CHAPTER 15.4: Sora's Chain Of Memories Part 4

[Open to Sora's Dive to the Heart]

[Play Kingdom Hearts 3 - Dive Into The Heart -Destati- Third Inception - Extended]

After what felt like an hour, their intense laughter from Sora's funny face special had finally died down. They then gather around the next memory frame to continue repairing Sora's memories. Upon close inspection, the group seemed perplexed at the interior of an unknown location. To them, it looked like a place of complex machinery. However, they also notice a large golden heart-shaped device attached to the wall.

Amity: Woah... What is that place?

Naminé: That is the Grand Hall. A room within the world of Hollow Bastion. It is there where Sora had gone to rescue Kairi, the princesses of heart, and came face to face with his friend, Riku, who at the time was unfortunately possessed by a villain.

Those words suddenly had Luz, and Eda's eyes widened.

Willow: Riku was possessed?

Gus: Freaky.

Amity approaches Naminé.

Amity: Let me guess, we gotta take down this Riku?

Naminé: *nods* Yes. To repair this memory, Riku must be defeated. Or rather, you must defeat the possessor.

Amity turns to Luz.

Amity: Are you ready?

Luz looks at Amity and the other nervously, unlike the previous. To her, this may be slightly more difficult than before. She has the feeling that Riku may be a tough customer to deal with but also has a disdainful feeling of the idea of having to fight one of Sora's friends, even if it was just a memory of him. Eda notices this and places her hand on top of Luz's head.

Eda: Kid, do you wanna sit this one out?

Suddenly hearing Eda's question to her, Luz looks up to Eda and shakes her head.

Luz: No. I... I can do this.

Luz then turns to Naminé.

Luz: We're ready.

As the group approaches the memory frame. Naminé stops them with a warning.

Naminé: I advise caution when facing Riku. Unlike previous battles, you will be fighting a well-trained combatant who is quite formidable. Therefore, I advise those with lesser combat experience to stay back and provide distance attacks.

Eda: That right? Alright, Gus, Willow, you stay back. Luz, Amity, and I are on the front lines.

[End Kingdom Hearts 3 - Dive Into The Heart -Destati- Third Inception - Extended]

Willow and Gus were slightly offended by the insinuation of being weaker than the others but went along with it anyway. The group gathers around and enters through the memory frame and immediately appears within the center of the Grand Hall. The group took in the scenery and noticed machines that felt entirely alien for everyone aside from Luz.

Luz: Looks like a scientist's lair.

Eda: I'm getting creepy vibes from this place.

Gus: Guys! Look!

The group gathers and sees the heart-shaped gateway. In front of it stands Riku with a sinister smile and a black Keyblade on hand. He is seen wearing a form-fitting bodysuit that appears to be made of black muscle tissue. The black fades to red around the wrists and comes with purple gloves tucked under the suit. The suit has a purple-blue color on the chest and part of the torso with the Heartless emblem on the chest, but without the spiked bars crossing it. It has purple feet and shins that fade into black legs. It has a dark purple belt and a cloth around his waist, opening in the front. The cloth is an off-white color that fades into dark purple and is ripped all-around at the bottom.

Luz: *gasp* Riku...

Amity: So, this is Riku.

Amity appeared to feel nervous seeing Riku.

Amity: ...Uh, he looks unnaturally evil.

Eda: Well, Naminé did say he was possessed at that time.

Willow: Uh, guys? Look! He has a Keyblade too!

Gus: I thought Sora was the only one who had one at the time

The group notice said keyblade. Upon closer look, it has a simple design of red and black, yet it looks similar to Sora's, with its teeth forming the outline of a heart. And to the group, it gives off a dark vibe.

Naminé: That is the Keyblade of People's Hearts. A Keyblade specifically designed for the plan by the possessor. You'll learn about it later, but we must not delay. He must be defeated.

Eda: Right. Remember the plan. Gus and Willow provide distance. Luz, Amity, and I are on the front lines.

Teens: Right!

Eda: I'll go first!

[Play Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMix -Forze Del Male- Extended]

Eda creates a large spell circle to shoot out multiple lightning bolts. Luz throws three fire glyph cards, and Amity summons an Abomination to attack Riku head-on. But their efforts were in vain as Riku effortlessly dodged each of their attacks.

Luz: Ah!

Eda: What the?!

Amity: No way!

Naminé: Beware! He's preparing one of his strongest techniques!

