And now the world of Radiant Garden. Though this one is a little different ½ way down.

Merlin's House:

Work was going on as normal for the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee. Cid was typing away on his computer, Aerith was tending to the house flowers, Yuffie was practicing her block punches, Cloud was reading a book, Merlin was organizing his potions and concoctions, and Leon was counting his munny.

"So you got enough for the next trip to the Moogle Shop?" Yuffie asked.

"Depending on what's needed around here." Leon said, pocketing his munny.

Tifa then walked in with several grocery bags. "Hey I'm back. Got everything on the list and more."

"Oh good! I need the extra calcium!" said Yuffie as she helped Tifa unload.

"Any word from the others at the castle?" Tifa asked.

"Last I heard, six of our world-traveling friends were taking the new Gummiship on a test drive." Cloud said.

"Oh yes! And they took the queen and her Lady-In-Waiting along with them." Merlin said.

"Sounds like a joy ride to me." huffed Cid.

"Well I think it's nice they invited them along for it." said Aerith, adjusting some of the plants.

Tifa began putting the groceries away in a mini-fridge. "Seems odd that the Organization or those villains haven't been up to anything in a while." she commented.

"Frankly I'm ok with that." said Cid, switching out his toothpick for a different one.

Cloud frowned slightly. "I don't know Cid. It could mean that they're up to something." he said.

"Knowing those loons, they're always up to something as we near the Keyblade War." said Merlin.

Suddenly they all heard screaming come outside.

"What's going on?!" Aerith asked in alarm.

"You think it's a Heartless attack?!" Yuffie asked.

Suddenly, Zack burst into the house. "Guys! GUYS!" he shouted.

"Zack, what's going on out there?!" asked Cloud.

"It's chaos out there!" Zack said in a panic. "People out there are turning to dust!"

"What?!" everyone exclaimed at once.

"What do you mean 'turning to dust'?!" asked Aerith.

"Come and look, I'm not joking!" Zack said as he ran out of Merlin's house.

Everyone dropped what they did and ran outside.

In the town, people and animals were either turning to dust that floated away and those that weren't could only scream and yell in shock, terror, horror, and confusion.

"What the hell's goin' on here?!" Cid yelled.

"Why are people turning into dust?!" cried Tifa.

"Such darkness…" Merlin said grimly. "I can sense it!"

"Can't you do something?!" Zack asked frantically.

"No! This is beyond my power! I don't know how but it is!" Merlin replied.

They all then heard Tifa scream. When they faced her, they gasped. Tifa's hands were turning to dust!

"Tifa?! TIFA!" Cloud shouted in horror.

"What's happening?!" Tifa cried in fright before she became dust completely.

"Oh my gosh!" Yuffie cried in terror before she suddenly stumbled and fell. She looked and gasped to see her feet turning to dust, slowly going up to her knees and then her waist. "Someone help! HELP!" Yuffie screamed before she turned to dust.

"Yuffie!" cried Aerith.

"This is bad! Oh who am I kidding this is basically an apocalypse!" Cid yelled when he saw his hand turn to dust. "Oh hell naw-" Cid was cut off when the dust reached his face and soon he was turned to dust completely.

"Cid!" yelled Zack.

"This is worse than I could've imagined…" Merlin said in fear. He suddenly yelped when his hands began to turn to dust, followed by his wizard hat. "Oh my!" he gasped when the old wizard turned to dust completely.

"Not Merlin too!" cried Aerith.

"What's happening?! What do we do?!" Cloud asked, worried and downright scared.

"I… I don't know…" Leon said when he suddenly felt odd. He looked down and saw his hands turn to dust.

"Leon!" Cloud cried as he reached out to his friend to help.

Leon could only turn to face Cloud as the spiky blonde reached out for Leon's shoulder, only for the scarred brunette to turn to dust completely as Cloud's hand went through it.

"SQUALL! LEON!" Cloud yelled.

"What do we do?!" cried Aerith.

"God I wish I knew!" Zack said in a panic.

At that moment, the Gullwings Yuna, Rikku, and Paine flew above them.

"It's all over the town!" cried Rikku. "Every living thing is turning to ash!"

"People are really freaking out!" shouted Yuna.

"What the hell is going on?!" Paine demanded in fight.

"We don't know!" shouted Aerith.

At that moment, the Gullwing trio began to turn to dust wings first, making them gasp in terror.

"No, not us!" cried Rikku.

"Somebody do something!" Paine shouted as they began to fall, the dust reaching their backs

"HELP US!" Yuna shrieked.

Cloud, Aerith, and Zack ran to try and catch them, only for the Gullwings to turn to dust completely.

The three survivors could only look on in despair and then at the spots where Leon, Yuffie, Tifa, Cid, and Merlin once stood before looking back out at the town. People were in a panic everywhere. And there was nothing they could do about it.

Castle, at the same time:

Ansem the Wise could only look on in worry from a castle balcony. The screams of terror and horror from the townsfolk had reached the castle.

"I do not like the looks of this at all." he said to Ienzo, who was standing behind him. "Something bad is happening."

"We don't know what's happening, Master Ansem." Ienzo said, just as worried and confused as his mentor.

