Some months back...

The skies above loomed dark and heavy, an oppressive canopy of unmoving clouds casting shadows over a sprawling, jagged metropolis. Neon lights flickered faintly from the sharp-edged buildings below, offering little illumination to a place that seemed suspended between realities—a world caught between light and dark, existing in the void of nothingness. It was a forsaken realm, devoid of life, yet heavy with a palpable sense of tension.

A lone figure stood on the ledge of a tall structure, arms folded, his presence blending into the night around him. His sleek, black fur was broken only by crimson streaks along his sharp quills, which seemed to glow faintly under the dim neon light. His crimson eyes, piercing and cold, surveyed the horizon, ever watchful. Dressed in his usual attire—white gloves with golden, ring-like limiters on his wrists and sleek, red-and-white air shoes—he looked every bit the warrior forged from battles past. His gaze was intense, but beneath the stoic exterior, there was a sense of purpose. An unstoppable drive.

It was Shadow the Hedgehog.

He stood motionless, the silent guardian of a world filled with secrets. Though his posture was relaxed, the tension in his form betrayed his vigilance. He was waiting—waiting for something or someone.

A voice broke through the heavy silence, its tone calm, almost curious.

"So, you found your way here too, huh?"

Shadow didn't react immediately, his eyes remaining fixed on the desolate city below. He recognised that voice. Moments later, a figure floated behind him, his silver quills standing tall as his body was surrounded by a faint, green aura. His golden eyes mirrored the same intensity Shadow held in his own.

It was indeed Silver the Hedgehog.

"A strange place, isn't it?" Silver remarked casually as he hovered there, his gaze scanning the endless void of the dark city. "A world between light and dark… It makes you wonder how it even exists."

Shadow remained silent, arms still crossed, his expression unreadable as his eyes never wavered from the horizon.

"I'm not here for sightseeing, Silver," Shadow said finally, his voice cold and deliberate. "I'm here for answers."

Silver touched down beside him, the faint shimmer of his aura fading as he stood grounded. His curiosity deepened as he studied Shadow's unyielding posture.

"Answers? From this place?" Silver questioned, raising an eyebrow. "What could you possibly find here?"

Shadow's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice even more cryptic than before.

"You know why I am here..." he remarked.

Silver's gaze hardened as he stepped closer, his tone becoming more serious.

"Is it about him? Roxas?" He paused, his voice lowering. "He does look like him, doesn't he?"

For the first time, Shadow turned his head slightly, acknowledging Silver's presence.

"Yes," Shadow answered, his voice clipped. "He looks just like him."

Silver's expression shifted as the weight of Shadow's words settled in. He too had seen the boy, the one whose face was so hauntingly familiar. The resemblance was undeniable—both in appearance and in something deeper, something neither of them could fully explain.

"So, what's your plan?" Silver pressed. "Do you think he's a link? A way to bring him back?"

Shadow turned fully now, his arms uncrossing as he faced Silver. His expression was cold, but the intensity behind his eyes suggested that he was following a lead, piecing together a puzzle only he could see.

"It's more than just a resemblance," Shadow said, his voice quiet yet firm. "When I was in the darkness… I saw him briefly. But it wasn't him—not fully. His heart… was disconnected. Lost."

Silver's golden eyes widened slightly as he processed Shadow's words. His own experiences in the timelines had shown him that nothing was ever as simple as it seemed. The connections between hearts, the ties between worlds—it was all far more complicated than they could ever understand.

"So, you think Roxas is the key?" Silver asked again, though his tone was cautious. "A way to help her bring him back?"

Shadow didn't answer immediately, his gaze growing distant as he considered the implications of what he had seen in the darkness.

"Maybe," Shadow said finally, his voice laced with uncertainty. "But I need to be sure."

Silver fell silent, his thoughts racing as he contemplated Shadow's cryptic words. There was more to this than either of them knew, but the weight of it all felt oppressive. Still, if anyone could uncover the truth, it was Shadow.