Riku winds his keyblade and performs a horizontal slash motion to unleash a dark energy wave at Eda, Amity, and Luz, hitting them and knocking them back. The three land on their backs, groaning in pain.

Amity: Ugh. Tougher than he looks.

Eda: Naminé, what was that?

Naminé: Dark Hand Vertical Swing. He performs a horizontal swinging motion to unleash a dark energy wave by gathering energy.

Luz: Ugh. Noted.

Surprised to see them like that, Willow and Gus immediately took action.

Willow: Gus! Let's go!

Gus: Ok!

Gus summons an illusion construct to punch Riku, but Riku slashes the construct in half and rushes towards Gus for a strike. But before Gus gets hit, Willow summons thorned vines to restrain Riku. But, Riku slices each vine one by one.

Willow: Shoot!

Naminé: Beware his Dark Hand Helm Split!

Willow: His what?!

Riku leaped into the air and plunged his Keyblade of People's Hearts into the ground, and unleashed several columns of dark flames across the field, hitting Gus and Willow. Eda, Luz, and Amity get up and are shocked to see Willow and Gus on the floor, groaning in pain.

Luz: Willow! Gus!

Luz ran towards them and knelt.

Luz: Are you ok?

Willow: Yeah, just to need rest.

Gus: I'll live.

Eda, Luz, and Amity turn to Riku with a glare. They see him staring back with a sinister smirk.

Riku: Well, what now?

Hearing that shocked everyone, as they never expected a memory of someone to speak to them.

Luz: Did he just... talk to us?

Naminé: No. What Riku was saying were merely the memories of Sora. Those taunts we're what Riku said to him during their battle.

Luz: Ok. That would be kinda freaky if he really was talking to us.

That being said, the more Luz looks at Riku. She can't help but think more about that "what if" scenario. But shrugged it off to continue the fight.

Luz: Come on! Let's try it again!

Riku: Come!

Luz summons an ice glyph to create an ice pillar, but she has shaped the ice pillar into a sword, to everyone's surprise. Luz kicks the bottom base of her creation and grabs the sword on hand but begins to feel the cold.

Luz: Ooh! Cold. But not too cold.

Eda: What the heck?! Luz, where'd you learn to do that?

Luz: Sora taught it to me.

Amity's eyes widened.

Amity: Really?

Eda: Huh. And I'm guessing he also taught you how to use swords.

Luz: Not actual swords. But he did teach a little bit of his fighting style.

Eda: I've got a lot to ask you. But first, let's deal with this guy.

Luz: I'll go first!

Luz gets into a stance similar to Sora's and rushes towards Riku. The two clash with Luz's ice sword seemingly intact. The two swung their swords at one another, constantly clashing with neither one gaining the edge until Riku jumped backward and dashes forward, jabbing his Keyblade towards Luz. Luz gasps and raises her sword to block the incoming attack, but it is useless, and her ice sword is shattered into pieces. Luz became shocked as Riku prepared to jab his Keyblade towards Luz. Still, fortunately, Amity saved Luz at the last minute by summoning her abomination to block Riku's attack. Luz sighed in relief that she was unhurt.

Luz: Thanks, Amity.

Amity: You're welcome.

Eda: Kid, don't try that again! Just keep shooting fire!

Riku: Welcome oblivion!

Riku winds his keyblade and prepares his Dark Hand Vertical Swing attack again.

Naminé: Beware! His Dark Hand Vertical Swing attack is coming! Eda, create a barrier!

Eda: Don't have to tell me twice! Kids! Behind me!

Luz and Amity ran behind Eda, and Eda successfully created a magic barrier at the last minute, blocking Riku's attack. Seeing this, Riku chuckles a bit. That irritates Eda, causing her left eye to twitch a bit.

Eda: Cocky, are we? Try handling this!

Eda creates a large spell circle and unleashes a fireball.

Naminé: Eda! Wait!

But it was too late because, much to everyone's surprise, not only does Riku catch it, but he begins to charge a lot of dark magic in his left hand.

Riku: Foolish...

Riku fire a dark fireball right at Eda, which she successfully blocks with a magic barrier.

Eda: What the?! He just threw that back at me!

Naminé: I was trying to warn you. Fire magic is useless against Riku in this state. He can simply redirect it back by adding dark magic, thus creating Dark Firaga.

Luz: Shoot! That means my fire glyphs are useless!

Riku: Pitiful.

Luz angrily turns to Riku.

Luz: Pitiful? I'll show you pitiful!

