A/N: So because I replaced my "The End" message with the new chapter, people were not allowed to leave review on Chapter 63. Sorry about that. I wasn't expecting to return so suddenly. lol So if there are any comments you'd like to share on the last chapter, please feel free to add them along with your thoughts on this one. Thanks.

Chapter 64: Hollow

Although the waterfalls continued their loud, uninterrupted litany, the floating island was bereft of sound – each voice was immured within a dark, dreary tower of bewilderment, trying to process the alarming revelation that ignited in front of them. Instinct impelled Yoshi to place a supportive hand on Sora's shoulder; he hoped to ameliorate some of the dispirited dross with laconic encouragement.

"No worries!" Yoshi said, trying to appear upbeat. Although it belied the concerned palpitations from within his heart. "We've been in worse situations!" He faced Luigi, as the confident façade tapered off into anxiety. "We have to do something!"

But Luigi didn't respond. Right now, his was starting at Riku's countenance, in deep thought. His blue eyes teemed with a jury of vacillated thoughts. Both sides enumerated their reasoning. Some of these statements made his stomach sink into guilt-ridden soil, where it would languor from the passing of time.

And yet, he would let it remain buried. A greater need surmounted any other remonstrance.

"Luigi?" Yoshi asked, expressing confusion.

With a deep exhale, Luigi dispersed the guilt that his chest hefted. Although vestiges refused to abide. He walked straight over to Riku without a hint of reluctance in his demeanor. His eyelids implacable to the thought of blinking. While remaining inexpressive, Riku felt a twinge of curiosity prickling within his fingers like harmless thorns.

"Hey!" Luigi said. The two stared into each other's eyes. For once, he wasn't overmastered by an irrational platoon of fear. "My brother told me to follow the key no matter what."

Yoshi continued staring; his lineament started to tense, as if a screwdriver twisted uneasy bolts. "What….what are you doing?"

But Sora knew. He knew all too well. And the weight of depression pressed against his spine. He could feel his face lowering closer to the ground, as if wanting to bury himself within it. His situation became insuperable. In an instant, every aspiration and desire had been ransacked, leaving behind an empty, hopeless cupboard.

Not even a paucity of confidence would be restocked; the shelves would remain barren, forming plaintive dust over time.

It was like being in Traverse Town for those first few minutes again. Except worse. He found himself in an indifferent abode of isolation – as a permanent resident.

"And" —Luigi glanced at Sora for a fleeting moment, feeling the incipient guilt complete its metamorphosis, and then turned back to Riku— "it's the only chance I have at finding him."

Infinitesimal sympathy skated across Riku's eyes as a streak of white light. "He means a lot to you, huh?"

"Like you won't believe." Some form of reluctance adduced for why Luigi shouldn't perform this undertaking. "But you're working for…"

"Not for much longer," Riku said. "Once it's over, I'll grab both Kairi and Princess Peach. We'll leave this place. I give you my word."

"Alright," Luigi said, reassured. "C'mon, Yoshi."

No response. He spun around to see the dinosaur was in absolute shock. It was like he had been pummeled by sharp stones and left in a state of devastation. After everything they've been through – how could Luigi just abandoned their friend without acceding to his conscience? Sora had become a huge part of Yoshi's life. His best friend….his big brother.

The dinosaur had a peculiar way of expressing himself. Sora was the only one that had a deep understanding of his eccentricity. When things seemed impossible, Sora debarred the idea from ever ensuing. Yoshi had never been repleted with so much joy in his life. It was like Sora had always been there from the moment he hatched.

And now all those feelings of gaiety had beem snatched away by sharp, uncompromising talons. The nails alone hurt. Angry tears formed in expostulation.

Luigi could feel the heat of Yoshi's indignation and responded with a firm expression. "You don't have a choice in the matter. We have a mission."

"How could you follow someone like Riku!?" Yoshi asked, as his tongue hissed from a conflation of intense emotions. "After all he did!? He no Keyblade master!"

Luigi relaxed his expression, hoping to appease the dinosaur through reason. "It's a means to an end. We may have our…disagreements, but this is our best chance to not only rescue the princess but find Mario, too."

"But why can't Sora come with us?" Yoshi tightened his grip on Sora's shoulders. He didn't want to let go. His salient loyalty clamored against the oppressive harangue of the rising waterfalls.

Luigi glanced at Riku, sensing a displeased chill in the taciturn air. "Because if we do, we'll squander our one and only chance to find Mario."

"That's…not right," Yoshi said, unable to digest the sudden repast of harrowing information.

Luigi sighed. "I know you're upset, but…sometimes…compromises have to be made."

But Yoshi was trussed to Sora like an obstinate belt, refusing to unbuckle and leave him without support.

"Are you really going to be this stubborn!?" Luigi said, becoming irate. "We can't let this moment pass us by! Do you think Mario would be happy to see you going behind his back? I may have found you, but he gave you a home! He raised you – helped you find your own identity. Loved you like a child. And that's the thanks he – no – all of us get!? I feel insulted!"

Every upbraided word stung against Yoshi's chest. The realization of his actions overshadowed his desire to stay with Sora. Mario was still the most important figure in his life. A father that loved him without question. And yet, here Yoshi was, rejecting that love over a person he barely knew. It was shameful. He would be breaking a bigger promise to his father.

But was it worth losing a brother? Strong emotions obviated whatever defiance that lingered within him. He was arrogated by a paroxysm of uncontrollable sadness. Yoshi burst into loud sobs; his crestfallen tears pounded against the concrete ground, in harmony with the inconsolable waterfalls.

