Dreams flooded Roxas's slumbering mind again. Another night, another set of visions of Sora's last adventures. However, things seemed to feel more real, much more stranger than the previous nights.

The scene began to shift, showing Sora, Donald, and Goofy standing at the gate of a broken and distorted world. They were joined by the woman warrior from a previous dream, her blue hair catching the light, and a boy with green hair.

"Is that all that's left of the worlds taken by the Heartless?" Goofy questioned, his tone betraying a hint of disbelief.

"If we defeat Ansem, will the worlds be restored?" the woman asked, her voice steady despite the uncertainty that hung in the air.

"You betcha. But what happens to this place and us once they're restored?" Donald added, his voice tinged with concern.

"If all these worlds become restored and disconnected, what's gonna happen to this place? And to us?" Sora pondered aloud, his expression reflecting the seriousness of their predicament.

The scene shifted again...

The group faced off against a powerful creature of pure darkness, its form barely contained within the shadows. It lunged forward, colliding with Goofy, Donald, the woman warrior, and a creature commanded by the boy with green hair.

Sora stood with what seemed to be an orange, dragon-like beast. As the fight intensified, something clicked—a connection, a surge of evolution. Sora's winged ally transformed; its orange scales darkened to a deep hue, blue flames erupting from its mouth. Its power skyrocketed as it faced off against the 'renegade' creature.

The dream shifted once more...

On a broken, sandy beach, darkness lingering all around, a man with long silver hair and piercing orange eyes smirked at the heroes.

"All worlds begin in darkness, and all so end. The heart is no different," he taunted, his voice carrying over the swirling shadows.

The visions blurred and changed again...

Sora was floating in a vast, dark abyss, but he wasn't alone. Sonic hovered beside him, though he looked different—transformed. His golden fur shimmered, flickers of crimson energy dancing around him, and his usual green eyes now shone with a bright cyan glow.

"Sonic!" Sora called out, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The golden and crimson Sonic glanced at Sora, determination burning in his altered eyes.

"Sora," Sonic replied, his voice filled with fiery resolve. "Let's finish this creep once and for all."

Sora nodded, feeling the strength of their bond.

"Right. Together, we can do this."

The dream shifted yet again...

Now, the man with the silver hair levitated before a set of large, white doors, deep within the abyss. He reached out with a desperate gleam in his eye.

"Kingdom Hearts! Fill me with the power of darkness!" he commanded, his voice echoing in the emptiness.

But Sora's voice rang out, filled with unwavering courage.

"You're wrong. I know now, without a doubt, Kingdom Hearts is light!"

A brilliant light swept across the darkness, swallowing the man in its radiance.

The scene swiftly changed to something unexpected...

Shadow appeared, but he was transformed—golden fur and piercing crimson eyes glowing with power. He reached out towards the large white doors, his voice booming with authority.

"Chaos Control!" he shouted.

The door vanished in a flash, disintegrating under the weight of his power.

The scene shifted again...

Sora was reaching out desperately toward Kairi, the sandy ground crumbling beneath their feet in the darkened place.

"Kairi, remember what you said before? I'm always with you, too. I'll come back to you. I promise!"

"I know you will," she called back, her voice filled with unwavering faith.

The scene shifted once more, morphing into visions of a hooded figure.

In one vision, the hooded figure clashed with Silver, the air crackling with power.

"Why—why do you look like him!?" Silver demanded, his green aura flaring around him.

"Shut up!" the hooded figure retorted with defiance, swinging a Keyblade at the silver hedgehog. The voice was unmistakable—it belonged to Roxas.

The battle blurred, transitioning to another confrontation, this time against Shadow, the scene set in a strange, distorted location.

"I won't let my promise to her be broken," Shadow declared, his red eyes blazing with determination. "You're coming with me! It's the only way to save him!"

"Get away from me!" Roxas shouted, his voice muffled under the hood as he charged at the dark hedgehog with his Keyblade.

Suddenly, Shadow's wings flared out, dark and jagged, and the aura around him intensified, creating a vortex of power.

Then the dreams stopped.

