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Chapter 4: Sora Awakens

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Sora slowly opened his eyes and as he did, he realized he was floating in a strange device that kinda looked like a blossoming flower. He couldn't help but freak out over the fact that he was uncontrollably floating, though thankfully he was slowly descending to the ground. Once he finally reached the floor, his vision finally adjusted allowing him to see everything around him. Though this didn't help as the entire room was pure white, so he felt as though he was still blind even as his vision cleared. Thankfully he was quickly proven wrong as he looked forward and saw two familiar people standing in front of him.

"Gosh Donand, how long do you think we were out?"

"Don't know Goody, though if we're awake that means Namine's plan worked... which also means-!"

"Donald! Goofy!" Sora ran up to the two of them and hugged them tightly. Both of them hugged him back though they did so cautiously while looking at Sora in concern.

"Sora?"

"Are... Are you?"

"I'm so glad to see you guys! I don't know why but it feels like it's been years!" Donald and Goofy looked at one another in relief and started laughing with joy as they hugged Sora tightly.

"He's back!"

"Sora! You're okay!" Sora smiled but after processing what they said and backed up from then in confusion.

"What do you guys mean? Why wouldn't I be okay?" Now Donald and Goofy were the ones looking at Sora in confusion.

"Uh... Sora, what's the last thing you remember?" Sora was shocked as he just realized his brain was practically blank, he quickly started trying to remember as much as possible. Thankfully as he focused it all slowly started coming back to him.

"We... We just entered Castle Oblivion. Doxcrum was there and told us that at the top of the castle were the fragments and the only way to get them was to play a... very weird card game."

"Ugh, yeah we remember that too, what else?"

"We uh... Woah... We went to the different levels of the castle, but each level was just... a weird copy of all the worlds we visited?"

"And boringly basic too, anything else."

"Yeah... Namine... She... She manipulated me! She made me forget Kairi and I... I got obsessed with her. I- I pushed through the castle like a psycho, I even pushed you guys away. I said you guys were lazy and weak! I... I'm so sorry." Goofy and Donald sighed in relief and looked at one another with gentle smiles.

"It's alright Sora, we're just glad you're better now. Do you remember anything else."

"Hm... Oh yeah, I actually met Namine at the top, she tried to stop me from opening that device." Sora pointed at the pod resembling an open flower bud.

"I was sure that it had the Fragments of Darkness and Light, so I didn't listen to her and opened it but inside was... Something else. Something evil."

"Yeah, it was some kind of parasite made of darkness. It was all a trap laid by the Dark Army, more specifically the Doxcrum."

"A-hyuk! Thankfully Namine redeemed herself by agreeing to have you enter the pod to restore yourself. You see, while Namine replaced the memories you had of Kairi with herself, the castle started messing with your personality and memories as well. Doxcrum did it all as some sort of ploy to allow the parasite to attack you... But uh..."

"Goofy don't."

"Come on Donald, we need to know!"

"Know what?" Donald and Goofy looked at one another in concern and then faced Sora.

"Sora, do you... feel different?"

"Different?"

"The parasite was trying to take something from you to make itself stronger. So do you feel... hollow or something?" Sora felt his shoulders and stomach but didn't really feel anything weird about himself at all.

"Uh... No? I think I'm okay."

"Hm... Well can you at least manifest your Keyblade?"

"Of course, I can Donald." Sora raised his hand and sure enough the Kingdom Keyblade manifested from golden light into his hand. However, when Sora tried to use the Keychain spell to change it into other Keyblades nothing happened.

"Oh no."

"A-hyuk! What is it Sora?!"

"I can't use the other forms I got from my bonds when visiting other worlds and meeting cool new people. You know because of the Keychain spell."

"Oh no! You didn't forget how to do magic too, right?!"

"Wha- Of course, or at least I don't think I have." Sora cast an ice spell on the ground making a large ice cube, he then cast a lighting spell making it crack, finally he hit it with a fire spell melting it entirely. Sora also decided to cast a plant spell making a lotus flower grow on the puddle of water Sora made with all the magic. He, Donald, and Goofy then sighed in relief.

"Oh good, well then, now that Sora is cured let's get out of this castle!" Sora nodded and the three went out of the room. However, to their shock they actually ended up in a futuristic hallway. As they continued down the hallway, they ended up in a weird looking lab with holographic data codes displayed on the walls and a completely destroyed computer.

"What the heck happened here?"

"I believe I can explain that." A hologram of Diz appeared before them spooking the three of them, though Sora in particular was instantly filled with rage at the sight.

"Diz! You ruined everything! If I had my hands on you, I'd slice you to pieces!"

