The Sapphire Sorceress

Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.

Act 69: Apprehension

"We didn't set out to be superheroes. But, sometimes, life doesn't go the way you planned. The good thing is, my brother wanted to help a lot of people. That's what we're gonna do!"

The Bridge To Marvels: Big Apple Square ( Auxaq's POV )

"In another great news story Hiro Hamada, his team, and Spider Man were able to save the people that were trapped inside of a burning building today. GoGo and Honey afterward were quested about being considered two popular side-kicks next to Hiro, and if they were considering fighting alongside other rising stars like and the newest Spider-Man prowling the streets."

"Man why do kids and teens have it easy with putting on colored spandex and saving the world like this!"

My ears could hear the conversation spark up with the attendants at this little bar I was hanging out in for the moment after dealing with some soldier heartless. Despite not having a real taste I had to pretend this coffee given to me was enjoyable to please the female attendant asking if I needed some cream which I refused. Would I still be unable to enjoy having a meal like this without relishing in the pleasures feelings can give while eating or drinking things like this? It couldn't be much longer, the losses of members only continued to increase ever since Sora has awakened.

'Now, it is done to Axel, myself, Xigbar, Saix, Luxord, and of course the Superior. We had to work together even more to survive the remaining ordeals that stand in the way of our grand goal.' This conflict was reaching its climax soon, and so it will come down to me fighting against that boy if he can find the pathway into our world through a portal of darkness. Still, I knew that if Sora has gotten this far it was only because of Roxas and Xion giving him the strength to overcome the power Xaldin possessed.

'It won't be enough to overcome Xemnas or even Saix, so no matter what comes next Sora will fail in defeating those two unless...no that can't happen.' There was no way I could lose them even if the chance of speaking to them again was slim to none. Was it selfish of me to want that? Kairi wouldn't want that certainly if she desires to see her friend once more and not my friends...

"At least we're still able to have decent business with people coming over to have some good old coffee like that girl even if she's wearing a strange hoodie."

"Well, she couldn't be that bad if she was hanging out with a bunch of heroes." That was correct, but that was with Roxas, Axel, and Xion. I haven't even gone after those people in spandex or metal suits of armor when I came here.

"Hmm...what's going on outside?" Hearing a few cars get tossed around I could see that there was some kind of disturbance taking place, and then I saw a metal pole crash through the window to this cafe.

"Everyone get down!" The owner of this establishment shouted while I merely continued drinking my coffee like nothing was even happening.

"What is up with that lady? She's acting like there isn't some kind of super villain causing trouble outside or something!"

"Well, to be honest, I don't know why that pole crashed through my window, but I will make sure the guilty party has to pay in fixing it!"

"What about her? She could be in trouble if she doesn't get down!"

I didn't know why they were concerned about my safety, but when I saw a huge mailbox coming flying into the building I piercing it with my magic, dropping it right back in the direction it came before it hit anyone here. Sighing, this beverage wouldn't be finished at the rate of this mayhem going on outside meaning I would need to figure out what exactly is going on.

"To think that such a villain could get his hands on that stuff Yokai was using...no Robert Callaghan. He shouldn't be considered a different person while he was hiding behind that spooky mask." Looking at this weird orb-shaped machine that was tearing apart sections of this town I couldn't help but overhead that woman screaming about this man called Robert, the man who according to Hiro was considered like a role man to that young inventor that fell into performing criminal activities.

"Look out! Listen to me stranger that machine is dangerous!"

Please! I'm more of a threat to you all than a machine following orders programmed into its system, and I quickly demonstrated the point by slamming this orb robot into the ground with some gravity magic before freezing it with a Blizarra spell around the limbs it was using to move around. True, the robot could fire off some laser blasts that could have hit me however my speed of movement was far too fast that this thing couldn't keep following me with its little monitor.

Stabbing the red visor with my keyblade to stop those lasers while removing the broken monitor allowing me to see the insides of this device along with where I should break it apart with my weapon before it could create more havoc.

"Wow! She clobbered that thing quicker than even The Thing would have said that line."