"Does she know?" Silver asked quietly. "Does she know what you're doing here?"

Shadow's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he shook his head.

"No. She doesn't know. And she won't—not until I'm certain."

Silver nodded, though the tension between them was palpable. Shadow's mission, whatever it was, carried a level of urgency that Silver couldn't fully grasp. But he knew better than to press the issue further.

"Well, good luck," Silver said finally, his voice firm. "You'll need it. This place… it's connected to those who have lost everything. Those without hearts."

Shadow turned away from Silver, his gaze once again locked on the sprawling city below. His thoughts were a storm of possibilities, but one thing was clear—he would find the answers he sought, no matter the cost.

As Silver began to float upward, preparing to leave, he cast one last glance at Shadow.

"Just be careful. DiZ isn't going to be thrilled when he finds out you've been poking around here without him knowing."

Shadow's eyes narrowed, his voice cold and resolute.

"I'm not afraid of DiZ," he affirmed.

With that, Shadow vanished in a burst of energy, leaving only the oppressive silence of the dark city in his wake. The secrets of this world remained buried deep within its shadows.

But Shadow would uncover them.

One way or another.

The Present

The Fifth Day - Part 1

The train rumbled overhead, casting long shadows over the Usual Spot where Roxas, Olette, Hayner, and Pence were gathered. Olette stood before Roxas, her hands firmly planted on her hips, clearly in no mood for stalling. Meanwhile, Hayner and Pence sat around, looking somewhat relaxed.

"Only three days left of summer vacation," Hayner grumbled, stretching out lazily. "So, don't even mention that assignment!"

Olette crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him.

"But we agreed we'd get it finished today," she remarked.

Roxas blinked, still caught up in the swirling thoughts from earlier.

"Yesterday… I fell off the station tower, didn't I?" he questioned.

Hayner laughed, waving off the comment.

"You wouldn't be here if you did!"

Pence chimed in, glancing at Roxas.

"But man, that was a close one…" he admitted.

"And what about Ratchet and Clank?" Roxas questioned once more. "Are they still in town or-"

"Stop changing the subject!" Olette interjected, her voice ster.

"Okay, okay! You win. We'll do the homework," Hayner replied in defeat, putting his hands up in mock surrender. "Stupid independent study. So, anybody got any bright ideas for a topic?" he asked

"Maybe we could study the stuff that's been happening to me. You know, the dreams—and those guys in white," Roxas suggested.

Hayner groaned and shook his head.

"Forget it," he said with a firm tone.

"Why?" Roxas asked in confusion.

"You know, things have been weird with you and the town since the photos were stolen, right?" Hayner said.

Pence nodded in agreement as he chimed in, "Well, tomorrow, we're all gonna search the town and figure out what's been going on."

"Lots of people are helping out," Olette added with a smile.

Roxas looked between his friends, touched by their concern.

"All that for me?" he asked.

The three of them exchanged glances, and Hayner shrugged with a smirk.

"Well, we gotta do something fun during the last few days of summer vacation, right?" he admitted.

Pence added with a grin, "And besides, we can't let you hog all the weird stuff."

Olette laughed softly, giving Roxas a reassuring look.

"We've got your back, no matter what," she said with a smile.

Roxas felt a warmth bloom in his chest, reassured by his friends' words. Things were definitely getting strange, but at least he wasn't alone in it.

"Alright, enough stalling!" Olette said firmly, determined to keep them on track. "What are we going to do for the report?"

"I've got an idea," Pence chimed in, looking thoughtful.

"Oh yeah? What've you got?" Hayner asked, leaning forward, intrigued.

"Well, there's this weird rumor going around," Pence began, his tone growing more serious. "You know the stone steps at Sunset Station? We walk up and down them all the time without thinking twice. But here's the strange part—apparently, the steps count differently depending on whether you're going up or coming down."

"What, seriously?" Hayner sat up straighter, clearly intrigued.