Luz activates two light glyph cards simultaneously and combines them to shoot out a large light sphere at Riku, which he deflects.

Riku: *smirking* Is that it?

Luz returns the smirk.

Luz: Not quite...

Riku was suddenly dealt a heavy blow to his body by an ice pillar discreetly activated by one of Luz's ice glyph cards. The group sees Riku groaning in pain as he clenches his stomach on one knee.

Luz: Take that!

Eda: Alright, Luz!

Amity: Not so confident now, huh?

Willow/Gus: Yes!

However, things got worse for the group as Riku gave off a small sadistic laugh and began to float off the ground in place, encasing himself with dark magic. Seeing this sends chills down everyone's spines.

Willow: Uhhhhh, what's happening?!

Naminé: Eda! Quickly! Gather everyone and create a strong barrier!

Eda: Kids!

The teens gather behind Eda, and she creates an even stronger barrier.

Eda: Naminé! What's happening?!

Naminé: It's his strongest attack. Dark Aura. This technique allows him to rush at you with his Keyblade repeatedly from all directions, finishing by plunging it into the ground and releasing columns of dark energy radially.

Riku: Behold the power of darkness!

Naminé: Brace yourselves! If you can hold out his attack, you'll have an opening!

Eda: Willow, Amity, Gus! when I give the word, trap him! Luz! Create a large light spell with me! We'll fry him that way!

Teens: Got it!

Naminé: Here he comes!

With sadistic laughter, Riku suddenly rushes towards the group, who was encased by Eda's barrier, and begins his attack. Riku, repeatedly from all directions, began trying to break Eda's barrier by piercing it with the Keyblade's tip. Swinging harder than the last time each.

Willow: Argh! How strong is he?!

Eda: Grrr! I'm... starting to lose my grip!

Luz: Just a bit longer, Eda!

Riku continues to do his piercing strike until he finishes his attack by plunging his Keyblade into the ground and releasing columns of dark energy radially. With all her strength, Eda keeps the barrier intact until Riku's attack is finished. Then, the minute she sees an opening, she lets down the barrier.

Eda: NOW!

Willow, Amity, and Gus rushed forward, summoning thorned vines, a large abomination, and an illusion construct to hold Riku down. Riku began building up dark magic in hopes of escaping.

Amity: We can't hold him forever!

Eda: Luz!

Luz: On it!

Luz activates five-light glyph cards, and Eda creates an even larger spell circle and creates a large light sphere, while Luz shoots her five-light spheres at Eda's, fusing the lights to make it even bigger.

Eda: Game over!

Eda uses the combined light sphere to unleash a light beam directly at Riku. The beam consumes him, and at that moment, everyone was blinded by white light and found themselves back at Sora's Dive to the Heart with Naminé.

[End Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMix -Forze Del Male- Extended]

[Play Kingdom Hearts 3 - Dive Into The Heart -Destati- Third Inception - Extended]

Naminé: You did it! The memory is repaired.

The group collapsed to the ground and took deep breaths.

Eda: Phew, that kid was tough.

Luz: No kidding. He just mopped the floor with us at the beginning.

Amity: *sigh*

Willow: Still feeling a bit sore.

Gus: Let's rest for a bit.

After resting, the group was ready to watch the memory play out.

Naminé: Are you ready?

The group nods in agreement.

Naminé: Very well, but I must warn you before you watch. It'll be difficult for you to see this memory through to the end.

Willow: What do you mean?

Naminé: ...See for yourself.

[End Kingdom Hearts 3 - Dive Into The Heart -Destati- Third Inception - Extended]

The group gathers around the memory frame and watches it unfold. The memory shows Sora, Donald, and Goofy running up the stairs towards the platform where the group had their battle with Riku. Sora and Donald notice that Goofy can't go with them upon arrival due to a forcefield blocking him. Before anything else, Sora notices Luz on the floor.

Sora: Luz!

Sora runs towards her and kneels, trying to wake her up.

Sora: Luz! Luz! Open your eyes!

The group becomes shocked seeing this, especially Luz.

Luz: *shuddering* Ok, this is starting to freak me out. What happened to Kairi?

?: It's no use.

Sora looks up and sees Riku.

Riku: That girl has lost her heart. She cannot wake up.

Sora stands.

Sora: What? You... you're not Riku.

Riku slowly descends to a staircase in front of Sora.

Riku: The Keyhole cannot be completed so long as the last Princess of Heart still sleeps.