"She won't be able to help those heroes dealing with the other machines running around the city in time." Well, if there was trouble brewing in this city it might be in my best interest to learn more about these attacks.

"I don't know how Doc Ock could have gotten his hands on that kind of tech. If Spider-Man can't handle him this time perhaps that new Iron Man could try his hand out some big time hero work."

"Please! Hiro is still a junior hero compared to Tony Stark."

I can see this was going nowhere, so I decided to make my leave in order to find out further about this "Doc Ock" who sounded like a villain much like this Yokai had been a couple of months ago. Chances are the superheroes living here would know more about this scientist, but I knew Sora wouldn't be happy to see me here if he does come to a knocking in this world. Yes, I couldn't risk running into those heroes again with them asking about what happened to my friends or why Sora is going to come after me.

"Hmm, why don't I make some trouble of my own..." Rather than look for chaos creating in should bring the eyeballs over to me, that means trying to find the man behind such chaos to start off things here.

Using a portal I dispersed my nobodies into looking for any kind of news or information that could lead me to this "Doctor Octopus" as this newspaper dubbed the "Daily Bugle of Neo Osaka" breaking out of prison. The culprits were a group of men in Yokai masks were seen helping this mad scientist out of prison, but intrigued me was the details of this man beginning to use machines that were designed to rip out the hearts from people's bodies. Chances are this must be related to the Heartless.

'That witch and her dog must be helping out this man, Your Highness.'

"A good theory, but we don't know for sure what their relationship might actually be until I find this man." Looking at my lesser nobodies, the fact is we wouldn't be accepted by everyone here despite a previous reputation should people get attacked by the heartless. That is when I saw a few more of those orb-shaped robots moving down a street with people in their clutches likely going to whoever was controlling them.

"Hold on those people in those armored outfits look familiar..." I knew they weren't Iron Man or Spider-Man meaning they had to be Hiro Hamada and his team following these machines. Following them might take me right to who I'm trying to look for in this city, and not to mention learning if Sora has arrived or not here yet or not.

"We have to stop these guys before they hurt anyone else!" Hiro clearly had the same determination that Sora had while fighting me in all of those short battles of ours until now. While observing them from the rooftops I heard the white robot detect my presence despite hiding myself from those heroes running down through the alleyways after the robots who were heading into some kind of old mill area outside of the major city. The place seemingly was long since abandoned and out of use.

"Better let these kids handle things first instead of getting into a fight that I should avoid." Manipulate others into doing my own work is something Marluxia, Xaldin, and even Xemnas have tried making me realize but I could see why it would be beneficial to let somebodies handle things instead of yourself. After waiting a couple of minutes the sound of metal and explosives broke the silence of my boredom. My cue to spring into action or rather non-action, since I would be merely an observer of this battle.

"We have to go, Hiro! Baymax will be fine, but we can't stop this many on our own!"

"I can't leave him again, GoGo! Not after what I went through just to bring him back last time."

"We can still fight another time, so right now we should head back and regroup." Despite only being next to the mill's window I could hear the voices of those teenagers quite easily. Looking inside the 5 humans were being surrounded by all kinds of metal robots with more of those long tentacles reaching out to grab him.

"Tch...You better not let that freak mess with your systems, Baymax!" Observing the kids leaving I knew that now would be a good time to meet the doctor in person without anyone else showing up to get in the way.

"Intruder alert!"

A loud, female voice spoke out as I saw quite a few of those orbs come after me and this version actually had the symbol of the Heartless on their spheres indicating these were emblem heartless. They were trying to pry out my heart with these drills that were extending out of their metal limbs, so I pieced them instead with my Lore ability making a boost in my speed with Slowga making these drills easy to avoid. Shorting them out with lighting magic I knew that these automated beings of darkness will continue attacking me.

"Enough! I see another useless dolt has decided to show up. That worthless dog certain didn't bother telling me how troublesome using these beings was..." Looking up I saw a huge overweight man turning around in a chair revealing himself from where he was hiding in this mill. Seeing a couple of red beams come down at me I used a Reflect barrier to protect myself from harm. The beams were directed around to other spots in this place, and the man quickly pressed some buttons on his keyboard where he was sitting at, the machines suddenly no longer moving to attack me.