"Yeah!" Pence continued, nodding enthusiastically. "And it's not just the steps. There's a bunch of other stories—six, to be exact. They call it the Seven Wonders of Twilight Town."

"Other strange rumors, huh?" Olette mused, leaning in. "What else is there?"

"Well, I heard this rumor about a shadowy figure lurking around town," Pence explained. "No one can get a good look at him, but some say he's not… human."

Olette's eyes widened, clearly intrigued.

"Really? she asked.

"Yeah, and there's this other story," Pence continued, looking around as if to make sure no one else was listening. "There's a phantom woman seen near Sunset Hill. Some say she appears when the sun dips low, always watching… like she's waiting for something."

Hayner crossed his arms, pretending to act tough, but it was clear he was interested too.

"Pfft, that's just made-up stuff to spook kids. There's no such thing as phantoms," he remarked.

"Maybe," Pence agreed, but his voice had a serious tone. "But with everything else going on, who's to say it's not true?"

As they discussed, Roxas's mind began to drift. Something about the mention of the shadowy figure tugged at his memories. A vague image flashed in his mind—a dark, brooding figure, his arms crossed, standing still. The figure's eyes were closed, but then they snapped open, glowing with a fierce, red intensity.

"Shadow..." Roxas muttered under his breath, the name slipping out almost unconsciously.

The group turned to him in surprise.

"You alright?" Hayner asked, raising an eyebrow, his tone laced with curiosity.

Roxas blinked, snapping out of the strange memory that had surfaced.

"Huh? Oh, yeah… I'm fine," he replied, brushing off the unease, though his mind was still swirling with fragmented thoughts and unfamiliar names.

"Guess those rumors are getting to you," Hayner joked, though a hint of concern edged his words.

"Well, I think these and the other wonders definitely need to be investigated," Olette chimed in, her voice filled with determination. "Might as well make something useful out of this weirdness."

"Me too. It could be fun," Pence agreed, standing up with a grin spreading across his face. "Besides, who knows what we might find?"

With newfound enthusiasm, Hayner jumped up from his seat.

"Alright, it's settled! Let's head to Sunset Station. We can start our investigation of the Seven Wonders there."

Everyone nodded in agreement, excited by the shift in plans. They hurried out of the Usual Spot, ready to begin their adventure. However, Roxas lingered for a moment, his thoughts still clouded by the image of that dark hedgehog—Shadow.

"That dark hedgehog... Does he know Silver, Sonic, or... Sora?" Roxas mumbled to himself, feeling the weight of the connection tugging at him.

Before he could get lost in his thoughts, Hayner popped back into the hangout, rolling his eyes.

"Come on, man! Move your butt, the train's leaving soon!" he shouted, his voice snapping Roxas out of his reverie.

Roxas shook his head with a faint smile.

"Right. Coming!" he called out, jogging after his friends. Yet, the mystery of the dark hedgehog and the strange dreams still lingered, clinging to the edges of his mind, waiting to be uncovered.

As Roxas hurried through the streets of Twilight Town, trying to catch up with his friends on the way to the station, the usual hustle and bustle of the town filled the air. The warm afternoon sun hung high, casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets.

Unbeknownst to him, a figure stood high above, watching from the ledge of a nearby building, his presence barely noticeable in the midday glow. His arms were crossed over his chest, his dark, sleek fur blending into the shadows cast by the rooftops. His red eyes, sharp and unwavering, locked onto Roxas as the boy raced through the streets below.

Shadow the Hedgehog stood silently, his expression cold and unreadable. His eyes narrowed as he observed Roxas, studying every movement. His mind was working through a plan, a purpose that he could not fully reveal yet. The connection was there—Roxas was linked to Sora, and perhaps... even to someone else.

Shadow's thoughts were heavy, and his gaze darkened with the weight of his mission.

"This ends soon," he muttered under his breath, his voice low and cryptic, carrying the weight of something only he could understand. "For his sake... and hers."

