rest of us."

Donald chuckled a bit. "Well...let's get this over with," he said.

"W-wha?! I was just saying that to look after you guys, that's all!" Sora said, though the blush on his face showed it wasn't the only reason. Much to Riku's amusement at Sora and worry for Kairi.

Kairi grumbled a bit and looked at Sora. "You'll protect me right?" she asked, looking up at him.

Lanna shook her head and headed to the door. "Oi! Let's go!" she called to them, not wanting to hear it and pushed open the doors to the room. Donald and Goofy shared a look and followed after the red head. Ada shook her head, seeing the love triangle to be very interesting as she followed the others to the room.

Sora looked at Kairi confused. Why was she questioning him on something so obvious? "Sure, you know I'll always protect you same as Riku and all my other friends." Sora said hoping to assure her, but internally confused. Riku could only facepalm at Sora's obliviousness as he walked beside his childhood friend into the room.

They were greeted by Zealots, pointing at them. One wore a red cloak with a ram's head over it's face with a glittering pendant on it's chest. Lanna counted ten but saw more on the balcony. "Um...I'm counting about twenty" she said and checked her ammo as Goofy yelped, pulling up his shield as a flaming arrow bounced off it.

Donald yelped as he ducked as did Ada. Lanna ducked and pulled out her sniper rifle, aiming and fired at one of the archer's, killing him. "Great...flaming arrows..." she muttered darkly.

"If they want to play with fire, then maybe I should show them how it's done." Sora said about to use his magic before Riku got in front of him with a stop gesture. "Let me handle this, Sora." Riku said as he dismissed his keyblade and both of his hands were holding Dark Firagas being charged.

"Eat this!" Riku shouts thrusting his arms forwards and backwards repeatedly. Launching Dark Firaga after Dark Firaga in rapid succession much to Sora's pride and amazement to see Riku had gotten so strong. Taking out multiple surprised Zealots on the ground level in sheer surprise as they all got hit at least once. Setting them aflame as they tried to put out the purple flames of darkness.

Ada whistled in surprise. "That's impressive," she said amazed by his powers as were Donald and Goofy. Kairi cheered. "Go Riku!" she said cheering for her friend.

Lanna chuckled. 'Nice one," she said as the zealots were burnt. "That saves us some time and ammo. Thank you." She headed to the barrels and slashed them open, picking up ammo and gold.

"No problem, but it looks like the ones on the upper levels ran away though..." Riku noted with a scowl no longer seeing the ones who was on the balcony. Sure they got a few of them, but he knew not all of them were dead after that attack. Seeing as they weren't shooting at them, they must have ran off.

"Don't worry about it, Riku, we can take them all on. As long as we stick together, we can't lose." Sora said cheerfully trying to lift his friend's spirits as Riku playfully shoves him. "You always were optimistic, Sora." Riku says with a small smile, keeping a careful eye on his friends.

"Whatever the case, let's find what we can and continue on ahead. Those guys won't be gone forever and I still plan on shooting a certain midget." Jake said picking up some ammo for his magnum and AK 47. Quickly loading both guns full, before picking up spare ammo.

Lanna looked at him. "There's a mechanism down stairs in another room. We'll need two people to trigger it to raise the lever to lower the ramp" she said.

"Who'll go?" Donald asked, hearing this. "I will," Kairi said stepping forward. Ada nodded. "We need one more," she said, looking at the others.

"I'll handle it," Riku said walking to the rooms Lanna mentioned. "Keep an eye on them, Sora!" Riku said as he and Kairi both head to the room looking for the lever.

Lanna watched them head out and looked at the others. "It shouldn't take too long," she said. Ada nodded and looked at Jake. "How are you holding up?" She asked, remembering how he got hurt by the claws.

Donald and Goofy were searching the room to make sure they didn't miss anything.

"Oh that? I can fix it up easily if I had any more cans of first aid. Fighting krauser forced me to use it all when the dark powers came out though." Jake said remembering how he had to use it whenever he took too much damage trying to figure out his fighting style and speed all over again. The darkness combined with his virus made it hard to keep up in speed or strength.

Ada tossed him a can of spray. "Here, better heal it before it gets infected," she said. "I doubt your wife would want you to come home sick as a dog."

Lanna knelt down as she pulled out the map, running her eyes over it. She breathed slowly, thinking. She hoped her parents and aunt and uncle were okay. She was worried about them. She pushed back her bangs, sighing a bit.

"Thanks, Ada." Jake said spraying it on his wound and watching with satisfaction how the wound healed up nicely. It was then Jake and others saw the stairwell lowering. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting!" Riku apologizes as they rushed back to the group. "It wasn't easy finding the levers at first, but thankfully we did in the end." Riku explains feeling embarrassed that it took longer than a few seconds to run a simple errand as that.

"No worries!" Donald said grinning. "Let's go!" He headed up the stairs with Goofy behind him. Ada chuckled as she followed the two, surprised by their personalities. "Heh, never a dull moment." Lanna brought up behind Sora and Jake, her gun out. The room before them showed a golden fountain and stairs leading up to a platform, but parts of the floor was gone. On either side were another stairs that led the small balconies where the archers had been. The group could see two raised ledges on the left and right side with cranks.

Lanna frowned a bit. "We need to get those cranks, I think," she said and headed to the right, seeing the wall she had to climb up. She climbed up onto railing and wobbled a bit before grabbing the ledge and hauled herself up.

"I got the left then," Jake said heading for the crank opposite of Lanna and hauls himself up the ledge quickly.

"Lanna, Jake, we'll cover you!" Ada called out to them and saw Zealots coming from doors and heading straight towards Jake and Lanna. "Ada, we got more from behind," Kairi said, looking behind them.

"Be careful!" Lanna called out to her friends and saw the zealots pointing at her and groaned. "Come at me!" She pulled out her shotgun and aimed, firing at one that was close to her.

"We got the ones coming from behind Ada!" Riku calls as Sora and Riku start clashing with the zealots. With Sora destroying the shields and quickly dodging any counter attacks, before Riku swoops in with a finishing blow. When one tries going after Riku, Sora deflects the mace aiming for his friend and counter slashes the zealot in half.

Goofy ducked one and threw his shield at one of the zealot's, cutting his head right off his head. Donald quacked as he ran and slid under one as two of them collided together.

Ada shot at one of the infected that was coming up behind Jake. Kairi yelped and summoned her blade, slashing at another and ducked.

"Would you idiots just die already!" Jake shouts in frustration before using his AK47 to destroy the shields enough to blow their heads off. Leaving his side clear before giving firing support to Kairi, since she was having a hard time with killing her enemies.

"Thanks!" Kairi said to Jake as she fought the zealots and finished them off with Jake's help. Lanna yelped and growled angrily as her arm was bleeding. "That's it!" She said as she ran at one of the shields and jumps, slamming her feet into the shield. Knocking the zealot off the walkway and heard it's head cracked open when it landed. She twists around and slammed her fist into anther, grabbing it's cloak and rammed her blade into it's head and ripped out her blade. "Clear!"

"I'm clear here too!" Jake calls watching as Sora and Riku finish the last of their enemies too. "Clear!" Both shout in unison.

"Clear!" Ada and Kairi said together.

"Same here!" Donald and Goofy said in unison as they gathered up what they could for the others.

Lanna nodded and looked at Jake. "Let's crank it up!" she said as she grabbed the handle and pushed, grunting a bit as she kept the rowing motion of the crank going. There was a clanking sound as one of the walk way's started to rise from the water and soon finished. "I'm done here!" Lanna called out and ripped part of her shirt, pressing it against the wound as she jumped down.

Jake soon starts the crank and raises the final piece of the walkway. Sighing in relief as he jumps down and makes his way to Lanna, as he saw her pressing down on a wound of some kind.

"You okay, little red?" Jake asks walking up to her as Sora and Riku regroup with their friends.

Lanna nodded, wincing a bit. "Yeah. One of them got too close and I didn't see him," she said and pulled away the strip of cloth, revealing the cut. It wasn't that deep but it was long enough to start from her shoulder and ended a few inches from her arm.

Sora seeing this brought his keyblade up. "Heal!" Sora says as a green herb appears before it blooms to a flower. It's leaves falling onto Lanna and her wound instantly healed up good as new without any scarring.

"I swear keyboy, that healing magic of yours comes in real handy." Jake says impressed and thankful for Sora's assistance.

Lanna blinked and rubbed her arm and looked at Sora. "Thanks, Sora," she said and smiled a bit. "That's gonna take a bit getting used to." She rubbed the back of her head. "Everyone else alright?"

Ada nodded. "I'm fine," she said.

"We're good," Donald said smiling as did Goofy. "We got some stuff for you! Gold and ammo," Goofy said as he handed it to Lanna, Jake and Ada. "Hopefully this will help."

"You know...if you guys happen to stay here with us long term. I wouldn't mind bringing you as my partners on mercenary jobs." Jake said happy to receive the gold and ammo, plus having them around actually made him feel happy or at least a little more optimistic.

"I think I want to learn more about your world first before signing up for anything, no offense or anything." Sora says looking at Lanna with a light blush, remembering she agreed to help him learn more about her world on their date.

Donald and Goofy blushed, but looked happy at the same time. "That would be interesting!" Donald said grinning as his tail twitched happily from the comment.

Lanna looked at Sora and smiled lightly, remembering her promise and the promise of their first date. She blushed softly. "More than happy to help," she said.

Ada watched the two and smiled as she started singing the wedding march. Lanna's face turned a deeper red at that. She hadn't even been on a date yet!

Jake only snickered as he walked along side Ada keeping the spy covered in case someone stupid enough tries to attack them. Riku walked next to a silently fuming Kairi, she may not be saying but he could see jealousy in her eyes. He just hoped it wouldn't come to blows as he'd have to step in, especially since Riku could see who was winning Sora's heart at the moment.

Which made Riku feel slightly hopeful, he had feelings for Kairi in the past, but left her to Sora figuring their feelings were mutual. Now... Well, Riku wasn't sure what to think and wanted to see how things would play out first.