Roxas awoke suddenly in his bedroom, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. He slid off the bed, his thoughts swirling. As he stood, his form flickered between Sora and Roxas, the shifting identities a reminder of the tangled destinies that bound them together. He moved to the window, staring out into the morning light as birds flew past, their wings cutting through the air with a freedom he desperately craved.

The Sixth Day

Roxas stepped into the Usual Spot, hoping today would bring some answers. He and his friends had planned to investigate the strange events around town—incidents that seemed to be tied directly to him. As he walked into the hangout, he spotted Hayner, Pence, and Olette chatting with Ratchet and Clank, the adventurous duo eager to lend their expertise to the group's efforts. As expected, Qwark was notably absent.

"Man, I couldn't sleep last night," Roxas announced as he approached the group, his voice echoing slightly in the familiar space.

But no one responded. They carried on with their conversation, their chatter filling the air as if Roxas hadn't spoken at all.

"Guys?" Roxas asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

He reached out to tap Hayner on the shoulder, but his hand slipped right through him, as if he were touching air.

"What the...?" Roxas muttered, staring at his hand in disbelief.

He took a step back, bewildered, as he watched his friends continue to joke and talk—completely unaware of his presence. Then, Hayner turned and ran straight through Roxas like a ghost, followed closely by Pence and Olette. Even Ratchet and Clank moved past him, their forms phasing through his as they hurried out of the Usual Spot.

Roxas could only sigh, he had known that things were off lately, but this... this was different. This was like being invisible in his own life.

Feeling lost, Roxas's gaze fell on a nearby crate, where a photograph rested. He picked it up, his fingers trembling slightly. It was a picture of his friends—Hayner, Pence, Olette, and the recently 'departed' Cream Cheese. But something was missing. He was missing. Roxas had been in this photograph before, but now, his presence had been erased, leaving a gap where he should have been.

Staring at the empty space in the photo, Roxas felt a deep sense of loneliness wash over him. It was as if he had been erased, leaving behind only the memory of a person who no longer belonged.

The cryptic messages, the strange encounters, the feeling of not being able to connect with anyone—was this what it meant to return? But to where? To Sora? To something else entirely? He didn't have the answers, just an overwhelming emptiness.

With heavy steps, Roxas left the Usual Spot, the place that had always been a safe haven, but now felt like a distant memory. As he walked out into the fading daylight, he couldn't shake the feeling that this departure might be his last.

Outside the Usual Spot

Roxas found himself back on the main street, the sun's light glaring down on the cobblestones, but his mind was consumed by the strange events swirling around him. He tried to make sense of the confusion that had become his reality when suddenly, the air shifted. A group of Dusks slithered into view, their strange, sinewy forms undulating as they surrounded him.

Roxas quickly dropped into a defensive stance, but he realised he was weaponless. His hands clenched into fists, but he had no idea how he would fend off the creatures.

Just as the Dusks began to close in, a familiar voice rang out from the shadows.

"Hmm. No Silver to ruin our reunion this time..." The voice remarked with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

Roxas turned sharply, spotting Axel stepping out from the darkness. The red-haired man scanned the area, his green eyes glinting with mischief, clearly expecting the silver guardian to make an appearance. But, he didn't show up.

"Ah, too bad, he must be offline," Axel added with a smirk. "First time 'he's' done something right, that's for sure."

"What?" Roxas asked, bewildered. "Offline? What are you talking about?"

Axel waved his hand dismissively, as if it wasn't worth explaining.

"Don't worry about that. What you should worry about is the situation we're in. Look at what it's come to, Roxas. I've been given these icky jobs... y'know, to destroy you if you refuse to come back with me."

Roxas studied Axel, his mind racing with the echoes of memories he couldn't quite piece together. Slowly, he straightened, dropping out of his defensive stance as confusion softened into something more vulnerable.

"We're... best friends, right?" Roxas asked, his voice wavering with uncertainty.

Axel scratched the back of his head, looking genuinely pained by the question.

"Yeah, sure... but I'm not getting turned into a Dusk over this, Roxas." He sighed, then something seemed to click in his mind. His eyes widened with surprise, and his tone shifted, filled with sudden hope. "Wait a sec! You remember now?"

"Y...eah," Roxas replied, though his voice held a note of hesitation.

