As Roxas slept, fragments of memories flickered through his mind once again, like pieces of a puzzle he couldn't quite grasp. The same boy from before—Sora—was there again, moving through strange and distant worlds. Roxas didn't know why he was seeing these moments, but each vision felt familiar, as though they were echoes of something forgotten.
Under a sky filled with luminescent light, the air seemed alive with an otherworldly glow. Hovering before Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Sonic was a creature dressed in purple, its figure floating effortlessly as if defying gravity. The being's eyes gleamed mysteriously as it took in the sight of the key-shaped weapon in Sora's hand.
"Ah, the Keyblade," the creature remarked, its voice melodic yet cryptic. "A conduit to the dreams of others. Its true power lies in the wishes and desires of those who wield it. But be wary, for such power can be a double-edged sword, and the dreams it carries are not always what they seem."
"What do you mean, NiGHTS?" Sora asked, confusion threading his voice.
"Dreams are complex, Sora. The Keyblade is a reflection of the hearts it encounters, and the true depths of its power are often veiled by the dreamer's intentions," NiGHTS explained.
Before Sora could respond, the vision shifted.
The roar of a crowd filled the air. The atmosphere was electric, pulsing with excitement as Sora stood in the centre of an arena. Across from him, a warrior sat on the ground, catching her breath after a fierce battle. Sora extended a hand toward her, a genuine smile on his face.
"Good match," he said warmly.
The warrior met his gaze, nodding in acknowledgment as she clasped his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. Despite her defeat, the fire in her eyes remained unquenched, her resolve unbroken.
In an instant, the scene changed again.
Now, Sora stood inside a high-tech control room, a sensory explosion of sounds and lights all around. Next to him, Sonic, Donald, Goofy and a pink-haired woman stood with the Keyblade wielder. Across from them, a robotic replica of the woman—cold, unfeeling, and metallic—spoke with a sharp, mechanical voice.
"Witness the perfection of my reporting capabilities," the robotic double proclaimed, her words cutting through the air like a blade.
"Ulala is the real ultimate reporter around here!" Sora declared, standing firm beside his pink haired friend. "No robot can replace her, not even one created from the Heartless!"
"It's not just about the moves," Sonic added, glancing at Ulala. "It's about the heart behind them. Let's show this tin can what true reporting and teamwork look like!"
With renewed determination, Ulala took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto her robotic counterpart.
"Evila," she said, voice strong, "you may claim to be the ultimate reporter, but true reporting comes from the heart, from genuine emotions and connections. No amount of technology can replace the essence of a true reporter."
Another shift in memories.
Sora raised his Keyblade high, summoning a new ally to his side.
"Vyse, lend us your strength!" he called out.
In a flash of light, a warrior appeared, his battle cry echoing through the air.
"For Arcadia!"
The memories swirled and shifted again.
The new memory brought the group to a place that seemed almost dreamlike. The air shimmered with an ethereal quality as they approached a giant bubble. Inside it, Kairi floated in a deep slumber, her face peaceful yet distant. Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Sonic stood near it, their eyes focused on the lone figure in front of them.
"What happened to Kairi, Riku?" Sora's voice was filled with concern.
Riku's gaze remained cold, his posture unwavering.
"While you were off goofing around, I finally found her."
Kairi's face flashed before Sora again, her image haunting the edges of his consciousness.
Now, the scene shifted to a clocktower overlooking a slumbering town.
Sora was now standing alongside NiGHTS, Donald, Goofy, and a beastly form of Sonic. The group gazed out across the horizon.
"I flew! I really flew!" Sora exclaimed, still giddy from the sensation. The realisation sank in as he chuckled. "I wonder if Kairi would believe me... Probably not."
Kairi's face flickered again, as if she lingered on the edge of Sora's mind.
"I wonder if she'll believe me..." Sora repeated softly, his voice trailing off. "Probably not."
The dream darkened, Kairi's face flashing once more before everything dissolved into shadow.
Suddenly, a new vision appeared.
A blonde-haired girl stood alone in a stark, white room, her gaze fixed on a capsule in front of her. A quiet, serene atmosphere surrounded her, and she looked almost lost in thought.
Inside her, Roxas's consciousness stirred.
"Who are you?" his voice echoed within her mind.
The girl turned, a soft smile on her lips as she gazed back at him. For a moment, everything seemed frozen in place, the air thick with silence.
Roxas jolted awake, his chest rising and falling as he sat up in bed. His eyes darted around the room, still disoriented from the dream. And then he saw her—standing there in the corner, the same girl from his vision, her blonde hair softly glowing in the morning light. But before he could say a word, she vanished, fading from sight as if she had never been there.