Lanna walked alongside Sora with Goofy and Donald behind Riku and Kairi. Kairi stayed with Riku, feeling a bit comforted by his presence but she wasn't happy with Sora choosing Lanna...

Lanna jumped over the split between the walkways and joined Jake and Ada at the door. She hoped the younger red head wouldn't do anything foolish as she saw the look in her eyes.

"So Ada, care to share with us where Leon and Claire are?" Jake asks seeing they had basically the same mission and might as well work together. Even if she went off on her own with Riku, they at least the same end game in wanting to save Leon and Claire. Sharing information would be a smart thing to do for them both.

Ada looked at him. "They're under the castle, that much I do know," she said honestly. "But they're in cages. They close to the ceremonial room." This caught Lanna's attention.

"That's the same room where dad killed Salazar after he molded with that plant monster," she said, remembering that Leon said that had been one of his hardest opponents besides Saddler and Krauser.

"I really hope we don't have to deal with that same monster or I'm gonna need some weed killer." Jake said half joking and half serious.

"It won't be a problem, I can burn that plant to ashes!" Sora said determined to help.

"Don't forget about me, Sora. You aren't the only one who knows fire magic." Riku said earning a bashful smile on his face for getting so caught up that he did forget. Making Riku chuckle with a smile knowing that look.

"What are we gonna do with you, Sora? I swear you can be so hopeless at times."

"Don't forget me!" Kairi said winking at Sora. "I can wield magic too, you know." Donald and Goofy chuckled at that, watching the group and shook their heads.

Lanna smiled slightly and looked away. "Yeah...killer plants. Next will be killer dolls," she said as she pushed open the door. Revealing a large room that was leveled off with a flight of stairs on the left and walkways over head with chandeliers. On either side were ornate shelf's with paintings.

"This is one big room!" Sora said admiring the sight while Jake and Riku smiled at his attitude. The kid had a way of bringing people's spirits up without even trying.

Ada chuckled at the boys attitude, wondering how he can be so optimistic about it. "Yeah, it's pretty big," she said, looking around the room. She saw the statues hanging from the ceiling and saw another hallway that led to a back wall and a door on the right. "Well the stairs are out since it has gates at the entrance."

Lanna was gathering items for her, Ada and Jake. She breathed slowly and shook her head. Something felt off... "Who need's ammo?" she called out to them.

"I'm good for now," Ada said.

"Let's check around around this area then!" Sora said moving a head to check it out with Donald and Goofy following him. Riku staying near Kairi just to be safe, he too felt something was off and wasn't sure what.

Lanna watched Sora and the others head near the wall. She felt something clawing at her, wanting her to remember something but she wasn't sure what. Donald and Goofy followed after Sora, passing the door. Something shifted under Sora's foot and spikes raised from the ground, making the three run to the wall.

"Guys!" Lanna said running towards them with Ada and Jake at her feet. Donald and Goofy cried out as all three of them press themselves against the wall. Large arms slinked out of the wall, wrapping around the three of them tightly. "Sora!" Lanna cried out and gripped the spikes, shaking them. The wall started to turn with them tied to the wall and closed.

"Sora! Goofy! Donald!"

"Damn it! Where the hell does this wall go?!" Jake said as the spikes lowered and Jake ran up to the wall. Trying to force it to open, but it wouldn't budge.

"Ada, Lanna? Please tell me they'll be okay..." Riku says watching the wall shocked and worried for the three.

"They'll be fine," Lanna said looking at Riku. "They're in a room that looks like a reversed version of this. We can get to them through this door. It leads through the sewers."

Ada nodded. "We better get going," she said. Kairi looked beyond worried as she gripped the back of Riku's vest. She was worried about the others. Lanna breathed slowly and pulled out her gun.

"It'll be fine, Kairi, we just have to find them is all. Sora's been in worse messes than this. Just stay close and we'll be together again soon." Riku assures Kairi as he walks a step behind Lanna and Jake. While walking next to Ada.

Kairi nodded slowly and sighed lightly. "I know..." she said, believing Riku. When Sora wasn't around, it was Riku that looked after her and she was thankful for that, unaware of the crush he had on her. "Lanna, are you sure they will be alright?"

Lanna looked at Kairi and nodded. "I'm positive," she said, her tone steady. "But the sooner we get to them the better." Her tone may have been steady, but her eyes gave away what she was feeling. She was terrified, but she couldn't give in to the panic she was feeling and pushed open the door. Entering a small room with two barrels and a door in the floor that lead to the sewers. They could hear a faint screech sound of the bugs.

Ada knifed open the barrels and picked up the ammo for Jake's elephant gun and arrows for her crossbow. She was a bit impressed with how Lanna was acting at the moment, but wouldn't tell her that. Lanna jumped down through the opening in the floor and landed on her feet, water splashing under her boots.

"Careful everyone, whatever is making that noise isn't too far off. So keep your eyes open for anything unusual." Jake warns walking in step next to Lanna with his samurai edge, deciding to save his magnum and AK47 until he had more bullets. 'I need to think about getting another gun...' Jake thought to himself realizing he may have come on this mission too light.

"Okay," Kairi said as she looked around, seeing Lanna go up a head. Ada walked after the girl, keeping her in sight and stopped. At the end of the hallway, the air seemed to be pulsating.

Ada pulled out her own sniper rifle and turned the scope as she got a closer look and raised a brow. "Found it...it's camouflaging itself." She aimed and fired two rounds before killing it.

"So that's the invisible bugs your dad fought huh? I admit they are ugly alright," Jake says as it dissolves, leaving a red eye behind. "I wonder how much this is worth..." Jake says picking up the eye and examining it. He was interested to see it was like a jewel of some kind.

"Yup," Lanna said nodding as she looked at the jewel in his hand. It had raised edges liked it would have fit in something. "That's pretty." The jewel had a nice shine to it.

"I don't understand," Kairi said. "If your dad was here before and killed theses things, why would he let you come here? He couldn't have known it would happen again."

Lanna rubbed the back of her head, looking sheepish. "Well...it started when I hacked the computers for the BSSA and I got grounded for it. Even then I wanted to join the crew. Dad and mom wouldn't tell me, but I kept pestering before they finally told me and showed me the maps. When I found out that my parents and aunt and uncle were missing, I took the maps."

"To make sure little red didn't get hurt or killed running a solo mission behind Sherry's back. I reluctantly let her come along when I caught her hiding in my truck." Jake admits looking at Lanna with a small glare with no heat to it, while she stood her ground. He respected her will to save her parents and her skill, but he was honestly trying to keep her out of it for her own safety back then.

Lanna chuckled. "Did you really think I'd stay behind?" she asked. "I'm too stubborn for my own good." Ada shook her head. "Just like her parents..." she said.

Kairi blinked. "So...that's your dream? To be in the BSAA?" she asked, thinking that it wouldn't work between her and Sora as they were from different worlds. "Yes," Lanna said. "The BSAA has done this world more good."

"Yup, where heroes like Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine work. Leon and Claire worked in the DSO and Terrasave respectively." Jake informs Kairi and Riku who nods at the information. He had to admit if Sora did start working on this world to be with Lanna, he'd probably join the BSAA if anything so he could be with Lanna.

"As you can tell, Lanna came from a long line of heroes," Ada said looking at the younger girl. Lanna rolled her eyes. "Doesn't mean I'm a prodigy or anything," she said as she walked. She knew she could handle herself, but she was still learning from the others and she had a long way to go before she could lead her own team.

"Let's go. We still have get past the sewer before reaching the ax room," Lanna said.

"I'll take point, Ada and Lanna back me up if you don't mind?" Jake requests as he moves ahead with Riku watching their backs carefully.

"Got your back," Ada said as she and Lanna covered Jake's back.

"Kairi, I know this is a lot, but I need you to gather your courage for everyone here. Remember I'm beside you in this if you need, but we all have to fight to make it out of this alive." Riku tells Kairi gently. Understanding how she feels, but wanting her to be ready to fight for her life. Knowing all too well that was at stake here and he didn't want her to hesitate and get killed.

Kairi looked at Riku and nodded. "Okay," she said and gave a smile for his benefit as she followed after him. She had to be brave for him and Sora as well as for herself. She couldn't be weak as she flexed her fingers nervously. "I understand." The group left the hallway and entered room that had a drop off that led deeper into the sewer. There was a screech as three of the bugs appeared in front of them, their eyes glowing and lunged forward, their movement's almost crablike.

"Eat this." Jake said firing at one in the head making it recoil backwards from each shot. Another tried to flank Jake, but got blasted back. "Thanks for the support ladies!" Jake thanks finishing off one of the bugs as it drops dead.

"No prob," Ada said as the third one went at Kairi, but went sailing over her head and Riku's with a hole in it's gut and hit the wall. Lanna blasted it and took another shot in the head to make sure it was dead.

Kairi sighed softly. "Thanks..." she said. Lanna nodded. "Your welcome," she said as the body dissolved, leaving a blue colored jewel on the ground. Riku being the closest to it picks up the jewel and looks at it.

"I have to admit, the design is not what I was expecting. You could probably fashion this on some piece of necklace or maybe crown I think?" Riku says looking at it from both sides before giving it to Jake.

"I think a lantern would be better, personally. Gives off different colors from the flame inside that way." Jake says pocketing the jewel for now.

Lanna nodded. "I've seen the Chinese and Japanese lanterns, the real fancy ones, they are beautiful," she said. "Like the hand blown perfume bottles."

Ada nodded. "Those can be expensive," she said as she remembered the items she had found on her first trip here as she jumped down and landed in the water. "Yuck." Lanna jumped down after her and climbed up another ladder.

"Got to love the sewers, almost reminds me of how I met Sherry." Jake says jumping down and climbing up the ladder after Lanna. "Those sewers smelled like shit and death too."

"I remember you telling me how you two met," Lanna said as Kairi jumped down with Riku at her side and started up the ladder. "She said you were a butthead back than." She smiled a bit. "You didn't start warming up to her until after surviving a fall from your broken parachute and talking to Sherry in the cabin." She knew that Sherry had a virus in her from her father as she opened the door, seeing another hallway. Ada stepped forward with the others behind her and saw a large room with a hole in the ceiling and four jail cells and another hallway on the left.