The group was baffled at what Riku was talking about, except for Luz and Eda, who remembered Sora's story.

Amity: Wait. Princesses of Heart? Keyhole? Lost her Heart? Can someone please explain?

Luz turns to Amity.

Luz: From What Sora has told Eda and me...

[Cue flashback]

[Sora: The three of us traveled to lots of worlds, saving them from the heartless. But, as we were doing that, we learned that a group of villains had planned to take over their worlds.

Eda gave off a stern look.

Luz: These villains... who were they?

Sora: The leader at the time is named Maleficent; The Mistress of Evil. Her followers were Hades; Lord of the Dead, Jafar; The Scourge of Agrabah, Ursula; The Sea Witch, Captain Hook; Captain of The Jolly Rodger, and Oogie Boogie; The Boogyman.

Luz: How were they gonna do that?

Sora: By capturing the Princesses of Heart.

Luz: Princesses of Heart?

Sora: Yeah, among all the worlds I've visited, seven of them had maidens with the purest of hearts. Not even the slightest touch of darkness. Once they were all gathered, they held the power to open a door that leads to the heart of all worlds.

Luz: Wow.

Sora: Surprisingly, among the seven, my friend Kairi is one of them.

Luz/Eda: Kairi is a princess?!

Sora: Yeah. It was in another world called Hollow Bastion. My friend Riku, who a villain possessed at the time, told me all about it.]

Willow: So, Sora saved princesses who pretty much have powers to keep the darkness at bay?

Luz: Yup.

Amity: And this Keyhole?

Luz looked nervous.

Luz: Well...

[Cue flashback]

[Eda: Wait. If the heartless are from another world entirely, how exactly did they get here?

Sora: Through the Keyhole.

Eda/Luz: Keyhole?

Sora: Yeah. Every world among the stars has a Keyhole. And each one leads to the heart of said world—basically, a gateway.

Luz: Which means...

Eda: There's one here somewhere.

Sora: Yeah. The heartless come through the Keyhole to find their way to the world's core. Once they find it, they devour it, and the devoured world will be sent to the Realm of Darkness, where it will be lost and trapped, along with the inhabitants.

Eda, Luz, and King's eyes widened in shock.

Luz: You mean we'll all be trapped in darkness forever?!

Sora: Not as long as I stop them by closing the Keyhole.

Eda: Well, you better. I have a lot to live for; I'll have you know.

Luz/King: So do we!]

Amity, Willow, and Gus were horrified at what they had just heard.

Amity: You mean to tell those Heartless have that much power to destroy our entire world?!

Luz: Yeeaaahhh... BUT! It's gonna be ok. As long as Sora finds the Keyhole and fights the Heartless off. We'll be fine. *chuckling*

Willow: Well... I have faith in Sora. From the sounds of it, he's done this before, right?

Gus: Y-yeah. He'll save us.

Luz: Right. Let's keep watching the memory.

Riku continues to descend.

Sora: The princess...? Luz's a princess?

Riku lands.

Riku: Yes, and without her power, the Keyhole will remain incomplete. It is time she awakened.

Sora: Whoever you are, let Riku go! Give him back his heart!

Riku: But first, you must give the princess back her heart.

Riku points his Keyblade towards Sora, which causes him to clench his chest and kneel down. Donald becomes shocked.

Donald: Sora!

Sora: What's-

Riku walks down the stairs.

Riku: Don't you see yet? The princess's heart is responding. It has been there all along. Luz's heart rests within you!

Sora: Luz... Luz's inside me?

Riku: I know all that there is to know.

Sora: Tell me. Who are you?

Riku: It is I, Ansem, The Seeker of Darkness.

The group had a reaction to that name.

Amity: Sounds like some cliche villain from a fantasy story.

Willow: I'm personally a little scared right now.

Gus: Me too.

Luz and Eda thought back to Sora's story.

[Cue flashback]

[Sora: Yeah. It was in another world called Hollow Bastion. My friend Riku, who a villain possessed at the time, told me all about it.

Luz: Woah.

Eda: This villain... who or what was he?

Sora: He called himself: Ansem, The Seeker of Darkness.

Luz shuddered a bit after hearing that name.

Eda looked stern.]

Ansem walked towards Sora, but Donald rushed towards him to attack. Unfortunately, Ansem knocked him away and out of the platform with his left hand. Then, as Ansem approached Sora, he pointed his Keyblade directly at Sora.