Axel's face lit up with relief, but then his expression turned serious again.

"Great! But I gotta make sure and all." Axel paused, searching Roxas's eyes, as if hoping to find a glimmer of recognition. "What's our boss's name?"

Roxas furrowed his brow, trying to recall, but his mind drew a frustrating blank. No name came to him, only a void where the answer should have been. He remained silent, his face betraying his confusion.

Axel sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping as he turned away slightly, disappointment clear in his expression.

"Figures..." he muttered softly, the frustration barely contained in his voice. "I can't believe this."

Before Axel could say more, a sudden light glowed from Roxas's hand. In an instant, the Keyblade materialised in his grip. Roxas tightened his hold on the weapon, feeling a rush of determination as he faced the Dusks surrounding him.

He sprang into action, lunging at the nearest Dusk with a powerful slash, breaking it apart in one fluid motion. As another Dusk tried to circle behind him, Roxas spun swiftly, the Keyblade slicing through the air to strike it down before it could strike him. The last Dusk moved erratically, darting from side to side in an attempt to find an opening, but Roxas was quicker. He delivered a final blow, destroying it with a decisive strike.

Axel watched the scene unfold. He summoned and twirled his silver and red chakrams.

"I guess if you want something done right, you do it yourself," Axel remarked, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone as he prepared to strike.

But just as Axel was about to leap forward, he suddenly froze in place. His green eyes remained locked onto Roxas, but his body was immobilised, caught in an unseen grip.

"What...?" Roxas muttered, trying to make sense of the sudden shift.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the empty street, booming with authority and impossible to ignore.

"Roxas, to the mansion!" it commanded. "The time has come!"

Roxas spun around, searching for the source of the voice, but there was no one in sight. A sense of urgency flooded through him, and with it, a sharp pang of loss as he thought of his friends.

"Hayner, Pence, Olette..." Roxas whispered somberly.

He knew he had to move forward, even if it meant leaving behind the comfort of their friendship.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Roxas turned and ran, his footsteps echoing through the empty streets as he made his way toward Market Street and the haunted mansion.

As Roxas disappeared around the corner, Axel's body loosened, and he stumbled slightly as the invisible force released its grip.

"Boy, that wasn't fun..." he muttered, cracking his neck to shake off the lingering sensation.

He turned his gaze toward the path Roxas had taken, a frown deepening the lines on his face.

"The Roxas that I know is long gone. Fine, I see how it is..." Axel muttered to himself, a hint of sadness creeping into his voice.

The Mansion

Roxas arrived at the locked gates of the mansion, his breath coming in short bursts as he shook the iron bars, frustration bubbling inside him. The gates rattled but refused to budge. He could feel the presence of the Dusks creeping closer, their slithering movements sending chills up his spine.

"Don't call me and then lock me out..." he remarked in annoyance.

But then, something clicked in his mind—a memory. Sora, sealing keyholes with the Keyblade. Could it be that simple?

Taking a step back, he summoned the Keyblade once more, its familiar weight settling into his grip. With a determined breath, he pointed the weapon toward the silver padlock securing the gates. The air shimmered with anticipation as a beam of light shot from the tip of the Keyblade, hitting the lock squarely in the keyhole.

The silver padlock gave a satisfying click, and the chains unraveled as the gates creaked open, as if welcoming him inside.

Roxas didn't waste a second. He dashed through the open gates, his focus entirely on the mansion looming before him.

Behind him, the Dusks moved forward to follow Roxas. But as they tried to enter the courtyard, a dark-cloaked figure appeared infront of them, brandishing a weapon with wing-like blades. The mysterious stranger blocked their path.

The Dusks halted, their movements uncertain as the figure stood its ground, a quiet menace radiating from its stance.

Roxas, oblivious to the scene behind him, pushed open the mansion's heavy front doors and slipped inside, the ancient wood groaning as they shut behind him. He stood in the dusty, dimly lit foyer, the air thick with age and mystery.

He knew he was close—so close to the answers he sought. But what those answers would bring, he couldn't yet fathom.