Kairi looked around. "Sheesh...they love their jail cells," she said.

"They sure do, though Sherry is right about me on how I was back then. A cold blood mercenary is more like it honestly..." Jake said feeling a bit ashamed of how their first meeting was and how he used to be. If not for Sherry, he would've forever been only thinking of money and not caring for others.

"I know how you feel, Jake, I too made mistakes in my past..." Riku admits with a guilty look on his face.

"Yeah but it's in the past," Kairi said looking at them. "We learn from it and grow from it." She smiled a bit. Lanna and Ada nodded in agreement. "We've all done things in our pasts that we regret," Ada said, looking at the two. "The past can build us or define us, depending on how we let it affect us." She would have said more but drool dropped onto her shoulder and looked up, seeing one of those bugs glaring down at them and hissed.

She swore and rolled away as the bug landed in the spot where Ada had been.

"Dark Firaga!" Riku shouts firing a huge black and purple fireball that swallowed the bug completely. Dropping dead as it was reduced to ashes, but the red bug eye being the only remains left.

Lanna bent down and scooped it up. "Nice one," she said and looked towards the door to the right, seeing it pushed open as another bug monster came out. She pulled out her shotgun and fired at it's head twice before killing it. A green jewel sparkled from the remains. "Another one?"

"We can sell the extra's, right?" Kairi asked. Ada nodded as she dusted herself off. "Yeah or keep it as a souvenir." she said.

"I wouldn't be opposed to keep a few for memories sake. Despite the nightmare this place is, I did get to meet you guys because of it." Riku says making Jake smile.

"You know, I have to agree. I'm actually gonna miss you three if you do decide to leave." Jake said feeling a small kinship with Riku for some reason. As Riku, unknown to them, felt a connection to both Jake and Ada. Like they were similar to him in a way.

Ada smiled a bit. "I'll be losing a partner," she said as she looked at Riku as she had enjoyed having someone to work with for once. Lanna smiled sadly but didn't say anything. She would miss the group greatly. She liked Riku, Donald, and Goofy as they were good people. She wondered if Sora would stay or go back home.

"A souvenir would be nice," Kairi said nodding as she did like Jake and Ada and would miss them.

"Plus knowing Sora the way I do, I know he'd want to come back even if we had to leave. That's how he always is with his friends, paying visits to others worlds when he can. Heck, I'd join him just to catch up with you guys and see how you all are doing." Riku says seeing as Lanna, Jake, and Ada did feel like friends to him. Now he understood why Sora payed visits to other worlds when he had free time. It was nice to hang out with your friends, even if they're from another world.

"That would be great," Lanna said smiling. "I don't know if it's possible but maybe we can visit you as well." From what Sora had told her about his home, it sounded beautiful and who didn't want to meet the Disney characters that they watched while growing up. She loved watching Mickey, Goofy, Donald and all the others in the movies.

"I'll be glad to personally introduce you guys to King Mickey and Queen Minnie when you do see Disney Castle." Riku said looking forward to the idea of them visiting the peaceful castle of King Mickey.

Ada and Lanna smiled at that. "Thank you," Ada said, wondering what the castle was like. Lanna smiled, feeling happy as she felt confident and a little irritated at herself. She had to believe in her and Sora's beginning relationship. She trusted Sora and would support him no matter what he chose. "That would be nice," Lanna said.

Kairi looked at the edge of the walkway and saw that there was a large pool of water, blocking off the exit. "Looks like our way is blocked," she said.

"Great...Does anyone see a valve or some kind of console we can use?" Jake asks looking around for some way to drain the water. "Cause I really don't want to go swimming if we can avoid it."

Ada and Lanna shared a look. "We know where it is," Ada said and tilted her head towards the hallway on the left. "It's in a different room," Ada started down the hallway. Lanna followed after her. Kairi blinked and looked at Riku and Jake. "Um...do we follow?" she asked, confused.

"I guess so, unless they tell us otherwise." Riku said feeling as lost as she is. Following after Ada and Lanna with Jake behind them. Kairi followed after them, feeling confused. She didn't understand those two. In the beginning, Lanna was ready to strangle her and now the two were getting along?

Riku could see Kairi's confusion, but chose not to comment as he was glad they seem to be getting along now.

(Scene change: Wesker and Maleficent P.O.V)

Wesker smirked as he saw the group get separated. The looks of surprise and fear were written on their faces. "Good..." he said. "It'll give us time to pick them off. Though Lanna's and Ada's knowledge of the castle may be a thorn in our sides," Leon had taught his daughter well. If she survived the transformation, she would have been a perfect soldier with more training. "Oh well." He looked towards his partner in this business. "Thoughts?" he asked, seeing the look on her face.

"I think you're correct about them being a thorn in our sides if left unchecked. I was thinking maybe we can revive someone who has history with our foes. Someone who can understand their flaws or make our enemies lose themselves somehow. Either in rage or despair I don't care, but we need to keep them off balance. So is there any enemies you know that can help us take them down? Someone with a hatred for them same as you have for Chris and Jill?" Maleficent suggests her plan before asking for his recommendation.

Wesker thought and nodded. "I know just the people" he said. "A reunion of sorts, not just for our foes but for myself as well." He went to a computer and brought up two pictures onto the screen. One looked like a wannabe sheriff but was rich and had a long family history with viruses,
Derek Simmons and the last was a beautiful blond haired woman but she had a similar coldness to her. "Derek Simmons and my sister, Alex Wesker." He looked at her. "Simmons was killed by Kennedy and a woman named Harper at the time and Alex committed suicide before her body mutated."

"I admit I do see potential in this Simmons fellow for having history with Leon, but what makes your sister useful to our goals? If you don't mind me asking." Maleficent says interested and curious what Wesker had in mind for his sister to be in their plans.

"Alex created the virus that reacts to fear and it will mutate the person wearing a bracelet. It's how I got the idea for the collars," Wesker said. "My sister isn't as strong in her normal form but she has twice the strength when mutated. She can be a good diversion if the clone fails."

"I suspect we will need collars for them too? It wouldn't do good for Simmons to try to kill Leon too early or for your sister to get any ideas of her own." Maleficent asks hoping for his consent to put collars on them too. She has come too far to take chances.

Wesker nodded. "Yes," he said as he didn't want anyone ruining their plans, even if it was family. "It would be more beneficial to us to keep them collared." He pushed up his glasses. "For the clone...there's a fail safe. If Lanna doesn't believe it or figures out it's not her mother in the end, it will mutate."

"That will be interesting to witness, especially as we have Claire and Leon watch this. Maybe you can have Chris and Jill watch the show as well. I wonder what Chris will think seeing his "sister" confront Lanna?" Maleficent says enjoying the thought of all four of their prisoners wracked with confusion, rage, and sorrow.

Wesker smirked and nodded. "Yes, that would be a great show, even worse if Lanna is forced to kill her, forcing her friends to watch the fight." He said, thinking as he was enjoying the idea even more. "Yes...the idea of Lanna having to kill her 'mother' will prove very useful..."

"Then I best get started on reviving our new pawns. " Maleficent says with a cold smile at the thought of their new pawns. "Derek Simmons, Alex Wesker, hear my call and rise once more to the land of the living!" Maleficent shouts as she slams her staff to the floor as green and black fire bursts before her. This time two humanoid figures rising from the ground within the flames.

Seeing it working she immediately focuses on creating collars of darkness on both of the rising humans she's called. Making them gasp in shock as the felt the collars around their necks.

"Bend to the will of your masters, for that is your fate. Any rebellion will be punished first with a warning shock, but further attempts will leave you in ruin!" Maleficent chants her spell as the collars took a solid tangible form once more with the heartless symbol on the front just like the last time she used this spell.

Alex and Simmons gasped and panted as they took in air, their eyes wide as they looked around and stared at Maleficent. "Who...are you?" Alex asked, not yet seeing Wesker. Simmons looked around and spotted the man in black. 'Wesker..." he said, knowing who he was.

Wesker smirked a bit. "Yes. And hello, Alex," he said. Alex looked up to see her brother. "Albert?"

"Yes, it is indeed, Albert Wesker. The first that I have revived in my quest for revenge, while also helping him in his own." Maleficent said gaining their undivided attention as they watched the witch smile at them. Making their blood feel cold under her gaze and shivers to run up their spines.

"You two, are here to help us in our revenge as Wesker has deem you two fit to be of aid. Of course, your cooperation shall be rewarded if everything goes according to plan for our revenge." Maleficent explains to them regally as if a queen, but one that could very well cut your head off for saying anything

Alex grunted and nodded slowly. "What is the plan?" she asked.

Simmons looked at the witch, feeling fear course through him as he hadn't felt this scared for a long time. "What do you want us to do, your majesty?"

"We're to make certain targets suffer before they die. if you do this for us, I guarantee you'll get revenge on certain people who I and Wesker both know you'd love to get even with. I'll explain that part after the mission though, our targets involve six humans and two beings I believe anyone in your world would know. The humans however, are our primary targets. Wesker, may I borrow the screen to show some footage of the targets of our revenge?" Maleficent explains before turning to Wesker. Gesturing to the screen where footage from their security cameras caught the fights up to this point.

Wesker nodded. "Go right a head," he said as he could see the confused looks on Simmons and Alex's faces and looked at the screen, wondering what they had to show them and who their targets were. Two were well known?

"We'll start with a familiar face I believe you will recall, Derek. Jake Muller is known for his experience in hand to hand and fire arms. Even managing to defeat Mendez one on one and held his ground against Krauser before he used my gifts. Once my gifts were used all Jake could do was barely avoid dying long enough for another of our targets to interfere in the fight. I'll be getting to him later, but for now note that Jake has claimed much experience and skill in fighting B.O.W.s in his continued career as a mercenary. As well as marrying a former worker of yours known as Sherry Birken." Maleficent explains as scenes showed Jake fighting off B.O.W.s and his fights against both Mendez and Krauser. They saw in curiosity as Krauser made a turn around after getting beat around as a dark aura covered him. Even taking six Elephant Killer rounds to the head and pushing the bullets out with ease.

