Chapter 47: Of Knights and Keyblades

Consciousness stared pulling off the inactive blankets covering Sora's senses. Although the boy's eyes were still shut, feeling returned to his limbs. And like a radio, his ears soon tuned in to the omnipresent, environmental sounds. But they converted into background noise as he heard voices murmuring overhead.

One of them belonged to a young woman: "Is finding unconscious people a hidden talent of yours, Chrom?"

"Apparently. The gods must have had been plagued with boredom when they came up with that attribute for me."

Sora started opening his eyes, allowing the light to creak in like blinds through a window. His vision started to reform, forming a clear picture of Chrom and Lissa starting at him, relieved to see he was in adequate health (although aches prickled at him from the rough landing).

"Hey there," Lissa said in a gentle tone, as to not startle the boy.

Sora could sense that the strangers seemed amiable, so his defenses remained sheathed within his dazed mind. He tried standing up, but struggled from the light dizziness orbiting his head.

Chrom came to his aid. "Easy there. That crash sounded intense. Are you alright?"

Y-Yeah." Sora shook his head, regaining full consciousness. "I think so."

Sora looked around to see he was in a field. It might've been bigger than Hyrule's. To his right he saw a large forest. He turned back to Chrom and Lissa, noticing Fredrick behind them. Unlike the two, he gave Sora a cold, untrusting gaze. Any second, he'd pull the offensive trigger if the boy made a wrong move.

Feeling a chill from the knight's ice-cold demeanor, he focused on Lissa and Chrom, just now noticing their medieval attire. Is this world like Hyrule, he thought? If so, it might take him awhile before adjusting to the old-world way of life.

"Where am I?" Sora asked.

Chrom let out a cordial smile. "Among friends."

"Oh, no!" Lissa said, hit with a sudden pang of Déjà vu. After all, this was how she and Chrom first met Robin. "Don't tell me he has amnesia, too!"

"Huh?" Sora asked, confused. "No, I'm fine. My name's Sora."

"Well, Sora," Chrom said, at ease. "Glad to see you are in good health. I am Chrom, Exalt of Ylisse."

"Thanks for the help," Sora said. He looked around at his surroundings again. "Think I should be…" Then, a flux of memories burst through his head. He remembered everything that happened, and scanned the area with frantic eyes. His heart overindulged in a banquet of adrenaline, pounding in fear. "How do I always end up getting thrown from the ship? Luigi! Yoshi! Isabelle!"

"I presume those are your companions," Fredrick said, still not relaxing his gaze.

"Yeah," Sora said. "They were on the ship before I got ejected."

"So that WAS a flying ship?" Lissa asked, in utter shock. "H-How's that possible? No magic has ever been able make something like that work!" She glared at her brother. "I told you too much walking was bad for my health! Now I have been smitten with the plague of madness!" She placed an overdramatic hand on her forehead. "How could you let a travesty befall your sweet little sister?"

Sora raised an eyebrow. Boy, I don't want to know how she'd react to meeting a Pokémon, he thought.

Chrom chuckled, placing a gentle hand on his sister's shoulder. "Do not worry yourself. We all saw it with our own eyes. Absurd as it may be, we must accept its existence. Unless we're all plagued with the madness. In which case the livestock will make fine additions to our militia."

"Oh, you're brimming with quips today, dear brother," Lissa said in sarcasm, placing both hands on her hips. "Maybe tomorrow you'll make my lips twitch from a play on words."

"Sorry to interrupt," Sora said, trying to keep the conversation from departing into parts unknown, "but you wouldn't happen to have seen my friends anywhere?"

Chrom started to open his mouth, but Lissa interrupted with a terrified shriek. Everyone turned to see Heartless. While some were the usual Soldiers, other donned plate armor, and carried a variety of melee weapons: swords, lances, and axes seemed to be the most prominent.

Sora slumped his shoulders, moaning. "Can't I catch my breath for one measly second? Is that too much to ask?"

"These are the fowl creatures that have attacked the city!" Fredrick said, his eyes blazed with alarm. "Arm yourselves!"

Fredrick drew his own lance; Lissa prepared a magical staff; and Chrom drew his divine sword: The Falchion, which glistened in the sunlight, brightening the entire vicinity from its ethereal power.

Chrom shifted his focus to Sora. "Get to cover! We'll dispose of the creatures posthaste!"

"Nah," Sora said. Just like Chrom, he always looked for an opportunity to help, despite the danger. "I'll help you take care of them. Will make things go by faster."

Chrom was surprised by Sora's sudden willingness to fight. "A-Are you sure?"

"No problem!" He summoned the Keyblade and assumed his battle position. "Let's do it!"

Fredrick's suspicious eyes were locked on the Keyblade. "What sort of weapon is that? It's like none I've ever seen."

"As long as it proves useful in battle," Chrom said, "your answer can wait!"

Displaying incredible agility, Chrom ran right at the Heartless carrying the lance. It swung inward, but Chrom caught the strike with his blade. The Heartless then tried to attack with the dull side, but Chrom ducked underneath the strike. He noticed another one with a sword preparing to attack from overhead; Chrom turned to face the sword Heartless, brought his own blade up, and caught the strike just in time.