Roxas wandered through the abandoned mansion, his footsteps echoing in the dusty hallways. He pushed open the door to the white room—the same one he had found himself in the day before. The colorful drawings were still pinned to the walls, vibrant against the stark white backdrop, bringing a strange warmth to the otherwise lifeless space.

He moved closer to one of the pictures. It showed him standing beside Axel, both of them clad in those dark, flowing coats. A pang of nostalgia, or perhaps something deeper, stirred inside him. But then, another drawing caught his eye—one of himself standing alone in a dark alleyway, his expression lost and distant.

Without warning, a sharp pain seared through his head. Roxas clutched his temples, staggering as the room around him seemed to blur. A memory, buried deep, forced its way to the surface.

The Past – The Dark City

Roxas walked down a shadowy street in a city that seemed to exist only in darkness. Thunder rumbled overhead, the sky a swirling mass of storm clouds. He wore the black coat of the Organization, the hem trailing behind him with each step.

As he rounded a corner, he spotted Axel leaning against a nearby wall, arms folded, his face grim.

"Your mind's made up?" Axel asked, his voice carrying a note of unease.

Roxas came to a stop, his back turned to his friend. He stared down the empty street, his thoughts churning.

"Why did the Keyblade choose me?" he muttered, his voice barely audible above the storm. "Why do I look like him? I have to know."

Axel straightened, tension creeping into his posture.

"You can't turn on the Organization!" he warned, his tone desperate.

The memory dissolved as quickly as it had come, leaving Roxas gasping for breath, his head spinning. When he opened his eyes, Naminé stood before him in the white room, her expression gentle yet tinged with sadness.

"Organization XIII... they're a bad group," Roxas said, his voice uncertain as he tried to piece together the fragments of his past.

Naminé gazed at him, her eyes filled with an understanding that seemed to carry the weight of many secrets.

"They're a group of incomplete people who wish to be whole. To that end, they're desperately searching for something," she explained softly.

Roxas frowned, confusion mixing with frustration.

"What are they searching for?" he pressed.

"Kingdom Hearts," Naminé replied simply, as if the answer held all the weight of the world.

Roxas took in her words, the name reverberating in his mind like an echo from a distant place. And then, unexpectedly, he let out a short laugh.

Naminé tilted her head, her expression softening with concern.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

Roxas steadied himself, moving to lean against the long white table at the center of the room. He took a deep breath, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"It's just... I think I've been running away from the question I really want to ask," he admitted, his voice growing quieter. "What's gonna happen to me now? Just tell me that. Nothing else really matters anymore."

Naminé's gentle expression softened further, a sadness in her eyes that seemed to mirror his uncertainty. She opened her mouth to speak, but her form suddenly flickered, like a signal being lost in a static-filled broadcast.

"Naminé!" Roxas cried, reaching out toward her.

But it was too late. Her image shattered like a fragile mirror, breaking into shards of light that scattered across the white room before vanishing entirely. In her place, the air crackled, and a figure appeared in a flash of shimmering data.

His entire face, apart from his right eye and mouth, was obscured by red bandages, with two belts crossing over his head, one concealing where his left eye should be.

The stranger's presence radiated an unsettling calm, his posture rigid and deliberate, as if each movement was carefully calculated. It was clear he was a man who thrived in control, manipulating events from behind the scenes, and now his attention was squarely on Roxas.

"There's no knowledge that has the power to change your fate," the man remarked, his voice low and deliberate, each word dripping with disdain.

Roxas clenched his fists, taking a step forward, defiance burning in his eyes.

"Even if it doesn't, I wanna know. I have the right to know!" Roxas countered.

The man's visible eye narrowed, his tone turning colder.

"A Nobody doesn't have a right to know," the man spat. "Nor does it even have the right to be."

Roxas's jaw tightened as he shot back, "But what IS a Nobody?!"

Before the man could respond, the darkness at the edge of the room shifted, revealing another figure emerging from the shadows. A tall man in a dark hooded cloak, with long silver hair slipping out from beneath the hood, his face partially hidden in shadow. His voice was smooth yet edged with urgency.

"DiZ, we're out of time," the hooded man said, glancing around the room, his posture tense. "Too many Nobodies."