With those words, Shadow turned his head slightly, vanishing into thin air with the faintest flicker of energy, his Chaos Control taking him elsewhere, deeper into the simulation. His role in this was far from over, but for now, he would remain in the shadows, pulling the strings behind the scenes, waiting for the right moment to act.

The afternoon carried on in Twilight Town, unaware of the dark figure that had come and gone, leaving behind only whispers of his purpose.

Restoration at 82%

The room was dim, illuminated only by the glow of the monitors that flickered with streams of data. The soft hum of the machines filled the silence, their rhythm almost hypnotic. The man in red bandages sat at his usual post, his lone visible eye scanning the screens with sharp, deliberate focus. Behind him, Ansem, the hooded figure with long silver hair and piercing orange eyes, stood in the shadows, his arms folded.

"Do you think it's wise to allow Shadow to roam freely?" Ansem's voice sliced through the hum of technology, smooth but edged with curiosity. He stepped forward, the cold light from the monitors casting a faint glow on his face as his gaze fixed on the seated man.

The man in red bandages didn't look back but let out a low, contemplative sigh. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, his focus unbroken.

"Wise? No," he replied, his voice measured. "Necessary? Perhaps. Intriguing? Absolutely."

"He's a loose cannon," Ansem continued, suspicion evident in his tone. "His agenda is his own, driven by promises to her. And now… it's not just about Sora. There's someone else, someone potentially connected."

For a moment, the man in red bandages remained silent, his fingers idly tapping the keys as he considered Ansem's words. Finally, he turned his head slightly, just enough to acknowledge Ansem's presence, though his expression remained hidden beneath the cloth wrapping.

"I met the hedgehog once," he began, his voice cryptic. "In that labyrinth of a castle—Castle Oblivion. He was there, seeking answers. Answers from Black Doom." He spat the name with distaste, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "It was there he acquired those cursed Doom Powers. They grant him control over the dark forces... but at what cost?"

Ansem nodded, recalling the chaos that followed Shadow's acquisition of those abilities.

"And now he seeks to help her further," Ansem mused, his tone darkening. "Saved her from the darkness—or what's left of her. But does she even understand the implications of becoming whole again?"

The man in red bandages turned back to the monitors, his eye narrowing.

"She doesn't," he replied bluntly. "And neither does Shadow. Not fully. He's playing a dangerous game that could lead to ruin and disappointment.

Ansem's voice grew more intrigued as he took a step closer.

"And why is she this 'phantom'?" he questioned.

The man in red let out a quiet hum, his eye never leaving the screens.

"It could help stir up the right memories. Memories buried deep within." The man's voice dropped lower, laced with a hint of bitterness. "It's a gamble, but it could just work. But, my hypothesis is inconclusive without more evidence or data."

"So, you're doing this for research?" Ansem asked.

"In a way, yes," the man replied. "This is something new and it fascinates me. But, we must tread carefully."

Ansem remained silent for a moment, digesting the man's words. The puzzle pieces were beginning to fit together, but the picture remained incomplete.

"I blame Silver for this," Ansem remarked. "He brought Roxas into this—helped set the stage. But sharing information with Shadow..."

"Silver was meant to guide Roxas, not interfere. He did his part," the man in red chimed in. "But his mouth has drawn Shadow into this complex situation. Even though I am intrigued by Shadow's purpose here, his impatience could cost us everything. The merging must happen soon, but not like this."

Ansem leaned in, his voice a conspiratorial whisper.

"Shadow won't wait much longer. His promise to her drives him," he affirmed.

The man in red bandages scoffed, his fingers tapping rapidly at the keyboard as he brought up new streams of data. Images of Roxas, glitches in the system, and anomalies in the Twilight Town simulation flashed across the monitors.

"I don't trust Shadow, but I respect his power," he said coldly. "For now, he's useful and could lead to more breakthroughs. But the moment he steps out of line—when he becomes a true threat—we'll deal with him. The merging of Roxas and Sora will happen, but only on my terms."