Using all his strength, Chrom managed to push the Heartless back a fair distance. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the Lance Heartless thrust straight at him. Chrom rotated his torso to avoid the weapon's pointed tip; then, he raised the Falchion over his head, brought it straight down, and broke the lance in half.

While the Heartless was startled, Chrom elbowed it in the stomach. Next, he slashed it right across the chest, charged the blade with divine energy, and delivered an uppercut that made the creature flip over onto its stomach. However, he had forgotten about the Heartless with the sword. It prepared to attack from behind him.

Sora had to act fast. Perhaps his new spell would work. "Stop!"

Chrom turned to see the Heartless had been frozen in place; its body was locked behind a brief prison of time. The exalt watched in astonishment as Sora delivered a flurry of strikes on the Heartless, finishing with a horizontal slash, and turned away from the creature, pointing the blade outward.

Once the spell wore off, the creature was hit with invisible strikes, which shred through its armor like razors. Then, it disintegrated into the usual dark dust. Chrom was shocked by how someone so young was efficient at fighting. Not only that, but he could utilize magic as well, something that many sorcerers struggled to master.

Something about this boy fascinated him. Questions were being arranged on a conveyor belt in Chrom's mind, but they would come to a halt if he were slain by the Heartless. They had to survive this battle first. A Heartless carrying an axe swung at Fredrick, but he stepped backwards, letting it part the ground, and get stuck in the process.

Fredrick thrusted the dull end of his lance into the Heartless' face, knocking it backwards. He then swept the Heartless right off its feet with the other end. Fredrick noticed two Heartless approaching from behind, prepared to bring their blades inward. He spun around, held the lance straight up (with the dull end touching the ground), and caught both attacks from each side.

Taking the dull end, he rammed it into the Heartless on the right's chest. Then he went for the opposite one with the sharp side; the creature brought its blade up to block the attack. From the corner of his eye, Fredrick saw the Heartless on the right prepare to strike again; he swung his lance in that direction to block the blade.

The Heartless on Fredrick's left swung right for his head, but he ducked underneath it, moved passed them both, and spun around. He brought the lance close to his chest, catching the right Heartless' attack. After pushing it away, Fredrick kicked the right Heartless onto the ground, and rammed into the opposite one, knocking it over, too.

However, he failed to notice the one he tripped earlier; it was prepared to ambush him. Before it could strike, a bolt of Thunder magic paralyzed the Heartless; it had become a helpless statue prepared to be demolished into insignificant rubble. Fredrick looked over to see Sora was responsible for the spell.

Wordless (and still fastened with that stoic expression like a tight seatbelt), Fredrick used every ounce of strength to thrust his lance straight into the Heartless' chest like a toothpick through bread. Sora's jaw dropped from the incredible feat. It was like a tank had personified before his eyes; and if he weren't careful around this guy, the barrel would be locked right on him.

Fredrick swung the Heartless into its brethren, piling them on top of each other like frail leaves. Sora used his spiral attack to destroy them. He gave Fredrick a grin, hoping for some recognition, but not a single muscle bled from the immovable, inexpressive canvas that was his face. Sora slumped his shoulders in irritation: why were these tough guys so opposed to uttering a simple 'thank you?' They did get their hair pulled from stating it too much as a kid?

Another Axe Heartless swung straight for Sora. He leaned back, caught the handle with the Keyblade's hilt, and pushed it upward. While the Heartless was stunned, Sora tried setting it ablaze with a Fire Spell. But another Heartless carrying a lance leaped in front of its ally, deflecting the attack.

The Heartless then thrusted straight for Sora's foot, but he lifted it up to avoid the strike. He then ran up the lance as if ascending a thin, precarious hill, leaped off at the end, and delivered the finishing blow to the Axe Heartless. The boy next spun around to face the lance Heartless, only to notice the pointed edge heading towards his face. With just enough time to spare, he brought the Keyblade up to block the strike.

But a Heartless with a sword slashed him in the shoulder. Agonizing tears sprung from his eyes as he felt the skin open like a zipper. Trying to push through the searing pain, he spun around, delivering a horizontal slash, but the Heartless thrusted its blade straight up with both hands to catch the strike.

Looking over his shoulder, Sora saw the Axe Heartless prepare to bring its weapon straight down again. This time, he spun out of the way, allowing the axe to cut through the Sword Heartless as if it were wood. Sora was starting to lose his concentration; the pain wrapped around his rational thought like aluminum foil: hard to tolerate.

As the Axe Heartless prepared to strike again, Chrom hurried over, delivering a slash across the chest, startling it for a moment.

"Lissa, you know what to do!" Chrom said.

She hurried over, grabbed Sora's wrist, and pulled him away from the battle. Lissa placed both hands around his damaged shoulder; white, magical, sparkling energy covered it like a cast. It felt warm and soothing against his skin, like taking a nice, relaxing shower. The wound was then stanched, prventing any more blood from leaking through like a valve. Any sign of pain had been washed away by a wave of alleviation.