A swirling portal of darkness opened behind the man in red bandages—DiZ—its energy crackling with unstable force. Within it, Naminé's form reappeared, suspended within the swirling vortex, her expression filled with worry.

"Roxas," she called, her voice echoing with a desperate sincerity. "Nobodies like us are only half a person. You won't disappear. You'll be whole!"

Roxas froze, her words hitting him like a hammer.

"I'll... disappear...?" he muttered in shock.

DiZ stepped closer to the portal, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

"No further outbursts!" he demanded.

But Naminé, determined, wrestled against his hold, her voice rising in defiance even as DiZ tried to stifle it.

"No, you won't disappear! You'll—"

DiZ silenced her, his hand covering her mouth, but she pushed against him with all her strength, her voice slipping free one last time.

"Roxas! We will meet again," she declared. "And then we can talk about everything. I may not know it's you, and you may not know it's me. But we will meet again. Someday soon. I promise!"

As the portal began to collapse in on itself, DiZ pulled Naminé back through, and the shadowy, hooded figure moved to intercept Roxas, blocking his path. Desperation surged within Roxas, and he lunged forward, reaching out with all his might.

"Let her go!" he shouted, his voice raw with emotion as he stretched out his hand, trying to reach Naminé before she vanished.

But the portal sealed shut, swallowing Naminé and DiZ into the darkness, along with the hooded figure. In an instant, the room fell silent, the echoes of their departure reverberating in the sterile, empty space.

"Naminé!" Roxas called out again, his voice breaking through the stillness, but there was no response—only the lingering hum of the vanished portal, fading into silence.

Elsewhere - G.U.N Facility

In a large, dimly lit room, a giant map of multiple worlds was projected onto the wall, displaying key locations. Some were marked with ominous red symbols, indicating recent disturbances. The air was thick with tension, the hum of machinery and distant murmurs adding to the atmosphere.

Commander Abraham Tower stood at the head of the room, a tall figure in a crisp G.U.N. uniform adorned with insignias. His eyes—one brown, one green—gleamed with determination. Beside him, Agent Drummond kept a watchful eye on a tablet, monitoring the ever-changing data displayed on the large screen.

Shadow, Aqua, Rouge, and Omega stood before them, ready for their briefing. Shadow's expression remained unreadable, his arms folded across his chest. Rouge leaned casually against the wall, her eyes flicking between the Commander and the projections, while Omega's mechanical frame stood motionless, always prepared for action.

Aqua stood slightly apart from the others, still adjusting to her role within G.U.N. Despite Shadow's reassurances, she couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider. Dressed in a black jacket over a simple top, dark jeans, and fingerless gloves, she looked less like a Keyblade wielder and more like a field agent. Yet the weight of her missing Keyblade lingered like a shadow over her.

Commander Tower's voice broke the silence, low and firm.

"You all know why you're here. After the events of last year, we cannot afford to let the worlds fall into darkness again." He gestured to the map, the red-marked worlds glowing like warning signals. "Organization XIII is the latest threat, and they're moving fast. Too fast. We have reports of their activity in worlds that were once peaceful. If we don't act, their influence could plunge more worlds into chaos."

His gaze softened slightly as he addressed Aqua directly.

"Aqua, I know you're new to working with G.U.N., but you're no stranger to these battles," he said. "You aided Shadow through the Realm of Darkness, fought against Mephiles, and faced Black Doom. We value what you bring to this team."

Aqua nodded, but the uncertainty lingered in her eyes.

"Thank you, Commander. It's just... after all that time in the darkness, not being able to unlock that place…" Her voice trailed off, her thoughts drifting back to Castle Oblivion, its mysteries still out of reach.

Commander Tower nodded in understanding.

"Your struggle isn't lost on us," he replied. "But you did the right thing coming to us with Shadow. We might not have all the answers, but together, we can keep the worlds safe."

Shadow's gaze shifted briefly to Aqua before he turned back to the Commander. His voice was as sharp as ever, cutting through the tension.

"I've encountered Organization XIII before. Taken on a few of their members, but their leader remains a mystery. Their motives, their endgame—it's still unclear. But they have power, and they're not afraid to use it."

Agent Drummond tapped a few commands into his tablet, bringing up images of cloaked figures on the screen.