"Impressive, the contrast to those brats who claim to be heroes compared to someone like yourself is quite apparent with those skills."

Was he actually complimenting me? His face seemed displeased so I had to assume he wasn't that impressed by my talents, and I wondered how smart this doctor really was considering the computers that had all sorts of codes running across the monitors.

'Vexen would have a field day even if this man likely had a heart in his chest.' I titled my head when four metal limbs came out from his backside that seemingly, a sign of an octopus came into my mind while looking at this man raise his arms up in the air.

"You are looking at the glorious mind and body of Doctor Octavius!"

"Doc Ock? I believe that is what the public calls you instead..."

"Yes...if you wish to call me by that simpleton name invented by others. My true and proper name is only said by those who still appreciate me like my dear Anna." Anna, the female voice that alerted this man to my arrival was actually the A.I this doctor set up in this huge computer network along with serving as a personal attendant despite being a computer program.

"Huh? It's that nobody again! How did she get here?!" Pete?! Well, that must be how this ordinary man could gain control of the heartless if her personal lackey was here.

"As usual your help continues to become less reliable, I would be better of with that witch than dealing with you so go back to watching the production line." Watching the servant of Maleficent sulk before leaving the room was rather satisfying if I had the heart to enjoy such a sight.

"Now, with that dolt out of the way, I believe he referred to you as one of those nobodies that Maleficent explained to me when we formed our little alliance."

"You know about a nobody is, then you must also be aware of those other ones I work with," Glaring at his eyes I knew he would likely see me as some kind of test subject much like Vexen our own scientist. "Also why I might be here right now."

"Indeed, the bizarre nature of a nobody is both repulsive and intriguing to consider. I hope you don't mind if I keep you around for a little...studying." Nope. You can keep those tentacles where they are Doctor Octopus; I don't need a medical professional to tell me that you are nothing like a hospital doctor. Jumping up to avoid being grabbed by those metal limbs I pointed my weapon at this man to keep him from doing something foolish.

"I've come here to see the fruits of your research. The mechanical heartless can't be the only works you've built lately?"

The Bridge To Marvels: Krei Tech

I had my doubts about the "good" doctor's words, but if these rumors about this latest device were correct it could be the key to finally making Sora remember everything. Sure, the cost of a few more Oracle nobodies in the name of science wasn't an easy price to pay however the sacrifice would be worth it. From what Octavius told me Alistair Krei's latest product was the key to making my current goal under Xemnas' order possible: The Memory Maker.

"Don't screw this up like that worthless fool Pete! I've had to harvest so many hearts just to keep my own heartless functional."

"You make it sound like that apprehension is justified in dealing with me. Trust me I will get the job done without fail, doctor." Donning my hood to cover my face I knew that entry into this building wouldn't be easy. First, my alliance with Doctor Octopus would give me a distraction with his robots to keep the security busy. Next, I was given a few tips and tools in order to disable any security systems put into place with the device's location. Finally, once the helmet was in my hands I would head back to the mill with the doctor to wait for my intended target for this device.

'Those heroes might be the only issue that gets in the way...' I knew they would be surprised that I'm helping out a criminal like this, but this is merely a temporary partnership for myself. Moving through the hallways I could see quite a lot of people in business suits running around in pain due to the sudden attack of heartless machines below on the lower floors. Waiting for the people to head out of the room I moved closer to my destination with thoughts entering my head.

'People are in danger, so why am I not helping them like before?' Why am I not helping everyone downstairs...

'It doesn't matter right now! Sora has to learn the truth about himself before it is too late.' They would be fine as would everything else with the completion of Kingdom Hearts. Looking at the vault sealed away with a lock and a huge monitor on the lock I knew what must be done.

"You there! Stop!" After grabbing the device I heard the shouting of men in black uniforms, each of them holding some kind of weapon pointed at me.