"Just be careful," Ansem warned. "Shadow could tear the very fabric of your carefully crafted reality. If he continues, this entire simulation could collapse. We won't just lose Roxas—we'll lose Sora."

The man in red bandages didn't respond immediately, his eye glued to the monitors, the streams of data flowing endlessly as his mind calculated the risks. The stakes had never been higher.

Finally, he spoke, his voice a low growl filled with steely resolve.

"We don't lose. Not now. Not ever."

Meanwhile...Sunset Station

The train ride to Sunset Station had been filled with excited chatter as the group recounted the strange rumors circulating around Twilight Town. Now, with the sun hanging low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the quiet platform, they stood at the top of the famous Spooky Steps. Each of them squinted down at the seemingly normal staircase that led toward the station below.

"So… these are the spooky steps?" Hayner asked, crossing his arms, unimpressed. "I don't get it. They look like regular steps to me."

"Yeah, well," Pence said, stepping forward with his usual enthusiasm, "the rumor says the number of steps changes depending on whether you're going up or down. Let's test it!"

Olette chimed in, nodding eagerly.

"It could be interesting to study for our independent project," she mused. "Maybe we'll discover something no one else has."

"Or," Hayner smirked, "maybe we'll just find out someone can't count."

Pence rolled his eyes, stepping onto the first step.

"Alright, let's start at the top and go down. Everybody count."

The group descended the steps together, their voices in unison.

"One, two, three…"

Their counting echoed as they made their way down. Upon reaching the bottom step, Pence called out the final count. "Twenty-five! Got it, twenty-five steps!"

"See? Easy!" Hayner said, flashing a confident grin. "Nothing spooky about that."

"Yeah, but we've only done it one way," Olette pointed out. "We need to go back up."

With a quick turn, they ascended again, counting once more in perfect rhythm.

"Twenty-four, twenty-five!"

"Same number!" Hayner declared, looking smug. "Case closed."

"I don't get it. Why did people think it was different?" Roxas asked, looking back down the steps, puzzled.

Pence scratched his head as he spoke.

"I heard it was Rai who started the rumor.." he admitted.

"Well, there's your answer," Hayner laughed. "Dude can't math."

The group chuckled, and Pence nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, that makes sense. He must've miscounted," he affirmed.

"That was easier than I thought," Olette said, stretching her arms over her head. "So, Sunset Terrace next?"

"Yeah, let's go!" Hayner said, taking off at a light jog down the stairs. Pence and Olette followed closely behind.

Roxas lingered at the top of the steps, watching as his friends ran ahead. The soft hum of the train station and the fading sunlight filled the air, but something felt… off. A strange unease crept up his spine. He started to move forward but stopped suddenly.

At the far end of the platform stood a figure—dark and motionless. Roxas blinked, trying to focus on the figure standing by the platform's edge.

"Huh?" he remarked in confusion.

But in the blink of an eye, the figure was gone.

Roxas whipped his head around, searching for any sign of movement. Nothing. The platform was empty, yet the eerie presence still lingered, making his pulse race.

"Hey, Roxas!" Hayner's voice echoed from the bottom of the stairs. "Come on, we're gonna miss the next wonder!"

Roxas hesitated, casting one last glance toward where the figure had stood. Shaking off the feeling, he hurried down the steps, chasing after his friends. But the image of the dark hedgehog lingered, tugging at the edges of his mind.

The 'Friend' From Beyond the Wall

Roxas sprinted into Sunset Terrace, his breath catching slightly at the sight of the picturesque view before him. The warm glow of the low sun bathed the quiet streets in soft hues of orange, casting long shadows over the cobblestones.

As he glanced around, he realised his friends were nowhere to be seen. They must have split up, all off searching for the next of Twilight Town's wonders. Roxas frowned, unsure where to start his own investigation. The last wonder, the Spooky Steps, had turned out to be nothing more than a simple miscount, but a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach urged him forward.

Just as he was about to pass an alley, something caught his eye—a large ball shot out from the shadows, bouncing wildly across the street.