"Woah Sora!"

"Are you okay Sora?" Sora realized what he said and looked at his hands in confusion.

"I... I don't know. I just suddenly got so angry when I saw him... Maybe something is wrong with me."

"Sora." Before Sora, Donald, and Goofy could continue, Diz's hologram continued with its own message.

"You are the last hope against the Dark Army. I know you were told their last stronghold was Hollow Bastion, but this was incorrect. As one of the original Guardians of Light I am sorry to tell you that the Dark Army is unfortunately much bigger than we realized and are in control of many locations out of our reach. As you were in Castle Oblivion and then in your slumber they pounced like wolves and devoured everything in their path. That is why I used that device you have awoken from to transport you from Castle Oblivion to here where you could be protected. I also employed the help of Namine the witch as well as a very particular Keyblade Wielder of Darkness." Sora, Donald, and Goofy all looked at one another in confusion, they remembered Namine but a Keyblade Wielder of Darkness. That was indeed particular since they didn't know any as allies, only enemies.

"I needed their help to restore not just your memories but your entire being as the dark parasite did much more damage than we realized. As well as Doxcrum, let's just say he took pieces out of you and corrupted them but we thankfully found the pieces and restored them to you. But make no mistake, the entity that damaged your heart and body in the first place was removed but still lives, stronger than ever now. So, remain vigilant, it will come back to finish the job. Farewell for now Sora, may we meet again." The hologram then cut off, leaving the three of them alone again. Donald and Goofy looked at one another, trying to process the information while Sora looked around in confusion.

"Uh... how exactly do we get out of here?" Donald and Goofy then went wide eyed as they looked at Sora while scratching the back of their heads while laughing quietly in embarrassment. Sora smiled and shook his head, he then looked around again but was quite weirded out as to how small yet cybernetically advanced was. Though after getting a good look everywhere, he was finally able to see that the exit was a ladder right in front of them.

"There it is! Come on guys!" Sora ran to the exit waving at Donald and Goofy to follow him. The two of them watched him run off, then Goofy sighed in relief.

"Gosh, I sure am glad Sora's back to normal."

"We should still keep our eyes peeled, Goofy, you saw how aggravated he was at Diz, we've never even met him before. The only reason I know his name is because Sora said it." Goofy sighed but nodded in agreement, even though he knew that it was better to remain vigilant and safe than sorry.

Thankfully it didn't take long to get out of the mansion and back into Twilight Town again. However as they walked into the streets Sora slowed down behind Donald and Goofy and looked around.

"Sora? What's wrong?"

"Sorry guys, I just can't help but feel like I've been here before. It feels like... home."

"Home? I thought you lived on Destiny Island?"

"I do, but somehow it feels close to home... Weird."

"Hey, I just noticed something. Sora, your voice sounds different, and you're taller as well." Sora looked at Donald in confusion then to himself. Sure enough, Donald was right he was indeed taller and if he really thought about it he did sound different.

"Woah, you're right, how long were we in Castle Oblivion? And how long in those pods?" Donald and Goofy looked at one another as they didn't have any answers either.

"Bah! Let's find a way out of town first, we just need to find an open space so we can at least try to contact Chip and Dale to get us off planet. We'll worry about the rest later." The three of them just continued to walk through the town and eventually made it to the center of Twilight Town. There they saw people walking around, doing their daily tasks and living their daily lives. It was the first time Sora, Donld, and Goofy ever directly interacted within a town. Donald and Goofy looked around casually but as Sora looked around, he began to realize what this place was.

"Wait a minute! I know this place! It's Twilight Town."

"Twilight Town?"

"You've been here before Sora?"

"No, but it's the main place where our parents go when they leave Destiny Islands! Guys this is my world! I... I really am home..." Sora looked off the coast, he could see Destiny Islands even from here. He wanted so badly to get on a boat and see his parents again, but he held himself back.

"I can't go home just yet, not until I know the multiverse is safe, because if it is then that means my home and my parents will be safe. Besides, I need to find Riku and Kairi first."

"That's the way Sora, and we'll be right beside you to help!"

"Well said!"

"Please help me find my son!" The three of them then turned to a woman who was right outside of her house pleading with people who were passing by. Sora saw that she was in distress and wanted to help but didn't know anything, so he decided to ask around first. He ended up going to the closest old man to ask him.

"Excuse me, is that woman, okay?"

"Oh her? Yeah, that's Mrs. Grinder. Poor thing, she's been rambling about her missing son all morning."

"What?! Then why won't anyone help her?"

"Well, that's the thing, kid... she doesn't have a son, never did." Sora looked at her in confusion, this whole situation was confusion but for some reason he still wanted to help the woman; it was almost like he knew her. He walked up to her and tried to calm her down as a start.

