Riku expected to be in a new world but the familiar streets of Traverse Town were waiting beyond the previous keyhole. "Here again...?"
He thought this world's problems were over because of the trio's first visit, but it seemed they'd only just begun.
"Riku, I was worried you wouldn't show up."
"Joshua." Riku recognized at once, turning to the boy. Joshua had the ability to go between the versions of the world, so this was his first chance in a long time to ask about his dear friends. He took the opportunity right away. "What are Sora and Kairi up to?"
"Not even a hello?" Joshua tutted softly as if disappointed before giving a smirk. "If you have to know, they're fine, just a bit busy."
"Busy, doing what?" Riku asked, starting to get slightly annoyed he wouldn't answer him straight.
"Doing a mission for me." Joshua answered cooly. "You see, after you three left, Neku was able to reunite with his game partner in another version. But just as he and all his friends were reunited with their partners, new Nightmares appeared, one in each version. I had Kairi and Sora go assist."
Riku nodded, summoning his keyblade in anticipation. "Guess I better do my part too."
Just as he was about to run off though, Joshua held up a hand to stop him. "That won't be necessary. There isn't a Dream Eater to fight in this version."
"Huh? How could that be?" Riku asked. "Sora and Kairi's versions are parallel to mine, so there should be a Nightmare here too…"
"That's what I thought too, until I saw the time on everyone's hands. You remember how every Player had a timer on their hand, right? Well, when Neku entered Kairi's version, the time on his hand decreased while when Beat went into Sora's, his clock increased."
"You're saying they're set at different points in a timeline?"
"Nope. If that were true, then events that Kairi effected would still exist in yours and Sora's. But that's not what's happening. I believe these worlds are all distinct from each other, even if they do share similarities."
What could that mean? Riku wondered. I thought the flashes of other versions of the worlds were because they were happening at the same time but that isn't true. They're all connected, but not by time… What else could be separating us?
"…Maybe its distance."
Riku looked up from his thoughts in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you aren't together but you still are able to connect with each other briefly, like different devices connecting in and out through the same network. Almost like you're all dreaming..."
At that moment, Koumori appeared and chirped at Riku, fluttering in his face to get his attention.
"Give me a minute, Kou, I'm thinking..." Riku said, brushing him off. They were in the Realm of Sleep. But shouldn't they be dreaming together? "But they're all so different… Wonder if Kairi and Sora are dealing with their own internal problems…"
"Internal…" Joshua's eyes lit up in shock as he realized the answer. "That's it! You're-!"
But just as Joshua was about to explain, a blue blade shot through the air, pinning him on a nearby wall.
"Joshua!" Riku yelled. Koumori screeched, his warnings had been in vain.
"Such great knowledge you possess and here you are, handing it out for free." A familiar voice said.
The man in the black coat that Riku had met in this same spot appeared beside Joshua, taking the blade out.
"Seriously? You again?" Joshua grunted. Instead of being scared, he simply rolled his eyes, not even worried about the man's tight grip.
"Let him go!" Riku growled.
The young man smirked. "Why should I? You could just come and get him yourself… Oh, that's right. What would you know about saving people when you're always the one being saved?"
Riku gave a growl in anger, running at him only for the man to disappear along with Joshua.
Koumori landed gently on Riku's shoulder, nuzzling his cheek in comfort.
"Sorry I didn't listen, Kou. I'll be better from now on." Riku said after letting out a few strained breaths. "Come on, we've got a rescue mission to complete."
The young man didn't know what to expect from Joshua after kidnapping him, but it certainly wasn't this.
Joshua sat calmly on one of the town's benches, arms crossed in disapproval. "I wasn't going to tell him, you know."
The young man frowned deeply, not saying a word. He wouldn't let this supposed child bother him, not when Riku was nearly at his breaking point.
"Why? Oh, because it'd be stupid, he needs to figure it out himself." Joshua continued as if he'd responded. "We may be able to jump worlds but that doesn't mean we get to play God with those three."
"Their destinies are decided." He whispered in response. "They will end in their proper places. I've made sure of that."
"You know, I used to be like you, thinking I could run everything just because I had the power to do so." Joshua shrugged simply. He smiled then, thinking of Neku and his friends. "But I found no matter what I did, the Players of my games wouldn't give up. You should quit now, it'll save you the embarrassment."
Riku took out the last of the Nightmares in the main square, it'd taken him far longer then usual thanks to his emotions getting the better of him. He whistled to his spirit.
The two fused and Riku took flight at once, scanning the town for any sign of his kidnapped friend.
Just then, something bright snared his leg. He looked down to see a glowing blue whip was wrapped around his ankle. "What?"
Before he could even think to pry it off, he was yanked to the harsh ground, forcing him and his spirit to unfuse on impact. They were tangled together by the whip.
"Good of you to drop in." The young man said without a hint of humor to his voice.
Riku glared up in anger, trying to get himself free.
"For a prince of heart, you look awfully pathetic, Riku." The man chuckled, staring down at him. "You're practically frozen in fear."
Riku wanted to refute him but it was that moment when he realized he couldn't open his mouth. In fact, the more he struggled, the more his body seized up on him. At least with sleep, losing control of your body made you feel it, with this, his body had just stopped with no warning. He'd be trembling in fear if he could. What kind of power was this?
"It's not like you would've saved your friend if you weren't stopped. At least now you have an excuse to give him." The young man gestured to Joshua who also sat frozen.
I can't move… Riku thought to himself. How could I have let myself get caught like this?! If Kairi or Sora were here, they'd be strong enough to fight it! I really am pathetic…
"Are you realizing the truth? How weak you are?" The man asked, bending down to him. He smirked when the boy couldn't respond. He could feel Riku fighting with all his might. It wouldn't be much longer now.
No, I have to keep fighting! Riku thought to himself. Sora… Kairi… I need to reunite with them!
"Soon, your loved ones will be lost to the darkness. That charm will never be delivered, they won't be able to see even your shining light once we're finished with them."
At that, he vanished into a dark corridor, finally releasing the three from his hold.
"Riku, you okay?" Joshua asked, helping him up.
Riku glanced away in shame, still drowning in his self-deprecating thoughts.
Koumori nuzzled him as if to encourage him but it did nothing to help.
"Sorry I got you into that, Joshua…" Riku whispered. "I think it'd be best if I leave."
"It wasn't your…" Joshua trailed off, seeing him disappear into the keyhole. "… fault."
He crossed his arms in annoyance, remembering that Riku needed to find acceptance from himself more than anyone. He'd have to if he wanted to make it out of this dream.