"What the—?" he muttered in surprise.

Curiosity piqued, Roxas turned and ventured into the bricked alleyway. The faint sound of more bouncing echoed toward him, and soon enough, another ball came flying out. He quickly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the projectile.

More balls followed in rapid succession, forcing Roxas to leap and duck with growing urgency. He weaved between the bouncing objects, his instincts kicking in as he dodged each one. As he neared the brick wall at the end of the alley, something far more dangerous came streaking toward him.

A sharp whistle cut through the air, and before Roxas could react, a bright, spear-like object zipped past his shoulder.

"What was that?" he wondered, his eyes widening as another spear shot toward him from the wall itself, followed by several more.

His body moved instinctively, muscles tightening as he darted forward, barely dodging the spears that erupted from the wall like bolts of energy. Each one shot toward him with terrifying precision, faster than the last. Roxas jumped and twisted with every movement fueled by pure adrenaline as he closed the distance to the end of the alley.

As suddenly as it had begun, the barrage stopped. Roxas stood panting in front of the brick wall, his senses still on high alert. The chaos seemed to have ceased, but something was off. The wall in front of him shimmered, as though it wasn't entirely solid. A faint distortion—like a portal—flickered at its center.

Before Roxas could investigate further, a familiar voice echoed from behind him.

"Roxas! There you are!" Pence called, walking into the alley. "What are you doing back here?"

Roxas turned, still catching his breath, but Pence didn't seem to notice his disheveled state. Instead, Pence glanced around the alley.

"Oh, this must be the next wonder, huh? You've been tossing balls around and sending them bouncing out of the alley. I thought it'd be more mysterious than that," Pence remarked with a shrug, completely unaware of the chaos Roxas had just faced.

Roxas blinked, still rattled by what he had just experienced.

"Uh… yeah, something like that," he muttered, deciding to keep quiet about the spears and the strange portal.

"No need to freak Pence out," he thought.

Pence pulled out his notepad and pencil, scribbling something down.

"Well, that's another one off the list. We should split up again. Go check out the tunnel and report back to me. I'll find the others."

Roxas nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts still lingering on the portal in the wall as they left the alley and headed in separate directions.

Once they were gone, Shadow appeared, standing motionless in the alley. His red eyes focused on the spot where Roxas had stood moments before. His arms folded, his expression unreadable. Without a sound, Shadow vanished again, his presence fading like a shadow in the fading light.

Roxas didn't see it, but a shiver ran down his spine as he hurried toward the tunnel. The mysteries weren't over—not yet.

The Moans From the Tunnel

Roxas stood at the entrance to the dark tunnel, low, eerie moans echoing from within. The unsettling sound bounced off the stone walls, creating a ghostly atmosphere that sent a shiver down his spine. He took a deep breath and stepped inside, curiosity outweighing the nerves crawling up his back.

The tunnel was a maze of dimly lit, narrow walkways, but as Roxas ventured deeper, he spotted a brighter room up ahead. The light spilling out was a sharp contrast to the darkened corridors, inviting yet unnerving. With cautious steps, Roxas approached, the moans growing louder with each step.

The room—some sort of circular chamber—was unexpectedly well-lit compared to the rest of the tunnel. It resembled an underground plaza, its high ceiling and open space a strange refuge from the cramped corridors. At the center of it stood Captain Qwark, clumsily swinging his Green Struggle Hammer through the air as if practicing. He muttered to himself, seemingly unaware of Roxas's presence.

"Captain Qwark?" Roxas called out, confused about why the larger-than-life hero would be here.

Qwark's head snapped up, and for a brief moment, there was something odd in his expression. Before Roxas could process it, Qwark's form shimmered and multiplied. Suddenly, there were five identical Qwarks, each wielding the same massive hammer.

"What the—?" Roxas stepped back, eyes wide as the five Qwarks spread out, forming a circle around him.