"Fury gave us orders to stand by in case someone tried to cause more trouble, but you don't look like that escaped doctor or one of his new toys."

"How much do you enjoy having a heart?" They didn't understand my words, so I made it clear what I intended to do should they try destroying me by firing off a fire spell next to a desk table. Taking advantage of the distraction, my hands moved to take out the guns before they fired at me while knocking them back. With my goal near completion, I made my way downstairs running as quickly as my legs would move through the building. I knew the elevator wasn't the best option due to the security and several employees likely using it.

"Stop that girl! She has one of our pieces of equipment!" I knew that time was short here, so I made a jump down a few levels entrusting myself to the skills nobodies possess. Sure enough, Hiro, his friends, and a couple of other guys in spandex were here to stop the robots running wild.

"Guessing the doc must have hired a new sidekick." A feeling of stickiness came on my arm when I looked at this strange substance, the white strings were extending down to someone in a red and blue costume who was holding me down with this webbing. This must be that "friend" that girl Gwen had mentioned earlier during my first visit: Spider-Man.

"What's with the moody-looking hood? Are you a hidden villain that's coming back to haunt me? Another clone made by Miles?" Was he making light of this situation? As he kept firing off more of this webbing I cut the threads with my keyblade while keeping the helmet in my other hand, but I couldn't stop the last string from suddenly pulling the helmet out of my clutch.

"Wait a minute...that outfit!" That boy was looking at me, and I knew he would remember the outfits of nobodies.

"Hand over that helmet at once. I have to use it for someone." I made my case to these heroes, but the spiky-haired "Tony" looked at me with anger.

"If you're working with that doctor what have you done with Baymax! Tell me what's happening to him!"

"You mean that robot? I wish that I could tell you, but honestly, I only made this arrangement with him to get that device nothing more." Despite being sincere with my intention no one looked any happier about that.

"You're still just a petty criminal who needs to go to jail," He shouted while his friends pointed their weapons at me. "You don't have the right to steal what isn't yours no matter the reason or whoever you are!"

Upholding the law for the sake of justice, the nature of heroes reminded me even more of Sora when I looked at his spiky-hair that was a different color from that keybearer. I fired off some blasts of Blizzara in order to keep them unfocused to retake the stolen helmet, but I saw the face of someone I wasn't expecting to encounter here as I felt a blast on my back while I was focusing on Spider-Man instead of everyone else.

"I know this nobody, she's trying to mess with my head again!" The odds were against me even if most of the others were dealing with those robotic heartless, the whole reason for getting involved was now supported by other heroes and not to fight all of these people.

"Where is she! Tell me what have you done with Kairi!"

"And Baymax!" Before I could run away Sora had gotten in front of me, his keyblade connecting with mine while Hiro tried hitting me in the back with his foot.

"Careful junior! That suit isn't ready for super villain fighting yet."

"Now you tell me that, Tony?"

"You're supposed to be like my Japanese kid according to the papers. You should know I wouldn't trust you with the good suits until you got better at this hero business." Tony...he must have been the one who hit me earlier with that blast. I should repay him for that!

Moving out of the way of Hiro's attempt of grabbing me, the focus quickly turned to Sora who likely found out about this world with the keyhole that he either sealed or planned to once he was done fighting me.

"I'm going to make you tell me where you're hiding her!"

"Really, the funny thing is I'm actually glad to see you again. I don't have to bother with that doctor with you showing up like this..." Pushing him back I made my way down to Spider-Man to reclaim the tool needed to make Sora remember his other sides, but when I tried grabbing it he tossed it up into the air while blasting me with some more of this annoying webbing making it difficult to move.

"Now, to unveil the monster under the hood in nice Scooby-Doo fashion."

"Scooby-Doo?"

"You need to learn more about the 70's Hiro..."

"Cool! I love that show."

"Yeah umm, Frank?"

"Fred! Name's Fred Mr. Stark."

"Oh, right Frank."

The metal hand removed the hood covering my face while I tried escaping this webbing that was holding me still. Tony opened the metal mask covering his face to show his surprised look when he saw my face.