Luigi brought him in for a warm embrace. He closed his eyes, caught in the uprising current of sorrow. "I know it hurts. I feel it too."

And he knew that the pain would be indelible. A risk perforce to take. After Yoshi took a moment, the two stood up, trying to regain their composure. But the cicatrize of guilt would not heal from within Yoshi. He didn't want to move forward. Nothing would be the same ever again. Luigi rubbed his shoulder, providing some form of comfort. But relief was only temporary. The shame and heartache would continue to follow like an unwanted shadow.

Riku crossed his arms, growing impatient. "You two coming?"

"Yeah, just give us a sec," Luigi said, showing a bit of repine for the boy's attitude. Even he started to question if this was the right call. Yes. To see both the princess and his brother again? It had to be right. They would just have to endure Riku's less than stellar attitude.

With an encouraging pat on the shoulder, Luigi gestured Yoshi to follow Riku. For a moment, Yoshi lingered, still stuck in a morass of misery. It wasn't long before he let out a sonorous sigh, taking a reluctant step forward. A trail of guilt was left behind in his wake. He couldn't even speak to Sora, let alone face him. His conscience had been impeded by a dour bog

Luigi glanced over at Sora one last time. The boy was unresponsive. His eyes continued staring at the ground; he didn't want to face the world right now. Or any moving image. Life had taken possession of everything he cherished. He wasn't ready yet to confront it again – this time with harsher conditions.

"Sora….I'm sorry…." Luigi said. His expression drizzled with regret.

No response. Perhaps it was for the best. Further engagement would be a presage for second guessing. For ruining that one and only chance to see Mario again. He couldn't let it slide between his fingers. Wordless, he followed the others towards the castle, as a shawl of grief tightened around his neck, and hovered in the air, making its presence known forever.

Sora continued staring at the concreate, inexpressive. He had become numb from a cacophony of negative thoughts and emotions; they heckled him with a posit of hopelessness. And, unfortunately, in his current predicament, not even a small, ameliorate whisper could puncture the implacable, dour noise. It pounded against his head like a hammer to a nail; he felt like his entire being was sinking into the earth.

Sora glanced at his right hand, unable to sense the Keyblade's comforting warmth. Cold. Like keeping your hand submerged in water replete with ice. He felt vulnerable. The Heartless' temerity would no longer be waivered by the blade's overpowering light. At any moment they could feed on his heart until sufficiently satiated. But that disquieting prescient was infinitesimal compared to his biggest form of grief.

Loneliness.

It was his biggest fear in life. To not hear the cordial voices of people rotating through his ear like a turnstile, and feel content by their bright lineaments. That was all gone. There was no one to succor him with laughter or reassurance. No one to remind him that he mattered. Everyone that he loved and cherished were unreachable – only accessible through his memories. But they were nothing but specters of the past – intangible, only capable of speaking through his mind, not their own volition.

Sora would never be able step into the reels of his halcyon past – to return home with Riku and Kairi, where they would watch the lassitude sun snuggle beneath the horizon's quilt. In fact, the film itself snapped apart, and spun around the reel without purpose, on occasion flicking discouraging sounds into Sora's ear. He and Riku would never rekindle their relationship; it had been effaced by a black, manipulated cloth. His big brother had been relegated to the status of stranger.

And Luigi and Yoshi weren't around to keep him afloat in the rough current of his journey anymore. Their motto of 'All for one' had been dismantled like an outdated vehicle, and he was forced to watch each piece be removed. Sora could only imagine the plaintive downpour that rapped on Yoshi's head like heavy rain; he would forever be drenched in the inconsolable weather of guilt, believing himself to be culpable in abandoning Sora.

Luigi….well, Sora couldn't enumerate every feeling he had about him at the moment. But's Luigi motivation for his errant action was tacit to everyone within the entire environ itself. And Sora couldn't blame him. Opportunity was ephemeral; blink just only once and it'll evaporate into mist – a regretful vestige of what you just squandered.

But was it worth the risk to abandon your close friend in the process?

Sora started to become anxious at the prospect of his future. He didn't even want to open that door ajar. His breath grew heavy. Not even a gentle caress of the commiserate breeze could croon his implacable emotions. He'd let everyone down, including himself. And most importantly: Kairi.

Sora promised he would be there for her. But now, she was immured within a state of comatose, unable to smile and enjoy the amenities life has to offer anymore. He wouldn't be able to see those beautiful blue eyes again, or experience her laughter tickle his inner ear. Worst of all, he would never have the opportunity to express his true feelings for her.

Like an eroding ship, those feelings would remain at the seabed of Sora's stomach, neglected for the interminable future. Futility attached itself to Sora like an uncurable ailment. How could he inure such toil?

But the train came to a sudden halt as it screeched out a painful moan. Sora's senses dragged him out from his ruminating ditch momentarily. He could hear the remonstrance of grunting and scraping refusing to accept defeat. Sora spun around to see Fox attempting to stand up, using his staff for support. But even the will of the stalwart was requisitioned by the body's endurance. He collapsed right onto his back, as consciousness fain the sweet sensation of a deep sleep.

Instinct sojourned within Sora's cluttered thoughts, impelling him stand up, run over, and help. He kneeled over to Fox, examining his battered body. His fur was disheveled – cicatrizes peered out from the orange-brown jungle of fur. Due to wearing a vest, Sora had a hard time discerning if Fox was breathing.

"Hey," Sora said, as he held Fox, providing a gentle shake, "are you alright!?"

Sora checked his pulse. A faint whimper of a palpation called out for help. Alive, but weak thread couldn't maintain the great weight of life for much longer. Any second it could snap, plummeting into a pit of surcease.

