Aoi Hyoudou: Thank you for your continued support. It's always great to see readers enjoying the additional scenes and content added to a story. This chapter will focus on Ash traveling with Sora, Donald and Goofy to the next world which is obviously Frozen after some funny moments from the aftermath of the previous chapter. There could be a potential girl added to Ash's growing list of love interests. As well, there will be a familiar Organization XIII member confronting Ash and co. Guess who it is.

XXXI

Arendelle - I

Back at Master Yen Sid's Mysterious Tower, the atmosphere was a mix of tense silence and awkward glances. Ash winced, letting out a sharp "Yowch!" as Aqua dabbed a soaked cotton ball filled with alcohol against the fresh scrape on his right cheek.

"Quit acting like such a big baby, Ash," Aqua teased, though there was a playful lilt in her voice. Despite her words, she was meticulous, carefully tending to the wounds that—well, admittedly—she had caused during their last encounter. Her hands were steady, but Ash could swear she was pressing just a bit harder than necessary.

Across the room, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Ventus watched the scene unfold with varying degrees of sympathy. Goofy scratched his head, leaning over to Donald.

"Gawrsh, looks like Aqua's got a special way of showin' she cares."

Donald chuckled with mischief. "Better him than us!"

Sora and Ventus exchanged knowing looks. They'd been on the receiving end of Aqua's "tough love" before, and while it wasn't pleasant, it always came from a place of deep care—just with a side of intimidation.

Meanwhile, Kairi and Riku noticed the awkward tension. Kairi tilted her head with a curious expression on her face. "What happened to Ash?" she asked with her gaze shifting between the battered Keyblade wielder and the seemingly unbothered Aqua.

The group exchanged nervous glances, hesitant to explain without risking Aqua's wrath. Ventus opened his mouth to speak, but Sora subtly elbowed him in the ribs, giving him a "don't you dare" look.

Just then, Lea decided to break the silence with a grin. He leaned casually against the wall, with his arms crossed and a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Oh, I dunno," he drawled, "But it kinda looks like someone here might be a little jealous. Don't you think?"

The room froze.

Ash's eyes widened in horror, while Sora, Donald, and Goofy tried—and failed—to stifle their laughter.

Even Riku cracked a rare smirk.

Aqua's hand paused mid-motion with the cotton ball hovering dangerously close to Ash's next wound. A faint pink blush crept up her cheeks, but her expression remained composed—or at least, she tried to keep it that way.

"That's a ridiculous assumption," Aqua shot back with her voice a little too quick and a little too sharp. She fought the blush threatening to overtake her cool exterior, but the slight twitch in her eyebrow gave her away.

Lea just chuckled, rolling his eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Sure, sure," he said with a wink. "Whatever you say, Master Aqua."

From his place behind his desk, Master Yen Sid let out a long, resigned sigh, rubbing his temples as if he'd dealt with this chaos one too many times.

"Honestly," he muttered under his breath, "I train Keyblade wielders, not children."

Moments later...

With Ash's wounds cleaned and bandaged, the group gathered around Yen Sid. Despite his earlier protests, Ash now sported chibi Aqua-themed band-aids on his cheeks—courtesy of Aqua herself. The small, cartoonish faces of his mentor glaring from his bandages were enough to make Sora and Ventus snicker every time they glanced his way.

Yen Sid cleared his throat, instantly silencing the room. "Ash," he began, "Your journey is far from over. You must continue traveling across worlds, but this time, you will not go alone."

Ash perked up as Yen Sid continued.

"Sora, Donald, and Goofy will continue to accompany you—for the time being."

Ash grinned, shooting a thumbs-up to the trio. "No problem here," he said confidently.

Sora laughed, slinging an arm over Ash's shoulder. "Looks like you're stuck with us, buddy!"

Donald quacked in agreement, and Goofy gave his signature chuckle. "Hyuck! We're like the four musketeers!"

But before the moment could settle, Aqua crossed her arms with her eyes narrowing slightly. "I should be the one going with him," she stated firmly, shooting a sharp look at Yen Sid. "Someone needs to make sure he stays out of trouble."

Ash's smile faltered. "Hey! I can handle myself, y'know."

Aqua raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" she replied, tapping one of the chibi band-aids on his cheek. Ash blushed, grumbling under his breath while Sora tried—and failed—to suppress his laughter.

Yen Sid shook his head. "Aqua, your mission lies elsewhere. You will continue to assist Ventus, King Mickey, and Riku in finding traces of Terra's whereabouts." He then turned to Kairi and Lea. "You two will resume your Keyblade training. There is much to be done, and time is not on our side."

Aqua sighed, clearly displeased but knowing better than to argue. "Yes, Master Yen Sid," she conceded, though her eyes flicked to Ash with a lingering hint of worry.

Not missing a beat, Sora nudged Ash playfully with his elbow. "Looks like you got a lucky break, huh?" he teased with a grin.

Before Ash could retort, Aqua's voice cut in once more.

"Sora. Donald. Goofy." Her eyes narrowed. "Keep an eye on him—or else."

The trio immediately straightened, giving mock salutes in perfect unison.

"Yes, ma'am!" Sora quipped, while Donald cackled and Goofy gave a hearty, "Aye-aye!"

