Author's Notes: Hey there everyone, back again after several months. Apologies but I had many other things to deal with during that time. So... the main story is now moving forward quickly. One thing to note, is that Cecelia's adventures in my spin-off don't coincide with the main plot, but... there is some significant developments on that side. Most notably the dealings with temporal flow across the realms. Cecelia's Search actually encompasses years of adventures (due to the way time flows differently in other realms), so this means - even though Cecelia has only been gone for a few months (Matris Cordis Time), she has actually been roaming the realms for years (Cecelia's Search Time). So... technically Cecelia is way older during this part than she's letting on. This also opens up a wider range of storylines for me to explore - like potential crossovers with my other stories. Also... I am planning on making a YT channel dedicated to making comics/motion comics/animatics and animations (2D/3D) - and the stories I write here, will inspire those. Look forward to that in the futre.

Now, on to the story.

[KH is owned by Disney, Made by Square Enix. The OCs and events are my own]

The Starlit Tower

The Lanes Between

Cecelia and her new companion, Terra (or rather Terra's Armour) made their way through the near endless expanse of the Lanes Between aka. Interstellar Space. Cecelia occassionally looked back to see if Terra was still following her. He (or it?) was, and that was a relief.

A few minutes passed, as Cecelia collected her thoughts. She had found one of the three missing students of her old friend Eraqus, and it was pure luck that she did. Well, maybe not luck, since she never believed in that. Likely it was something or someone else, that intervened to get her to Terra's location. Made very clear by the "ping" I received while resting in Paris.

((Whooosh))

((Whirl))

"Terra, we'll be heading towards the Mysterious Tower, Master Yen Sid's realm. Are you fine with that arrangement?"

Cecelia looked behind her, and Terra nodded his approval.

"Excellent. I'll plug in the heading."

Tap, Tap, Beep, Click

"I've linked my Glider's Locator and Positioning System (GLPS) to yours, so we'll both be heading in sync to the Tower."

'I didn't know you could do that?'

"Strange, I was told you had all but completed your training – or was I mistaken?"

'...sorry Master...'

"Not your fault. Besides, depending on how this info was delivered, it likely sounded too boring for you right?"

'...probably...'

Well, looks like small talk is beyond him right now...sigh.

"Anyway, once I punch in the coordinates, a warp point will open, and we can use that to get to my Master's realm. You ready?"

She didn't wait for his reply, as her Glider released an energy beam, opening up a portal to the Mysterious Tower. A special portal only known to her and her Master (because they created the warp point).

"Here...

we...

Go!"

The Mysterious Tower

The Great Sorcerer and Master of what many call 'The Mysterious Tower' – Yen Sid, was seated by his study desk, taking a whiff of his old pipe (and blowing out the inhaled smoke), while mulling over the past.

'Such a shame Xehanort let his ego flourish, at the expense of the newest generation of keyblade wielders. And to think he was the best of our generation, touted as a genius that only arrived once in a few generations...'

Yen Sid, closed his eyes remembering the faces of his young compatriots who fought and lost so much, due to his old comrade's machinations. A small tear formed from his right eye, as his own heart ached. A rare sight (if anyone was watching), as Yen Sid scarcely revealed his true emotions – opting instead to convey his intent through measured words and actions.

'My old apprentices...Cecelia and Mickey. I do wonder how you two are? You are the last known True Keyblade Masters in the World.'

While Yen Sid was indeed a Keyblade Master, he had since retired his position, after training two apprentices worthy of the title. 'Once I had trained them both, I knew I could retire and leave the next generation to them.'

Cecelia – was his first apprentice, and one with incredible power and skill (rivaling that of Xehanort). Like Xehanort, she even struggled with the Darkness within, but had mastered it to such a degree, that Yen Sid could confidently say, she would never be consumed by it. An incredibly rare skill, and one Yen Sid hoped she would be able to teach the next generation. She was (is) a rather serious individual (though she had her lighter moments), and incredibly studious. She took to research and laboratory work, creating gadgets and gizmos that aided her when she traversed the worlds. However, she never neglected her keyblade artes – developing powerful combat techniques.