Sora moved his shoulder; it was as if nothing had happened. He was amazed by Lissa's magic, but also relieved to be free of the agony. "Wow. Good as news. Thanks!"

"Don't mention it," Lissa said with a smile. "We're kinda in this together right now, so it'd be nice if we all remain in one piece."

"Good point," Sora said. He turned to see Chrom still fighting the Axe Heartless. Another Sword Heartless started sneaking up on him. "And it's time to keep that mindset going!"

Sora rejoined the battle. Chrom deflected a strike from the axe, and knocked the Heartless backwards. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the Sword Heartless prepare to strike. Sora intercepted just in time with the Keyblade. After pushing the Heartless away, he turned around, unleashed a Blizzard spell, imprisoning the Heartless' hands in a sheet of ice.

Sora slashed them both off, making the hands, along with the Axe, fall to the ground, shattering into worthless cubes. The boy ducked as Chrom came in with a vertical slash to the defenseless creature's chest; he then continued their advantage with an upward diagonal slash. The two finished off the Heartless with a combined thrust.

Their teamwork succeeded in finishing off the Heartless. Everyone took a moment to catch their breath. Chrom didn't feel like a badge of victory had been placed on his chest. In fact, the only thing he felt was an anxious heartbeat warning him of a foreboding future. These creatures had potential to shatter the peaceful dome they had bult; small, ominous cracks started to form. He didn't want them to become larger.

Chrom had worked so hard to maintain peace in his kingdom. Slaying Grima had removed that flag of dread waving over them. Everyone could live without a care in the world. He'd be able to enjoy a stroll through the capital city of Ylisse, engaging in pleasant conversations with the villagers, not having to worry about what oppressive shadow lurked behind the corner.

Robin had liberated that fear. Chrom didn't want his dear friend's sacrifice to be in vain. But he had to focus on the now. Without a stable plan to intercept that foreseeable future, it would come to pass.

"Everyone well?" Chrom asked. "Nothing out of place?"

Fredrick nodded. Lisa sat on the ground, letting out an exhausted sigh. "That's it. I'm enrolling to become a Pegasus Knight. Traveling by air seems less likely to make strains of hair fall off my head."

"I must admit," Chrom said, turning his attention to Sora, "your skills with a blade are quite exceptional. Who taught you how to fight?"

Sora mulled over the question; he never considered the idea before. Recently, Kraden had been helpful in honing his magic skills (as well as battling Bowser, his cohorts, and the Heartless), but as for skills with a sword: it seemed hitting things really hard has its advantages (although he sometimes wondered if the Keyblade contributed to his strength)?

Putting both hands behind his head, he said with a modest smile, "No one really. Kinda self-taught."

"Really?" Lissa asked. "Wow. Who knew a kid could fight like that?"

"Hey!" Sora said, somewhat offended.

Fredrick's dubious eyes did not falter. "I have trouble believing it."

Sora frowned; he was being trampled with insults from every which direction.

"Fredrick," Chrom said, "I understand your skepticism. I'm sure there are many questions we have for this young man. But we should help him find his friends first. He must be gravely worried about them."

Fredrick loosened the screws around his concern ever so slightly. Chrom was a good judge of character, and, upon looking over Sora again, he didn't see any malice infested on the boy's pleasant demeanor like warts. "Yes, sir. 'Tis the respectable thing to do."

"Before we help his friends," Lissa said, terrified, "we still need to help each other! Look!"

Another group of Heartless started to approach them. Some were even riding on Heartless-like horses. Everyone prepared themselves to fight again. The fleet came to a halt, staring at the four with those familiar emotionless eyes Sora knew all too well. Some of the horses snorted, releasing a cold stench that hovered into their nostrils, making the walls shudder from the smell.

Sora started to inch forward. "Man, are they aggressive today!"

"Stand your ground," Chrom said in a cautious tone. "They don't seem to be charging for us."

Lissa let out a whimper. "Oh, I'm missing the aching pain in my feet."

"Sire, what do you propose we do?" Fredrick asked.

Chrom analyzed the situation before forming a concreate strategy with a mental trowel. "We'll have to see how things unfold. If we are overwhelmed, we will make a hasty retreat for the castle. You'll come with us, Sora. It's too dangerous out here."

"But I can't leave without Luigi and Yoshi!" Sora said in protest.

"Those two seem to be all you're concerned with these days," a familiar voice said, brimming with disdain. "Instead of old friends."

Sora's throat tightened upon recognizing that voice. In the past, he would've been excited and relieved to hear it careen through his ears canal. But now, that voice brought nothing but sadness, reminding him that their lifelong friendship had been meaningless, discarded without a second thought. He didn't even want to face him, but had no choice.

Sora turned around to see Riku shuffling his way from out of the fleet. "Riku!"

"I surmise you know this boy," Chrom said.

Sora looked towards the ground, reluctant to release the next sentence from his tongue. "He's…my friend."

"Friend!?" Lissa asked with widened eyes. "What kind of friend would be on the side of these creatures!?"

Fredrick stepped forward, indifferent towards the revelation, and stared at Riku with his stern eyes. "Young man, state your business."

"Sorry, Tin Man," Riku said. "My business is with your fearless leader."