"Excuse me, I want to try to help you." The woman then looked at Sora and was quickly shocked, she then hugged Sora as tears fell from her eyes.

"Roxas! Roxas, I found you!"

"Ah! Wait please! calm down, I'm not Roxas!" Sora tried to make her let him go but she was hugging him so tightly he was afraid that he would have to rip her arms off in order to get her off. Thankfully just in time Hayner, Pence, and Olette showed up and helped get her off of Sora. Once she was off, she got a better look at Sora and realized that he wasn't Roxas, he just looked like him. She then started crying heavily again; thankfully, her husband showed up and helped her up and escorted her into the house.

"I- I'm so sorry kids, my wife hasn't been herself recently." The man then closed the door leaving Sora confused. For some reason that man and that woman looked so familiar despite knowing for sure he had never seen either of them before.

"Huh, Roxas, why does that name sound familiar?" Sora then turned to Hayner who quickly noticed him.

"Ah! Hey, where are my manners." Hayner quickly got up and brushed the dust off himself, he then extended his hand to Sora.

"Sup, my name is Hayner. Put er there!" Sora then got up and smiled while shaking Hayner's hand. Olette and Pence quickly got up to greet Sora as well.

"Hey! I'm Olette."

"And I'm Pence."

"Sora, and this is Donald and Goofy!" The three of them then turned to Donald and Goofy while looking at them in confusion. Sora smiled at first but then realized that they hadn't been with the Gummi ship in a while. He wondered if that meant they no longer had their illusion aura's that made them look more accustomed to the world they were currently in.

"Oh, I'm guessing this is your dad and younger brother." Goofy nodded proudly while Donald crossed his arms and grunted in annoyance. Sora giggled but was relieved to know things weren't going to get more complicated than they needed to be.

"Haha, anyways thanks for the save you guys."

"No problem. I don't know what is up with the Grinders though, they never had a kid so what was Mrs. Grinder talking about?"

"I don't know, but... wait, she doesn't have a kid? I thought she did?"

"What? Pence, when did she ever have a kid?"

"I... I don't know. Huh? Why did I say that?" Sora looked at the three of them in confusion, they looked confused as well, but he could sense a part of them were sad for some reason.

"Uh, excuse me!" Donald then jumped into the conversation not liking how the issue at hand was being stalled.

"We're kinda lost so we were just wondering what is the best way to get out of the city?" Hayner, Pence, and Olette were confused by Donald at first but then the three of them laughed. Donald thought they were laughing at him, so he got mad, even more so when Hayner started petting his head.

"Haha, sure little man, the train station is right there, you can't miss it."

"Hey! There they are!" Suddenly Seifer and his group showed up and were glaring at Hayner and the others with anger.

"Oops! Gotta go! It was nice meeting you Sora, Donald, and Goofy!"

"Uh bye?"

"Get back here you lamers!" Suddenly Sora recognized Seifer after hearing that, and just as Seifer ran past him; Sora leaned his foot forward, tripping Seifer. Seifer fell on his face, hard on the ground, he quickly got up and yelled at Sora only for him, Donald, and Goofy to be nowhere in sight.

"Sora?! Why did you do that?" The three of them were now running down the alleyway to get to the train station without being seen.

"Haha, sorry guys, don't know what came over me." Sora knew what he did was wrong, especially since he didn't even know who Seifer was. But for some reason he felt good after tripping him, it was the same good feeling as getting back at an annoying bully. Goofy and Donald looked at one another in concern; they weren't sure, but this might be a result of the parasite's damage.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for them to get to the train station. Donald and Goofy looked around with no enemies visible; they just walked right up. Though neither of them noticed Sora looking around feeling like this place was painfully familiar. He couldn't put his finger on it but something about this place filled him with regret and the desire to start again.

Sora was suddenly shot back into reality when Dusk Nobodies suddenly manifested all around them. Sora didn't recognize the creatures, but they didn't give him nor Donald or Goofy good vibes. As such, each of them manifested their weapons right away to defend. However, Sora then saw the emblem on their head and suddenly cried several tears as he felt his heart fold in depression.

"Sora! Are you alright?" Sora noticed Goofy and Donald looking at him in concern, he then wiped his tears away and faced the nobodies with determination.

"Sorry guys, let's show these guys who's boss!" Suddenly one of the Nobodies stretched out its arm and tried to slash at Sora, to which he only dodged by a second. Sora raised his Keyblade, he should have been annoyed but instead he smiled with determination. Sora charged at the Nobody only for it to shift and stretch out dodging his every attack. Sora was shocked as this was nothing like his fight with the Heartless. Though he jumped back without fear as this wasn't the first time he fought against agile enemies.