"Huh…?" Roxas muttered, still dazed. His pulse raced as he looked around, but the room was empty once more. "What… just happened?"
He was left alone with his thoughts, the echoes of the strange visions still lingering in his mind.
The Third Day
After shaking off that strange wake-up call, Roxas made his way into the Usual Spot, only to find it completely empty. No Hayner, no Pence, no Olette, not even Cream and Cheese.
"Where is everyone?" Roxas thought, frowning as he glanced around the quiet hideout.
His eyes landed on a folded letter laid on the couch. Curious, Roxas stepped forward, picking it up and unfolding the paper. He began to read:
"Meet at the station. Today's the day we hit the beach—and don't sweat about the munny! - Hayner"
"I better get moving then," Roxas muttered, folding the letter back up and slipping it into his pocket.
Leaving the Usual Spot, Roxas began his walk through Twilight Town, heading toward Station Heights. As he passed through the familiar streets, his gaze drifted to the posters he had helped put up the day before. Several of them plastered across the walls featured none other than Captain Qwark, his muscular frame and toothy grin impossible to miss.
"The Legendary Captain Qwark competes in The Struggle Tournament! Don't miss it!" one poster read, with Qwark striking an overly heroic pose, his chest puffed out, hands on his hips, and his signature antenna gleaming.
Another poster showed him pointing dramatically, his face set in a determined expression. The words "Vigilance! Be on the lookout for any suspicious activity!" were scrawled beneath him in bold letters.
Roxas stopped to read another, eyeing the exaggerated poses and flashy slogans. Qwark's larger-than-life figure dominated the town's walls, plastered everywhere from lampposts to store windows.
"What a show-off..." Roxas muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
Qwark's toothy grin seemed to follow him as he continued down the street, and Roxas couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sheer volume of Qwark's presence in town.
One of the posters had Qwark giving a thumbs-up, with the caption, "Captain Qwark: Defender of the Galaxy! Watch him Struggle and win!" His chest was ridiculously puffed out, his heroic pose taking up most of the space on the poster. Roxas paused, snorting at the sight.
"Guess being vigilant means posing like a hero too," Roxas thought with a smirk, before continuing on his way.
As Roxas neared Station Heights, the posters seemed to increase in number, each one more ridiculous than the last. In one, Qwark was depicted lifting a giant barbell, though the words below read, "Strength through unity! Keep Twilight Town safe!"
Shaking his head, Roxas kept moving.
"I hope he's not as obnoxious in person..." he mused.
With a small chuckle to himself, Roxas pressed on toward the station, thoughts of The Struggle Tournament and his upcoming beach trip swirling in his mind.
After a short walk, Roxas arrived at Market Street: Station Heights and immediately spotted Pence and Olette up ahead.
"Hey," Roxas called out, jogging toward them.
"Morning!" Olette replied with a bright smile.
But just as they were about to move, something strange happened—both Pence and Olette froze mid-step, as if time itself had suddenly stopped.
"Huh…?" Roxas muttered, confusion flooding his face. He rushed toward them, but before he could reach his friends, a familiar figure appeared, blocking his path.
The blonde-haired girl from earlier materialised out of nowhere, standing in his way.
"Hello, Roxas," she greeted, her voice soft but clear.
Roxas blinked in surprise, his heart skipping a beat.
"Uh… hi…" he stammered, scratching the back of his head. "Wait—you were the one in my dream... and in my room?!"
The girl raised her hand slightly, a gentle motion for him to quiet down.
"I wanted to meet you at least once," she said calmly, her gaze unwavering.
"Me?" Roxas asked, still bewildered.
"Yes, you," the girl replied.
She offered a small, mysterious smile before turning and walking away without another word, disappearing as quickly as she had arrived.
Roxas stood frozen in place, his mind spinning with questions. Before he could process what had happened, Pence and Olette snapped back to life, continuing their conversation as if nothing had occurred.
"Olette dragged me along to go shopping," Pence sighed, though there was a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Well, you did want to check if 'Mr. Needle Mouse 3' was ready to buy," Olette teased, flashing a grin.
"You mean 'Mr. Needle Mouse 3… & Brick,'" Pence corrected her, his eyes lighting up at the mention of his favourite gaming franchise.
"And... Brick?" Roxas asked, trying to follow along. But, he was still taken back by the mysterious girl.
"Yeah!" Pence's excitement grew. "Brick is this awesome new character in the Mr. Needle Mouse series! He's a red anteater with massive, armored fists. He uses his fists to smash through enemies, break walls, and even climb mountains with his strength!"
"Fists…?" Roxas muttered, still trying to wrap his head around everything.