Chrom glowered at the boy. "Never address my comrades in such an ill-mannered way. With such a disrespectful attitude, I understand why you fight with these creatures."

"Oh, more than just that," Riku said with an arrogant smirk. "They obey me now. I have nothing to fear."

Something inside of Sora snapped; his sorrow had been obstructed by a massive, jagged pilar of anger. The Heartless destroyed their home, took away everyone they cared for, and sent them into strange, new worlds, frightened and alone. And now, Riku was content with controlling them? This was the ultimate slap in the face, and the lingering pain would not subside anytime soon.

"Why are you siding with the Heartless!?" Sora said, feeling rage build in his throat like bile. "You know they'll just swallow your heart sooner or later, you idiot!"

Chrom raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Heartless? So, these creatures have a name."

"Sounds like our new friend knows a lot more than we thought," Fredrick said.

"Not a chance," Riku said. "My heart's way too strong."

"Oh, is that what makes you different from the rest?" Sora asked with sarcasm. "Where was that strength when our island vanished? Or when we lost our friends!? It wasn't there. Never was. You're just too afraid to fight against the Heartless, so you'll surrender in hopes of staying alive."

Riku shook his head. "You're just as thickheaded as ever. You only see what stands in front of you, instead of peering into the depths. I've seen what the darkness can really do – how it has helped me succeed where you failed."

Sora was confused by that statement for a moment. Riku stepped aside side, commanding a few Heartless to do the same. What Sora saw next sent a paralyzing shockwave throughout his body.

Or, rather, who he saw next.

Sitting on her knees, looking towards the ground with a blank expression was Kairi. Sora thought his heart took a plunge into his stomach. He couldn't believe it was her. And she was still trapped in the same lifeless state. Her body was as limp as an idle marionette. Not a single seed of vitality grew within her eyes.

"Kairi!" Sora shouted.

"That's right," Riku said. "While you were off goofing around, I finally found her."

On instinct, Sora tried running for her, but Riku wasn't going to let even his breath reach Kairi's pallid skin. Upon sticking out his hand, Riku summoned a humanoid Heartless to block Sora's path. And it appeared was an exact duplicate of Sora himself, only it stepped into the pitch-black skin of the Heartless.

"Whoa!" Sora said, startled.

"Oops," Riku said. "Forgot to mention. I've picked up a few new tricks just like you."

The doppelganger kicked Sora right onto the ground. Lissa hurried over to help him onto his feet. She could see that despair had covered his cheerful blue eyes like dark clouds. Sora struggled to form a cohesive thought. Everything he hoped for had been squeezed dry. The two pieces of his world drifted further apart, out of reach.

"Just…why?" Sora asked, murmuring to himself.

Lissa turned to Riku with a scorn. "I don't understand what's going on, but one's things for sure: this silver haired sissy isn't worth being friends with."

"Better not get involved," Riku said in a threatening tone. "You wouldn't like the outcome."

Losing his patience over Riku's callous attitude, Chrom said, "That's enough! I am the one you wish for an audience with. Well, here I am! Speak!"

"And you say I'm rude," Riku said, crossing his arms. "Have a message from an old pal of yours. Name's Validar."

"Such delusions!" Fredrick said in utter skepticism. "Validar was slain not too long ago! Why should we trust the contemptuous tongue of some boy who wishes to bring devastation upon our kingdom?"

Chrom felt an unusual tingle in his fingers. And it was expanding into concern. "No, Fredrick. I have a strong hunch that this boy speaks the truth. My instincts were right – he did not perish when the darkness took him."

Fredrick was still doubtful. For once, he hoped Chrom's intuition was wrong. He didn't want the jaws of vengeance to open upon his fair city again. There were many troops he lost to the war against Validar and Grima. He couldn't go through the grief again.

"He asks that you surrender the Fire Emblem to him," Riku said. "Only then will he spare the devastation that'll be brought upon your kingdom."

Chrom heled up his blade, prepared to defend not only himself, but the people of Ylisse. "Never! Whatever he wants with the Emblem will not come to fruition! His threats are empty. My Shepherds will see to that."

"Okay, your majesty," Riku said, shrugging. "If you say so." He lifted his arm into the air. "Had no idea you're willing to give up your kingdom so easily."

He launched a sphere of dark energy into the sky, which exploded when it was at a great height.

"What sorcery is this?" Fredrick asked.

"Oh, that's just a sign for Validar," Riku said. "The real fun'll begin soon." He drew his blade. "Time to wrap things up. Do feel a bit bad for your predicament, though. Maybe I'll go ahead and take care of you guys. Then you won't see what happens to your kingdom."

But Chrom was not intimidated, regardless of whether the threat came from Validar or not. He worked hard to maintain order in his kingdom, and would not let his efforts be for naught. "A petty wish fulfillment. Our numbers are small, but you will desperately clutch onto mercy once you see how we fight as one!"

Something about Chrom's words resonated with Sora. It reminded him of his own inability to surrender despite the odds. Nothing was ever certain about the future, and he never had to face it alone (even though Luigi and Yoshi were absent right now). Sora shouldn't wallow in the past. He needed to make something of the present so that history wouldn't repeat itself. Or become worse, like losing Riku and Kairi to the darkness forever.