Sora stood still and managed to manifest a double core spell of fire and lightning. He shot it at the Nobody that tried to dodge but the orbs of magic followed it and fried the Nobody destroying it. Another nobody saw this and tried to retaliate only to be shot with lighting by Donald and quickly shield bashed by Goofy. Goofy then threw his shield at one of the Nobodies only for it to grab the shield and throw it back at him knocking him out.

"Goofy!" Donald tried firing several fireballs at the Nobodies, but they kept dodging them all. Then one Nobody managed to stretch behind Donald and slapped him on the back so hard he was knocked out instantly.

"Donald!" Now Sora was mad, he charged at the Nobodies again. He used fire magic to ignite his Keyblade in flames, there were only three nobodies left so he figured he could do it alone. After missing a few times to slash the Nobody he finally blasted it with a fireball burning it and making it disappear. Sora smirked but then he turned around to see a Nobody stretch and shift its body into as sword. Before Sora could react, it slashed him in the back making him fall onto the ground.

Sora could only barely look up to see that the two other remaining nobodies were slashing and whipping Donald and Goofy on the back. Soon the Nobody that shifted into a sword turned back to normal and started whipping his back as well. Sora grunted in pain and frustration; the first time he got ganged up like this was with the Heartless. Only now he already summoned his Keyblade yet was STILL losing.

Sora closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he knew the next hit was really going to be painful. However, even after a minute had passed nothing ended up happening. Instead, Sora opened his eyes and saw the Nobodies distracted by fighting someone else. He was a small person in the same jacket as the members of the Dark Army. However, once he defeated all of the Nobodies, with ease no less, he landed in front of Sora.

Now Sora could see it was King Mickey, it had to be considering he had the same large round ears. Furthermore, the Heartless emblem on his back reshaped to the emblem of Disney Castle, the same symbol of Goofy's shield. Mickey then walks up to Sora and puts a ticket in front of him; finally, Mickey casts a healing spell on Sora, Donald, and Goofy then runs off. The three of them were able to get up and watch the king as he left their sight.

"Should... Should we go after him?"

"Hm, as much as I'd want to, I think it would be best if we didn't Sora."

"Goofy's right, if the King wanted us to come with him, he would have said so. I think he's still on a mission to help hold back the darkness."

"But why was he wearing a cloak from the Dark Army?"

"I think the better question is why he gave you that ticket Sora?" Sora looked at the ticket and saw that it was a weird blue ticket with a golden star on it. Sora felt magic radiating from the ticket thanks to his magic sense.

"Huh, is this supposed to be a ticket for the train station?"

"I guess, I've never seen that kind of ticket before."

"Gosh, I guess we should at least try, the king wouldn't have given it to us for nothing after all." Sora nodded and held onto the ticket as the three of them entered the station. When they went in there was a machine asking for money for tickets. Sora looked back at the other two but shrugged leaving Sora to glare at them in disappointment. Sora sighed and placed the ticket in the correct slot suddenly the machine went berserk and just as fast went back to normal. Then the ticket came back out and Sora grabbed it, it now had a stamp that stated for him to go to the first tracks. Suddenly a train came to the first tracks, only this train was different from the others. It was small and was oddly decorated with stars and crescents in both purple and gold colors, making it very flashy.

"Huh, I guess it worked."

"Well let's get going then."

"Wait!" The three of them stopped to see Hayner, Pence, and Olette running into the train station. The three of them looked tired like they had been running all day.

"Oh, hey you guys, what's up?"

"Hey, Sora sorry we just... came to see you off."

"We don't know why but it just felt like the right thing to do." Sora just looked at Donald and Goofy in confusion, but then Sora just smiled. He didn't know these guys for very long, but they were already being so nice.

"Well, thank you guys. Come on, we're just about to board the train." The six of them then went up the stairs onto the main lobby of the station. There they found the train manifested by the ticket. Donald and Goofy were quick to get on it but Sora hung back because he noticed Hayner, Pence, and Olette were staring at the train.

"What kind of train is that?"

"Uh, I guess you could say it's a magic train?" The three of them looked at one another but just shrugged it off and looked back to Sora.

"Hey uh... I know this is a weird question but uh... will we see you again, Roxas?"

"Hm, Why do you ask?"

"I don't know if something about you is just so familiar, you sure we have never seen each other before?"

"Hm... No, I don't think so, Hayner."

"Wait Hayner, why did you call him Roxas?"

"Wha- I... I did?"

"Yeah you did."