"Yep!" Pence continued enthusiastically. "He's all about brute force but has a heart of gold. His fists have drills embedded in them, and he's always trying to protect his home from the evil forces of Doctor Roosevelt."
"Right," Roxas replied, blinking hard. Clearly, he wasn't as interested in this new character.
"You're such a nerd, Pence..." Olette admitted with a small laugh, shaking her head fondly at her friend's excitement.
"Am not!" Pence protested, though his wide grin betrayed him.
Olette chuckled again, but Roxas barely registered their banter. His mind was still stuck on the blonde-haired girl. Who was she? And why had she appeared in his dream—and in his room?
"Hey, you wanna come with us?" Olette asked, snapping Roxas back to reality.
"Um, uh..." Roxas stammered, his gaze still drifting in the direction the girl had gone.
"He's stalling," Pence teased with a playful smirk.
Olette shrugged, "Very well, then. We'll see you later, Roxas, okay?"
"Y-Yeah..." Roxas muttered, still distracted as his friends walked off.
As soon as they were out of sight, Roxas turned back toward where the girl had vanished. His gaze shifted toward the haunted mansion, standing ominously at the edge of town, shrouded in an eerie stillness.
"I need to find her…" Roxas whispered to himself, a sense of urgency building inside him.
Without a second thought, Roxas took off in a sprint. He needed answers—answers that seemed to be waiting for him in the shadows of that mysterious place.
Tram Common
Roxas sprinted through Tram Common, his blue eyes scanning for any sign of the blonde-haired girl. As he rounded a corner, he spotted Big standing nearby, with Froggie perched on his shoulder.
"Big!" Roxas called out, coming to a sudden stop in front of him.
"Oh, hey, Roxas," Big replied in his usual slow tone, blinking down at him. "Uh, are you okay?"
"Did you see a blonde-haired girl go past here?" Roxas asked hurriedly, eyes wide with urgency.
"A blonde-haired girl…?" Big repeated, his expression thoughtful as he scratched his chin. He fell into deep contemplation, staring off into the distance.
Roxas shifted on his feet, impatience rising as seconds dragged on like an eternity.
"Big!" Roxas moaned, frustration clear in his voice.
"Oh, um... sorry. I haven't seen anyone like that around," Big finally responded, his tone apologetic but as slow as ever.
Before Roxas could say anything else, a sudden movement caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw them—those slender white creatures, the Dusks. They slinked toward him, their movements unnaturally fluid, just like the one he had encountered the other day.
"Uh, what are those things?" Big asked, his deep voice filled with confusion.
"Rippet!" Froggie croaked, almost as if in disbelief.
The Dusks paid no attention to Big or Froggie—they had their sights set on Roxas.
"Not again!" Roxas muttered, before turning and bolting from the scene, the Dusks hot on his heels.
The creatures slithered and twisted through the streets, their eerie, snake-like movements keeping pace with him as he ran. Big watched in bafflement as Roxas and the Dusks disappeared from view.
Roxas tore through the streets, dodging between market stalls and leaping over obstacles. The Dusks closed in, their strange bodies twisting unnervingly as they pursued him. He ran with everything he had, but their relentless chase drove him toward Sandlot.
Sandlot
As Roxas burst into the open space, he caught the attention of Seifer, Fuu, Rai, Jet, Wave, Storm, and Vivi.
"Hey, chicken wuss!" Seifer sneered, completely unaware of the danger approaching.
Roxas barely had time to catch his breath before the Dusks slinked into the Sandlot behind him, their presence sending chills down his spine.
"What the…?" Jet exclaimed, narrowing his eyes at the creatures.
"Who's that?" Fuu asked, her voice sharp, never taking her eyes off the strange intruders.
"Interlopers!" Wave remarked.
"Inter… what?" Storm grumbled in confusion.
"Strangers!" Wave corrected with a sharp tone.
"And they ain't welcome on our turf!" Jet snapped, stepping forward.
Without hesitation, Fuu, Rai, Jet, Wave, and Storm moved into fighting stances, ready to defend their territory as Vivi made a quick escape.
Seifer glanced at his crew before giving the nod.
"Jet's right, they've already crossed the line. Find a weapon!" he declared.
Roxas, desperate for something to fight back with, spotted one of the Struggle battle swords on the ground. He ran towards it, grabbing the weapon and standing to face the Dusks. He swung at the nearest creature, but the weapon passed through it like air—no impact, no effect.
"What…?" Roxas muttered in disbelief, his weapon utterly useless.
The Dusks continued their slow advance, their strange forms inching closer. Roxas braced himself for another attack, but as he glanced around, he noticed something even more disturbing—Seifer, Jet, Wave, Storm, and the others were completely frozen in time, unmoving.
