Chapter 60: Castle of Hollow Bastion
Ky, Noel, Elena, Ken, Max, Tails, Blaze, Shadow, Storm, Grace, Kiyo and Zatch, Lucky, T.J., Zuko, Sly, Bentley, Murray, and Lucas leave Gloam City and return to the space area while Sora, Donald, and Goofy return to their Gummi ship.
"I can't believe I lost Luke again…" Noel said.
"Don't worry, Noel. We'll get him and Ruby back." Elena said.
"That's right! Nothing's gonna stop us, and we'll make Odium pay for messing with you." Ky said.
"Thank you. All of you." Noel said.
As the group start to continue their journey they see Hollow Bastion that's now being covered with darkness.
"It's…Hollow Bastion!" Tails said.
"And it looks like it's covered in darkness!" Kiyo said.
"We'd better go see what's up!" Ky said.
Meanwhile in the Gummi ship Sora, Donald, and Goofy see Hollow Bastion being covered in darkness.
"Hollow Bastion's covered with darkness!" Goofy said.
"We'd better get over there, and see what's going on." Sora said.
"Ky, Noel, and the others are going there! Let's go after 'em!" Donald said.
The group go for the Hollow Bastion and Ky and Noel use their Keyblades to unleash their light trail and create the light portal and the group follow the light trail and go to the light portal while the Gummi ship enters Hollow Bastion.
(Hollow Bastion: Marketplace)
In the marketplace of the town of Hollow Bastion the light portal appears and Ky, Noel, Elena, Ken, Max, Tails, Blaze, Shadow, Storm, Grace, Kiyo and Zatch, Lucky, T.J., Zuko, Sly, Bentley, Murray, and Lucas fly out of the light portal before it disappears while Sora, Donald, and Goofy arrive at the marketplace and they look around but just then they see Soldier Heartless running across them and then disappear.
"Do you think…?" Sora asked
"Looks like there's more Heartless now." Goofy said.
Just then Dusk Nobodies slither around and leave.
"And now Nobodies are around." Zuko said.
"Let's go check in with everyone." Sora said.
"They might be at Merlin's house." Noel said and everyone nods.
(Field Theme: Reviving Hollow Bastion)
The group start moving through the marketplace to find Merlin's house and they run into Scrooge who licks his ice-cream.
"Ach! I was so close to recreating that flavor too…" Scrooge said and he sees the group. "What, lads and lasses? Leon and his friends are at the borough. Aye, Merlin's house." Scrooge said.
The group keep going and they later find someone leaning against a wall and it's a young man with spiky blond hair, blue eyes, wearing a black outfit with the right side being sleeveless while the left side is long sleeved, black gloves, black pants under the outfit, and black boots.
"Oh, Cloud!" Sora said.
"You know him too?" Ky asked.
"Yeah. Last time, we fought him, because he was hired by Hades." Sora said.
The young man named Cloud looks at the group and then at Ky, Noel, and their friends.
"Who are they?" Cloud asked.
"I'm Ky." Ky introduced.
"My name is Noel." Noel introduced.
"Elena." Elena introduced.
"Name's Ken." Ken introduced.
"I'm Max Goof." Max introduced.
"I'm Tails." Tails introduced.
"Blaze the Cat." Blaze introduced.
"Shadow the Hedgehog." Shadow introduced.
"I'm Kiyo Takamine." Kiyo introduced.
"Zatch Bell!" Zatch introduced.
"T.J." T.J. introduced.
"Zuko." Zuko introduced.
"Sly. Sly Cooper." Sly introduced.
"I'm Bentley." Bentley introduced.
"Murray." Murray introduced.
"And I'm Lucas." Lucas introduced.
"These are Storm the Pikachu and Lucky the Yoshi." Ky introduced Storm and Lucky.
"And this is Grace the Eevee." Noel introduced Grace.
Cloud looks at them each and then nods at them.
"So, whatcha doin'?" Donald asked.
"I'll get him, and this time, we settle it. Me, and the one, who embodies all the darkness in me." Cloud said.
"Aw, I thought you looked kinda different, Cloud." Donald said.
"If I do, it's his fault." Cloud said.
"Whose?" Sora asked.
"Sephiroth." Cloud answered. "Tell me if you see him." Cloud said.
"Okay." Sora said.
"What does this Sephiroth look like?" Ky asked.
"Silver hair, and carries a long sword." Cloud answered.
"We'll keep that in mind." Noel said.
"Well, be seeing you, Cloud." Sora said.