At that moment, Dilan and Aeleus rushed in.

"The people are turning into dust, Master Ansem." Aeleus said hurriedly.

"Dust? How can this be?" Ansem asked in surprise.

"We don't know!" Dilan replied. "We didn't know how to handle it."

"How does one handle multiple people being turned into dust?" asked Ienzo.

"Everyone! Can you come in here?" Even's voice called out.

The five ran to the computer area.

Even stood in front of the computer typing away.

"Make it quick Even. We have a crisis on our hands." Ansem said.

"I'm very well aware of that Master Ansem." Even said. "I've been monitoring the worlds here and I traced an odd essence towards the MCU."

"Home of the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, S.H.I.E.L.D. and more?" asked Aeleus.

"That's the one." nodded Ienzo.

"What did you find?" Ansem asked.

"It seemed that whatever is causing all of this, the first sign of it started here on their version of Earth." Even said. "I can trace it closer with-"

Even was caught off when his hands began to turn to dust. Everyone behind him gasped.

"Even!" they shouted.

"Oh… oh dear god…" Even said in horror before he turned to dust completely.

"How can any of this be?!" Dilan cried when he felt like his feet weren't touching the ground.

"Dilan! You're… turning to dust!" Ienzo cried, pointing.

Dilan looked down in horror to see that Ienzo was right as the dust reached his waist. He could only look back up at the three in terror and confusion before he turned to dust completely.

"DILAN!" Aeleus cried as he ran to help, only to run through the dust. "No…" he whispered as he gazed at the remains of his fallen friend.

"How do we stop this?!" Ienzo cried.

"I don't know…" Ansem said in grim confusion and worry.

Aeleus turned to face them. "We have to figure out something!" he said when he suddenly saw his hand turn to dust. "And fast…" was all he could muster before he turned to dust completely.

"Aeleus!" Ienzo gasped.

Ansem ran to the computer and began to press the keys. "Tron! Tell me you found something!" he demanded.

"Scanning it all now Master Ansem." came Tron's voice. "It looks like the essence first started in the kingdom of Wakanda. Six different essence schematics more powerful than I've ever seen in my life."

"Six different…" Ansem trailed off before gasping. "The Infinity Stones… NO!" he yelled. "It cannot-"

Ansem suddenly gasped when he saw his hands turn to dust.

"Master Ansem!" Ienzo said in horror.

"Ienzo…" Ansem managed to say before he turned to dust completely.

"MASTER!" Ienzo exclaimed as he tried to gather the ashes that was once Ansem the Wise. "No no no not again!" he yelled, trying not to cry.

"Ienzo? What's going on out there?!" Tron asked.

Ienzo lost his grip on the dust when his own hands began to turn to dust as well. "Danger on an apocalyptic scale, Tron!" Ienzo cried as he stumbled back towards the teleporter to Space Paranoids in fright. "No one in the universe is safe!" were the last words Ienzo shouted as he turned to dust.

"Ienzo? Ienzo! Anyone?! Hello?! GUYS!" Tron yelled.

But no one could answer him as five piles of dust were all that was left in the Computer Room.

5 months later:

In town, Aerith was setting flowers on crosses that had pictures of Leon, Yuffie, Tifa, Cid, and Merlin on them. They were placed on the spots where they turned to dust. Behind them were three more crosses of the Gullwings, flowers next to them too.

Cloud and Zack walked up to her.

"It's been 5 months since they turned to dust with everyone in town." Aerith said sadly.

"And we still have no idea how the hell it even happened." Zack sighed.

"We tried contacting our friends, but none of them are responding." Cloud added with a frown. "There's no word from Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, no one. Not even Tron could reach them."

Aerith sighed heavily, trying not to cry. "I miss them so much…"

Zack gently hugged her. "We all do Aerith." he sighed.

Suddenly there were bright flashes that almost blinded the trio. When it ended they gasped to see… Merlin, Leon, Yuffie, Cid, and Tifa standing near the memorial crosses! And coming down from above them floated Paine, Yuna, and Rikku. More townsfolk appeared around them to the shock of those that didn't turn to dust.

"What the hell?!" shouted Cloud.

"Where are we?!" cried Yuffie.

"Radiant Garden…" Leon breathed in shock.

"We're back?!" exclaimed Tifa.

"Looks like it." Cid hummed.

"So it seems!" Merlin laughed in happiness. "It's all been reversed!"

Zack slowly approached them. "Guys? Is… is that really you?" he asked.

The five faced the three. "Zack! Yes it is us!" Tifa said with a relieved smile.

"YOU'RE ALL ALIVE!" Aerith cried out in happiness as she wrapped all five in a hug.

"How is this possible?!" Cloud asked.

"I have a feeling Sora and the others did this." Merlin replied.

"Who cares how, you're all back!" Zack said happily.

Cloud and Leon shared a bro-hug. "It is good to have you all back." Cloud said with a smile.

"We're happy to be back." Leon smiled back.

"Good to see you three back in action too." Zack said to the Gullwings.

"Yeah! After being trapped in an orange place for who knows how long I could use some adventure!" said Yuna.