Sora's spine had been cuffed in a cold brace of inquietude, and it started to squeeze tighter. Panic pulsated the exact spot. "Can you hear me? Oh, man! This couldn't get any worse! C'mon, stay with me!"

Sora wouldn't let the feeling of loss continue to accrue. The pain he had accumulated was insurmountable already; he didn't want to the overflow of grief to brake like a dam. But he didn't have an inkling over what to do. Sora was a teenager, not an EMT. His smattering of medical knowledge inferred a small chance of survival. Unless he found assistance.

But all that surrounded him were the sounds of ineffectual litanies from the upturned waterfall. Sora could feel his sliver of confidence start to taper off into hopelessness again.

"Do you need some assistance, lad?" a voiced shouted up to him.

Confidence reformed itself within seconds. Sora looked towards the Labo Ship to see O'aka XXIIIwaving towards him (who had not only escaped the Heartless, but managed to acquire a backup backpack). With relief providing him a spring of energy, Sora lifted Fox onto his back, and took careful jumps down each floating island. There were some moments were Sora almost lost his balance from the increased weight, but every muscle tightened like the iron grasp of a gauntlet. Determination to save a life continued pushing Sora down an unwavering stream of strength.

Once Sora reached the bottom, O'aka said, "Seems your friend got into quite the scuffle."

"You don't know the half of it," Sora said, as he stopped to catch his breath. "But glad you came along. Think you can help him?"

"Aye, a good salesman always comes prepared with provisions," O'aka said with a confidence twinkle in his eyes. He glanced around the area, showing some concern. "But, unfortunately, I can't work my magic if those dark monsters take me limbs off. We need to find shelter. And fast."

Sora frowned; normally a swift swing of the Keyblade would be the answer to this simple equation. But now, it had been rewritten with recondite variables. Surmounting this issue would be a challenge.

O'aka gestured Sora towards the hindmost part of the area, which contained an open pathway (which was how O'aka arrived here in the first place). Irrespective, he affirms that it would take some time before coming across shelter. Sora responded with a small despondent sigh. Guilt squirmed its way into his emotional lacerate like bacteria, adding unnecessary aggravation to the whole ordeal. Even though he knew this wasn't his fault.

But being bereft of the Keyblade caused his confidence to become timorous; and, at this rate, it would retreat into a small foxhole of shame. He felt worthless in the situation. His presence would just incommode their attempt to save Fox. But survival instinct impelled him to keep fighting; it was implacable to the invectives being muttered by negative thoughts.

The two were about to begin their trek, unafraid of their inevitable encounter with the Heartless, when the sounds of mechanical whirring caught their attention. Their ears followed the noise to the backside of the Labo ship, as they notice the hatch opening. Isabelle hurried out and gestured for them to bring Fox inside.

A small seed of hope was planted beneath the pessimistic soil. Sora's sadness was ameliorated somewhat by an act of kindness.

While O'aka and Isabelle helped Fox lay down, Sora bathed in the familiarity of the engine room. For a moment, everything that transpired early had been effaced as if nothing more than a bad dream. The low humming of the engine sung a soothing melody in Sora's ears. He could smell the conflation of cleaning fluids used by the robots to keep everything spotless. His eyes glanced around at each piece of machinery, which were in a state of torpor from their hard work running the ship.

It was like being home again. But, no matter how hard he tried, reality trammeled contentment from regaling his mind with any ounce of joy. He was stuck in a complicated, murky present, and could not see a scintillating, positive future through the thick mist.

O'aka rummaged through his backpack and found a light green bottle.

"What's that?" Isabelle asked.

"Good ol' potion," O'aka said, grinning. "Should heal him right up. It'll take a bit. Don't own any of those fancy ones; those frittered away long ago." He placed a hand behind Fox's back, and helped him swallow the whole bottle, not letting a single drop go to waste. "Good as new in no time."

Sora looked over from behind O'aka's shoulder, relieved that their efforts weren't inexorable. "Glad you happened to walk by. Was about ready to panic."

"It be no trouble, lad," O'aka said with a modest smile. "Being human comes before anything else, right? Now, let's get this furry fella patched up. Shouldn't take me long."

As O'aka tended to Fox's wounds, Sora and Isabelle's diverted their attention to each other. Isabelle could see an eddy of toil swirling through his blue eyes without pause for respite. It was disheartening to see that once bright countenance taking refuge behind cold foliage, bedewed with tears of despair.

Sora vacillated over the proper respond for Isabelle's kindness. Even as he opened his mouth, the words struggled to latch onto meaning, as they were separated by emotion. "Isabelle…I…don't…"

"You don't need to explain," Isabelle said, her lineament molded into strong, commiserate clay. "I witnessed everything." A scorn seldom seen loosened the mold. "And it isn't right. You've helped so many people throughout this journey, putting your life on the line time after time again. Especially when it came to saving my brother. And this is how your efforts are acknowledged? Deliver to the ungrateful, and dispose of the industrious?"

Her voice permeated with a charcoal scent of indignation – an aberration of her character.

"The Keyblade is rightfully yours," Isabelle said, firm. "For so many reasons. And I will stand by that belief, knowing that my consequences will face retribution. Luigi had no right to leave you behind – the feelings of our closest friends are just impactful as family. It's no different. And, right now, your feelings mater to me. I'll do whatever I can to help you."

Sora could feel a gentle stream of reassurance fill the massive gap in his heart. Although nothing could insatiate the immense dejection, he was glad that someone would be there to keep his spirits from tottering over the precipice of failure.