"Not good…" Roxas whispered, panic rising in his chest as he looked at the advancing creatures, now without a proper weapon to defend himself.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, clear and soft.
"Roxas! Use the Keyblade!"
Roxas looked up sharply, his blue eyes widening as he saw the blonde-haired girl, standing atop a nearby building. But before he could react, one of the Dusks lunged at him. Instinctively, he raised his hands to block the attack.
In that instant, everything changed.
Into the Unknown...
A blinding light enveloped Roxas, and the world around him twisted and distorted. The familiar surroundings of the Sandlot, the advancing Dusks, and even Seifer's gang seemed to dissolve in a swirl of colors—fading away as if they were mere illusions. The air itself felt warped, like a dream being torn apart.
Roxas gasped, the ground beneath him vanishing in an instant, replaced by something... otherworldly. He now stood on a vast, circular platform—an intricate mosaic of stained glass, shimmering underfoot as though bathed in the light of a distant star.
The platform was strange, yet mesmerising. At its centre was a large image of Sora, the boy who had been in Roxas's dreams, holding the Keyblade in a pose of resolve. Surrounding Sora, in smaller circular portraits, were faces that stirred something deep within Roxas—faces he somehow knew. Donald, the royal mage, Goofy, the loyal knight. The silver-haired boy—Riku—who radiated both strength and mystery. Kairi, her soft smile and gentle eyes filled with hope. And, most striking of all, the blue creature—Sonic, whose confident grin seemed to match his swift, heroic demeanor.
The entire platform glowed with an ethereal blue light, swirling with shades of deep sapphire and silver, as if the essence of the sky and sea had been woven into the glass itself. Every inch of the surface pulsed with a faint energy, alive and humming beneath Roxas.
The air around him felt different—dense, as if infused with magic and something far more ancient. Roxas blinked, trying to make sense of it all, but his senses were overwhelmed by the sheer strangeness of the place.
Then, out of swirling light, three objects materialised. They emerged slowly from the void, each one shimmering with a faint glow—a sword, a shield, and a staff. They hovered before him, suspended in mid-air, gently rotating as though waiting for his touch.
The sword glinted with a sharp edge, a symbol of strength and bravery. Its hilt gleamed with golden detail, and the blade itself seemed to cut through the very air. The shield, broad and sturdy, radiated a sense of protection and unwavering loyalty. The staff, slender and elegant, pulsed with magical energy, its tip glowing softly as if imbued with the wisdom of ages.
Roxas's gaze shifted between the three objects, each one silently calling to him, offering a path forward—each path different, yet equally powerful.
Slowly and cautiously, Roxas took a step toward the floating weapons, his thoughts racing as he tried to make sense of what was happening. Suddenly, a voice echoed through the emptiness, soft yet commanding, like a whisper carried on the wind.
"Choose wisely."
The words reverberated through the space, sending a shiver down Roxas's spine. He didn't respond aloud, but something about the voice felt strangely familiar—distant, as if it had come to him in his dreams.
After a brief hesitation, Roxas moved closer, his breath shallow. He reached out, fingers trembling slightly, and grasped the sword. The moment his hand wrapped around the hilt, a surge of power coursed through him, warm and invigorating. The weapon seemed to hum in his grasp, alive with energy, as though it had been waiting for him all along.
But before Roxas could fully process the sensation, movement flickered in the corner of his vision. From the shadows of this surreal realm, three Dusks slithered into view, their movements fluid and unnatural, their eerie forms twisting as they approached. They locked onto Roxas, their presence menacing.
Roxas instinctively raised the sword, his body reacting before his mind could catch up. The Dusks darted toward him, their slender limbs reaching out, ready to strike.
With newfound resolve, Roxas charged forward, gripping the sword tightly. He swung the blade in a swift arc, cutting through the air with precision. The first Dusk recoiled as the blade sliced clean through its eerie form, dissipating it into nothingness.
A second Dusk lunged at him from the side. Roxas twisted, dodging its attack just in time. His heart raced as he spun around, bringing the sword down in a powerful strike. The creature disintegrated into swirling fragments of light, vanishing like mist.
The final Dusk slinked closer, its movements faster and more erratic. Roxas took a deep breath, steadying himself. With a quick leap, he slashed downward, the sword glowing faintly as it cleaved through the creature's form. The Dusk let out a twisted screech before evaporating into the void.
Roxas stood in the eerie silence. The Dusks were gone, but the strange, otherworldly platform remained, the images of Sora and the others still glowing beneath his feet. The sword in his hand pulsed with energy, as though it were still alive with the remnants of battle.