Simmons frowned. "Sherry and Jake? Tsk, I wouldn't have guessed..." he said sarcastically, wishing them both dead. He never met Jake, but ever since Sherry had been ordered to retrieve him, it had been hell before he died. He hated to admit that he was impressed by his hand to hand combat skills and how he managed to hold his own against Mendez and Krauser.

"Quite so, I'll even grant you a small chance of revenge on her later by doing a little favor for Wesker and myself after the briefing. Now for the next target will be someone who is also familiar to you Simmons, Ada Wong." Maleficent says bringing up her image as it shows Ada slipping around with Riku, not that they knew yet, taking out some guards and heartless. "She's proven a smart fighter who relies on using her brains more than her brawn and keeps her distance if possible. An adaptable fighter at hand to hand while being an expert on stealth, sabotage, and information gathering. According to the files I had been made privy to thanks to our friend, Wesker." Maleficent explains in detail.

Simmons looked at his obsession and felt his chest tightened. He still wanted her even if she did have a hand in killing him. He was messed up like that. He remembered how had Carla turn into an exact copy of Ada and for a while, he did have her but she started to get her memories back and it backfired on him. "Yes...I know her very well," he said, knowing full well how she was as a fighter. Even how much time had passed to him she still looked beautiful.

"The next target is a new arrival to this world and a princess of heart. Only goes by the name of Kairi after her home world She use to be a means for my plans, but now I just want to make her suffer as indirect revenge against two of the other remaining targets. She's got little combat experience and her magic is much weaker compared to two others on this list. So eliminating her will be easy, but keep in mind she'll try to distract from the main fighters." Maleficent says showing the small clips where Kairi actually took action namely against the heartless and very few zealots, though the ones she killed revealed her face twisting in guilt.

"As you can see she easily has the least experience in killing humans or humanoid B.O.W.s, and there is also the matter of her jealousy of Lanna for Sora's heart. " Maleficent says bringing up a clip where Kairi is seen silently trying to claim Sora's heart as Lanna, who they don't know yet, seems to be winning it.

Alex raised a brow at that. "Ah ha...young romance and jealousy..." she said chuckling. "Jealousy is a very powerful motive..."

Simmons nodded as he watched the clip. "She will be easy to take care of, even more so if she can't control that jealousy of hers." He said and soon zeroed in on Lanna, frowning. "She reminds me of someone..."

"We'll get to the good part later, but for now we move on the next target. A former ally of mine named Riku. He came to a world I had conquered years ago when his world was lost and sensing his potential I helped him learn darkness. At first everything was fine and going according to plan, before the little bastard stabbed me and sent my powers out of control. Making me die at the hands of his friend while I was in a berserker rage, let me tell you now reviving yourself from the afterlife is never easy." Maleficent explains drawing shocked looks from Simmons and Alex at the fact she revived herself.

"His skill is equal magic and swordsmanship in the darker arts, but even Riku knows not to use too much of it or it'll endanger his heart. That said he has a lot of darkness at his disposal and must be treated seriously for when we go after him." Maleficent explains as the screen shows some of Riku's battles against the heartless, him fighting Krauser, and then killing Krauser.

Alex and Simmons were surprised by Riku's skills as a fighter, seeing the dark magic he used. "Hm..." Alex said, head tilted and looked at Maleficent. "He will be hard to beat." This boy caused Maleficent to go berserk and get killed by his friend? That was something. Simmons nodded, watching the fight. "Krauser used darkness too but he wasn't losing himself just yet..."

Wesker chuckled. "He was starting too. Take a closer look," he said as the feed shifted closer to Krauser for a bit, showing how his eyes glowed from using the darkness. "He was losing his mind as he was fighting." Krauser's body was showing signs of breaking down and losing himself completely to the darkness.

"Krauser foolishly let Riku's words bait him. Making his hatred, anger, and frustration fuel the darkness recklessly. One must watch their hatred for if it burns too fiercely, you'll burn up twice as fast. Something Riku knows all too well as a fellow user of darkness and that was how Krauser was doomed to lose himself even if he won." Maleficent says bitterly and she glared at Riku's visage on the screen before shifting it to Sora.

"The next target is a boy known as Sora, he is responsible for Riku's betrayal and even worse actively fought against me for over a year to protect Sora. Sora's powers, unlike Riku and myself, are focused on light with command over other elements to a lesser degree. Making him have one magical attack or ability of each element besides light. He relies on a mix of swordsmanship and his magic to keep his opponents guessing. However he's not the brightest bulb in the bunch and is only recently showing signs of fighting ganados. I suspect he's working up the nerve to take us seriously now, but it won't matter if he does. Wesker here has been undergoing my training in darkness combined with his virus to combat Sora head on. Last time they fought Sora was hesitant and that gave us a chance to understand his fighting style." Maleficent says showing the recording of their fight.

"Now I know what you are thinking, why not kill him then and there? The reason is simple, even a cornered rat can bring itself to try to kill a cat. Unlike rats however, Sora has the power to kill, but hardly the resolve back then. So we needed to analyze his fighting style and limitations of his magic. Thankfully we found he can only do so many big ones before he needs to use an ether to recover his magic. So if we isolate him and make him wear himself down, he can be killed much more easily. However, before we do this I want to make him squirm and suffer as his friends die. One by one as his little heart fall to pieces..." Maleficent coldly and enough venom in her tone to make an army feel dread if targeted by her rage.

Alex suppressed a shiver, hearing the venom in her tone. "You have a lot of hate for this boy," she said, hearing her talking about Sora. She couldn't see why Maleficent had so much trouble with the boy but as the scenes went she started to understand. She nodded. "Hm...he looks to be getting stronger if that's possible."

"The urge to protect his friends and fight for them is what fuels him" Wesker said, seeing the fights and knew first hand at how worried he was for his friends.

"Which how I plan to break him before killing him. What will happen to his poor heart so full of light when every one of his lights are taken from him? It'll drive him closer to the darkness and break his resolve. Leaving behind nothing but a broken soul waiting to die." Maleficent smiling a cruel and cold smile at the thought of finding Sora in such a state.

Alex smirked. "That would make sense," she said. "If he depends on them than he will crack." The idea of watching him squirm as his friends disappear and seeing his reaction. It would be worth it. "What would happen to him if he does break?" Simmons asked curiously, head tilted. "Would he just die?"

"If only it were that easy, but no. It'll leave him broken in mind and spirit. The keyblade, Sora and Riku's weapons, only choose to be wielded by those with strong hearts of light or darkness. Other then that, it's a mystery how they choose their wielders or I would've had one myself and the same could be said for Wesker here. So while a broken heart won't kill him, he'll be wishing it and have a hard time bringing himself to fight with his all. Much like a demoralized soldier in the battlefield after seeing everyone he cared for die." Maleficent explains feeling bitter she couldn't get a keyblade of her own despite her research into it.

"So he would commit suicide from guilt," Alex said chuckling and shook her head. "Despair and guilt will do that." She smirked cruelly as she watched the video's on the fights, head tilted. "Seeing all his friends die...it would haunt him."

Simmons hummed in agreement. "Who is the next target?" he asked.

"This one I believe you two will love to go after, Lanna Kennedy. The daughter of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Is well trained in firearms and hand to hand, but isn't as experienced as Jake or Ada. Also she happens to have feelings for Sora as you know and the boy clearly feels the same, so he's quite protective of her, but right now we have them separated thanks to one of our traps." Maleficent explains showing some footage where Lanna helped the group fight off chainsaw women, ganados, and the gigantes. Even when Lanna grabbed the key from the waterfall by herself.

Maleficent was pleased to see both Alex and Simmons glaring at the girl's image, Simmons being reminded of Leon, while Alex was reminded of how Claire shot at her with both a sniper rifle from a Helicopter AND was killed by Claire shooting a rocket launcher at her.

Alex glared hatefully. "There won't be anything left of her when we're through with her," she growled, her eyes flashing. Wesker chuckled. "You will have to go through Sora and Jake to get to her. Both are her protectors, one as a lover and the other, a brother figure," he said, watching Simmons and Alex. "Once you separate her from them, she is all yours."

Simmons's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Seeing her scream from pain will be a pleasure..." he said sadistically.

"Glad to hear it, now on to the final two targets who aren't human." Maleficent begins bringing up the images of Donald and Goofy fighting alongside Kairi and Sora. "These two are the King's fools of a knight and mage, both fighting as a team to cover the others weakness. For Donald is just pathetic at close quarters and Goofy is terrible at magic, but together they act as decoys to keep attention off of Sora and his allies. Remember they aren't main targets, so take take your time killing them however you deem fit." Maleficent explains with a tone of annoyance at the two on the screen. If it wasn't for Sora she would steam roll over those two without much effort. She would even bet Pete could handle them by himself.

Alex and Simmons both had a surprised look on their faces, seeing more Disney characters. "This is giving Disney a darker turn," Alex said, brow raised as she watched Goofy and Donald fight together. They were strong as a team but they looked weaker than their human friends.

"They would be food for my pets," Simmons said as he remembered his workers back on the submarine and looked at Maleficent. "When do we go?"

"Soon, but first I have an idea for how to lure Jake into our hands and remove him from the board easier." Maleficent says bringing up an image of the house Sherry is currently at. "Sherry Birkin is currently babysitting Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine's kid, while Jake and Lanna came here. Since they are husband and wife, why not grab them both as bait. Jake has already proven to be more instinctual than a smart fighter and seeing them in danger would drive him up the wall." Maleficent explains to Albert Wesker, Simmons, and Alex Wesker.

Wesker smirked. "That will work," he said. "The safety of his family will override his thinking and he'll charge in blindly." He watched the scene with the others, chuckling. "It will draw him away from Lanna and the others."

Simmons and Alex nodded. "Who will go after them?" Simmons asked, seeing Sherry and the little girl. "It'll be a big family reunion." He caught that Lanna and Elly were related and would most likely want to protect the girl when she learned of her whereabouts.