"Be careful. He messes with your head, and makes you think darkness is the only way." Cloud said.
"Sounds a lot like Zervik." Ky said.
"Or Rixla and Count Faust." Noel said.
"Is something wrong?" A voice asked and the group see Aerith who walks toward Cloud.
"It's nothing." Cloud said but Aerith looks closely at Cloud. "I don't want you involved." Cloud said.
"You mean you don't want me there when you go away again?" Aerith asked.
"I just…" Cloud stops talking. "Listen, even if I go far away, I'll come back." Cloud said.
"Do you mean it?" Aerith asked.
"Yeah…" Cloud answered.
"See? You don't look so sure. Well, okay, I understand. Go…get things settled." Aerith asked.
"Huh?" Cloud asked.
"No matter how far away you are…once you find your light…I'm sure it will lead you back here. Right?" Aerith asked.
"I suppose." Cloud answered.
"So, I'll stay…and I'll cheer for you… Okay, Cloud?" Aerith asked.
"Okay?" Cloud said as he walks away.
"Wonder if he'll be okay…" Aerith said.
"He'll be fine." Sora said.
"Yeah. I'm sure there's some light in him somewhere." Ky said.
"I doubt he'll be corrupted by darkness so easily." Noel said.
"You're right! By the way, everyone is waiting at Merlin's house. You should go there and see them." Aerith said.
"Got it." Sora said.
The group make their way for the borough.
(Hollow Bastion: Borough)
The group go through the borough and make their way for Merlin's house and later on they enter Merlin's house.
(Hollow Bastion: Merlin's House)
The group enter the house and find Cid and Yuffie and Cid is working on a computer and they turn to the group.
"Hey, fellas…you're just in time! Got some good news for ya, so get yerselves over to Leon's." Cid said.
"What kind of news?" Sora asked.
"We found the computer Ansem was using!" Yuffie answered.
"Oh, boy!" Donald said.
"Interesting." Bentley said.
"Yep, should be able to get all kinds of info on the Heartless, Black Xetis, the Organization, and the Brotherhood." Cid said.
"And maybe something on the dark realm too. It looks like that's where Riku and Kairi are." Sora said.
"Same for Nex and Griff, and Pax." Ky said.
"Also Luke." Noel said.
"And the King." Donald said.
"Maybe for Fulgur, Oswald, Sonic, Princess Peach, and Mario as well." Tails said.
"Go see for yerselves!" Cid said.
"It can't hurt!" Yuffie said.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked.
"Nothin'. Just get to the computer room through the castle postern. Watch your step!" Cid said and the group nod.
The group leave the house and go through the borough and later arrive at the bailey.
(Hollow Bastion: Bailey)
The group go through the bailey for the castle.
"Excuse me, are you with the Restoration Committee?" A voice asked.
The group turn around to see who asked the question and they see three floating females.
The first female has brown hair, wearing a white top, blue short skirt, light blue loin on the left side, yellow bands on her arms, blue boots, and a long cloth behind her.
The second female has blonde hair, wearing a yellow top, yellow belle sleeves, orange skirt, white boots, and a red and orange wings shaped scarf around her neck.
The third and last female has dark grey hair, wearing a black top, black shorts with a skull on it, pink belt over the black shorts, black boots, black gloves, and bat wings on her bat.
"What's Leon's gang up to?" The first female asked.
"What business is that of yours?!" Ken demanded.
"They've got stuff to do over by the castle postern." Sora said.
"We're on our way there." Ky said.
"Scoop!" The second female said.
"Huh?" Noel asked.
"Let's report." The third female said.
"To who?" Donald asked.
"Our leader, of course!" The first female answered.
"Yeah! You know, Mal…" The second female was cut off by the third female who puts her hand over the second female's mouth confusing the group.
"Don't mind her. I assure you, we come in peace." The third female said.
"You're joking." The first female said.
"Problem? Fine, you do the talking." The third female said as she vanishes.
"I'm so sorry!" The first female said as she vanishes.
The second female giggles and vanishes.
"What was that all about?" Elena asked.
"I have no idea, and I don't want to know." Shadow said.
"Let's just get over to the castle postern, and meet with Leon." Zuko said and everyone nods.
The group continue through the bailey and they later go for the next area.
(Hollow Bastion: Restoration Site)
The group arrive at a restoration site and keep going for the castle postern and they later arrive at the next area.
(Hollow Bastion: Postern)
The group arrive at the castle postern and they look around.
"Leon!" Sora called.