Mickey (or rather King Mickey Mouse) – was his second apprentice. Unlike Cecelia, he... sigh ... routinely disregarded Yen Sid's sage advice. He was young and brash, and looked to prove himself capable of leading his people. However, his heart never wavered, and he always kept true to himself, which were defining qualities that made him worthy of a Keyblade. It took years, and A LOT of extra scolding from his 'senior' Cecelia (when she was at the Tower) for him to truly come into his own. Light is his go-to magical element, though he would eventually master the basic types of water, earth, air and fire.

Eventually Cecelia had settled on a world with her husband and soon-to-be born child. While Mickey had gone back to his land to take his place as reigning monarch.

The last I heard from Cecelia was...

One of his magical alerts blared as a certain portal was opened.

It cannot be...

As if his own thoughts about his apprentice, had suddenly materialised her from thin air, Cecelia zoomed out of the secret portal (that they jointly created). Following her was another Keyblade Glider – one he recognised as...

Cecelia's Arrival at the Mysterious Tower

Cecelia had arrived at Yen Sid's own personal realm. She immediately saw her Master's Tower (with its accompanying island), in the middle of a magical void of twinkling stardust. Purples, blues, bright whites and golds. The Mysterious Tower would always fascinate those who stepped into its borders.

Nostalgia immediately hit her, as she reminisced over the many years she spent here.

Looks exactly the same, as last I left. Even the little 'road to nowhere' pathway!

She focused in on said pathway, and made her approach. It was the best landing spot for keyblade gliders.

Voooohhhm...

Fwish!

Cecelia gently landed her glider, on the grassy outcrop – before disembarking her glider. Looking into the sky above, the Keyblade Master, saw her armoured friend hovering in place.

Cecelia signalled him to land by her own glider, and he obliged.

"Okay...well best we go and see Master Yen Sid. I should have the right spell to bypass the many traps..."

However, before she could begin to ruffle in her storage (which also counted as earrings), her old Master appeared (magically) right in front of her and Terra.

"Master Yen Sid. It's so good to see you!"

"...And you as well... Master Cecelia." Her joy at seeing her old Master, turned into shock at seeing the normally stoic man, with so much emotion in his presence.

"M-Master?" The younger Master edged slowly towards her former teacher, worried about his demeanour. A tear was shed from the elderly (former) Master.

"...it...is good to see you again Cecelia." His sorrowful features made Cecelia even more worried. "What's... wrong Yen Sid? Why are you...?"

This is not how he usually acts. What's happened while I've been gone?

And she was right. She had been gone for decades from the Mysterious Tower, with her last interaction being sombre news about Eraqus' students. For Yen Sid, his heart weighed heavier each passing year, as he internalised the failures of his generation of keyblade wielders. Especially of myself and Xehanort.

"..."

During this exchange, the Armoured Being formerly known as Terra, listened intently, but also peered across the world. It had been more than 10 years since he had been here.

This is still such a strange realm. Never knew a Keyblade Master could create something like this.

"...yes, well... it's good to see you Cecelia, especially after what happened to our young friends."

Oh, now I see. He's...

She walked right up to her former teacher, and gave him a hug. This surprised the elderly Master, but he reciprocated all the same.

"It's okay Master, I'm here now and we can start to make things right."

Yen Sid's Tower – Magician's Study

"...so that's what's been happening on my end Master."

"I figured as much. You plan things out so meticulously Cecelia, that only a truly dire situation would make you lose contact like that."

Yen Sid contemplated the situation, closing his eyes, stroking his beard. Humming to himself.

"Indeed it was. I-I can't quite understand it, I placed suitable, strong protections across the Islands, and yet they still managed to invade my home...seems to me like they were directed and if that's the case..." she narrows her eyes, "if that's the case then there is intelligence behind the Heartless."

"Yes I feel that too, remember what happened with Xehanort?"

"That traitor..." Cecelia growled. She'd never forget (or forgive) the elderly keyblade wielders atrocities.

The former Terra – The Lingering Will clenched his gloved hand, and clanks could be heard from the armour.

Yen Sid took a puff from his pipe and blew out some steam.