"I was thinking you and Pete would go, though keep in mind you are to make sure Pete doesn't screw up. My patience is thin with him right now and I will not tolerate failure. I want you two in and out without drawing too much attention if possible. Also, use the heartless to subdue them if needed, but I want both brought back alive." Maleficent brings up her plan while showing a small tone of annoyance when mentioning Pete.

Simmons nodded. "Very well," he said, feeling a bit irked to be on a kidnapping job but said nothing. He could hear the tone of her voice and rather not tick her off at the moment.

"We won't fail you," Alex said, feeling a little bit of fear from listening to the witch and forced herself to relax, not wanting to irritate the witch.

"Good, Alex, I have a separate job for you at the moment. We have few hands working on the viruses for our traps and ambushes for our little rescuers. Only Wesker and Luis, so I was hoping you'd like to help out. I heard tales of some B.O.W.s that you created using a T-phobos I believe it was called?" Maleficent brings up to Alex Wesker figuring her knowledge could prove useful.

Alex nodded. "Yes, I did," she said. "I would be honored to help Albert." She looked up at Albert and than back at Maleficent and stood slowly. "When do I begin?"

"As soon as Simmons leaves," Wesker said and looked at Maleficent. "With this help, we can achieve our goals faster and get rid of the annoyances."

"My thoughts exactly, but I have one last thing to bring up before we send them off. As with Albert, I am willing to let you have some reward for your services. Anyone you wish to bring revenge on when all is said and done?" Maleficent asks willing to humor these two knowing they may live a while. How long she didn't know, odds of them dying were not that high at the moment. But it would encourage them to work together with Albert and herself more if they felt a reward was due for their help.

"Leon and Claire," They said in unison. "As well as their little bitch of a daughter," Simmons spat. "I want to wring her neck while her parents watch," He wanted to make the pair suffer for what they had done. Alex felt the same. "I call Claire" she said, her eyes flashing. "I want to her dead."

Wesker chuckled, seeing the darkness swirl around them. "Don't let your anger get the best of you or else the darkness will consume you before you have a chance to get your revenge."

"Indeed, so how is this for you two then. When it comes time to execute Leon and Claire, I'll let Alex kill her and Simmons gets to kill Leon. How you two do it is your business, but they have to be done preferably at the same time." Maleficent offers while smiling cruelly at the thought. A nice public execution would do wonders for her mood, plus she was glad to see them using the darkness in them so easily. They certainly had potential, more so than Krauser despite not being the combatant types.

"Understood," Alex said grinning. "It will be fun to end them," Simmons nodded in agreement. "Yes..." he said as he was itching to get started now, standing as well. He wanted to get in on some action that would make him feel alive again. He wanted his revenge, to see the Kennedy's fall like he had.

"Good, now we best get started. Pete! get over here this instant!" Maleficent said before calling Pete knowing he'd hear her through the darkness.

Soon enough a dark corridor formed and Pete came rushing out in a hurry, before saluting to Maleficent. "Yes your majesty?" he asked, sweating a little from running and the fear of getting hurt by her. "What can I do for you?"

Alex bit back a smirk, seeing this comical character acting like a spineless man as he quivered in front of the witch. She figured that Pete had worked for her for a while now. Simmons looked bored as he watched the fat cat and looked at Maleficent, waiting for orders.

"You are to take Simmons to this house that you see on the screen. In this location is one Sherry Birkin and Elly Redfield, I want you both to bring them here alive and in one piece. Use the heartless if needed, but you are to get in, grab them, and get out without making too big of a mess. Like the one in the BSAA base when we stole some of their files about Albert Wesker if you recall. We're lucky they never saw us, despite tripping their alarms." Maleficent orders Pete and made sure to remind of how they broke into the BSAA base looking for information on Wesker once they heard of him. Figuring someone who is that infamous would be worth getting on their side, but almost was seen taking the files.

Pete swallowed and nodded. "Yes your majesty," he said quickly as he remembered what had happened that time. It was through Wesker that they learned about the others. He looked at Simmons meekly before looking at Maleficent. "We'll go now!" He looked at the screen as he got the address and location of the house and headed to the dark corridor. "Come on, Simmons."

Simmons smirked as he followed after Pete into the darkness and the corridor closed behind the two. Alex raised a brow. "What was that?" she asked, not knowing what it was.

"One of the ways we users of darkness can get around, the Dark Corridor. Just get a mental image of where you are going and it takes you there, but you must KNOW where it is you are opening a connection to or you'll end up somewhere else at random. That said, the dark corridor carries risk. Travel too far into the darkness of the corridor and your heart will be consumed from reckless travel and use. Simmons will be fine as I sense his heart and your own can handle a small trip like Pete is taking, but to go to other worlds training to master it must be done." Maleficent explains to Alex before gesturing to the door.

"Now we must be off to begin your experiments along side Wesker and Luis. I assure you we have no shortage of test subjects."

Alex smiled cruelly. "I am glad," she said and headed to the door with Wesker behind her. Alex was taking in what Maleficent had told her about the corridor. It would come handy in the long run. Wesker looked at Maleficent. "Do you need anything else?" he asked as he didn't want to leave yet till she was set.

"Just let me know when the clone is ready to be of use. I believe they should be drawing near it by now are they not? When they get there, I will be watching the show with our guests." Maleficent says with a cold smile looking forward to the show Wesker prepared earlier.

Wesker was ready to say something when there was a beep from the container that held the clone. He smirked. "She is ready," he said. "You have full reign, my dear. Enjoy the show." The liquid in the container drained as the cylinder raised as the clone dropped to her knees, panting as her red hair was matted to her head. Her eyelids fluttered, revealing her blue eyes. The Claire clone was awake.

"Oh I shall, shame Chris and Jill can't see it, but I guess seeing their child in your care will have to do." Maleficent says with a cold smile on her face before vanishing in green and black flames.

(Scene change Lanna's group + Riku and Ada: 3rd P.O.V.)

Jake looks around as he continues following Ada and Lanna to wherever they needed to go. Feeling on guard like something was wrong, but the lack of enemies confused him. His time as a mercenary taught him to trust his instincts and it frustrated him to not know why he felt this way.

Lanna opened the door to the valve and grabbed it, turning the wheel as the water started to lower, revealing their exit. "It's open," she said, gripping the wheel as Ada picked up the butterfly lamp and shotgun ammo. She looked at Jake, brow raised as she sensed something was wrong. "What is it?" she asked, seeing the look on his face.

Kairi looked at Jake, brow raised. Lanna looked up. "It's quiet," she said as there was a screech outside their door as two bugs were waiting for them to leave.

"Sometimes, I hate when my instincts are right." Jake says feeling like he would be saying this often tonight and drawing out his pistol. "I had a bad feeling something was wrong and truth be told I still feel it. Just not sure if it's them or something else." Jake said before kicking the door open. Knocking the one of the bugs on it's back. Before shooting at the one still standing behind it in the face. Riku stood protectively next to Kairi waiting for them to come close.

Ada stepped out and shot at the second one, knocking it back. She took another shot at it's head, killing it. The body disintegrated, leaving a jewel behind. She picked it up and and tossed it to Kairi. "Here," she said. Kairi squeaked and caught it, stunned. "Uh...thanks" she said, pocketing the jewel. Lanna looked at the others. "We have two more," she said hearing the screeches as she moved through the holes in the walls and stepped into the large room.

One of the doors of a jail burst opened as a bug crawled at Lanna. Not thinking, Lanna shot at it's head, stunning it and kicked at it's head, cracking it open. The bug fell dead.

"Geez someone clearly forgot to call the exterminator." Jake said shooting another in the head making it flinch in pain before Jake round house kicks the bug to the ground. Finishing it off with a stomp on it's head.

"Salazar's pets," Ada said as she headed to the drop off. Bending down, she jumped down and landed on her feet. Lanna followed after her. Kairi stayed close to Riku as they followed after them.

"I hate bugs..." Lanna grumbled darkly, kicking open the door and headed to the barrels before slashing them open. Picking up the gold as there was another screech much to her ire. "You got to be kidding me!" Kairi looked around behind her and followed after Lanna quickly.

"Now, now, little red. Leave the big bad bugs to me." Jake teases remembering how Lanna use to freak out over little spiders as a kid, it was so cute back then. Jake waited patiently as he saw the glowing eyes and distorted air coming closer. "Got ya." Jake said simply as he shot it dead with three pistol rounds in the face.

Lanna flushed a bit at that, watching Jake takeout the bug and sighed a bit. "Thanks," she said as Kairi giggled. "Your afraid of bugs, Lanna?" she asked, smirking.

Lanna gave her a look. "Have been since I was a kid," she said as she pushed open the door, revealing a room with swinging axes. She looked at the others, brow raised. "Who's ready for this?"

"I got this." Riku said walking up first, he could see the timing in the swings and to him these axes were slow. Taking a breath to calm himself and get mentally centered, he waits a moment before rushing ahead and dodging the axes with ease. Quickly making his way to the other side of the room.

Ada was next, dodging the axes easily and soon joined Riku. Kairi looked nervous as she went to follow and was yanked back by Lanna. "Got ya," she said, watching. "When I say go, you go. Alright?" she said. Kairi nodded as she got ready. Lanna watched. "Go!" she said. Kairi swallowed and ran, dodging the first ax, hearing Lanna helping her through and soon joined the others, looking a bit winded.

Lanna got ready and ran, dodging the axes easily and joined them. "Come on, Jake!" she said.

"Alright, I'm coming!" Jake said dodging the axes easily, even smirking before back flipping past one as he made it to the others. "And he sticks the landing!" Jake said showing off a bit much to Riku's amusement, he reminded him of Sora in that moment.

Lanna smirked, shaking her head. "Show off," she said as she pushed open the door and started up the stairs and slashed the barrels but stopped, hearing something on the other side of the door. It was a voice that sounded familiar...Her heart stopped, hearing the voice more clearly now. "Mom...mom!" she said and pushed open the door, leaving the room.

"Lanna, wait!" Ada yelled after her. "Jake, Riku!" She ran after the younger girl.