For a moment, Roxas just stood there, gripping the weapon tightly, the weight of what had just happened settling in. This world—this bizarre dreamscape—was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
"What... is this place?" Roxas murmured, his voice barely a whisper, the words swallowed by the vast emptiness around him.
Suddenly, at the far edge of the platform, a door materialised out of thin air. Its surface was dark and gleaming, like polished obsidian, adorned with intricate, glowing symbols. The air around it shimmered with a faint light, as if the door itself were alive.
From the door, the bodiless voice returned, this time seemingly emanating from the other side.
"Be careful. Beyond that door lies a powerful force. But don't be afraid."
With slow, deliberate steps, Roxas began to walk toward it, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.
"Don't stop walking..." the voice encouraged.
His steps grew heavier as he reached the door, his breath quickening. Roxas hesitated for a brief moment, then with a steady hand, he reached out and grasped the handle. As the door creaked open, a bright light flooded through, engulfing him entirely.
Roxas found himself transported once more—this time to the Station of Calling. Beneath his feet stretched another massive stained-glass platform, vibrant and ethereal. This one depicted different figures in intricate circles, though Roxas had no time to take in the details. Before him, a winding staircase made of translucent glass rose high into the void, leading to something unknown.
However without warning, Dusks appeared, slinking out from the shadows. They moved with their usual eerie grace, but Roxas didn't hesitate. He gripped his sword tightly and charged forward, his body moving instinctively.
The first Dusk darted toward him, its twisted limbs lashing out. Roxas swung his sword, the blade cutting through the air with precision. The creature screeched as the strike landed, dissipating into fragments of light.
Another Dusk lunged from behind, but Roxas turned just in time, spinning the sword in a sweeping arc that caught the creature in mid-air, disintegrating it instantly. With fluid motions, Roxas danced between the Dusks, each strike more confident than the last. He felt the energy of the sword coursing through him, guiding his movements as he dispatched the last of the enemies.
Panting slightly, Roxas ascended the glowing stairs, his footsteps echoing in the quiet void. At the top, another dark door stood before him. Without hesitation, he opened it and stepped through.
He emerged in yet another vast, surreal space—the Station of Awakening. This platform was even more breath-taking than the others. The stained-glass floor stretched out beneath his feet, depicting the same figures as before—Sora, Donald, Goofy, Riku, Kairi, and Sonic—each figure illuminated by the soft glow of the platform. The intricate designs seemed to shimmer with a life of their own, casting ethereal light into the dark void above.
But before Roxas could take in the beauty of the space, his sword suddenly dematerialised from his hand, vanishing into thin air. His eyes widened as he looked around, bewildered, sensing that something was wrong.
Suddenly, the air shifted. From behind him, a low, rumbling sound filled the void, followed by the sinister rustling of something enormous. Roxas spun around, eyes wide with shock.
From the depths of the void, dark tentacles began to rise—massive, coiling shadows that twisted and writhed in the air like living creatures. And then, emerging from the abyss, a gigantic creature appeared, now standing on the platform.
The creature looming before Roxas was the Twilight Thorn, a towering monstrosity unlike anything he had ever seen. Its body appeared as if it were clad in a white, skin-tight bodysuit, with a large silver zipper running down its front. Its head was unnervingly simple, round and featureless, save for the logo where its face should have been. The creature's thick, short legs ended in pointed feet, its hips adorned with menacing spikes.
Despite its thin waist, the Twilight Thorn's shoulders flared outward with massive diamond-shaped spikes, giving it an imposing, armored presence. Its long arms dangled to the floor, each hand possessing only one distinct digit—a thumb—adding to its unsettling design. From its back, four long, blue tentacles twisted like serpents.
The creature's entire form seemed unnaturally flexible, its movements fluid and unearthly, despite its massive size.
Roxas's instincts screamed at him to run, and he did—bolting toward the platform's edge. But just as he reached the precipice, he stumbled, barely managing to keep from falling into the abyss. Panting, he spun around, desperation flooding his mind as the Twilight Thorn loomed closer.
"Here goes nothing..." Roxas muttered.
He knew there was no escape—only a fight.
Summoning every ounce of courage, Roxas stretched out his hand. In a flash of light, the sword materialised once more, humming with power. The time for hesitation had passed. Steeling himself, Roxas was ready to take on this gigantic challenge head on.
Twilight Thorn
Battle Music: Tension Rising: Kingdom Hearts II.5 HD ReMIX
Roxas charged toward the massive creature, the sword in his hand glowing faintly, its light a small comfort against the towering Twilight Thorn. The Nobody stood motionless, its hollow, expressionless face giving away nothing, as if it was calculating Roxas's every move. Then, with a sudden, fluid motion, its elongated arm swung down, aiming to crush Roxas where he stood.