"Oh, even I didn't notice that, but hey, I like going to both new and old places so once I get done with my mission, I'll be sure to come visit you guys again. Maybe we can hang out at the beach or something!" Sora smiled brightly but suddenly a tear fell from his eye. Hayner, Pence, and Olette noticed this as well, though none of them noticed they all started crying as well.

"Huh? Why are you guys crying?" Hayner, Pence, and Olette then touched their faces and sure enough there were tears there.

"Woah... this is weird."

"I don't know why but I feel so sad for some reason."

"Ah, Sorry Sora, don't mean to creep you out like this." Sora then touched his eyes and felt his tears as well.

"Uh, don't worry about it guys, it's probably pollen in the air or something, anyways I gotta go." Sora then walked to the train but suddenly Olette grabbed Sora's hand to stop him.

"Roxas, please don't go!"

"Olette?" Olette then realized what she did and quickly backed off while blushing in embarrassment. Hayner crossed his arms and looked the other way while Pence scratched the back of his head. The three of them were embarrassed thinking that Sora probably thought they were freaks or something. Sora stared at them confused but then he smiled brightly at all of them.

"I keep hearing the name Roxas, I don't know who that is but if I find him, I'll be sure to let him know you guys are looking for him. I'll be going to lots of different places anyways so it shouldn't be hard to find this Roxas guy." Hayner, Pence, and Olette looked at one another then to Sora; Hayner didn't actually know who Roxas was, so he was about to explain that but instead he said.

"Thanks Sora, and please tell him we all miss him very much." Hayner was quickly confused by what he said but it oddly felt exactly what he needed to say. Sora nodded and waved them goodbye as he got onto the train. As soon as he did, the train started moving seemingly without an engine cart. Sora didn't notice though as he went out to the window and continued to wave at Hayner, Pence, and Olette, to which they waved back. Soon he was out of their sight and thus they stopped waving.

"Huh... man today was really weird. But for some reason I don't find that Sora kid weird at all."

"If anything, we should be glad he didn't think WE are weird considering all the weird stuff WE did."

"I know right? I don't even know who Roxas is, but for some reason every time I say that name. I feel a pain in my heart."

"Oh? Does Olette have a secret crush?"

"I think she's actually got an imaginary boyfriend Hayner."

"Wha?! Hey! Shut up both of you!" Olette then chased after Hayner and Pence, both of which were laughing as they ran out of the train station.

Now Sora, Donald, and Goofy were on the train as it was picking up speed.

"Are you guys sure this train is going to lead us to a place we need to be?"

"Of course, the king must have given it to us for a reason."

"Don't underestimate the king, Sora. He's smarter than all of us."

"I know Donald, but I'm still kinda new to all this stuff so it's sometimes hard to keep up."

"... We'll always have your back Sora."

"Oh? Like that time Riku destroyed my Keyblade?"

"Ah! Hey you set my tail on fire after that!"

"I told you I'd do that if you ever left me to do things on my own again! It's justified revenge Donald!"

"Justified revenge? Geez Sora, you're such a kid." Sora glared at Donald while Donald glared back at him. Goofy was watching them both and started laughing which caught both of their attention.

"A-hyuk! A-hyuk! Ha... It really does feel good to have you back Sora." Sora looked at Donald for a moment but then smiled warmly at him.

"It's good to be back." Suddenly the outside of the train was replaced with stars in the night sky, Sora looked outside in curiosity and saw that they were in space.

"Uh, guys? I think this train is a gummi ship!"

"What?! That's impossible!"

"Then how are we in space right now?" Donald and Goofy looked out their windows and sure enough Sora were right they really were in space.

"A-Hyuk! This must be the result of the magic with the ticket!"

"Haha! As expected of the king, we must be entrusted with a truly important mission!" Sora looked out at the window again and smiled, even though it wasn't that long from his perspective it did feel good to be going on adventures again. Though there was one thing that was most important to him. Just wait a little longer guys, Sora thought to himself, I'm finally on the move again and I'll be able to find you both soon, Riku and Kairi.

Thankfully the train ride didn't take that long, and they ended up at their destination safely. Which appeared to be a small island only it wasn't in the middle of the ocean it was in the middle of space. Sora, Donald, and Goofy got off and saw that the only thing on the island was grass, some trees and bushes, and a very large and weird looking tower.

"Woah, what is this place?"

"I guess we should find out."

"Gotta say though, why did we even need a Gummi ship when we could always use that tra-" Suddenly the train tracks vanished from existence and so did the train, leaving Sora unable to finish his sentence.

"Oh... Never mind." Sora, Donald, and Goofy continued to walk to the tower, though as they got closer, they saw that Pete was right at the door.