"Over here!" A voice called and the group see Aerith waving.
"You guys found Ansem's computer?" Sora asked.
"Uh-huh. The King was very interested in it." Aerith said.
"The King?!" Donald asked shocked.
"He's with Leon." Aerith said.
"We get to see the King!" Donald said excited.
"Hooray!" Goofy cheered.
"It's been a while…since last I saw him…" Max said.
"I have a feeling we'll finally meet him." Noel said.
"Yep." Ky said.
"Is Riku with them?" Sora asked.
"Also Nex or Pax? Or maybe Fulgur, Oswald, Sonic, Princess Peach, and Mario?" Ky asked but Aerith shakes her head.
"Oh…" Noel said.
"Well, at least I can ask the King about Riku." Sora said.
"This computer might also be able to tell us about something." Ky said.
"Good idea! They're right through there." Aerith said pointing at an entrance to the castle.
"Thank you, Aerith. We'll go there." Noel said.
The group go through the postern and go for the entrance into the castle and enter the castle.
(Hollow Bastion: Corridors)
The group arrive at the castle hallways and while exploring a blue creature is crawling up the ceiling but the group see nothing and go through the hallways and it's like a maze and they later find a door and go through it entering the next area.
(Hollow Bastion: Ansem's Study)
The group arrive at a study and while looking around they find a portrait with a man with silver hair in it.
"Ansem…" Sora said looking at the portrait.
"Gawrsh, I guess must be his room." Goofy said.
Ky looks at the portrait.
"So, THAT'S Ansem! The one who studied the Black Xetis and the Heartless, along with Aptus! Zervik's ally!" Ky said with hostility.
Flashback:
"Fool! You will never understand! Soon, our plan will be complete…including Ansem's task!" Zervik said.
"Ansem…? Wait, you mean the guy, who studied the Heartless and the Black Xetis along with Aptus?" Ky asked.
"Maybe. You won't be able to meet him." Zervik said.
Flashback End.
"I heard Ansem's name from Rixla. He, along with Zervik were responsible for how far Faust has fallen." Noel said.
"Sora, how evil was Ansem?" Ky asked.
"Oh, believe me, Ansem was a REALLY terrible person! He manipulated Riku into darkness, and tried destroying everything!" Sora said.
Flashback:
In Destiny Islands which is distorted a fourteen-year-old Sora, Donald, and Goofy confront a boy with semi-long silver hair and wearing a red and blue organic bodysuit and a white loincloth.
"Take a look at this tiny place. To the heart seeking freedom, this island is a prison, surrounded by water. And so this boy, sought to escape from his prison. He sought a way to cross over into other worlds, and he opened his heart to darkness." The boy said but a different form is revealed and it's a man with tan skin, long silver hair, yellow eyes, wearing black and grey armor, white gloves, white cloth around his waist, black pants, and a Heartless symbol on his chest and the man is Ansem.
"Riku!" Sora said.
"Don't bother! Your voice can no longer reach him where he is! His heart belongs again to darkness! All worlds begin in darkness, and also end. The heart is no different. Darkness sprouts within it, it grows, consumes it! Such as its nature. In the end, every heart returns to the darkness whence it came! You see, darkness is the heart's TRUE essence!" Ansem said.
"That's not true! Although the heart may be weak, and sometimes, it may even give in, but I've learned that deep down, there's a light that NEVER goes out!" Sora said.
"So you have come this far, and still you understand nothing! Every light must fade, every heart return to DARKNESS!" Ansem said as he summons a giant black creature behind him and attacks Sora, Donald, and Goofy.
Sora, Donald, and Goofy are now in a dark ethereal place.
"Behold the endless abyss! Within it lies the heart of all worlds: Kingdom Hearts! Look as hard as you are able, you'll not find even the smallest glimmer of light. From those dark depths, are all hearts born…even yours." Ansem said as a giant grotesque looking ship appears. "Darkness conquers ALL worlds!" Ansem said.
After an intense battle with Ansem he rises up and confronts Sora, Donald, and Goofy.
"It is futile. Your Keyblade alone can never hope to seal the door. Kingdom Hearts! Fill me with the power of darkness!" Ansem said as a large silver door slightly opens and reveals some dark mist. "Supreme darkness!" Ansem said.
"You're wrong! I know now, without a doubt…Kingdom Hearts…is LIGHT!" Sora yelled as a beam of light shines on Ansem making him gasp.
"…The…light…but…why…?" Ansem asked as the light makes Ansem disappear and destroys him.
Flashback End.