"I'd rather just rest after that kind of experience." Paine argued.

"Rest?! Where's the fun in that?!" Rikku scoffed as she and Yuna dragged Paine with them. "I bet there's more treasure gone missing! Let's go find some!"

And Rikku and Yuna took off, dragging a protesting Paine with them.

"How's the town?" Cid asked.

Cloud, Zack, and Aerith frowned.

"It fell on hard times with half of the population gone." said Aerith.

"Including Ansem the Wise and his apprentices." added Zack. "It's just like after Heartless Ansem sent the worlds to darkness and all that was left here was Hollow Bastion."

"Oh god that's horrible!" Tifa frowned.

"Should've known this would happen." Merlin scowled. "I'm going to see if Master Yen Sid knows anything about what happened."

And Merlin used his wand to vanish in a puff of smoke.

"But with all of you back, I think we can fix it all up again!" said Aerith.

Suddenly a portal opened up.

"Radiant Garden Restoration Committee?"

Doctor Strange walked through towards the group from Disney Town.

"I'm Dr. Stephen Strange, master of the Mystic Arts." he said. "And we need your help."

"Doctor Strange?" Zack blinked.

"Oh wait, I think Kairi and Lea told us about you!" said Yuffie.

"What brings you to our world Doc?" Cid asked.

"An evil titan named Thanos gathered all 6 Infinity Stones and erased half of all life from the universe." Strange replied. "Sora, the Avengers, and the others brought us all back."

"So they did bring us back!" Tifa gasped.

"But a version of Thanos has come from the past and all life in the universe is in danger." Strange said. "We need all the forces we can get. Gather your weapons and wait for my signal."

"Sure thing." Leon nodded firmly.

Strange then floated towards the castle.

"So now we gotta save the universe from a crazy titan." Zack murmured. "This oughta be good."

"And the old loon just had to vanish in smoke to find his wizard pal." snorted Cid.

"Quit complaining, Cid! Come on!" Yuffie scolded.

The group ran into Merlin's house to get their weapons.

Castle, at the same time:

5 flashes of light appeared in the computer room. Ansem the Wise and his apprentices looked around in shock.

"What just happened?!" asked Even.

"Is this… the castle?" Aeleus asked in shock.

"Are we… are we back?!" Ienzo asked.

Dilan looked at himself, making sure he was all there and not dust and soot. "I think we are."

Suddenly the computer turned on. "Welcome back!" came Tron's voice. "I had a feeling you lot wouldn't be gone for good."

"Is that you Tron?" Even inquired.

"It is! I detected the same presence that turned everyone in Radiant Garden to dust has suddenly brought everyone back." Tron said. "Including you five."

Ansem walked out of the room towards the balcony. His apprentices followed him.

They looked forward and saw people going from shocked at the sight of their lost loved ones and closest friends to overjoyed as hugs were given all around. And those that were snapped away happily reunited with them.

"It… it's all fixed." Ansem said with a relieved smile. "They did it."

"Who did?" Dilan asked.

"In my heart… I can sense that Sora and his friends did it." Ansem replied without looking at them. "They were strong, whether they survived the power of the Infinity Stones or not."

"Infinity Stones? I know I've heard of those before…" Dilan murmured.

"I believe we all have." Ienzo said. "I think back when we were in the original organization XIII."

As the five made their way back to the computer lab, a portal began to open up. Strange flew in from the skies outside the castle.

"Who are you?!" Aeleus demanded.

"Easy Aeleus." Ansem said calmly. "I recognize the powers of the Mystic Arts."

"Yes. I am Dr. Stephen Strange of the sorcerers that practice said arts." Strange nodded. "As your master may have guessed, the cause of you five and many living in this world turned to dust as a result of the Infinity Stones. The Mad Titan Thanos collected them all to erase half of all life in the universe. I too was a victim."

"Of course! That's why I remember those stones!" exclaimed Dilan.

"I forgot all about Thanos." Aeleus said. "We only knew him or knew of him as Nobodies."

"He managed to get all the stones?" Ienzo asked in horror.

"Unfortunately." Strange nodded. "But Sora and his friends, including the remaining Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy managed to use them to bring everyone back."

"You were right, Master." smiled Even.

"But the trouble isn't done yet." Strange said grimly. "Thanos is dead, but a past version is coming to eliminate all life and create a new one. And we need help to defeat his forces."

"I don't fight anymore." Ansem said. "But my apprentices will help you. Won't you?"

"We shall Master." nodded Dilan.

"We won't let a mad man eliminate all life." nodded Even.

"We'll take any chance at atonement for our misdeeds." added Aeleus.

"When shall we depart Dr. Strange?" inquired Ienzo.

"At my signal." said Strange as he opened up another portal and walked through it.

"Good luck to you all." Ansem said to his apprentices. "May your heart be your guiding key."

His apprentices nodded. Dilan summoned his Lindworm Lances, Even summoned Frozen Pride, Aeleus summoned Skysplitter, and Ienzo summoned his Book of Retribution Lexicon.

Ansem departed for his study as they waited for Strange's signal.

To be continued…

Now you see why future chapters will be different compared to the others.

See you in the next world!