"Shadow's intel has been invaluable in tracking their movements," he explained. "We know they're targeting worlds with strong ties to darkness, using Heartless and lesser Nobodies as their foot soldiers."

Omega's deep, mechanical voice rumbled through the room.

"ORGANIZATION XIII IS A THREAT TO ALL LIFE. RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE NEUTRALIZATION."

"Easy, Omega," Rouge said with a smirk. "We're here to gather intel, not jump in blind. Let's not blow everything up just yet."

The Commander nodded, focusing back on the group as a whole.

"That's right. Our mission is to understand them, find their weaknesses, and stay one step ahead. We can't afford to be caught off guard again. Aqua, we know your search is personal, but any information you uncover could be key to bringing down this Organization."

Aqua straightened, feeling a spark of determination. She met the Commander's gaze, her voice steadying.

"I'll do whatever it takes. If it means helping protect the worlds and finding my way back to who I used to be... then I'm all in."

Shadow gave her a small, approving nod, while Rouge stretched her arms and Omega's optics glowed with readiness.

The Commander's eyes, sharp with experience, lingered on each of them, gauging their resolve.

"Good. Your first target is Hollow Bastion," he declared. "Reports indicate an increase in Heartless activity and sightings of black-coated figures. Establish contact with Leon and the Restoration Committee. Find out what the Organization wants there and why they're so interested."

He turned back to the map, the image shifting to focus on world of Hollow Bastion.

"You have your orders. This isn't just about gathering information. It's about making sure no world suffers the fate Mobius almost did."

Shadow stepped forward, his expression unwavering.

"Understood, Commander. We'll find out what they're planning."

Aqua took a breath, feeling the weight of the mission settle on her shoulders, but also a sense of renewed purpose. This was a chance to fight back, to find answers, and maybe even reclaim what she had lost.

With a final nod, the Commander dismissed them, the screen behind him flickering with new data about Hollow Bastion. As the group turned to leave, he spoke once more, his voice carrying the weight of a leader who had seen too much loss.

"Good luck, all of you. The worlds are counting on you. Let's make sure we don't let them fall again."

Shadow, Aqua, Rouge, and Omega left the briefing room, ready to face the challenges ahead, knowing that this mission was only the beginning of a new battle in the ongoing war against darkness.

Back at the Haunted Mansion - Twilight Town

Determined to find more answers, Roxas descended the hidden stairs beneath the mansion's library, his mind swirling with unanswered questions. As his footsteps echoed down the steps, his thoughts spun in a frantic loop.

"What is a Nobody?" he wondered. "Why will I disappear? Why me?"

The stairs led to a hidden chamber—an eerie, sterile room full of old monitors and machinery, wires crisscrossing the floor like veins. An old looking machine loomed beside the control panel.

Roxas surveyed the scene, his blue eyes scanning over the strange, unfamiliar equipment. But as he focused on the old machine, a sharp pain tore through his head. It was the same as before, searing and unrelenting. He clutched his temples, eyes squeezed shut as fragmented memories flooded his mind, pulling him into a vivid vision.

Roxas's Memories

A large, white room came into view, surrounded by massive thrones. Each throne held a hooded figure cloaked in darkness—Organization XIII. Their presence was imposing, their faces hidden in shadow.

The scene shifted.

Roxas found himself running down a deserted city street, pursued by a swarm of Dusks. Their movements were swift and fluid, twisting through the air as they closed in on him.

Suddenly, he stood in front of a silver-haired man wearing a blindfold. They clashed, Keyblade against Keyblade, sparks flying with each impact.

"Why!? Why do you have the Keyblade?" the silver-haired man demanded, his voice sharp with frustration.

"Shut up!" Roxas retorted, swinging his Keyblade with all his might.

But before his strike could land, a green energy blast struck Roxas, knocking him off his feet. He hit the ground hard, dazed. The blindfolded one moved toward him, and a new figure—Silver—landed beside him, his golden gaze intense as he looked down at Roxas.

The scene shifted again.