He threw himself to the side just in time, rolling across the platform as the massive hand slammed into the ground. The impact sent tremors through the Station of Awakening, nearly knocking Roxas off his feet. He scrambled up, tightening his grip on the sword, his muscles aching from the sudden dodge.
Above him, the Twilight Thorn reared back, its tentacles snapping through the air like living whips. Roxas gasped, leaping into the air as the sword glowed brighter. He swung it downward with all his might, aiming for one of the tendrils. The blade connected with a loud clang, but the tentacle twisted unnaturally, deflecting the blow with ease. Roxas's eyes widened in shock, and before he could react, another tentacle lashed out, catching him in the side. The force of the blow sent him crashing back to the platform, skidding painfully across its surface.
Pain surged through his body, but he forced himself to rise, shaking off the daze. The Twilight Thorn moved with eerie speed for its size, closing the distance between them in a single step. Its body contorted, limbs twisting in ways that seemed impossible, its hollow form defying the very laws of nature.
Roxas's vision blurred as the creature loomed over him, the sheer size of it almost overwhelming. But he pushed the panic away, focusing on the task ahead. There was no time for fear, no time for hesitation.
"No more running," he muttered, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.
The Nobody struck again, its massive arm sweeping toward him. Roxas sidestepped the blow, his body moving instinctively. He sprinted toward the creature's core, his eyes locked on its chest. The Twilight Thorn's tentacles thrashed, but Roxas weaved through them, his body moving with newfound agility. The sword in his hand glowed brighter as he leapt into the air.
With a powerful swing, the blade slashed across the Nobody's chest. Sparks flew from the impact, and the creature let out a low, echoing moan, its entire body recoiling. Roxas saw his opening. He didn't hesitate. With a burst of speed, he jumped higher, slashing again and again at the same spot, each strike chipping away at the creature's core.
The Twilight Thorn staggered back, its tentacles flailing wildly in an attempt to shake him off. Roxas landed back on the platform, breathing hard. He watched as the creature retreated, a surge of confidence swelling within him. He was winning.
But his victory was short-lived.
The Twilight Thorn raised its arms toward the sky, and in an instant, the entire Station of Awakening seemed to tilt. Roxas's stomach lurched as gravity shifted, pulling him off his feet. He tumbled through the air, disoriented as the world around him spiralled out of control. The platform vanished beneath him, and for a terrifying moment, he felt himself falling into the dark void below.
Then, without warning, the world snapped back into place. Roxas found himself suspended in the air, held by invisible threads. Above him, the Twilight Thorn twisted and contorted, its tentacles coiling around him like a tightening noose. He struggled to move, but his limbs felt heavy, trapped in the creature's unseen grasp.
"Not like this..." Roxas grunted, gritting his teeth as he strained against the invisible bonds.
He could feel the weight of the Twilight Thorn's presence pressing down on him, suffocating him with its overwhelming power. But deep inside, something stirred. He wasn't going to lose—not here, not to this creature.
With a burst of determination, Roxas gripped the sword tighter. A bright light surged from the blade, illuminating the darkness that surrounded him. The invisible bonds shattered, and with a defiant cry, Roxas launched himself toward the Twilight Thorn once more.
The Nobody's tentacles lashed out in desperation, but Roxas was faster. He twisted through the air, dodging each strike with fluid precision. The sword hummed in his hand, its power growing as he closed the distance. In one final, powerful swing, Roxas drove the sword into the creature's chest, piercing the beast.
For a moment, everything was still.
Then, the Twilight Thorn let out a deafening roar, its massive body convulsing as light exploded from the wound. Roxas was thrown back by the force of the explosion, landing hard on the platform below. He lay there for a moment, breathless, watching as the creature began to disintegrate slowly, its form collapsing into nothingness.
But the fight wasn't over yet. The Twilight Thorn's massive body fell, its colossal weight crashing down toward him. Roxas scrambled to his feet, but he was too slow. The creature's weight slammed into him, pinning him beneath its collapsing form. Darkness spread from the creature, enveloping him, dragging him deeper into the abyss.
He struggled, gasping for breath as the darkness swallowed him whole. His vision blurred, fading as the last remnants of the Twilight Thorn dissolved into the void.
And then, there was nothing. Just cold, endless darkness.
For what felt like an eternity, Roxas floated in the void, his mind adrift. There was no sound, no light—only silence. Time felt meaningless here, as though he had been trapped in the darkness for hours, days, or even longer. His thoughts blurred, memories slipping through his grasp like water.
But then—just as he began to accept the emptiness—a soft glow pierced through the darkness.