A small tear started its smooth decent down Sora's cheek like the last droplet that came from a rough, dark storm. He wiped it away, but another one was waiting in the queue. Isabelle placed a comforting paw on his shoulder.

"Th-Thanks," Sora said, as his hand gripped Isabelle's arm. "Makes me feel better knowing I have someone on my side. Guess that's why they call you, 'Man's Best Friend.'

Isabelle chuckled. "Even when you're down in the dumps, you still find a way to crack a lame joke. You're something else."

"Well," Sora said, sounding melancholy, "it's probably the only way I can cope now. Can't magically snap my fingers and make the Keyblade reappear. Or write an arousing speech to win my friends back."

"But we have to try something," Isabelle said, obviating any self-doubt with confidence. "That's why I'm not going to write in my journal anymore out of protest. Not until we're all together again."

Sora gasped in shock. "B-But Isabelle…"

"My mind's made up," Isabelle said; not a single sound of regret staggered in her tone. "I don't know how much it will do, but I will try my best. I couldn't live with the regret of writing you out of the journal. To be reminded through revisions that we left you behind in this horrid place. It's just wrong."

Sora smiled, feeling a gamut of emotions swell within his stomach. There was a paucity of words that could describe how grateful he was for Isabelle's support. He needed it, because overcoming his current predicament would be a steep climb.

Sora was about to speak when O'aka stood up, wiping his hands clean of any lingering bacteria, and said, "All set. Should be good as new in no time."

"Again, we're fortunate you were in the vicinity," Isabelle said.

O'aka chuckled, "Ay. No problem at all. Just hope one day me wallet will reap the benefits of these encounters." He glanced at Isabelle, as if a paroxysm of déjà vu struck his forehead. "Beg pardon, miss. I don't mean to be hunting for a bat's tooth in his cave, but you look quite familiar. You resemble a friend of mine. Name was Digby. Helped him escape this place not too long ago."

"What!? Are you kidding!?" Isabelle asked in surprise. It seems their meeting was happenstance. "He's my brother!"

O'aka let out a hearty laugh that filled the engine room with verve. "Well, if the stars haven't formed a perfect circle, what are the odds!"

For the next few minutes, Isabelle and O'aka shared their stories with each other. But Sora found himself as an outsider of the conversation. Reminiscing meant nothing to him right now. Every time he tried view each slideshow of the past, scratches and tears would flit across the screen, reminding him of the present – how Riku lost himself to the darkness; how Luigi and Yoshi left him; and how Kairi was locked away in a comatose tomb.

He walked to the edge of the ship, staring out the blue mountains, drowning out Isabelle and O'aka's conversation by listening to the waterfall's badinage of nothingness. Time passed as he continued mulling over his predicament.

"Seems you're not much for conversation," O'aka said, as he approached the boy.

Sora couldn't help but let his lips be tickled by a small smirk. "Boy are you making assumptions. Even on a bad day I'd already know your hamster's hobbies, hopes, and aspirations."

"I see," O'aka said, pondering his words. "So if this isn't a bad day, I assume your mood must be close to the seabed." Sora responded with a heavy sigh. "Well, I haven't gotten much profit lately, but it seems I have been fortunate in the advice depart. Maybe ol' O'aka can be of some service?"

Sora, not taking his eyes off the mountains, expressed disinclination. "Not sure I want to talk about it."

"That be your decision," O'aka said. "Might be odd to share your own personal struggles with someone you just met. But it might make you feel better."

Sora sighed again. Perhaps he should take his word to heart. Talking might make him see the situation in a new light. He liberated his thoughts from the paling of reluctance, allowing them to roam free. "Well…I just lost everything. How am I supposed to go on from here?"

"That be a good question – one that has limitless answers." O'aka shuffled through the dockets of his mind for a proper response. Yet, there was only one paper that protruded from the rest: "Afraid I can't dictate your next action. It's your life. But I can tell you one thing: just because you lost everything doesn't mean your life is over. There will always be a new beginning."

Sora shrugged, not feeling repleted from the answer. Maybe he was expecting something that would be prepossessing. But, instead, they were nothing but platitudes. "I guess so. But I'm not sure how to move forward."

"That can be an overwhelming notion. But maybe what you need is motivation. Something that'll help you forward. It's what helped me start my career."

Sora turned to face him, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"Being a traveling salesman requires sacrifices." O'aka took a second to reflect on his own life, peering through a window that showed the past – the deluge of challenges he had to confront. "I had to give up everything to start me business. It's what I dreamed of. Wasn't until my first day that I realized how nerve-racking it could be. I started thinking: 'Did I make the right choice?' or 'I've lost everything doing this. And now I'll be alone forever.' Then I helped me first customer. The gratification they felt inspired me to help others. That's what motivates me."

Sora stood in silence, gazing into the own windows of his past. Some had to be pried open, as certain memories weren't pleasant: such as Riku becoming espoused by the principles of the darkness, or Kairi being endued with the listless quality of a mannequin. Without her heart, she would sleep forever, unable to rejoin life's inner circle.

Sora couldn't live with those interminable, strident thoughts clamoring in his ear. He would never find peace until Riku and Kairi were liberated from their torment. Only then would he achieve that contentment O'aka felt assisting his first customer. But reality waved an obnoxious red flag, reminding him of his current situation. Having no Keyblade narrowed the precarious tightrope that lay before him.

How could he defend himself from the indefatigable wrath of the Heartless? His confidence retrograded towards uncertainty with a flick of doubt. Until the sound of grunting and groaning interrupted all thought. Everyone turned to see Fox sitting up from the floor. He felt revitalized from the potion's healing properties, although somewhat unstable due to waking up quickly. But he couldn't convalesce – not when a laconic mantra continued orbiting his head.