"Lanna! Wait up!" Jake called worried for his student and sister figure, but at the same time wondering why she was calling for her mother. "Ada, I thought you said Claire was in a cell with Leon in some dungeon?" Jake brings up wondering if they were close to the dungeon or not.

"I'll keep an eye on her, just take care of Kairi for me Ada, Jake!" Riku requests speeding ahead of them to Lanna and staying next to her and a step behind her when going through a door.

Ada looked at Jake. "She is. I don't know what's happening," she said honestly, confused by this. Lanna didn't seem like the type to lose her mind that easily but wondered if this mission was getting to her. Kairi was confused as well, seeing Lanna race out the door with Riku right behind her. "Unless she got out," she said.

Lanna ran out the door and looked over the railing. There standing in the room was a woman that looked like an older version of Lanna and she was heavily pregnant. It was Claire. "Mom..." Lanna said relieved and shocked at the same time. "Mom!" Claire looked up and smiled, seeing her daughter. "Lanna!"

Lanna jumped over the railing, landing on her feet easily and ran to her mother, hugging her.

Riku watched all of this from the railing unsure what to think as Jake came a stop next to him with wide eyes. Even Ada and Kairi were wide eyed at the sight. "Holy shit..." Jake said surprised and relieved at the same time.

"Claire! You alright?!" Jake asks jumping down the railing and landing near them.

Claire looked up and smiled. "I'm alright," she as she looked at Jake. She looked worried. "Leon is still caged..." She looked at them and saw Riku, Kairi and Ada. "Ada." She nodded at the woman and looked at Lanna. "Who are your friends?"

Lanna smiled. "This is Riku and Kairi," she said and looked at her mother. "You haven't seen a boy with brown hair, Goofy, and Donald, have you?"

Claire looked confused. "Donald? Goofy? Lanna, they're Disney characters."

"Claire...You may need to keep an open mind about this, we ran into some crazy shit since we came her to rescue you." Jake says motioning Riku and Kairi to join them, which they did.

"Hello, Claire, I'm Riku. It's nice to meet you, ma'am." Riku says politely to the pregnant mother. Claire looked at Riku and Kairi, smiling. "Hello" she said. Kairi waved shyly. "Hello. I'm Kairi" she said. Claire looked at Jake, looking even more confused. 'What do you mean?" she asked.

Lanna chuckled. 'It's a long story, mom." she said and told her the events that led from getting here to now. Claire was rather surprised by this as she listened and shook her head. "What? Oh my..." she said and looked at them. "That is the adventure." She looked at Jake with gratitude. "Thank you for keeping her safe. She's not causing much trouble, is she?"

Ada raised a brow at that, but said nothing.

"Nah, I may have been irked she sneaked into my jeep, but she's been a great help. You should know since you helped me train her after all." Jake said a little confused why she would ask such a thing, but played it off as a mother's worry. His mom was like that too when she was alive, always worrying over him when she should've been more concerned for herself.

Lanna wasn't sure why her mother had said that but ignored it. Claire nodded. "Yeah," she said and smiled. "Anyway, we better go find Ken-Leon." Lanna looked confused even more. Her mother only called her dad by his last name when he did something wrong.

"Mom? Are you alright?" Lanna asked, looking at Claire.

"Hm? Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, my heads a little funky at the moment," Claire said and patted Lanna's head. "Don't you worry. I'm fine and so is the baby." Lanna nodded. "Alright." Something felt off but she wasn't sure what yet. "How did you escape though? And why isn't dad with you?"

Claire sighed. "He picked the lock, but he couldn't get out before the witch came," she said.

"Damn, so where is hero being held then?" Jake asks Claire ready to start heading for Leon, though he too was a little suspicious now when she called him by his name. She usually said hunny or some other term of affection when speaking of Leon. 'I'll figure it out later, right now we got to save Chris, Jill, and Leon. Plus we still have to find spikes.' Jake thought filing it away for later.

Riku and Kairi stayed silent as Riku looked around the room. It wasn't much to look at and three different ways into the room, she could've came in from any of these doors...

"He's in a cell in one of the dungeons," Claire said and pointed at the stair's. "We have to go through there." Lanna looked up and nodded as she started walking, but Claire grabbed her arm. "Wait, I want to talk to you, alone," she said and looked at Jake and the others. "Just a few minutes, if that's alright."

The warning bells should have gone off in her head but it was her mom...right? Lanna looked confused. "Um...alright..." she said, unsure and looked at Jake. I'll be up in a few."

"I suppose that will be fine..." Jake said uneasily as warning bells were going off, but he chose to be discreet about it this time. As he gestured to the others to get going and watched them go ahead of him. "Just be sure to catch up okay?" Jake asks standing in front of the open door as everyone had gone ahead of him. Though mentally promising himself to wait near by the door in case they need his help. Lanna looked at Jake and nodded. "I will" she said assuring Jake. Seeing the nod, he closed the door and wasn't surprised to see Ada have the same look he knew he had.

"You think something is up too?" Jake asks quietly not wanting to risk Claire knowing he was waiting on the other side of the door.

Ada nodded, frowning a bit. "Yeah...something isn't right," she said, thinking. Kairi looked at them. "But...isn't that Lanna's mother though?" she asked, confused.

(Scene change: Lanna and Clone Claire 3rd P.O.V.)

Lanna looked at Claire as Jake closed the door. "Mom? What's up?" Claire smiled. "You've grown so much...you're a strong fighter now. But not strong enough..."

"Mom? What are you talking about..." Lanna said confused and backed away slowly as Claire started to advance, a weird look on her face. She wasn't sure why her mother was acting like this, but her head whipped up as she saw gates being dropped down over the stairs and the railings. She looked at Claire.

"Mom, what's going on?" she asked, feeling her heart clench. "Mom...mom!" With lightning speed, Claire tackled her and grabbed her by the throat, squeezing. "Ach...mom...s-stop..." She gasped, struggling. "Mom..."

(Scene change: Jake, Ada, Riku, and Kairi 3rd P.O.V.)

Hearing something slam made Jake jump startled by the noise. "The hell?" Jake said worried as he tried to open the door, but it wouldn't open all the way, blocked by something. He started slamming against the door with his shoulder for a few seconds before looking at Ada and the others in worry. "Something is blocking the door! I can't open it!"

Ada swore. "We have to find another way" she said and they all heard a scream of pain. "Lanna!" She looked at Riku. "Can you burn the door?" She could feel her heart slamming against her ribs. Kairi looked pale as they could hear Lanna calling out for them and begging Claire to stop.

"Stand behind me!" Riku said as Ada and Jake quickly did so. Riku hoped this idea wouldn't backfire too badly. Quickly bringing out his keyblade to better focus his magic. He started charging a Dark Firaga bigger than any he's ever thrown from his hand. Easily big enough to fill the hallway they were in as everyone, but Riku took a step back from the heat. Riku grunts trying to force more darkness into this than normal without it blowing up in his face. He could feel the ball of darkness and fire ready to explode.

"Dark Firaga!" Riku shouts firing the over charged Dark Firaga into the door and blasting it clean off the wall. Before barreling into the room and blasting a hole into one of the cage walls holding Clone Claire and Lanna inside. Shaking the walls around them from the explosion once it hit the cage wall. As both the hallway and the room Lanna was in shook from it's destructive power. Riku took a knee grasping his heart for a second to dull the pain from making such a huge Dark Firaga filled with darkness.

When the smoke cleared they could see the holes Riku's attack had made and Riku knelling.

"Check on him, Ada, Kairi! I'm gonna help Lanna!" Jake shouts passing Riku quickly toward the room Lanna was struggling to stay alive.

"Riku!" Kairi said worried as she knelt down next to him as did Ada, worried about the boy.

(Lanna Claire Clone, and Jake 3rd POV)

Lanna kicked away, coughing as she held her throat, panting. "Mom...! What is wrong with you!" She demands, not understanding why her mother was trying to kill her. "What's wrong? Why are you doing this?"

Claire giggled coldly. "I'm so sorry baby...but it's for the best!" She said as she lunged again, punching Lanna in the gut before slashing at her with her nails which were oddly sharp. Lanna cried out as she dropped and rolled away from a stomp, her cheek bleeding. "Mom!" she screamed and jumped her feet, catching her fist. "Mom, come on! It's me, Lanna. Your daughter!" She pushed her away, not wanting to hurt her or the baby. Her eyes wide in confused and in fear. "What did Wesker do to you?"

"Nothing sweetie. It just took me awhile to realize...what a failure you are!" Claire yelled and slammed her fist into her chest, causing Lanna to crash against the wall, her head cracking against the wall. Lanna coughed up blood. 'M-Mom...please..."

"Lanna!" Jake shouted coming into the room and running to the cage wall holding her. Shocked to see Claire attacking her. "Claire are you crazy?!" Jake shouts at her fighting the urge to shoot her, but still had a hand on his gun holster. Eyeing the hole in the cage wall just a little above him, should take maybe two to three seconds to climb inside.

Claire ignored him as she walked towards Lanna, her eyes cold and alien. Lanna wheezed, tears in her eyes. 'Mom...stop!" she said, pulling out her gun, her hands shaking. "Please...don't make me do this..."

"Your too weak to pull the trigger," Claire taunted, smirking. "Why not do us all a favor and...DIE!" Claire ran at Lanna, laughing mechanically. Lanna's eyes widen as she felt her finger on the trigger, staring at Claire. "Mom...I'm...sorry..."

Claire laughed as she ran at Lanna...

BANG

Claire stopped suddenly and looked down at her chest, seeing red on her shirt and a hole where her heart is. She looked up, seeing a tear stained face Lanna, her gun smoking a bit. 'You...pulled..." Claire said as she fell to her knees and smirked. "You...killed your mother..." Lanna watched at Claire dropped to the ground, dead. Blood pooled on the ground under her, staining the shirt.

Lanna dropped her gun, watching. "Mom...mommy..." she croaked, fresh tears running down her cheeks. "Mommy...daddy...someone...help..." Lanna covered her face, crying heavily. "MOMMY!" she screamed, her shoulder's shaking heavily.