"I'm not going to give up, Riku!" Sora said, summoning the Keyblade again. "Trying to hurt these people with the Heartless isn't going to do you any favors. If Kairi were awake, she would feel the same way!"

Riku narrowed his gaze at Sora. "Fine then. You want to lose your heart with them? I can make that arrangement for you."

Everyone prepared for battle. Sweat trickled down the back of Sora's neck. The moment he dreaded was here: fighting his former best friend for real. But Sora wouldn't hesitate because he knew Riku wasn't going to either. The friendship they had for each other had vanished. Right now, they were enemies, fighting for a different purpose. Not even nostalgia memories of simpler times could sway their antagonistic feelings.

Because they had been buried underneath the sands of their fallen island.

Dusting off any remnants of reluctance, Sora ran towards Riku, holding the Keyblade with both hands, feeling a blend of exertion and nerves spinning through the valves of his heart.

He thrusted straight for Riku, but Sora's doppelganger intercepted with a Keyblade of its own; every detail was recreated to perfection, with the exception that it had been drenched in pure darkness. The doppelganger pushed Sora back, then went on the offense, delivering a thrust in return. Sora held the Keyblade at a horizontal angle, with both hands on each end, catching the strike in the middle.

Sora retaliated with an over the shoulder strike, but the doppelganger brought its Keyblade up at a diagonal angle with both hands (with the tip staring at the ground), blocking the attack. Sora swung upward, but the Heartless jumped back a few feet. Upon landing, the Heartless merged into the ground, becoming an unsettling ink spot in the grass, as if ruining it like a perfect, ornate rug.

It moved over to Sora, rose from the ground, and punched him in the stomach. The boy gasped from the sudden painful release of air. Then, defying all logic, the doppelganger hovered into the air, and delivered a kick to Sora's face, knocking him on the ground. The Heartless flew back a good distance to throw its Keyblade straight at Sora.

The boy rolled out of the way, pointed his Keyblade at the doppelganger, and launched a Fire Spell. With lightning reflexes, it dove back into the ground.

Riku had a smug expression taped to his face. "Having problems? How do you expect to fight me if you can't even fight yourself?"

"I'd worry if I were you," Sora said with a weak chuckle. He rose to his feet. "If your only form of attack is a fake me, then you're gonna be a cakewalk once I finish him off."

Riku's expression turned sour from the bitter retort. Done with meaningless banter, he commanded the doppelganger to attack. Once again from within the ground, it ran over to strike with the Keyblade. This time, Sora swung downward, catching the strike, halting the doppelganger from completely coming out of the ground. Right now, only its upper body was present.

Sora took the opportunity to kick it square in the jaw. The doppelganger retracted into the earth like an irate mole, ran underneath Sora, and leaped out with an upward thrust. Fortunately, Sora rolled away just in time. While kneeled over, Sora turned around, held out the Keyblade, and used a Gravity spell to make it crash onto the ground.

Sora was about to finish this fight when two Soldier Heartless grabbed him by the arms. "Hey! No fair!"

"What are you talking about?" Riku asked. "Your friends are always bailing you out." He shrugged. "Seems in character to me."

The doppelganger prepared to launch Sora's famous spiral attack; a sphere of dark energy formed at the tip, eager to devour every hair on Sora's skin. Looks like Riku had done his homework in copying my abilities, Sora thought. But he didn't want to test how accurate they were in terms of power.

He tried to break free from the Solders' grip. No avail. The sphere grew stronger, emitting a cold breeze that brushed against Sora's face, forming goosebumps from a plethora of feelings and emotions. Chrom noticed Sora was in trouble, and hurried over to help; he was intercepted by another Heartless.

Sora shut his eyes, not wanting to see the prelude to failure. Before the doppelganger launched the attack, it was hit in the face by a familiar egg with green spots, which startled the Heartless. Sora opened his eyes to see the sight of eggshells and liquid pour down his doppelganger's body.

The boy's face lit up in pure joy. He loosened his grip from the two soldiers, and knocked them aside. Everyone turned to see Yoshi running towards the battlefield from the nearby forest; Luigi rode on the dinosaur's back, brandishing his hammer. Sora couldn't help but laugh in excitement, firing the worry out of his mouth like a cannon.

Annoyance treaded on Riku's confidence with track spikes. He was growing tired of Luigi and Yoshi intervening; they were a major source of grief, having diverged Sora's set path into an unescapable hedge maze, where he'd never reunite with his childhood best friends.

"Who are they?" Fredrick asked.

Sora's grin widened. "The cavalry!"

"Oh, boy!" Yoshi said in enthusiasm. "A smorgasbord of Heartless! Where to start!?"

Luigi looked down at him. "Why I am both surprised and not surprised that you know that word?

The two met up with Sora, and turned to face Riku; his stoic expression didn't falter from the minor setback.

"Like those oafs will make a difference," Riku said, unimpressed. "You've already lost."