Rescue Krystal.

Resting next to him was his staff. Upon grabbing it, he began standing up, ignoring the dizzying expostulations from his inner voice. His sufferance conquered the skeptical noise. Nothing would quell Fox's persistence until Krystal's warmth radiated throughout his fur like a gentle comb again. To drift into the realm of quietude from her reassuring tone. Her radiance illuminated his confidence even further. He wouldn't lose that glow.

Fox stumbled somewhat while attempting to stand up, but Sora hurried over to catch him. "Hey, don't move. You're probably not better."

"I have to be," Fox said, regaining his balance. "Think I came all this way just to leave?"

Sora and O'aka (and by extension Riku) were unlike any creatures Fox had seen before. They were akin to primates, but with less hair. Isabelle, on the other hand, would be someone that fit perfectly within his world. However, all three were homogeneous when it came to deportation: kind, understanding, and helpful. But in his situation, the act of hospitality was a dull dagger; he needed something with bite to push forward.

"Thanks for the help," Fox said, addressing O'aka and Isabelle, "but I'll be fine now."

"You sure?" O'aka asked.

Fox's lowered his bushy brow, sincere. "Yeah. There's no way I'm leaving Krystal. She gives me strength. She helps me move forward. I can't turn my back on someone who means the world to me. That scuffle was an inconvenience. Nothing more." He started walking towards the exit – his confident cape swayed in the wind. "Sure, I might be alone, but as long as I have the will to fight, I'll keep going until we're together again. That's a promise."

The cape caressed Sora's chin. He was in awe of Fox's determination. Being reassured of his friends' safety was the only injunction he would follow. It shouted loud and proud in his ears, not once muffled by reluctance.

Even if he did quit, the truss of guilt would continue to tighten, and never lose its grip; he would not perambulate through life with that uncomfortable pressure. Even if he was forced to join the ranks of the Heartless today, Sora's last moments wouldn't be for naught.

Moving forwards was his only chance to make things go backwards; to a time when life was carefree and joyous.

Sora looked back at O'aka and Isabelle, giving them a reassuring smile. The bleak mood in the ship dilapidated, being painted over with a new, hopeful coat. Isabelle and O'aka were proud of Sora for moving forward. Lamenting over the past would lead to an unfulfilling future, forever trapped in a cage of your own grief. Unsheathing his resolve, Sora approached Fox, stood next to him, and looked out towards the mysterious world, undaunted by its eerie lineament.

"You're right," Sora said. "I have to keep fighting, too. No sense in giving up. I came here to find someone very important to me."

Fox glanced at Sora with a smirk. "Guess I was wrong. I'm not really alone, am I?"

"Yep." Sora faced Fox, displaying his usual, cheerful grin. "Looks like that makes two of us."

Fox knew he could trust Sora. They were bound together by a common goal, and nothing could loosen the elastic around their bond. After introductions, the two faced the exit. Once they disembarked, second guessing was dross that found permanent residences in a receptacle. Their course wasn't inconstant; it only had one path.

"Ready for the fight ahead?" Fox asked.

Sora nodded. "I have to be."

"Best of luck to you, mates," O'aka said. "I'll give you a small discount if you come back alive. And that's a generous offer!"

Isabelle hurried over to Sora and brought him in for a big hug. For a moment, all their cares and worries were alight within a tranquil nest. She didn't want him to leave, knowing how vulnerable he was without the Keyblade. Sora had become such a good friend. His confidence was infectious; it traveled through Isabelle's veins, pumping a burst of self-esteem into her heart. He had become inset into the mural of her life – vibrant among the colors of other important individuals.

She hated the idea of seeing his picture daubed over by dark smudge. But Sora had a predilection for doing what he felt was right. It was forged from unyielding flames; she could smell strong fumes, and would never attempt to extinguish them. All she could do was supplicate the powers that be for his safe return.

"Please be careful," Isabelle said, as they released their embrace. "I know you'll bring us all together again. You've never not said no to the impossible before." She winced upon realizing her phrasing. "And I'll stand by that double negative, even if the grammar police strictly wave their fingers at me!"

Sora chuckled. "Appreciate the encouragement. I promise. We'll all be together soon."

After final good-byes were exchanged, Sora and Fox stepped out into the unknown, obviating any sense of inquietude, and acceding to their strongest desires. They were united by one cause:

To be enveloped in the luminous glow of their loved ones again.

As the two climbed up the floating rocks, Sora stopped upon noticing the wooden sword resting on the ground: a relic that no longer unlocked the door to nostalgia; of simpler days sparring back home without regard for life's endless complexities. Now this worthless toothpick reminded him of a former friend's untoward actions.

Fox glanced at the wooden sword. "Hey, splinters do better damage than nothing at all. Any little bit helps. I say bring it along."

Sora shrugged; perhaps there wasn't any harm in using it to slightly nettle the Heartless. It wasn't like his options were limitless, anyway. Perhaps feeling some weight in his hand would mitigate the loss he felt for the Keyblade.

But he was just being cozen with himself.

Upon reaching the highest rock, they stared at the mysterious castle, and it returned the gesture with cold indifference. Even the sun chose to remain reticent behind the clouds, as if in refusal to acknowledge such a somber, immemorial place. Ahead of Sora was an unusual structure about a few feet taller than him; a crystal shaped object resting on a upside down, triangular pillar

The crystal itself was emanating purple phosphorescence, discharging magic sparks around its protrusions like an electoral current. Assuming it was safe to touch, Sora placed his hand on the crystal, and the color changed to pink. They were soon greeted by another floating platform (which was octagon shaped) as it hovered towards from the castle. It had an ornate, yellow design, with safety bars around the edge, that joined in the middle like a bird cage. The bars themselves appeared akin to vines.