"Oh, any moment now, that old fart is going to become part of my army."

"Uh, excuse me, can you tell us where we are?"

"Huh? No, I don't have time for you pipsqueaks! Go! Shoo!"

"Hey! That's rude, we're just asking for directions."

"And I'm asking you to scram! Now go or else!" Pete then turned around but was shocked to see Donald and Goofy. They ended up being just as shocked to see him, leaving Sora in confusion.

"Wha?! It's Pete!"

"A-hyuk! You're right Donald, but how did he get here?!"

"You guys know him?"

"Yeah, he's a criminal back at Disney Castle."

"He's been causing trouble for us since back in our musketeer days!"

"Haha! That's right, you numbskulls! And now it's time for my revenge. For I am a member of the Dark Army!" Pete then raised his hand and manifested a basic black and purple keyblade.

"Heh! I was originally just going to get the old geezer in this tower, but I think I'll just stick with you guys! Heartless attack!" Sora, Donald, and Goofy raised their weapons thinking they were back to facing the high leveled Heartless again. However, what came from the shadows was actually just a bunch of shadow Heartless, the basics of basic. Sora smiled as he cast a simple fireball destroying one, but another was trying to ambush him, so he simply bonked it on the head destroying it as well. Goofy playfully spun his shield around like a frisbee. He then grabbed it by the end, patiently aimed it at three heartless and threw it, causing it to hit one heartless and ricochet towards the other two. Finally, Donald just stood there unimpressed as the shadows heartless surrounded him. He simply raised his want and a simple thundercloud manifested shooting weak bolts at the shadows, destroying them all instantly.

"Wah! Aw nuts! I already sent in all my stronger heartless to take down the old geezer! Well, this is a flop. I'm outta here! Back to Maleficent!"

"Haha, maybe next time you... WAIT MALEFICENT?!" Sora then ran towards Pete, but it was too late, the villain had already created a void portal and walked through it. The portal ended up disappearing before Sora could reach it.

"Did Pete actually say Maleficent? But that's impossible!"

"Yeah, didn't we defeat her?"

"Hm... The Darkness isn't always easy to understand, so maybe there's a proper explanation for this. For now, let's go inside this tower and see what we can find. I'm hoping inside will have the answers we need."

Inside the tower was a lot larger than Sora, Donald, or Goofy expected, there was a large spiraling staircase. As they went up they fought against several Soldier Heartless and even more Shadow Heartless. But once again it all proved to be barely a challenge for them.

"Man, I can't believe I used to be scared of these guys."

"Don't get overconfident Sora, the Darkness is still a great threat to the Multiverse."

"I know Donald, but that's why we the Guardians of Light exist right?" Donald still looked at Sora a little disappointed but shook his head and smiled at him a little while nodding in agreement. Finally, they made it to the top and there was nothing but a door standing in their way. After Sora opened it, he raised his Keyblade expecting to be attacked by a swarm of Soldier Heartless. However, what happened instead was that he found an old but cool looking room filled with books, candles, and an old man at a desk. Sora, Donald, and Goofy entered the room but as soon as Donald and Goofy saw the old man they both bowed before him.

"A-hyuk! Master Yen-Sid!"

"It is an honor to meet a great master, as well as a grand wizard, and the founder of the Guardians of Light." Sora was shocked by that last part and quickly bowed to Yen-Sid along with Donald and Goofy.

"Haha, it's good to receive such praise from the younger generations, especially from powerful allies such as you. Come now that's enough, up, up." Sora, Donald, and Goofy rose but still stood straight to show their respect.

"Besides, I do not deserve all the credit, it was Fairy Godmother, Merlin, and dear old Masako."

"Masako?"

"The previous Queen of Radiant Garden before her daughter Akari took over."

"Wha- Kairi's Grandmother!"

"Kairi? The current princess lives! Now that is wonderful news, though now might not be the best time as Hollow Bastion is surrounded by darkness."

"What? But we just defeated the Dark Lords and Ansem Seeker of Darkness! Hollow Bastion should be liberated from darkness."

"I'm afraid my boy you did not lock the keyhole to that world and that the Heartless as well as the Dark Army were more than able to return with ease."

"No... dang it I knew we missed something."

"But how did they do it so fast! Gosh, we couldn't have been gone that long could we?"

"I'm afraid because of those dastardly Dark Army Cretans you have been trapped for nearly a full year, possibly longer." Sora, Donald, and Goofy were shocked but as they thought about it made sense. Everything was so different and felt different too, Sora even looked like a year older now because of it all.

"A whole year? So that means I'm 15 now. Kairi, she's probably allowed to leave the island by now. Riku, we didn't get to throw him a surprise party like we used to."