More Heartless appeared in front of the trio, and the battle continued again. A concerned string guided Riku's eyes towards Kairi; although her heart left behind an empty shell, it was still frail. He couldn't allow anything to harm it. Riku sprinted over to Kairi, and carried her in his arms.

Sora tried pursuing them, but the doppelganger intercepted him. For once, he hated looking at himself. Riku brought Kairi over to a horse that had been his form of transportation. He propped her on its saddle, climbed on, and they left for Validar's fortress. Sora was dispirited; he finally found Kairi – even though she was an empty vessel – and now, she was gone again.

And he wasn't going to let it happen a third time. Sora had traveled across various worlds just to find her. He wouldn't give up, not when she was within reach, even if Riku stood as the final hurdle. Right now, he'd take out his frustrations on the doppelganger.

With Luigi and Yoshi's help, the battle spun around a turntable towards the group's favor. Every Heartless was eliminated. Except for one: the doppelganger. The lone Heartless shrunk like a frightened rabbit before the group.

Yoshi cracked his knuckles. "Me get the hair. Pulling those splits out will do the most damage."

Now terrified, the doppelganger retreated towards Validar's lair, not wanting to lose a precious strand from its head. Everyone took a moment to recuperate from the tiring waltz of battle. But they couldn't relax until the threat was nothing more than a thought. However, Sora had a lot more papers to file through. Especially regarding Riku and Kairi.

That wasn't his priority now. He was thrilled to see Luigi and Yoshi were safe. In one swoop, he gave them a big hug. The thread of questions Chrom and Fredrick had about Sora grew longer. What correlation did he and his friends have to these Heartless? Where did they come from? And most importantly, did they hold the answer to vanquishing these dark creatures?

However, Lissa's eyes glistened over the adorable sight of Yoshi. Where could she find a baby dragon that irresistible?

"I'm so glad you guys are okay," Sora said, pulling away from the two.

Yoshi licked his face. "Me so worried about Sora." His cheeks expanded in light anger. "That why you need wear safety belt, mister."

"Okay, okay," Sora said, laughing, petting his head. "Cross my heart. Is everyone else alright?"

"Yep," Luigi said with assurance. "The bots are working on the ship. We're all fine." He squeezed the back of his head, wincing. "Except I've got a headache."

"Why?" Sora asked. "Hit your noggin on something?"

"Technically, yes," Luigi said, groaning, recalling an unpleasant memory. "From one very angry robot with a television for a face. It's not my fault everyone's got it out for us!"

Chrom and his companions exchanged confused glances with each other. Every sentence made little sense, making it impossible to digest like gum. More questions were being stacked together. But Chrom knew which ones were integral to learning more about the Heartless.

"I'm glad to see that you've reunited with your friends," Chrom said, approaching Sora's group.

"Who he?" Yoshi asked.

"Oh, this is Chrom," Sora said, extending a hand towards him. "He and his friends are the ones who found me."

Mishearing Sora, Yoshi responded with a perplexed blink. "Crumb?"

"You are speaking to the exalt of our land," Fredrick said in his usual authoritative voice. "So, you will address him properly as Sir…"

A small sound of restrained laughter impeded Fredrick's rebuke. He turned to notice Lissa trying her hardest from letting it burst into the air like party streamers. But the funny name continued tickling at her as if being ambushed by multiple feathers.

She broke down into a fit of laughter, clutching at her stomach. "Crumb!? Sir Crumb!? By the gods, that might be the funniest thing I've heard!"

"Yoshi!" Luigi said, with an intense blush. He turned to Chrom, flustered. "I-I'm so sorry! He didn't mean to—"

"Peace, friend," Chrom said with a pleasant smile. "It's actually kind of funny. Besides, Lissa's my sister – she's in her right to make light of me."

Lissa, recovering from the laughter, placed both hands on her hips, grinning with pride. "A title I'm most fortunate to have."

Luigi noticed Fredrick's disapproving expression looming over them. It grew more intense the longer they stared into his iron gaze. Luigi wanted to retract into his shirt like a turtle, terrified that Fredrick would pummel him into the ground from just breathing funny.

"Seems he no get the joke," Yoshi said, oblivious to Fredrick's intimidating demeanor. "Should me explain it to him?"

"That's just Fredrick's disposition," Chrom said. "Always takes his job seriously. Has a good heart, I assure you."

Currently, his heart was trudging behind logic and reason. He walked over to Chrom, and whispered, "Sir, what course of action should we take? The boy clearly knows about these creatures."

"Leave it to me." Chrom turned to Sora and his friends. "Gentlemen, I must extend my gratitude for your assistance in this fight." (Yoshi looked over his shoulder, wondering who Chrom was referring to as 'gentlemen') "Your bravery is absolute. However, you seem to have vast knowledge about these 'Heartless.'"

Luigi shot an angry look at Sora. He wouldn't know what 'world order' looked like if it assembled into a neat little row right in front of him.

"I can explain, alright!?" Sora said, on the defense. "I was in the heat of the moment!"