Roxas found himself unconscious, slumped inside the confines of the old machine. He could hear voices through the haze, faint and distorted, but gradually they became clearer. DiZ stood near the control console, his bandaged face catching the dim glow from the monitors. Across from him, the hooded figure observed with a grim expression, while Silver stood nearby, his eyes locked onto Roxas's motionless form.

"Will it work?" the hooded figure's voice broke the silence, his tone unnervingly calm as he directed his question toward DiZ.

DiZ continued to adjust the console, his movements precise and measured.

"If we can maintain the simulated town until Naminé finishes chaining together Sora's memories, it will work," he replied, his voice cool and controlled.

Silver's gaze shifted from Roxas to DiZ, uncertainty flickering in his golden eyes. His voice dropped to a quieter, almost hesitant tone.

"What will happen to Roxas?" he asked, the question hanging heavy in the air.

DiZ barely spared him a glance as he took a seat before the console.

"He holds half of Sora's power within him. In the end, he'll have to give it back," DiZ explained, his focus returning to the screens that glowed ominously in the dimly lit room.

The hooded figure, his expression concealed beneath the shadow of his cloak, let out a quiet sigh. There was a note of pity in his voice as he spoke.

"Poor thing," he said.

Silver's expression hardened, though a trace of regret lingered in his eyes.

"If it's the only way to get back our friend, it has to be done," he said, his voice carrying a weight of reluctant acceptance.

DiZ's hands moved across the keyboard, his fingers dancing with cold precision. Suddenly, the old machine roared to life, its inner mechanisms whirring and clicking. Roxas felt an unsettling sensation wash over him, as though his entire being was being unraveled thread by thread, dissolving into data. A chill shot through his core, and then everything faded to black, swallowed by the encroaching darkness.

Roxas's vision blurred as he stumbled back from the memory, the pounding in his head finally subsiding—but the anger it left behind burned hot and deep. Everything he had seen, everything he had heard... it was too much. Lies. Manipulation. His entire existence twisted around someone else's plan.

His grip tightened on the Keyblade as it appeared in his hand, the familiar weight feeling more like a lifeline than ever before. But this time, he didn't feel its usual reassurance. All he felt was rage, coursing through him like a live wire, sparking dangerously with every thought that crossed his mind.

Without a word, Roxas turned to the nearest computer monitor, his face twisted in a snarl. He swung the Keyblade with all his strength, and it collided with the glass in a deafening crash. The screen shattered, spraying shards across the floor like glittering snow.

He swung again, harder this time. Sparks flew as the Keyblade ripped through the control panel, tearing through wires and circuits. The machine sparked and whined, but he didn't care. Roxas didn't hold back; every ounce of frustration, confusion, and hurt that had built up inside him found release with every strike. He smashed another monitor, the impact sending a shower of glass and debris across the room.

His breath came in ragged gasps as he continued, moving from one screen to the next, destroying every reminder of the lies that had trapped him here. The loud crack of each blow echoed in the confined space, mingling with his harsh breaths and the low, guttural sounds that escaped his throat—half-groans, half-cries of a person caught between pain and fury.

Roxas barely recognised himself in those moments. He didn't care. All he wanted was to tear down every last trace of the falsehoods around him, to destroy everything that had made him feel like a ghost in his own life. He swung again and again, until the control console sparked violently.

He finally stopped, standing amidst the wreckage of shattered screens and twisted metal. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, his hands still clenched tightly around the Keyblade's hilt. The anger that had driven him began to fade, leaving behind a hollow ache that he couldn't quite shake.

In the sudden silence, a new sound reached him—a metallic creak, like an old door shifting open. Roxas turned, catching sight of a hidden passageway that had slid open at the back of the room. He stared at it, the Keyblade's glow casting long shadows across the broken remains of the monitors. His anger was spent, but his resolve had only hardened.

Without a word, Roxas stepped through the newly opened door, descending deeper into the mansion, toward whatever truth lay waiting for him below.

Part 1 of the Sixth Day is done.

I wanted to put everything into one chapter, but due to it's length, I wanted to make sure everything was captured without making it too long. Part 2 will dive straight back into the action, folks!

Part 2 will be completed in the next few days.

Thanks again for all the support.

We are slowly getting to Sonic and Sora's story! What a journey so far!