"I'm afraid the situation is much worse than that, young Sora. For you see, the Dark Army has unleashed its fangs and claws after sharpening them for centuries. What you faced before under the Dark Army was merely a group of new recruits the weakest of the weak. The Dark Army has now unleashed their full power unto the multiverse destroying everything in sight but that's not all. To ensure you never harm them again they have created a newer and more powerful army to assist them. They are called the Organization, a group of Nobodies."

"Nobodies?"

"Forbidden and blasphemous magic, quite similar to Replica's created by- ah, ahem, regardless of their nature they are monstrous beings. Before I continue, please tell me what do you know about Heartless?"

"Oh, uh... Well, there's pureblood Heartless which are creatures born naturally from darkness. Then there's Emblem Heartless which are the cursed hearts of victims of the darkness. The Heartless ripped their hearts out and destroyed their bodies because of it. Without a body the Heartless curse the heart covering it in darkness creating a new body but one that controls and uses it as a fuel source. Both equally hate the light and use the darkness in our hearts to make themselves stronger."

"Correct, excellent, you have taught him well Master Donald." Donald was spooked by this and turned to face Master Yen-Sid while sweating in fear.

"Uh... Haha. Y- Yeah! That's me, teaching Sora everything he needs to know, we all know he's too much of a bone head to learn anything on his own. That's why it's lucky he's got us right Goofy?" Donald turned to Goofy who was glaring at him with disappointment as his arms crossed in anger. Donald then nervously smiled as he turned to Sora who was also glaring at him in disappointment. Yen-Sid chuckled; he was glad there were still such powerful and hopeful members within the Guardians of Light. But now was not the time for celebration so he cleared his throat to get their attention again.

"You are correct about the body being lost and discarded by the Dark Army but unfortunately that is no longer the case. The Dark Army has found a way to retrieve these bodies only to fill them with darkness making them into the monster's I have dubbed the nobodies." Yen-Sid then raised his hand and a magical projection of the Nobody Emblem appeared in his palm.

"This is their Emblem, have you seen it before?"

"Huh! Yeah! It was on those shapeshifting weirdos that nearly took us down at the Train station, they would have done worse if the King hadn't saved us."

"Ah, my old apprentice, good to know he is not slacking off on his training. Moving on, along with the nobodies they have brought back incomplete versions of your old adversaries. These are referred to as the Organization members. Unlike their Keyblade Wielders of Darkness counterparts they don't have key blades but powerful elemental weapons. Furthermore, they can control the Nobodies more freely unlike the rest of the Dark Army."

"So, with these Nobodies, their numbers are twice as large as before?"

"I'm afraid it's worse than that, young Sora. For you see, with the body transformed into a Nobody and the heart turned into a Heartless. Liberating the cursed will be much more difficult from here on out."

"Oh... wait, I have a question."

"Hm? Ask away young Sora."

"Right so pureblood Heartless don't actually have hearts, but Emblem Heartless do as they cursed the heart to become their fuel source to become stronger. But they technically have hearts, but we just call them Heartless anyways? Even though what is lost is not the heart but the identity?"

"Um... Yes."

"Then there's the Nobodies which don't have hearts at all but are instead cursed bodies filled with darkness turning them into monsters... Shouldn't the Nobodies be called Heartless and the Heartless be called Nobodies? Wouldn't that make more sense?"

"... In all honesty you are correct, Young Sora. But we have kept the fight going for so long we never considered changing the names a high priority at all."

"Ah, sorry Master Yen-Sid, I was just confused."

"It's perfectly fine, Young Sora. Now my point is that the situation has unfortunately become much graver since you last faced the Dark Army. Now you face the Dark Army and the Organization. They already have the seven fragments of Light, now they only need seven fragments of darkness. It is unknown how they will obtain these fragments but make no mistake they are ruthless and will do everything in their power to complete the task. I only ask this; can you find the strength in your heart to do the same?" Sora was shocked at first, this was much bigger than his mission form before, so he wasn't sure how to take it. However, he placed his hand over his heart, and managed to calm down a little. He then looked at Donald then to Goofy both of which smiled at him with determination and nodded to show they were with him. Sora then faced Yen-Sid with a smile of determination of his own.

"So long as my friends are by my side, I'm ready for anything!"

"Hahaha, a wise and grand response! You truly are the Champion of Light."

"Thank you, Master Yen-Sid, but... I have to start from scratch again. I remember all my magic lessons, but my keychain spell isn't working anymore."