Without warning, they attacked, their hammers swinging with alarming speed. Roxas barely had time to summon his Struggle weapon, deflecting the first blow as another hammer came crashing toward him. He ducked just in time, rolling to the side as the clones pressed their assault.

The battle was chaotic, Roxas moving purely on instinct. Each time he struck one of the clones, it flickered and shattered into glowing fragments, disappearing like digital ghosts. But the others didn't relent. They were relentless, surrounding him and forcing him to keep moving.

Roxas leaped into the air, bringing his Struggle weapon down hard on one of the Qwark clones. It dissolved into data with a loud crack. He whirled around, barely dodging another hammer aimed at his head. His weapon clashed against the incoming attack, the impact sending a shockwave through the chamber, drowning out the eerie moaning that had led him here.

Another swing—another clone gone. Roxas jumped back, his breathing heavy, sweat beading on his forehead. The last two Qwarks grinned in unison, their movements eerily synchronised. Roxas darted forward, spinning his weapon in a wide arc that struck both clones at once, causing them to shatter into data and vanish.

Panting, Roxas stood alone in the chamber, his eyes scanning for more attackers. The room fell into an unnerving silence.

"Didn't see that coming..." he muttered to himself.

Suddenly, slow, heavy footsteps echoed from the tunnel behind him.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't… uh, Rucksack!" a familiar voice boomed.

Roxas turned to see the real Captain Qwark swaggering into the chamber with his usual exaggerated bravado, his hammer slung over his shoulder. He grinned widely, completely oblivious to the fight that had just taken place.

"It's Roxas," Roxas corrected, still catching his breath. "Qwark, there were copies of you just now. Like, five of them!"

Qwark waved a hand dismissively as he replied.

"Copies? Ha! Good one, Rodrick!"

He struck a dramatic pose, flexing his muscles for effect.

"Again, it's Roxas..." Roxas said, his patience thinning.

"Whatever. There can only be one Captain Qwark! Imagine—five of me? The world couldn't handle it, Roxanne!"

Roxas sighed, exasperated.

"Sure..."

Qwark puffed out his chest as he continued.

"I've got a year to train and beat you, kid! Then we'll see who the real Struggle Champion is."

Roxas raised an eyebrow, still shaken from the fight.

"So... you're training down here?" he questioned.

"Of course! A champion never rests!" Qwark confirmed. "Gotta stay sharp if I'm going to reclaim my title and teach you a lesson in humility, Rodriguez!"

Roxas sighed again, fighting a losing battle.

"It's Roxas..."

"Right, Roxas," Qwark said, unfazed. "But next time, you'll be calling me the champion!"

Before Roxas could respond, footsteps echoed down the tunnel again. Pence jogged into the room, out of breath but clearly excited.

"Roxas! There you are. I heard weird noises and thought—" He paused, noticing Qwark. "Oh… Captain Qwark?"

Qwark turned, flashing his signature goofy grin.

"Ah, a fan! And you must be… Percy, right?" he asked

Pence blinked, confused.

"Uh, it's Pence," he replied.

"Yeah, yeah, Pence, close enough," Qwark replied with a casual wave.

Pence shot Roxas a bewildered look, to which Roxas only shrugged.

"So… all those moaning sounds, that was you training?" Pence asked, pulling out his notepad and pencil.

"Exactly!" Qwark declared, puffing out his chest again. "The sound of a champion in action!"

"Well, that's another mystery solved," Pence said, chuckling as he wrote in his notepad. "Let's go meet the others."

As they turned to leave, Roxas cast one last glance over his shoulder at Qwark. His gut told him something was still off. Just for a moment, Qwark's form flickered, and before Roxas's eyes, the larger-than-life hero transformed into a Dusk. The creature slithered back into the shadows, disappearing without a trace.

Roxas froze, his eyes wide.

"What…?" he muttered in disbelief.

"Roxas, you coming?" Pence called from the tunnel entrance. He didn't see Qwark turn into the creature.

Roxas shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Whatever had just happened, he knew this wasn't the last of the mysteries in Twilight Town.