"Regardless, we need your expertise on these creatures," Chrom said. "Our kingdom has been in peril because of them." He closed his eyes, recounting the pain Grima left behind for them to try and mend. And sometimes, the wounds could never fully heal. "We just averted a huge crisis." Robin flashed before his eyes. "Although sacrifices were made. None of us want to relive that awful experience. To part with more of our loved ones."

Sora saw the sadness in Chrom's eyes. It must've been a horrible dilemma. He knew what it was like to lose something. Trying to cope was next to impossible, and sometimes it could take years to vanish. Still, he was a bit hesitant, especially from feeling Luigi's presence nearby; he'd bark out like a guard dog from uttering the wrong syllable.

"I totally get that," Sora said. "It's just…there are problems with revealing too many details."

Chrom appeared understanding. "I'm sure your reasons are sound. Now, I'm an exalt of honor and respect. You three seem good natured – I will not force you to into our castle for an interrogation of any sorts. But, refusal can lead to a lifetime of regret. Please. Help us bring peace to this kingdom."

"Luigi," Sora said, after letting Chrom's words linger, "we might need their help. That guy who crashed the ship looks tough."

Luigi crossed his arms, ambivalent. Keeping their identity secret had become harder with each world visited. They were no longer walking on thin ice; instead, they were trying to maintain balance on an ice cube in the ocean. He was worried about the consequences – how it would affect them in the future.

How it would affect his chances to see Mario again.

"I dunno," Luigi said.

Chrom thought of a different way to appease them. Specifically, to Sora. "There was a girl with that other friend of yours. Is she important to you?"

"Yes," Sora said. "Her name's Kairi."

Luigi and Yoshi turned to each other in surprise; she was here?

"If we join forces, I'll help you rescue her," Chrom said with a resolute look in his eyes. "You have my word."

Sora knew Chrom was trying to incentivize him in exchange for his assistance. And it was working. Trying to rescue her alone would be futile. He'd have to contend with the Heartless, Validar, and Riku all at once. Even he knew his own abilities had limits. This would give him a chance to be reunited with her. Although what really worried him was her state of being. Was her heart gone for good?

"You sure that was her?" Luigi asked.

"Positive," Sora said. "And she didn't look like herself. I could see it in her eyes. Please. We can find the Star Spirit, too."

Luigi had never seen such a desperate look on Sora's face before. Tears started forming in his ducts. Kairi meant so much to him. It was just like with Daisy; she was that missing half that made him whole. If the situation were reversed, he would've done anything to save her.

Bludgeoned over the head with a massive club of guilt, Luigi let out a heavy sigh. "Alright. Fine."

Sora's face beamed with a grateful smile. Something about the way it radiated like the sun put Luigi's spirits in a good mood. And they needed that positivity for the fight ahead.

"We'll help out," Luigi said, turning to Chrom. "But can his majesty make us a promise?"

"Of course."

"Please don't tell anyone about where we're from, or what the Heartless are. Catastrophe will hit this land if word gets out."

"If that's the case, I'll make sure your words don't leave the confinements of the castle walls," Chrom said.

Fredrick was still bound by a chain of hesitation. "Milord, are you sure about this?"

"This is the only lead we have," Chrom said. "Life is about taking risks. This is how we managed to save the kingdom from Grima." He clenched his fists. "Robin knew that all too well, and was not going to let him harm the future generation of our world."

Once again, he didn't doubt his Chrom's judgement. It's because of his strong leadership, perseverance, and intelligence that their land continues to breathe fresh air. "Understood. Follow the path your heart travels."

"Then a decision has been made." Chrom faced Sora and Luigi. "We will be more than happy to help you in return for your services."

"Thanks, your majesty!" Sora said.

Chrom let out a modest chuckle. "Please. Chrom is fine. You have proven yourself as a reliable ally."

Sora rubbed his head. He never expected to make friends with royalty on his journey (which included Peach and Zelda). It was a huge honor. He had to admit: it made him feel a bit self-important. If he and Riku weren't on bad terms right now, Sora would've made such a spectacle of his monarchical ties.

"Sire," Fredrick said with an air of urgency, "that boy controlling the Heartless mentioned something about sending a sign to Validar. He might try to attack the kingdom."

Chrom felt the pinch of Fredrick's remark, but remained calm. "Yes. We must not waste any time! Let's make haste to the capital city."

Before the group could leave, they heard giggling, and spun around to see Lissa rubbing Yoshi's stomach. The dinosaur panted and wagged his tail like an excitable puppy. Lissa couldn't control the urge to pet him anymore.

"Awwwwww, aren't you just the cutest little thing in the world?" Lissa said, cooing.

"Milady!" Fredrick said, trying to snap her to attention.

Chrom placed a hand on his shoulder. "Give her a moment. The day has been stressful. Besides, you know how she gets when her gaze meets with someone that's cute."

"Oh, so I guess we don't cut it, huh?" Luigi asked in a sly tone.

"You want her to rub your belly?" Sora asked, raising an eyebrow.

Luigi paused; an uncomfortable knot tightened in his stomach. "That question sounded better in my head."

Sora gave him a look that said, 'ya think?'

"These three are peculiar," Fredrick said, somewhat puzzled.

Chrom nodded in agreement. "A statement that has not gone unnoticed."