Regardless, there was adequate space for the two to board the mysterious platform. Once they were settled in, it flew off towards the castle. Sora was impressed; before this world was eroded at the oppressive hand of time, its denizens utilized both magic and technology to perform laborious tasks.

It must've been thriving, he thought. Brilliant minds of insuperable excellence were the nervous system of this world. But now it was left in a state of languor – no doubt overrun by an infestation of Heartless.

While waiting their arrival, Sora and Fox exchanged the cliff notes of their lives to each other. Although brief, their ears reeled in every fascinating, important detail. Especially Sora. Fox's life seemed to be a never-ending carousel of excitement. An undefeated ace pilot patrolling the galactic highway for the unconscionable.

"Wow," Sora said, in awe. "Must be the easiest job in the world."

Fox's lower lip tightened. "Not as easy as you think. For a while we weren't getting any jobs. My mentor Peppy wanted to get his eyebrows done. You should've seen how fuzzy they were! He looked like a disgruntled tiki. But we finally got a new job to help the people of a planet called Sauria."

His eyes sank into a plaintive pond.

"That's when I met Krstal," Fox said, with sadness in his tone. "She made me feel stronger than ever. She keeps me going whenever I'm out on the battlefield."

Sora's own thoughts and feelings conflated with Fox's in that moment, as if they were of one mind. To say he sympathized with him was an understatement.

"You really care for her, don't you?" Sora said.

"Like you wouldn't believe," Fox said. "What about you? Seems like you and that kid with the silver hair are fighting for your friend's affection."

A furnace of embarrassment was set ablaze within Sora's stomach, making his cheeks turn bright red. "W-Well, I mean…Riku and I have always been rivals, but…she definitely…oh, look! We're almost there."

"Smooth segue," Fox said with a light chuckle. "It'd make butter melt in embarrassment."

As the castle grew closer, Sora felt the strange warmth in his chest again. Although the cause could be due to a plethora of reasons: anxiety, excitement, fear; they spun through each chamber like a whirlpool. But he would remain stolid before the emotional torrent. Focus needed to keep him from capsizing into the sea of panic.

Once they arrived, the two made their way towards the large door that was ahead of them. The castle itself was coated with a light pink hue. Some of the walls had large scars, revealing veins in the form of corroding pipes; vines wrapped themselves around the pipes, as if suffocating them with their elongated fingers. To the left of Sora and Fox was a guardrail. If one were to look over the edge, they would see that the fall would be quite long. Nothing but blue stone ground sleeping in cold, indifferent silence.

Sora approached the foreboding door; it was imbedded with a picture of vines contorting together to form a heart. One who steps through the threshold may not find the sanctuary they seek. Instead, yellow, cold eyes would materialize from the door's dark maw with ravenous intent. Sora knew the inexorable encounter was upon them, but logic had been wended from desire's persuasion.

Taking a deep breath, Sora pushed on the door. It wouldn't budge an inch. He wasn't sure rather to be relieved or disappointed. Each side adduced their argument.

"Why'd I expect that to work?" Sora asked with a sigh.

"Relax," Fox said. He pulled out the blaster from his holster. "We'll just need to be a bit more aggressive. Stand back."

He shot a beam of green energy at the door, which exploded upon contact, leaving behind a blackened bruise on its rough skin. But there wasn't even a dent.

Fox exhaled through his teeth, somewhat annoyed. "Well, either this castle is made from the strongest stones, or I accidentally took Falco's little peashooter."

Fox snickered at his joke. Seeing that Falco was his best friend, jokes at each other's expense were inevitable. Like it was a written rule. But Sora's despondence was incongruous with the light mood. Fox saw every dribble of sadness stream down his lineament.

"Don't be discouraged," Fox said in an uplifting tone. "We'll find another way inside." He rummaged through his pocket. "And I have just the thing."

He pulled out a blue, plastic, square shaped, clamshell device. Flipping it open revealed a 2.9-inch screen on the top shell, and various buttons on the bottom part. Fox flicked the switch up, causing the monitor to brighten, as if waking from a restful slumber. Intrigued, Sora leaned over Fox's arm to see the device in action.

Various panels appeared on the screen, none of which Sora could understand (given that his life was planted in the pervasive valley of nature). But he was startled when a robotic voice spoke through the speakers of the device.

"R.O.B SP fully operational," the robotic voice said. "How many I assist you, Fox?"

The pull chain of elation brightened Fox's face. He needed to hear a familiar voice right now. Even if its inflections were about as uneven as a catwalk. "Hey, buddy! Good to see you! Sorry I had to back you up, but I didn't want the darkness to engulf you as well."

The chain was pulled again, dimming his expression into that of brooding.

"Too bad I can't back up the others," Fox said in a soft, sorrowful tone.

Despite being an amalgamation of numbers and programs, R.O.B said, "Detecting one hundred-percent despondency in your visage. Encouraging response initiated. I have all the confidence in liberating our friends from this darkness of unknown origin."

"Thanks," Fox said, regaining some self-esteem. "Knew I could count on you."

"Alert! Alert!" R.O.B said in a loud tone, startling Fox and Sora. "Sensors detect a bushy preternatural creature in close proximity of your personal space."

Fox glanced at Sora with a grin. "Are you referring to the guy behind me?"