White Room
Roxas blinked, his eyes slowly adjusting to the sudden light. He glanced around, disoriented, and found himself standing in a stark white room. The space was empty, the walls stretching into nothingness, bathed in an ethereal glow. Before him, standing quietly, was the blonde-haired girl from before.
Before Roxas could speak, the girl raised her finger to her lips, silencing him with a gentle gesture.
"My name is Naminé," she said softly, her voice carrying a weight of familiarity. "Roxas... Do you remember your true name?"
"True name?" Roxas replied in confusion.
His mind raced, but nothing came to him. Before he could even process her words, the air shifted. A cold chill swept through the room.
From a dark portal, a cloaked figure stepped out—his presence like a shadow swallowing the light. He moved swiftly, crossing the room to stand beside Naminé. His face remained hidden beneath the hood.
"Say no more, Naminé," the cloaked figure commanded.
Naminé's expression faltered, her eyes turning toward Roxas with a mixture of regret and sorrow.
"But if no one tells him... Roxas will..." Naminé began, her voice barely above a whisper.
The figure's tone darkened, cutting her off.
"It's best if he doesn't know the truth," he affirmed.
Roxas, still reeling from the strangeness of the situation, finally found his voice.
"Hey! You're that pickpocket!" he shouted.
His anger flared as he recognised the figure who had taken his money at the station.
The cloaked figure ignored his accusation, instead raising a hand. With a flick of his wrist, a dark portal materialised behind Roxas, its swirling void pulling at him like gravity. Roxas's instincts kicked in, and he leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding being pulled into the portal's grasp.
But the figure was faster. With a simple gesture, he forced Roxas back toward the dark portal. Roxas stumbled, his feet slipping as the void enveloped him. He reached out, trying to hold onto the light, onto the white room, onto Naminé—but the darkness consumed him.
Everything went black.
Sometime later...
"Hey, you alright?" A voice broke through the darkness, cutting through the quiet stillness.
Roxas blinked his eyes open, finding himself laid face down on the ground. His body felt heavy, but slowly, he pushed himself to his knees, his gaze darting around the familiar space. He was back in the Sandlot of Twilight Town.
"What...?" Roxas murmured, confusion still clouding his mind as he struggled to piece together what had happened. The last thing he remembered was being pulled into that strange void...
Suddenly, the voice that had awoken him spoke again, though this time it seemed to come from above.
"Good to see you're awake," the voice said, tinged with amusement. "That was a nasty hit you took."
Roxas looked up, his eyes widening in surprise. Levitating down from the sky was the silver creature from yesterday—the one he had accidentally thrown a stick at. The creature glowed with a faint green aura as he landed gracefully on the ground in front of Roxas, his golden eyes calm and confident.
"It's you..." Roxas muttered, still feeling dazed from whatever had just transpired. "You can fly?"
The silver being smiled faintly, though he chose to ignore the question. Instead, he folded his arms, his expression relaxed.
"Lucky I showed up to send those creatures away," he explained casually, as if dealing with Dusks was no big deal.
Roxas blinked, processing the information.
"Oh..." he muttered as he slowly rose to his feet, his body still feeling the weight of the strange encounter. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it," the silver creature replied with a casual shrug as he unfolded his arms. The creature then turned and began to walk away.
Roxas watched him for a moment, still trying to figure out who—or what—this mysterious stranger was. His curiosity got the better of him.
"Wait," Roxas called out, causing the silver being to pause mid-step. "Who are you? What's your name?"
The silver creature hesitated for a moment, his back still turned.
"It doesn't matter," he said dismissively, but then, almost as an afterthought, he glanced over his shoulder.
"Oh, by the way," the creature added with a smirk. "Seifer and his crew took pictures of you while you were passed out, but I shooed them away."
Roxas groaned, feeling a flush of embarrassment rising.
"Great..." he sighed, already imagining the teasing he'd get from Seifer's gang.
"They're a bunch of punks," the silver being commented, shaking his head. "But they won't bother you now, Roxas."
With that, the creature turned fully and continued walking away, his pace leisurely. Roxas, still baffled by the encounter, called out one last time.
"Wait! You know my name... but I don't know yours!"
The silver creature stopped briefly, but didn't turn this time.
"We'll meet again, Roxas. Don't worry," he said, his voice calm and cryptic.
With those parting words, he continued down the path, leaving Roxas standing alone in the Sandlot, still reeling from everything that had just happened. Roxas clenched his fists in frustration, the weight of the day's events crashing down on him.
"What is going on?!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls of the Sandlot.
Needing somewhere to think, somewhere to reflect on everything swirling in his mind, Roxas turned and made his way to the only place he could go—the Usual Spot.