"Lanna..."Jake said in sorrow.

The gates rose than, disappearing into the ceiling. Lanna was still on the ground, crying from what she had done. She had killed her mother and baby brother. "No...please...no..." she cried. She didn't know what to tell her dad or her uncle...they would hate her, despise her. But she had done it in self defense didn't she? She didn't know...

"Lanna!" Jake called jumping down as the gate was rising up, already halfway out the hole as he saw Lanna shoot Claire. Landing with a combat roll to reduce the momentum and rising to his feet. He could feel his heart drowning in sorrow seeing the broken girl before him.

Riku wasn't much better as he forced himself to his feet, with Ada's help at her reluctance. Namely because she wanted to insist he stay down to rest and not push himself from whatever was hurting him. Riku wasn't having any of it and seeing he was stubborn, like a certain cop she knew of, she helped support him until he felt better. Only to for Riku, Ada, and Kairi to frown in sorrow seeing the image before them. Jake looking speechless and hurt, Lanna broken and crying into her mother's shoulder, while Claire herself was dead.

(Scene change: Leon, Claire, and Maleficent 3rd P.O.V.)

Maleficent smirked coldly as Lanna held her "mother's" dead body and Claire looked absolutely heartbroken seeing her daughter like that. Leon was fighting back tears himself as he tried to comfort his wife about what they witnessed so far. "It's okay, Claire, it's gonna be okay. When they find us and rescue us, they'll know it was just a trick Wesker pulled on her." Leon said hoping to calm his wife, for both her sake and the baby.

Claire buried her face into his neck, crying softly. She couldn't believe what happened. They had made Lanna go through a nightmare. They all could hear was Lanna's screams and cries of pain, sounding like a wounded animal. "I can't believe this..." she whimpered and nodded, knowing he was right. She didn't want Lanna to lose herself in her anger and thirst for revenge.

She wiped her eyes as she looked at the screen, seeing the looks on their faces as they watched the girl and turned to look at Maleficent. "You...!" she glared at her. "How could you do this!"

"How? I believe the clone was created from your genetics, but as for the memory I believe you'll have to ask Wesker that." Maleficent said playing dumb which infuriated both parents as Leon gripped the cell bars and slammed into them. Wanting nothing more than to kill the bitch with his bare hands!

"You won't get away with this and so help me if I get one shot at you, I will make you suffer!" Leon swore making the witch laugh before smiling cruelly toward them. "If you think it's over so easily, I'm afraid your daughter's nightmare is only beginning."

Claire glared. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, not knowing what else they had up their sleeves, unaware of what would happen next. She looked at the screen and her eyes narrowed something on the clone. The clone's skin had started to get tiny cracks on it, slowly growing and revealing muscle underneath before new skin regrew. Jake however saw this and noticed Lanna was too distraught to even pay attention. Quickly rushing in and pulling Lanna away from the "dead" body, before his hand got caught in it's grip. Making Jake grit his teeth as he kept a confused and distraught Lanna back as the "Claire" before them transformed. It's hand crushing Jake's arm as he tried kicking to make it let go.

Before a surprised expression appeared on his face as "She" easily lifted him up off his feet like he was a doll.

Ada swore and shot at 'Claire', trying to make her let go of Jake. Claire started to mutate as she threw Jake into Lanna as the wound on her chest healed. Her skin rippled and grew, stretching as all of her hair fell out, her clothes ripping. Claire kept growing and growing, till she towered over Jake as her face stretched and ripped, revealing teeth and gums. Her eyes sunk into the skin, disappearing all together but somehow she was still looking at the group. Muscles bulged out, veins popping through the skin as the transformation was complete. Jake would recognize the monster that Claire had turned into.

The real Claire gasped as she saw the monster. "No..." she said, her eyes wide.

Leon meanwhile cursed also recognizing the beast the fake had turned into. "Ustanak..." Leon muttered with horror knowing how hard that "stubborn son of a bitch" is to kill according to what Jake and Sherry told him.

"Correct, Mr. Kennedy, another blast from the past if you will. I wonder how Jake will do against one this time?" Maleficent said as the parents watched worried for the safety of Jake, Lanna, Ada, Riku, and Kairi.

(Scene change: Lanna, Jake, Ada, Riku, and Kairi 3rd P.O.V.)

Jake swore as he saw the one monster he honestly hoped he'd never have to fight again. Ustanak glaring right at him or maybe at Lanna, he didn't know and wasn't gonna take chances. If this big guy is the same as the last one, he needed to get Lanna far from here and keep the big guy,er-girl distracted.

"Ada!" Jake calls rushing over to Ada with a startled Lanna in his arms. "I need you to get Lanna and the others out of here! NOW!" Jake said mentally getting ready to throw Lanna toward Ada once close enough.

"And what are you going to do?" Ada asked, seeing Ustanak glaring down at them, breathing heavily as her fingers twitching heavily as she was ready to attack.

"What is that thing!?" Kairi asked, seeing the thing that Claire had turned into. She backed away slowly, her eyes wide in fear as she stayed close to Riku. She felt bad for Lanna right now.

"Trouble..." Riku said trying to force himself to move in to help Jake, but winced as he fell to his knee again. His heart hasn't completely recovered from using an overcharged attack like that yet. "Damn it..."

"I'll keep it busy! I fought this son of a bitch before and I can handle it!" Jake said before throwing Lanna, who lets out a short yell before Ada catches her. "Just get her and the others out of here!" Jake orders pulling out his pistol and firing at the Ustanak's face. Trying to keep it's attention on him alone.

"Jake, be careful!" Lanna said, watching him. She was worried as Ada nodded, catching her. Kairi helped Riku by wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"You better stay alive," Ada said as she led the group back up the stairs, hearing Ustanak growl in pain and in anger, charging forward at Jake. Lanna felt weak and useless watching Jake fight against the thing that used to be her mother. She felt sick with emotion. Kairi followed after them, helping Riku up the stairs.

Riku gave a glance back at Jake as he dodged it's charge with a combat roll and fired on it's back. "Over here ugly!" Jake calls as the creature growls in anger and frustration. 'Good luck Jake, I hope you survive.' Riku thinks as Kairi helps carry him out of the room following Ada. Feeling shame for not being able to fight or move properly on his own right now. He definitely used too much darkness in that last attack.

(Scene change: Jake vs Ustanak 3rd P.O.V.)

"Of all people that had to turn into Ustanak, why did it have to be you, Claire?!" Jake roars as he keeps shooting the Ustanak in the face, before ducking a punch aimed for his head. Making Jake quickly rise to his feet with an upper cut to make it stumble back.

The Ustanak stumbled back from the hit and growled and ran at Jake, aiming a kick at the man but missed as Jake jumped back. Twisting around, the monster grabbed Jake and threw him into the wall. He started towards him slowly, teeth barred in a permanent smile. "...D-Die..." it rasped and ran at Jake once again.

"I never really told you, Claire," Jake began dodging the charge by jumping and flipping over it's shoulders in mid charge. Using it as a spring board to get extra air time and height as he flips. Landing on his feet as Ustanak crashes into a wall behind his original position. "But despite all of my tough guy attitude, the cursing, your damn swear jar bet, and my insistence that you didn't have to act like my mother... I appreciated it." Jake said shooting at the Ustanak with a heavy heart knowing this was once Claire. He didn't know what Wesker did to make her like this, but he knew the bastard did something.

He'll make Wesker pay for it, even if it costs him his life in the process.

"That's why, I want to say thank you. For trying to be my second mom, despite me never asking for one. For approving of Sherry being with me, even though Leon was over protective at first. And Thank you, for being someone I can call family." Jake said as Ustanak stalks forward as Jake slowly walked forward as well. Ready to end this fight and put Claire out of her misery. He wasn't sure he had enough bullets, but he'd fight Ustanak hand to hand again if he had to.

(Scene change: Maleficent, Leon, and Claire in 3rd P.O.V.)

Leon watched feeling impressed and sympathetic as Jake fought the Ustanak believing it was Claire. He never realized how much Jake cared completely as he never really showed it all the time. Often keeping his feelings to himself, but now... he could easily see his regret and sorrow. He may not have been crying, but his voice gave away that he was hurting. Still Jake fought on and kept the Ustanak at bay while Leon tried to comfort his wife during this.

Claire held onto her husband, her heart aching as she saw what this was doing to Jake. He was like a son to her and to Leon, even if he didn't admit it. They were a family, blood or not. Their connection ran deeper than that. Jake was Lanna's over protective brother, teacher, and friend. While he was Claire's foul mouthed, but good hearted son. It hurt seeing her family act like this.

"Jake..." she whispered. "...Leon...this is..." Her voice cracked.

"I know...Claire...I know...He'll be fine, he's killed this monster before, he'll do it again. He's stronger than most give him credit for." Leon said watching as Jake deflect and dodge Ustanak's blows one by one before ducking into a crouch and slamming his palm into the creature's chest. Making it stumble back in pain where Jake ran up and punched it twice before elbowing it in the gut.

"A bit soft for a mercenary isn't he? It's amazing such a soft fool can live so long." Maleficent said earning a glare from the parents. "I've read some of his file and Wesker is going over the rest himself. Most of his life he was a cold and ruthless warrior and when he meets Sherry he let's himself open his heart. A mistake that will heavily cost him down the road." Maleficent said with a cruel smile remembering the experimental B.O.W.s they need to test and right now she is looking at pretty good candidate.

Claire glared at the witch. "Shut the hell up! It's those so called soft fools that have beaten you!" she snapped at the witch, knowing it would earn a glare but she didn't care. She was tired of the witch pushing them, baiting them and making them watch the horrible video's while they were forced to watch their friends and children fight for their lives against monsters that their parents had fought when they were younger.

True to expectations she did glare at the red head, but kept her anger in check. She'd die soon enough and if Claire thought it was bad now. She had no idea the surprises Wesker and herself had in store for them.