"Wait! You're that girl who helped us deal with those creatures and had a high ranking on my weird crap meter."

"Hello to you too, Tony." Sighing, I saw both Hiro and Sora come down to begin demanding answers from me from Baymax to Kairi, his screaming combined with Sora's shouting was getting under my skin rather quickly.

"Enough! I don't know what that man has planned with your robot, but Sora if you want to understand why I'm here use that helmet over there." I saw him look at the device in confusion, but I knew he would take the bait about remembering what he's forgotten.

"Want to know why the others call you a traitor, such answers are in your mind and all you must do is recall those moments you've forgotten."

"She's trying to trick you, Sora. If she pretending to help us earlier only to turn around and become a criminal who knows what else she could be lying about..."

"Pretending? I can assure you that my help was genuine." Hiro didn't believe me despite my voice sounding like I was trying to care.

"A heartless woman taking advantage of someone? Sounds like my last date." Ignoring Tony's quip I watched Sora look over at the device with interest, and like I expected he tried to get it out of Spider-Man's hold only for it to shatter when he grabbed and it slipped out of his hands. How could such an expensive piece of technology break like that?!

"Typical Krei Tech mold. Quantity over quality."

Was this entire trip a waste of my time? Would my only chance to see Roxas and Xion one last time get crushed like that flimsy device? Before I gave up, a sight of blue came into my vision that looked more duller than normal, Sora only had this expression when he began to remember things but why was he looking at me like this.

"Just...tell me where she is...I'll listen to whatever you're trying to say to me." Was he actually willing to hear me out on this? I couldn't even open my mouth before the other spiky haired teen began to demand that I tell him where his precious robot was, so I gave him a tip about the mill where I met Doctor Octopus in the first place.

"Alright. Time to pack her up for SHIELD's little holding cell. We need to be more ready for these guys in the future. Hopefully, my buddy Fury has built a good cage for someone like you darling." Were they going to roll me off to prison like a common criminal? Pfft. Not a chance...

"Hold on you shouldn't underestimate her, Tony." Tony? Sora has gotten chummy with this man, the surprise didn't end there when Spider-Man asked me how I knew about the "Non-Dead" Gwen's traveling watch along with helping out the other heroes when I came here before.

"It doesn't really matter why I decided to help you all out when it is clear we can't be friends, and after you, in particular, took away some of my friends!" It was a double meaning, but it was clear that despite how much Sora has improved since the start of this journey we would need to fight each other to truly determine who is right in the end.

"Why does it have to come to this?"

"You should know why, Roxas. Xion, the name doesn't matter anymore since everyone in the universe hates our kind for lacking a heart."

"Actually even without a heart, you look pretty attractive unless being without a heart makes you like a vampire."

Um...okay Tony. I don't know what my body temperature have to do with this conversation...

"You wish to free and find your own friends; I wish to wake my friends up from their sleep. Something has to give between you, me, and Kairi. I...will win this race no matter what!" Taking advantage of their guard is let down, the portal of darkness drew out some nobodies to assist me in dealing with this man heroes at once. Burning out of the webs I knew that it was time to make my leave before things got too chaotic here.

"What are you doing? We had a deal that you're clearly forgetting about!"

"It was a small arrangement, but if anything you should blame yourself for underestimates how breakable these devices really are, doctor." It didn't matter how many heartless he sent after me in retaliation they all were quickly destroyed with my keyblade in short order. Adding more to my total count, but Sora was still very much in the lead if anyone was keeping score.

"Come to my homeworld: The World That Never Was."

"Doesn't sound like our neck of the words, lady."

"Of course, but the invitation isn't for you costumed heroes rather your traveler from another world." Glaring at Sora I knew some part of him would know how to get there, but that would take some more time considering the troops currently stationed in Twilight Town giving me enough time for preparation for the last battles to come.

"She is your drive to continue fighting, so make the most of the power regardless if you can remember who you are or not! Everything you wish to protect including this world will be on the line very shortly..." I blocked a blast from Tony's armor while cutting down more of those webs that were heading my way.