The Usual Spot
As Roxas stepped inside, the familiar warmth of the hideout did little to ease his troubled mind. He had expected it to be empty, having missed the chance to join his friends at the beach. But to his surprise, Hayner, Pence, and Olette were sitting there, their faces unusually sombre. However, there was still no sign of Cream or Cheese.
"Hey... weren't you guys going to the beach?" Roxas asked, puzzled as he walked further in.
Olette glanced up at him with a sad smile.
"We didn't go. It wouldn't be the same without you, right?" Her voice was soft, tinged with sadness.
"Oh..." Roxas mumbled, feeling a pang of guilt. His eyes scanned the room again, hoping to see the familiar flutter of Cheese or the soft voice of Cream, but there was nothing. "No Cream or Cheese?" he asked, his voice quieter now.
Pence exchanged a glance with Hayner before speaking up.
"We went to their house, but... there was a note on the door," he explained.
"A note?" Roxas repeated, confusion growing in his chest.
Hayner, who had been sitting silently, stood up and walked over to Roxas, handing him a small, folded piece of paper. His expression was glum, his eyes avoiding Roxas's.
"Read it," Hayner said, his voice low.
Roxas unfolded the note, his heart sinking as he read the short, cryptic message:
"Dear friends, we had to leave suddenly. We're sorry we couldn't say goodbye. Please understand. – Vanilla, Cream and Cheese"
Roxas stared at the note in disbelief, his throat tightening.
"They... left?" he whispered, his voice thick with sadness. "Without even saying goodbye?"
Pence looked down, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a quiet sadness.
"Yeah... we didn't even get to say goodbye. It all happened so fast," he admitted.
The weight of the loss settled heavily in the hideout. It felt unfair—like something had been ripped away from them without warning.
Olette wiped her eyes and tried to put on a brave face.
"I just can't believe they're gone..." she murmured.
Roxas clenched the note tightly in his hand, anger mixing with his sadness.
"I saw Big earlier," he said suddenly, his thoughts jumping to the giant cat he had run into earlier in the day. "He didn't say anything about them leaving."
Hayner and Pence exchanged another look, their confusion growing.
"Big's gone too, Roxas" Hayner said, shaking his head. "He left us a note at the Candy Shop, thanking us for everything."
"What...?" Roxas breathed, completely stumped. Everything felt like it was spiralling out of control—first Cream, Cheese, now Big? "This doesn't make any sense..."
The Usual Spot fell into a heavy silence, the weight of the day pressing down on all of them. Roxas could feel the confusion, the sadness, the overwhelming sense that things were slipping away from him, and he couldn't stop it.
As Roxas stared down at the note in his hand, a sense of deep loss and confusion filled his chest. He didn't know why, but something about this felt wrong—like something more was happening behind the scenes. But for now, all he could do was stand there, surrounded by his friends, as they tried to process the sudden disappearance of those they cared about.
Restoration at 48%.
Meanwhile...
"You really had to send them away?" the hooded figure asked, his voice calm but laced with a hint of curiosity.
He stood behind the man in red bandages, who sat unmoving in front of his wall of flickering monitors.
The glow of the screens bathed the room in a cold, eerie light, casting long shadows. The air was thick with tension, the weight of their actions hanging heavily between them.
"In reality, those individuals left Twilight Town once their home world was restored," the man in red bandages replied, his voice measured, almost detached. "It only made sense to wipe them from existence within the simulation."
The hooded figure tilted his head slightly, the edges of his cloak shifting with the motion. There was a sombre tone to the exchange, yet beneath it all was an unwavering resolve. Neither man seemed particularly pleased with the outcome, yet neither wavered in their commitment.
"Tell me," the hooded figure continued after a pause, his tone turning inquisitive, "Was that Naminé made of data? Like Silver?"
For the first time, the man in red bandages stirred slightly, though he didn't turn to face the hooded man.
"No," he answered, his voice hardening. "Naminé hijacked the data herself." His words were laced with frustration. "Look at what she's done now... She's completely beyond my control!"
In a sudden outburst, the man slammed his fist against the desk, the force rattling the nearby monitors. His annoyance crackled in the air like static electricity.
The hooded figure, however, remained unfazed.
"Calm down," he said, his voice even, almost soothing.
The man in red bandages breathed heavily for a moment before leaning back, his eye fixed on the monitors again.
"It doesn't matter," he muttered after a long pause. "As long as Naminé accomplishes her goal, we needn't concern ourselves with what befalls Roxas."
The room fell into a tense silence, the glow of the monitors reflecting in the hooded figure's shadowed face as he looked on. The faint hum of machinery filled the space, but the weight of their conversation lingered heavily between them, the undercurrent of their plans pulling them ever deeper into a web of secrets.