Back outside, Roxas and Pence stood on the cobbled streets of Sunset Terrace, the warm glow of the low sun was casting long shadows across the ground.

"So, here's the plan," Pence said, looking down at his notepad. "Hayner's checking out the Waterfall near here, and Olette's gone to Sunset Hill. We could go grab Hayner first, then meet up with Olette."

"Yeah, sure," Roxas replied with a nod, though his voice lacked its usual energy.

Pence glanced up, noticing the subtle tension in Roxas's posture. His friend seemed distracted, almost uneasy.

"You okay? You've been acting kinda weird ever since we got out of that tunnel," Pence asked, his brow furrowing with concern. "I mean, Qwark practicing in the tunnels is odd and all—especially when he has a whole galaxy to save—but you seem… off."

Roxas paused for a moment, forcing a casual shrug.

"I'm fine. Probably just the heat," he said, waving it off, though deep down he knew that wasn't it.

The unsettling sight of the Qwark copies, their sudden attack, and the strange shimmer of reality he'd seen—it was all still fresh in his mind. Something wasn't right, but he wasn't sure what it was or how to explain it.

Pence didn't push any further, though he still found the situation strange. He scratched his head.

"Well, if you say so. Still, it's weird, right? Qwark practicing down there instead of doing… I dunno, hero stuff?" he mused.

"Yeah… weird," Roxas muttered, his gaze distant as his thoughts continued to swirl.

Something was lurking, something far more dangerous than Qwark or his bizarre training habits.

Unbeknownst to the two, Shadow watched from a nearby rooftop, his red eyes narrowing as he observed Roxas with calculated precision. His arms were crossed, his form blending with the shadows cast by the buildings around him.

"It's time," he muttered to himself, the words laced with a quiet determination.

With that, Shadow vanished, disappearing in an instant, leaving only the lingering tension in the air as Roxas and Pence continued on their way.

Restoration at 85%.

"It seems Shadow is preparing to make contact with Roxas," Ansem remarked, his eyes on the monitors, watching closely.

"Yes," the man in red bandages replied, his gaze steady. "I suspect the Ultimate Lifeform's road to disappointment begins now."

"What makes you say that?" Ansem questioned.

The man paused, fingers tapping lightly against the desk.

"Shadow believes that Roxas can bring someone back—someone important to 'her'," he affirmed.

"Yes, but isn't he right?" Ansem asked, his tone cautious.

The man's eye narrowed as he watched the screens, his voice cryptic yet deliberate.

"The problem is that he's chasing a ghost. Roxas looks like the one Shadow hopes to find, but he's not the same."

Ansem's curiosity deepened.

"So, it's a dead end?" he questioned.

"Not exactly," the man continued, voice low. "Shadow's mission is based on belief, not fact. He thinks that by reaching Roxas, he can fulfill his promise. But the truth is more complicated. The one Shadow is trying to help can't unlock what's needed. There's something missing… something only a heart can restore.

Ansem's expression grew thoughtful as he processed this.

"So, even if Shadow reaches Roxas, it won't be enough."

"Correct," the man said, his tone calm but weighted with certainty. "Shadow is chasing what could be, not what is. His promise may lead him nowhere."

"And when he realises that?" Ansem asked quietly.

"Disappointment," the man replied. "But for now, we let him play his part. His actions might stir something… or lead to collapse."

The room fell into a quiet tension, the soft hum of the monitors filling the space. Shadow's quest—driven by hope, but bound by uncertainty—was about to reach its critical moment.

The Fifth Day - Part 1 done.

Again, I've broken this down into two parts, as there is so much going on during this chapter.

Thanks again for all the support.

To Jesse: No, I won't be doing any more stories now. My soul focus is to write this story. Sadly, I don't have the time for a new continuity. However, there are some KH x X-MEN crossovers. I'd suggest checking them out. Apologies if this is not the answer you seek, but my main priority is this story and Sonic Colors: Heartless Horizons.

Part 2 will be out in a few days.