Validar climbed to the top of the fortress; every fiber in his being pulsated with ecstatic desire for revenge. To fulfill his master's final wish and bring ruin upon this prosperous world, watching it sizzle into a barren wasteland, where the spirits of broken lives would meander forever. He saw Riku's signal. Good, Chrom and his crew were distracted. It was time to bestow the greatest gift upon the exalt:

The pleasure of watching everyone he loved perish before his eyes.

Validar raised his hands, unleashing a burst of dark energy into the sky. It transformed into a creature donned in a black cloak with long sleeves. Towards the bottom of the cloak was a blue tint. In between the bottom part was a white translucent orb containing a heart. Only its long, sharp fingers were visible, prepared to shred the fair skin off a hapless victim. The rest of its body remained concealed within the cloak. And perhaps that was for the best:

Hidden behind that cloak was an indistinguishable form that could make someone's mind plummet into a ditch of madness in an instant.

Validar commanded his creation – the Phantom – to attack Ylisstol, which flew towards its destination. Its intention? Fill the town with frightened screams.

The grass rustled in aggravation from the groups' constant running as they hurried to Ylisstol, unsure of what Validar was planning for them. Regardless, they had to remain vigilant; it was all they could do when foresight had turned a blind eye.

Chrom began tracing a plan in his head. "When we arrive, we'll need to warn the villagers to remain inside. If the situation escalates, we'll have to evacuate.

"Understood," Fredrick said.

Chrom caught a glimpse of Sora's group. "I'll need you three on the front lines with me if the threat is a Heartless."

"Ooh, we gonna get a really good view of it!" Yoshi said, intrigued.

"Joy," Luigi said with sarcasm. "That'll be one for the photo album."

The city was coming into view. All the buildings were made from the finest stone, and varied in terms of size. Many had flags sticking out from the second floor. Vendors also set up shop under awnings in the heart of the city, with an elegant fountain placed in the middle. Towards the end of the city, placed on top of a winding hill, was the castle, standing tall and proud.

People had gone about their business, unaware of the forthcoming danger that would elicit pandemonium among the peaceful streets. But it appeared Sora and his friends were making good progress. Nothing unusual seemed to have slithered into the city yet. However, they came to an abrupt halt when they were covered by a massive shadow.

Luigi gulped. "There's not a cloud in the sky today, is there? Okay. Gonna look up in three…two…one…"

He, along with the others, were greeted by the chilling sight of the Phantom, staring them down through its hood; nothingness crept through it, deprived of any emotions.

Except with the pang of hunger.

"It a giant bed sheet!" Yoshi said.

"That's some Heartless!" Sora said, staring at it with a dropped jaw. "Looks like the grim reaper!"

Luigi was trembling in fear. "I think our numerous survivals from crashing hasn't sit too well with him."

"Look out!" Lissa said.

The Phantom charged dark fireballs with both hands, combined them into a giant one, and tossed it at the group; they leaped to avoid getting enveloped in its black flames. Sensing plentiful hearts nearby, the Phantom flew into the city.

"Such power these creatures possess," Chrom said.

"Compliments isn't going to do us any favors," Fredrick said.

"You're right," Chrom said. "Everyone, hurry! There's no time to spare!"

She had come to a decision long ago: to leave her kingdom. After all, she didn't belong here anymore. Her presence may endanger everyone she loved. She couldn't relive the trauma: the endless cries for mercy still hissed in her ears. Buildings collapsed into piece of worthless ruble; all the toil put into constructing them were for naught.

She smelled the noxious fumes twist her noses. No matter where she went, the aroma got worse. She had forgotten what the actual scent of flowers was like. All she knew was sadness. But being here changed everything. It was like her childhood when everything was tranquil and beautiful. She heard children laughing in the villages, living a carefree lifestyle, not being plagued by a constant state of fear; they didn't have to look over their shoulders and see the shadows starting back at them ill intent.

Upon arriving in the fields, she saw healthy leaves dangling on trees, swaying in the calm wind, as if being cradled to sleep. Water murmured as it was carried downstream. It was like being in a dream. Best of all, she could never be flung from it. But something prevented her from feeling content. Maybe it was the sensation of loneliness. Or, she knew running away from your problems wasn't the answer.

A stigma would forever be attached to your conscience, draining the happiness like a mosquito. She needed to face her problems, and the solution was to return home. Taking a deep breath, she climbed up a hill until Ylisstol castle came into view. Still a sight to behold, she thought. It filled her with nostalgia.

She couldn't wait to reunite with her loved ones, although she was a bit nervous. Would they chastise her for leaving without saying good-bye? She brushed her long blue hair, quelling those assumptions. They loved her, and would understand.

But then, the past began uttering obscene remarks in her ear. She heard screaming coming from the town. Was her intuition correct? Did her presence in this world lead to another threat? Her light blue eyes were riddled with worry. She gripped the sword around her belt that looked exactly like the Falchion.

Although concerned for everyone's safety, there was one person she was afraid for above all else. "Oh, no! Father!"

She hurried into the city, determined to prevent another grim future from declaring jurisdiction on the present.

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