"Yes... I sense that he has something to do with this resurgence of the Heartless across the worlds."

Cecelia was shocked by this revelation, "how?! How did he survive against Master Aqua?"

'Aqua...'

Yen Sid stroked his beard, "I... do not know. I suspect he used a means out of his control, hence why he's only started to act now."

Cecelia mulled over the situation and realised that her Master was probably right. It had been 10 years since her conversation with Aqua. 10 years since she saw the young Keyblade Master. And if neither her or Xehanort had returned during that time, 'then at least... Aqua was successful at delaying him.'

The conversation moved on to other topics. Concerning the next generation of Keblade Wielders.

"Master, remember I talked about my son and his friend Riku?"

Yen Sid nodded.

"Well... as my son's a blue-blood, he will inherit the power eventually. But Riku... I've been keeping an eye on him for years. That boy..."

'Riku? Oh you mean-'

"Yes, the one you bestowed the power to. He's – and I'm not trying to hurt you Terra – but Riku is Xehanort's descendant."

Both Yen Sid and the Lingering Will were absolutely shocked by this revelation.

"How can this be? Xehanort never mentioned family." Yen Sid wracked his brain for any insights Xehanort might have given about his own life. The man was shrewd and left little to be explored concerning his origins.

'Then that means...!'

"Yes. The Islands that I now call home, is where Xehanort originates from."

Yen Sid was assessing this new information. Lingering Will was silently shaking. Had he made a mistake choosing Riku? Would the boy end up like Xehanort? Was all of this part of Xehanort's plan?

"You look concerned Terra. Don't worry. Riku's a good boy. Cocky, confident and so sure of himself, but... a good boy. I don't think you have too much to worry about him going dark."

'Question, Master Cecelia.'

"Shoot."

'How is Riku related to Xehanort?'

"Hmm... I was thinking he's his grandson, but I never took Xehanort to have a partner. I tried talking to my friend about it, but she didn't really know either. I'd say... Riku's a great nephew, but who knows – besides the slime ball himself." She shrugged. Honestly, it didn't matter how Riku was related to Xehanort, or that he was related at all. The boy and his family on the Islands were their own people. And they were good people, whom she could rely on.

'I... had a vision, before bequeathing the power to Riku... that he'd grow to overcome the very darkness that we battle constantly.'

Cecelia smiled, "then believe in that. As he's basically your apprentice, you have to believe in him Terra."

Lingering Will nodded, now steadfast in his choices.

The younger Keblade Master brought her finger and thumb to her chin, contemplating her next words carefully. She wasn't sure if she should reveal this, but perhaps her Master and Terra could help.

"I have omitted one crucial piece of information."

"Hmm? And what may that be Cecelia?" The elderly Master's eyebrows rose with interest.

"There was another child I watched over. One who exhibited a very powerful light. Too powerful to just be a coincidence. I believe she... is a Princess of Heart."

Sora and Friends – a spooky world

At the same time Cecelia was discussing the World Order with Yen Sid and Terra, young Sora and his unusual friends Donald and Goofy, were currently in a spooky world called Halloween Town. A world of tricks, and scares. Dark and gloom, but surprisingly – good people.

"For a bunch of scary looking guys, Jack and his friends are great company! Don't ya think Sora?" Goofy, the bipedal dog comments, addressing his spiky haired (teen boy) companion.

"Eh? Yeah they were, it was great meeting Jack, Sally, Professor and even Zero!" Sora enthusiastically pumped his left arm."Now, I don't know about you two, but I think we're strong enough to take on the Hercules Cup! What do you think Donald?" - Sora's eyes traced their way down to his other companion

"Hmm, I think we might be – you've certainly improved Sora, but don't let it get to your head," the Court Magician directed at the spiky haired boy.

The boy, the dog and the duck made their way to the outskirts of Halloween Town, before Donald activated a glowing circle underneath them.

"Well we can talk about things more when we're back on the ship, ahyuck!" Goofy exclaimed.

The circle glowed around the trio, and they disappeared in a brilliant light – on to their next destination.

End of Chapter Notes: Comment about this chapter and anything else related to this story. Thanks for reading.