"Maybe in the past, but now I hold the entire deck in my favor and unlike last time, I won't underestimate them again." Maleficent said before Leon decided to put himself on the focus and keep the witch's attention off his wife. He knew he would be pressing his luck, but he wouldn't let her be in danger.

"Considering you and your "deck" is loaded on people we killed in the past, I wouldn't be so cocky if I was you. Heck, you got killed by a kid, a duck, and a dog of all things." Leon taunted before feeling himself get slammed against the cage wall again. Hard.

'Yup, totally worth it.' Leon thought nursing his aching head.

"I'll enjoy seeing you dead when the time comes, Kennedy." Maleficent said before turning her attention to the screen again. Not paying any mind as Claire fretted over her husband who only smiled at her to assure her as they watched Jake fight.

(Scene Change Jake vs Ustanak 3rd P.O.V.)

Jake grunts as he gets thrown by the Ustanak against a wall, rolling away from a charge as it runs into the wall. Pulling out his Ak 47 he begins shooting the beast. "Jesus, I forgot how stubborn this type of B.O.W. is to kill..."

Ustanak growled as it stumbled, feeling the bullets. It was bleeding from the wounds and pulled away from the wall. It turned, growling and rushed at Jake again, fist pulled back and punched him in the stomach and once in the chest. It pulled back and sniffed the air. "...Lanna..." it said and turned, thinking it had finished Jake or did enough damage to put him on hold for now.

Jake seeing this grew infuriated that not only was it ignoring him, it was about to go after Lanna too! It'd be a cold day in hell before he let's this monster anywhere near her...

Quickly rolling to his feet and grabbing Ustanak's right leg. He forced back with his body weight and made the beast slam on it's back. Ustanak tried to reach for Jake but combat rolled away. pulling out his Elephant Killer and taking aim. "Eat this!" Jake roars shooting all of his bullets into Ustanak's face. Ejecting the bullet casings as he sees it stumbling back and starts to reload the last three bullets he has for it.

Ustanak growled as blood went flying everywhere as he crashed against the wall again. The force was enough to make the wall crumble and fall, pushing the monster to the ground as the floor shook violently. The monster roared as he was covered by the rubble and boulders, pinning him. His arm was visible as it was seen twitching before dropping in a pool of it's own blood. All was quiet as the rumble stopped.

"Sorry Claire...I'll look after Lanna for you and try to save your husband, I promise." Jake said running up the steps to catch up to Ada and the others.

(Scene Change: Sora, Donald, and Goofy 3rd P.O.V.)

Sora was struggling to break out of the restraints holding him. Wondering what in the heck was the loud explosion he heard echo down the castle and the rumbling sound he heard after a while. Having a bad feeling in his gut Lanna and the others were in danger. "We got to get out of this stupid trap!" Sora shouted in anger and worry for his friends.

Donald and Goofy struggled against the restraints. "Ugh...! Can't you or Donald use magic?" Goofy asked, squirming heavily. Donald grunted and tugged on his arms. "So tight...Ah...hold on...I think...I can summon my staff!" They heard the explosion and the shaking that came after. "I hope Lanna and the others are okay."

Donald yelped as he lost a few feathers on his arm as he wiggled it out from the restraints, panting. "Stop squirming!" he said, feeling Goofy and Sora struggle and wiggle.

"Just...a little...more!" Sora said freeing an arm and summoning his keyblade before digging the tip into the stone. "Freeze!" Sora shouts firing a blizzaga level ice magic into the restraints. Freezing them solid and fragile, before cracks start to appear from their struggling.

"It's cracking!" Goofy said seeing the cracks and struggled harder as did Donald. The cracks grew more from their struggling soon cracked all the way, releasing the group.

"Yay!" Donald said and looked around, seeing the room they were in. There was a door on their left and another door on the right but it wouldn't be opening up any time soon. "How do we get out of here?"

Goofy looked at the wooden door. "There?" he asked and looked up to see the upper levels. "Or we can fly up?"

"Unfortunately we didn't bring any pixie dust from Tink, so we'll have to take the door." Sora said heading to the door and opening it, before walking through with Donald and Goofy right behind him.

The entered a hallway that led to a series of different rooms that were connected together by archways. The group would see a single Zealot in the first room but haven't seen them yet. Donald was amazed by the high end furniture in the room before staring at the Zealot. "Maybe we can get pass him?" he asked.

Goofy looked at Donald. "Maybe but it would be a good idea to look around for items that the others can use. They were low on ammo when we were with them" he said, looking worried. The zealot looked and pointed, saying something in Spanish and ran at them. "Here he comes! Blizzard!" Donald said, summoning his staff and sent out the ice spell, freezing the Zealot easily.

Only for Sora to walk up and crush it to pieces with a swing of his keyblade. Killing the zealot as Sora walked further into the room looking around. "Goofy's right, we need to find some supplies for Lanna and the others. Search the rooms, but stay close you two. I don't want any of us getting separated or lost here." Sora suggests to his friends as he begins checking the room.

Donald nodded. "Okay," he said as he and Goofy started checking the room. Goofy opened up a drawer and found a pinkish red jewel and picked it up and resumed searching. Donald opened a dresser and found a green herb. "I found an herb," he said and saw a crank in the wall, head tilted and saw the exit, but it was barred. In the other room was another Zealot, muttering something in Spanish. "Anything Sora?"

"I found some handgun ammo and a little gold, but that's it." Sora said from his part of the room and coming to see how Donald and Goofy are doing. Seeing the crank he looked at it curious of if he should use it or not.

"Hey guys, do you think we should mess with this crank or check around if we can access other rooms first?" Sora asks wanting to get out here, but not before they got equipment for Lanna, Ada, and Jake.

Goofy thought. "I think the only way to access the next room is through the barred gates..." he said. Donald nodded. "Yeah. We can check the room we just left before this one," he said and looked at the statue in the other room.

"I'll go check," Goofy said and headed the first room and did a quick look through it. "I found some ammo!" he called out and grabbed it before joining Sora and Donald again.

"Okay, let's get this crank moving then!" Sora said turning the crank and lifting the barred gate until it stopped at the top. Walking up, Sora saw another zealot and sighed. "How many of you freaks are in this castle?" Sora asks easily deflecting his mace strike and cutting the zealot in half.

The body disintegrated leaving nothing behind. Goofy looked at Sora. "Too many" he said and saw two more cranks on the walls and started to look around for more items. Donald went to help him. "I found a green herb and a jewel" Donald said.

"Nothing over here" Goofy said still looking. "They don't leave much do they?" He saw the paintings on the wall. "I like the Kings castle better."

"No contest." Sora said not liking the feel of the castle, at least in Disney Castle he felt welcome and at peace. Even a sense of serenity and relaxation when the heartless were taken care of. Walking over to the crank, Sora got read to turn it.

"Hey Donald, give me a hand with the other crank, would ya?"

"Sure!"

The duck nodded as he walked over to the other crank and grabbed the bar. Together they started to move cranks up and down as the gates slid into the walls, revealing another small hallway that split in two directions, one door on the left and one on the right. Torches lit the small dim hallway. "Done" Donald said and looked at his friends. "Which way do we go?"

Sora put a hand under his chin in thought as he looked both ways, neither side showing anything to make one more appealing to the other. "I...guess right?" Sora said unsure as he wanted to avoid getting lost, but had no way of knowing which one led where.

Goofy nodded as he headed right with Donald behind him. A dark room greeted them. Donald summoned his staff and summoned a ball of fire to illuminate the room. The room was dusty and filled with cobwebs with old furniture. Goofy saw a two gates blocking another door. "What is this place?" Donald asked, seeing a suit of armor in the corner.

"Storage...?" Goofy suggested though he wasn't sure as he leaned against a bookshelf and felt it shift and nearly fell. 'Whoa!"

"A secret passage?" Sora guesses pushing the bookcase to reveal a new path they could take. "Okay guys, I guess we go this way since the gate is blocking the other door."

"Sweet!" Donald said grinning as he looked at the new path and entered the dark hallway, seeing stairs that led up. "Maybe we'll find Lanna and the others!" Goofy smiled and nodded. "That would be good!"

He followed after Donald up the stairs and down another hallway and up another row of stairs. Goofy panted lightly. "They sure do love their stairs!" he said, rubbing his legs as a door appeared at the end of the hallway. Donald pushed it open to reveal a room that looked familiar. The group had been this way before getting separated but there were a few Zealots around, murmuring.

"Alright, let's finish these guys quick and go find the others!" Sora said earning a nod from both Donald and Goofy as they ran toward the only door Sora, Donald, and Goofy never used. Attracting the zealots attention as they charged toward the heroes. One aiming a mace toward Sora who deflected it and slice in him two, before raising his keyblade to block a flaming arrow.

"Careful guys! They have two archers with them!" Sora called seeing them use a weird looking bow/gun hybrid weapon.

"Okay!"

Goofy raised his shield up, blocking an arrow and threw his shield, decapitating one Zealot and caught his shield. Donald sent out a blizzard spell at one of the archers, freezing it. Goofy's shield was sent flying, cracking the iced Zealot and killed it.

The second archer shot a flaming arrow at Sora.

Sora deflects the arrow and magic dashes to close the distance. Making the archer's eyes widen before he gets decapitated by Sora's keyblade. Taking a look around, he's glad to see there is no more enemies as he dismisses his keyblade. "That was a hassle," Sora said as he opens the door hoping it leads them to Lanna's group.

They would see the room where they had been separated. But there was evidence of a fight with dented walls, collapsed ceiling, and blood on the ground, it was fresh too.

"What happened here?" Goofy asked, stunned by the rooms new appearance and noticed the stairs was no longer barred. "They could have gone up there."

Donald nodded and frowned with worry. "Yeah...but...who's blood?" he asked and looked at his friends.

"I don't know...but there's a lot of bullet casings here too. Lanna's group must have run into trouble... Even Riku seems to have used a lot of power here." Sora said sensing the darkness on the scorched wall with a huge dent in it and burn marks on the edges of two walls. Most likely where a door used to be, Sora was shocked Riku used so much darkness for a door. Considering he was more than strong enough for a simple door...unless something serious happened that required such power, but what?