Ansem: So, I shall release you now, princess. Complete the Keyhole with your power. Open the door, lead me to everlasting darkness!

Ansem raises his Keyblade to strike Sora. Sora summons his Keyblade to block Ansem's attack just as he is about to.

Sora: Forget it!

Sora pushes Ansem backward.

Sora: There's no way you're taking Luz's heart!

The group cheered for Sora upon seeing that.

Luz: Alright, Sora!

Eda: Kick that Ansem's hide!

Amity folds her arms with a smirk.

Amity: Oh, this'll be good.

Willow: Go get him!

Gus: Yeah!

After the battle between Sora and Ansem, which highly impressed the group due to Sora's technique and reflexes despite Ansem's strength, they see that Ansem disappears in a puff of dark magic, dropping his Keyblade.

Sora: Riku!

Sora runs towards the Keyblade.

Donald: Sora! Sora, look!

Goofy: The... the Keyhole!

Sora walks towards Donald and Goofy, standing in front of the Keyhole. Sora uses his Keyblade in hopes of sealing the Keyhole but to no avail.

Goofy: It won't work! The Keyhole's not finished yet!

Sora de-summons his Keyblade.

Sora: What can we do?

Goofy: Maybe we've gotta go wake Luz up.

Sora: I think you're right.

Sora turns around to see Luz.

Sora: If we can free her heart... But... but how?

Sora then notices Ansem's Keyblade.

Sora: A Keyblade that unlocks people's hearts... I wonder.

Sora then walks towards Ansem's Keyblade.

Goofy: Sora?

As Sora approached the Keyblade, he picked Ansem's Keyblade and stared at it intently with an idea he thought of.

Goofy: Sora, hold on!

Donald: No, wait!

Donald and Goofy's desperate pleas, Sora did not listen as he turned to the two and gave a smile. Seeing this fills the group with concern.

Gus: Uhhh...

Willow: What's he doing?

Amity: I'm starting to feel freaked out.

Luz's and Eda's eyes widen in fear, for they figured out what he's planning thanks to his story.

Eda: *gasp*

Luz covered her mouth with her hands.

Luz: No... no-no-no.

[Play Sora's Sacrifice]

And then, much to everyone's horror, Sora pierces himself with the Keyblade of People's Hearts left in Ansem's wake. Sora's chest started glowing as Ansem's Keyblade engulfed itself with dark magic and completely disappeared, releasing all of the princesses' hearts. The group, still in shock, watched as the hearts made their way back to the Princesses. They see Sora standing in place, motionless, as Luz's heart (actually being Kairi's) returned to her, allowing her to wake up. Just as the group thought this couldn't be more jarring, they see Sora opens his eyes and close them again, with a smile, and begins to fall backward, keeping his smile. Donald ran towards Sora, hoping to do something to save him.

Donald: Sora... SORA!

The group showed their reactions to that particular moment, with Gus starting to look sad, Willow beginning to tear up, not wanting to see anymore, but couldn't turn away, Amity gritting her teeth with a mixture of shock and sadness in her eyes, Eda tried to close her eyes and turn her head away from the memory. However, she kept watching with one eye open, and Luz allowed her tears to fall while still covering her mouth with her hands. Finally, they see Luz fully regain consciousness upon the memory to see Sora falling backward.

Luz: Sora!

Luz ran towards Sora in hopes of catching him. Still, it was futile as Sora disappeared into specks of light, flying towards the dark ceiling. Luz just stood there in shock with her arms out. Finally, Donald then yelled out for Sora.

Donald: Sora! Come back, Sora!

[End Sora's Sacrifice]

[Play Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Roxas- Extended]

That is where the memory ends. The group has shown their reaction after witnessing what had just occurred. Gus just stood there, completely saddened. Willow fell to her knees and started to whimper with tears, holding back to cry. Amity just stood in complete horror. Her pupils shrunk. She thought to herself, how could someone be willing to sacrifice himself to save others, or how could Sora have so much bravery to do so. Eda also stood there in complete shock. Her pupils have shrunk. She lowers her head to obscure her face and grits her teeth, finally turning away from the others, clenching her fists with her body starting to shake. Lastly, Luz had fallen to her knees and couldn't hold back her tears and started to cry. The others noticed this and hurried over to Luz to comfort her. Naminé lowers her head. Despite having seen this memory before, it still saddens her and shows a sympathetic look towards the group. The group continued to comfort one another for a while and wanted to fully process everything before they were ready to proceed further.

[End Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Roxas- Extended]