"Affirmative," R.O.B said.

Sora glowered at the device. "Excuse me? Bushy!?"

"It's okay, R.O.B," Fox said, trying to stifle his laughter. "This is my new friend Sora. He's helping me find Krystal."

At first, R.O.B responded with a cacophony of strident, computerized sounds, until he said, "Alliance with Sora confirmed. Stored in memory banks."

Fox turned to see confusion brushed across Sora's face, inquiring over what just happened.

"He's a robot," Fox said with a shrug. "What do you expect?"

Considering Sora had no experience with robots, his expectations were buried under a ditch. Regardless, he asked, "Can he help us?"

"You bet! Check this out!" Fox pointed his device at the door. "R.O.B, can you locate the mechanism to unlock this beast?"

After a brief pause, R.O.B said, "Acquiring data on castle's structure."

Fox gestured Sora over to watch the screen with him. At first, it was taciturn, only displaying a solid blue countenance. But perfect lines started appearing on the screen, as if being drawn by a phantom marker. Sora watched in awe as, within seconds, the lines formed the entire structure of the castle, becoming a makeshift, 3D blueprint. They had their own portable map to guide them.

Sora was recondite towards technology; they were estranged acquaintances. But it was incontrovertible that technology made life's inconveniences ephemeral. Any smidgen of help was much appreciated. The structure on screen began rotating, as R.O.B brushed through each piece with a thorough comb.

A small red dot soon appeared on the bottom level of the structure.

"There is a switch in the dungeon," R.O.B said. "It should grant you access into the construct."

"Excellent!" Fox said. Both his and Sora's faces alit with gaiety. "Let's move!"

But their moment to rejoice was bedimmed by ominous shadow, as R.O.B said, "Warning! Warning! Hostiles detected in the vicinity!"

Sora could feel the familiar chill hike up his spine at incredible speeds. Nervous sweat evacuated from his forehead in a panic. The chill seemed colder than usual. Were the Heartless stronger than normal, or did not having the Keyblade ascribed to a sudden, unpleasant breeze of anxiety? Either way, the inevitable arrived at its destination, as Heartless appeared in front of the them.

Familiar, unfriendly faces stared down the two with malicious desires. This included some shadows, soldiers, space pirates, the one with a shield, and a wyvern. Discouragement tried hefting itself onto Sora's shoulders, but he pushed it away with encouraging thoughts of Kairi. They were the buttress that kept his confidence from collapsing. He gripped the wooden sword with both hands; having a sense of weight in them inspirited him somewhat, like a security blanket.

"Could you be any more predictable?" Fox asked, preparing his staff. "If you'd just let us be, you wouldn't have to face an embarrassing beat down!" One of the soldiers leaped right at Fox, and he knocked it away with a powerful swing of his staff. "Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Sora watched in awe as Fox ran forward with incredible agility, fueled by immutable aspirations. He swung his staff inward, slashing one of the Shadows into two. Another soldier attacked with its sharp claw, but Fox parried the strike with the blunt side of his staff. With a quick lower sweep of his tail, Fox knocked the solder onto its backside. He finished the Heartless off by stabbing it right in the chest.

The giant blue Heartless tried attacking with its shield, but Fox picked up his staff, bunted with the dull side, and deflected the strike. But the Heartless' obeisance towards aggression would not falter, as it launched a ball of fire at Fox. He deflected the strike, ducked underneath an incoming attack from the wyvern, drew his gun, and shot it in the back with a laser blast. The Heartless screeched as searing pain drizzled down its back like acid rain.

Fox had just enough time to cross both his staff and gun to block an incoming strike from the shield Heartless. Unfortunately, the force from the hit knocked him back a good distance, and hefell onto his backside. A red Space Pirate flew overhead and launched a fire ball. Fox kicked up onto his feet, then leaped back to avoid the scorching blast.

He retaliated with a laser blast, but the pirate tilted its head to do dodge. Feeling a cold presence from the side, Fox saw a blue Space Pirate launch a sphere of ice. Fox deflected it with his staff. There wasn't time for reprieve, as he had to side step another fireball. One of the shadows slashed as his shoulder; Fox winced as the nails disrupted the quietude of his pain receptors.

Sora stood by as a worthless puppet, paralyzed by thoughts of inadequacy. In any other situation, he would be more than enthralled to fight alongside such a strong alley. But here, his efforts would be nothing more than a hinderance to Fox – a lifeless stump whose only function was to create unnecessary space in the vicinity of battle.

"Hey, earth to Sora!" Fox said, knocking another Shadow away from him. He wouldn't let self-doubt cast an imprecation on the boy. "Last I checked, a team doesn't carry any deadweight!"

Fox's firm tone stifled the dispirited tumultuous noise. He was right, Sora thought. If they had any hopes of seeing their loved ones again, Sora had to make sure the harmonious chain was rigid. "Erm…right! Here goes!"

After taking a deep breath to disintegrate his nerves, Sora ran forward and tackled one of the Shadows onto the ground. He tried thrusting his sword right into the creature's chest. No reaction. It was like giving an annoying poke of the finger: the only thing inflicted was one's temperament. Sora tried again, this time with more force, trying to convince himself that his previous effort was a fluke.

Still nothing. Lying to himself would only make the truth harder to swallow. He was ineffectual in this fight. A second Shadow knocked him aside. Sora hurried to his feet, thrusting the wooden blade right at the creature's chest. Not even a flinch. The creature just stared, irritable from this dilatory, eager to devour a feeble heart.