"Sounds like Ansem was very powerful enemy to defeat." Tails said.
"Yeah, but now we got the Organization and the Brotherhood to deal with. Also, you said Zervik and Rixla were powerful too, right?" Sora asked.
"Yeah." Ky said.
"So was Count Faust." Noel said.
"Hey, where's the King?" Donald asked.
"Hello?!" Sora called.
"Hey, you!" A voice called and the group see a woman with long black hair, wearing a sleeveless black top, black skirt, a black loincloth at the back, black shoes, and black gloves.
"Um, hello. Can we help you?" Zatch asked.
"Oh, don't mind me. I'm just looking for somebody. Have any of you seen a guy with spiky hair?" The woman asked.
The group look at Sora who pulls one of his spikes on his hair but the woman giggles.
"Spikier." The woman said but the group shake their heads. "I'll just have a look around." The woman said as she starts exploring the study with knocking on a wall, looking on a desk, reading some books, and then delivers a kick at the wall shocking the group. "Sorry to bother you." The woman said walking away.
"You weren't bothering us." Noel said and the woman is now gone.
"So, you made it." A voice said and the group see Leon leaning against a wall.
"Leon!" Sora said and Leon nods. "Isn't the King with you?" Sora asked but Leon shushes him.
"You'll see him soon enough." Leon said.
"Hey!" Donald yelled.
"Here, this should tide you over." Leon said as he places his hand on the wall making it disappear revealing a hallway. "Ansem's computer room." Leon said.
"Cool! Let's go in!" Ky said.
The group go through the hallway and they later find a computer.
"This is it! Where's Kairi? Where's Riku?" Sora asked messing around with the keyboard and then starts slamming it.
"Sora!" Bentley yelled.
"Easy! You wanna break it?" Leon asked.
"Oh, sorry. Guess I got a little carried away." Sora said.
"Maybe it'd be best if you leave this to me. I've had experience with computers before." Bentley said.
"Hey!" Goofy said pointing up and the group see the same blue creature on the ceiling.
The blue creature then drops down and lands on the keyboard.
"What the hell is that THING?!" Ken asked.
"Get offa there!" Donald yelled as he gets on the keyboard to grab the blue creature who laughs and gets away making Donald stomp around.
Just then an alarm goes off.
"What's that?" T.J. asked.
"Attention, current user. This is a warning. Further misuse of this terminal will result in immediate defensive action." A voice said.
"Who's there?" Sora asked.
"I am the Master Control Program. I over see this system." The voice said.
"Uh, where are you?" Ky asked.
Donald tries to get off the keyboard but then steps on the keyboard setting off the alarm again.
"Donald!" Everyone said at the same time while Leon face palms.
"I'm sorry!" Donald said.
"Decision gate reached. You are now under arrest." The voice said.
"A-Arrest?!" Noel asked shocked.
Just then something is glowing shocking Leon.
"Run!" Leon yelled.
"Guys! Look out!" Ky yelled as he shoves his friends out of the way.
The beam then gets Ky, Noel, Sora, Donald, and Goofy immobilizing them shocking everyone and then Ky, Noel, Sora, Donald, and Goofy are being digitized by the beam and are now gone.
"KY!" Elena cried.
"NOEL!" Lucas cried.
"What…just happened?" Sly asked.
"Oh, no! Something terrible has happened!" Kiyo said.
"Bentley! Tails! You two are the computer experts! DO SOMETHING!" Elena shouted shaking both Tails and Bentley.
"Okay, okay!" Bentley said as he goes for the computer and starts typing.
"Did ya find them?!" Max asked.
"I'm trying!" Bentley said but then the computer says 'Access Denied'.
"Not good. Now we don't know what's happened to them!" Tails said.
"Can't you try hacking, Bentley?" Sly asked.
"That's what I've been trying to do, but this computer is really tough for such an old dinosaur!" Bentley said.
"No…Ky…" Elena said as she kneels down and starts crying.
"Noel…" Ken said as he looks at the ground.
"I'm gonna keep trying, but this is gonna take a while!" Bentley said.
"I'll try and help too! We'll get them back, I promise!" Tails said.
There you go! New chapter done! I hope you enjoyed this! Well, that happened in Hollow Bastion, what will happen now? Next time, Ky, Noel, Sora, Donald, and Goofy end up in a different world, but they try to escape, and they try to find a password, and then the group meet someone, whom Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Max know. I'll see you all in the next chapter! Take care, and goodbye for now! Don't forget to favorite, follow, and review! Bye!