"Perhaps Axel could be willing to help you remember, but the next time we meet...it will likely be for the last time. Be prepared and say farewell to those you care about..." Turning my back to the protests of everyone I knew no matter what I wanted to say, the truth was I had to finish this road I've gone down and not turn back. Time was right out for everyone including us nobodies. Either we lose all that we have left or regain what was stolen from us...

'The final battle once more will pit keyblades against each other over Kingdom Hearts.'

The World That Never Was: Soundless Prison ( Kairi's POV )

It was quite a bit since I saw anyone besides Saix to provide me food in order for me and Pluto to not starve. Reading the name tag on his collar I was happy to comfort the king's precious animal and friend, even if our situation hasn't changed for the better. No matter what I did with my keyblade, magic, and physical force the bars keeping me here wouldn't budge or move an inch. I hate this feeling of being useless like in the past...

'Sora must be fighting even more than ever outside while I'm stuck in a cage, in a way I'm back to where I was before this power of being a keyblade wielder was granted to myself.'

Giving this dog a pet on his head I was grateful for my only companion in this small room. I knew that something had to be done before it was too late to act. There must be something I can do, a way that I haven't considered to escape from this place...

"How's it been, red?"

Axel? Looking up I saw him with a plate of food, the usual grin of confidence was on his face as Pluto began to bark at him.

"You know better than anyone how it feels to be helpless, oh wait nobodies don't have feelings! How could I forget none of you could possibly understand what it means to be held captive!"

"Yeah...I kinda know someone who was in your shoes, and she knows about you quite well." She? His eyes suddenly downward like he knew something that I should know about, but he didn't want to say due to some kind of fear or concern.

"How is Sora, then? I'm sure you can at least tell me if my friend is okay..."

"He is well enough to take down Xaldin and continue saving other worlds. He even met that fake member who's been running around the universe." Really? Did he defeat one of these guys? I knew Sora was strong but to defeat a member of this group with just Goofy and Donald wasn't easy to pull off.

"Wait. Fake member?"

"Long story short, the cloaks we use got stolen and someone has been impersonating us since last year. That is how he or she got to Xion..."

Yes, so this must be Riku that he was talking about since when I saw him back on Destiny Islands he was actually in that black cloak. Riku and Sora did see each other again, but they couldn't really interact if my other friend was trying to stay away from the Organization. That is just...so unfair!

"You might want to save your strength by trying to escape if your friend can find our little castle soon. Soon, the goal boss man is trying to complete will be finished with Sora and Aqua's help."

"There must be a way to stop this! Whatever your leader wants can't be good for anyone even yourself!"

I know that despite every horrible act committed by these people, the whole reason for this conflict was simply due to the lack of hearts these people want to fix. I know that even without emotion someone like Axel could see that something terrible will happen if their leader gets his way. It was my last opportunity to escape and help out Sora in my own way, and Pluto shared my thoughts with a loud bark at Axel. Looking at the confused redhead, my eyes gleamed with sadness and despair should he turn away and ignore my plea for help.

"Tell me...what would you do if I let you out of this cage? Would freeing you lead to my own demise along with the other nobodies left..."

It could, but it might also lead to all of the worlds getting saved from whatever Xemnas plans to do with the universe thanks to that fake moon in this world's sky. Looking at Axel I knew he was pondering what to do and I only hoped he would give me time to explain my reasoning so that I could do my duty as a keyblade warrior of the light.

[ The tension is rising, but next time we see the final curtain fall on Axel in this story. Will he decide to help out Kairi or remain stubborn like Aqua and doom her to that prison she is stuck in? Next time we kick off the TWTNW part of KH2 and with that the beginning of the end. I want to say thanks to everyone who's stuck around for this story. It has been around 2 years since the beginning, however, I have gained a lot of support that kept me going with this whole thing, and for that, I'm grateful to everyone for reading and reviewing. BTW the payoff with the Marvel characters in this story will be realized soon. ]