The creature rammed its head into Sora, knocking him onto the ground. The two Shadows started approaching him, like predators of the night, obtaining their pray in stride. Meanwhile, Fox slashed away the red Space Spirit. He spun around, gripping both ends of the staff, with the blunt side pointing towards the ceiling, and blocked an incoming claw attack from the blue Pirate.

The blue Pirate tried to throw a punch with its opposite hand, but Fox stepped back, rotated his staff, and caught the punch. Going on the offense, Fox stabbed the Heartless in the shoulder, making it reel back in pain. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the Shadows closing in on Sora. Fox drew his blaster and disposed of them with two, quick shots. The boy rose to his feet, grateful for the assist, but doubt started cajoling confidence into everlasting slumber.

Fox could see the crestfallen shutters darken Sora's eyes. With firmness in his tone, he said, "Now's not the time to get discouraged! Faltering will only make us easy targets! We need each other to stay alive, got it!?"

Fox's strong tone and words tuned out the invective whispers in Sora's head. How was he supposed to save Kairi if his kept going down a detour of pessimism? He would never rejoin the main road at this point. Unearthing a glistening sapphire of resolve, Sora hurried over to help Fox, reminding himself that the avenues for winning a battle were plentiful.

The two Space Pirates found themselves on each side of Fox. They both launched their magical attacks at him. Fox smirked; his trap had been woven without a single knot. He tapped a hexagonal device on his hip; a light blue hexagonal force field surrounded him and deflected both projectile right back at their senders. The Heartless were destroyed in an instant.

However, the wyvern appeared in front of Fox, prepared to go on the offense. Sora had to act quick; his mind flipped through various pages of ideas. Some were rendered worthless; they were contingent on the Keyblade's power. But then he stopped on one specific page, and an answer was spelled out for him – something he had imbibed ever since first departing Traverse Town.

Sora held out both hands. "Fire!"

To his delight, the spell manifested, and collided with the wyvern. Although the damage output was inadequate, it managed to make the Heartless flinch. Fox flung the door of opportunity wide open, stabbing the Heartless right in the chest, throwing it over his shoulder, and slamming the creature onto the ground.

"Stand back!" Sora said.

Fox released his grip on the staff; he then leaped away as Sora used his Thunder Spell on the staff, turning it into a makeshift conductor, frying the Heartless to cinders. Soon, it was caressed out of existence from oblivion's cold, grim hand. After Fox and Sora disposed of the two soldiers, they were left with the shield Heartless, who ran full speed at them, despite the metal restrain of its armor.

Sora launched a Blizzard spell right at the creature's feet, causing a patch of ice. Inexorably, the Heartless tripped, and slid right towards the two. Fox finished it off with one final slash from his staff. With the threat of the Heartless quelled, Sora and Fox took a moment to catch their breath. Everything was at peace. Their heavy breathing joined with the howling wind in unison.

"How about that," Fox said between breaths. "Not a Keyblade in sight, and you still managed to slap the Heartless silly. I'd say they're gonna have something to be frightened about."

Sora appreciated Fox's supportive remarks, but uncertainty still squeezed at his neck like a collar. "But you did most of the work. Next, time I'm not sure if…"

"Gonna stop you right there," Fox said, interrupting with a firm, yet supportive tone; contradictions with a mutual understanding of each other. "So you're not used to fighting without the Keyblade – I get that. But that's no excuse for you to be in a rut. Stop convincing yourself that you're weak; it's simply not true. Or were those last few minutes extremely dumb luck? You're tough. Probably tough even before you had the Keyblade right? I can tell you've seen your fair share of fights."

"Yeah, but…"

Fox smiled. "Then there you go. Be confident in your OWN abilities. Not just the ones from some magical weapon. Our own strength is what keeps us going. You want to save your friend, right?"

"More than anything," Sora said, as a small flame of confidence was lit from within his pupils.

"Well, let that serve as a reminder for WHY you should fight, not HOW you should fight. Got it?"

Sora pondered over his words. They pounded against his head like a jackhammer, growing louder the longer he replayed them. It made a new tree of determination grow from within the dispirited soil. Fox was right. The Keyblade was nothing more than a conductor of his strength. Every other skill was his own, carved through a lifetime of experience; and it would forever remain ingrained in the fiber of his being. He would wield that knowledge as a weapon of his own. And, unlike the Keyblade, it'll never be relinquished.

"Okay," Sora said, as fumes of courage dispersed from his face. "I got your back no matter what!"

Fox patted him on the back, exhibiting a sense of pride. "Atta boy! Now let's get movin'!"

Sora nodded and hurried towards their next destination. Fox started to follow when nostalgia placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He recapitulated his speech to Sora in his head. Those words were his own, but he felt like they didn't belong to him – someone wiser uttered them, and he was just carrying on the message to the next generation.

"Man, now I'm starting to sound like my old man," Fox said, chuckling. "With the way he used to lecture me." He looked up at sky, taking a moment to cavort in the past with his father.

"Hope you're watching over me, dad. Could use your strength and wisdom."

"So, who's in a rut now?" Sora asked.

Sora's voice popped the sentimental bubble surrounding him, and he returned to the harsh conditions of reality. The boy greeted him with a playful grin.

"Certainly not me," Fox said, feigning denial. "Just giving you a head start. The snails need healthy competition."

The two laughed and raced each other towards the other section of the castle. Sora found himself in good spirits once again – a feeling he been devoid of for the past hour. It was nice to be reunited with such uplifting emotions. But deep down, he wouldn't be able to cherish it forever; a prescient parchment was about to unravel its decree.

For if they do make it into the castle, Sora will have to endure the greatest hardship of all: fighting against a former friend.

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