"That is to be expected, however do not be afraid, as you travel to new worlds you will make new connections and with them gain new power... hm?" To Sora's confusion Yen-Sid raised his hand and closed his eyes seemingly sensing something the other three weren't able to.

"It seems you have already gotten a great power that even I was unable to predict."

"A great power?"

"Hm, please go to the door on my left, you will find three old allies that should help you properly awaken this power. Hurry now, Young Sora. Time is of the essence."

"Ah! Yes Master!"

Sora, Donald, and Goofy entered the other room where they found Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather waiting for them.

"Why hello Sora!"

"Oh hello! Are you master of the Guardians of Light too?"

"Oh, heavens no, we are however great allies of the Guardians."

"Oh yes, they saved us along with many others throughout the multiverse."

"And now we help them every chance we get as a sign of thanks."

"Speaking of which Yen-Sid did give us a task of helping you unlock some power. Oh! But first please allow us to assist you with your clothes." Sora looked down on himself, it was true he was taller now, yet his clothes were still the same as before. Sora nodded while blushing in embarrassment for wearing the same clothes for apparently a whole year without taking a shower.

"Now then, with a simple spell I shall change the size and add some green" Fauna waved her wand and shot an orb of light at Sora causing his clothes to shift to more his size but also making it entirely green. Sora was glad his clothes were refreshed, and he didn't smell anymore but he didn't like the green color.

"Augh! He looks terrible, Fauna! Let me try." Flora then waved her wand and after shooting her orb of light at Sora, his clothes changed again now looking red.

"Too aggressive! He's a young and sweet boy! He needs better and calmer theme." Finally, Merryweather waved her wand and by her spell Sora's clothes turned blue. Not long after, the three Fairies started arguing more and started casting their spells making Sora change into different colors. Sora was left annoyed, but he didn't want to get mad at them so even with his brows furrowed, he wore a broken smile at them as he loudly cleared his throat.

"Excuse me! Maybe you all could combine your colors together?"

"Oh? Oh! What an excellent idea young man."

"Such a smart young boy." As the three fairies giggled Sora smiled though deep inside, he was still very annoyed. The three Fairies then waved their wands and once done Sora's clothes were changed into black clothes with red and yellow details. Sora looked at his clothes and smiled at how awesome it looked.

"There! Now for the awakening." Flora waved her want and an orb of light manifested and floated over to Sora.

"Grant the light dearie." Sora nodded and did as she asked, after he grabbed it, it faded and seemingly nothing happened. However, a second later he felt something unlock within his head and his clothes suddenly changed into red. Suddenly he felt extremely powerful, so he manifested his keyblade only to his surprise he ended up manifesting two in each hand. Donald and Goofy were just as shocked though they were also overjoyed as this meant Sora was going to be stronger than before. Sora smiled as he looked at his right hand holding the Kingdom Key, then to his left holding the Oathkeeper Keyblade.

Sora then looked at the Oathkeeper and was suddenly not smiling anymore as a tear fell from one of his eyes. Sora quickly wiped his tears away out of confusion, though thankfully no one noticed this time. However, what they all did notice was that after a short amount of time Sora's clothes changed back to what they were before.

"Oh dear."

"Wha- what happened?"

"It's a wonderful power you have unlocked Sora, but unfortunately it seems you can't maintain it for very long."

"Indeed, as we were casting our magic on you, we sensed great imbalance in your pure heart."

"This is not to say darkness is overtaking it, but it does seem you have more power in your heart than before and lack the ability to control all of it." Sora placed his hand over his heart, he always noticed before his problem most of the time was that he wasn't strong enough to defeat most of his enemies alone. But now he had so much power that he could barely keep up with it or even maintain it for long. However, Sora wasn't frustrated but instead raised a fist and smiled with determination.

"Then that just means I have a lot of training to do!"

"Oh my! Such a bright young boy!"

"It's so lovely to see a glimmer of hope in the multiverse again after the Dark Army has done so much."

"Oh! We've taken enough of your time dear, go now it's time to save the multiverse but before you do. Yen-Sid said you would need this." Merryweather floated toward Sora and handed him another magical train ticket.

"Ah, thanks! I was actually starting to get worried about how we were going to leave without a Gummi ship!"

"Just ride the train to its destination, it should take you to the current base of the Guardians of Light where they have the last Gummi ship!" Sora, Donald, and Goofy lit up when they heard that. There was only one last Gummi ship in existence all right which meant wherever it was friends were close by.

"Oh! That must mean Chip and Dale are there!"

"A-hyuk! And Cloud, Yuffie, Aerith, and Sid! Gosh it's been so long!"

"Haha! Then what are we waiting for?! Come on guys, one last time! Let's go find our friends and save the multiverse!"