Aqua rolled her eyes, but a small, amused smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Bunch of dorks," she muttered, though there was no real bite to her words.

As the group prepared to depart, Ash adjusted his white cloak and glanced back at Aqua. Despite her tough exterior, he could see the worry lingering in her eyes. He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, Aqua," he said with a wink. "I'll come back in one piece."

Aqua huffed but couldn't hide the soft chuckle that escaped. "You'd better."

With that, Ash, Sora, Donald, and Goofy set off on their next adventure.

Space

In the vast openness of space, Sora's Gummi Ship cruised smoothly with the stars stretching infinitely in every direction. Inside the ship, Ash sat with wide eyes, taking in every detail of the interior.

"Whoa... This place is way roomier than it looks from the outside," Ash muttered, spinning slowly in his seat to take it all in. The glowing control panels, the colorful buttons, and even the slightly squeaky floor panels—it all felt like something out of a dream.

At the front of the ship, Sora chuckled from the pilot's seat, glancing over his shoulder. "Pretty cool, right? I told ya, the Gummi Ship's full of surprises!"

Donald, however, was less impressed. Sitting in his co-pilot seat with his wings crossed, he let out an annoyed quack. "Yeah, well, I still say we should've had Chip and Dale upgrade this thing. It's starting to feel real cramped with all four of us."

Sora's eyes widened, clearly offended. "What? The Gummi Ship is fine! She's gotten us through tons of adventures!" He patted the control panel affectionately, as if the ship itself could hear him.

Donald huffed, turning his head away. "Fine for you, maybe. But some of us like a little elbow room, Sora!"

In the middle of the escalating banter, Goofy chuckled nervously. "Now, now, fellas, no need to argue. The ship's got character! That's what makes it special."

Ash couldn't help but laugh at their antics. "You guys are like an old married couple," he joked, earning a loud quack of protest from Donald and a hearty laugh from Goofy.

Sora grinned, shaking his head. "You'll get used to it, Ash. This is pretty much normal for us."

Ash leaned back in his seat with the soft hum of the ship's engine filling the space around them. Despite the bickering, he felt at ease. "Honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way."

After some time cruising through the endless sea of stars, the group decided to take turns piloting the Gummi Ship. When it was Ash's turn at the helm, his nerves kicked in, but Goofy's easy-going nature made things smoother.

"Alright, Ash," Goofy said with his usual calm tone, standing beside him. "Just keep a steady hand and follow the blinking lights. They'll guide ya through."

Ash gripped the controls, his eyes flicking between the dashboard and the vast openness outside the windshield. "Uh... blinking lights, got it," he mumbled, trying to sound confident, though his hands were a bit clammy.

Goofy patted his shoulder with a reassuring chuckle. "You're doin' great, pal! Just don't press that big red button unless you really wanna go for a ride."

Ash's eyes darted to the giant, tempting red button, and he quickly pulled his hand back from the controls a little. "Yeah, noted."

Meanwhile, Sora lounged in the co-pilot's seat with his arms crossed behind his head, watching Ash with a smug grin. "See? It's not that hard, right? I could teach this stuff in my sleep!"

Donald immediately perked up, eyes narrowing with a sly glint. "Oh really?" he quacked with his beak curling into a mischievous smirk. "You sure about that, Sora? Because last time you were flying, we almost crash-landed on a meteor!"

Sora shot up from his seat, pointing a finger at Donald, "That was one time! And the meteor came out of nowhere!"

Donald crossed his arms. "Uh-huh. 'Nowhere.' Sure."

Ash, trying not to laugh, focused on steering, but the banter was too entertaining to ignore. "Should I be worried that I'm learning from you guys?" he joked, glancing between them.

Goofy let out his signature chuckle. "Gawrsh, Ash, it's all part of the adventure!"

Despite the teasing, Ash found his rhythm quickly, guided by Goofy's helpful tips and, ironically, Sora and Donald's playful bickering acting as the perfect distraction from his nerves. Soon, the ship glided smoothly through the stars under Ash's command.

"Hey, not bad, Ash!" Sora finally admitted, giving him a thumbs up. "You're a natural!"

Donald huffed but couldn't deny it. "Yeah, yeah… just don't let it go to your head."

Ash grinned, feeling more at home than ever. "Thanks, guys. But I'm still not touching that red button."

The group laughed.

Then, the ship's sirens blared, flashing red lights casting an urgent glow over the cockpit.

"W-What's happening?!" Ash yelped with his hands shooting off the controls like they were on fire. His eyes darted around the blinking dashboard with his heart pounding. In his panic, he pointed a dramatic finger at Donald. "Donald! Did you hit something?!"

Donald's feathers were ruffled as he spun around to glare at Ash. "What?! I didn't touch anything! That's YOUR fault!" he quacked furiously.

Sora chuckled, waving his hand to calm everyone down. "Relax, Ash. It's just the ship's proximity alert. It means there's a world nearby." He leaned forward and pressed a button on the control panel, causing the holographic map to flicker to life in front of them.

Slowly, the image of a new world emerged—a sprawling coastal kingdom with icy pillars. The entire landscape shimmered in shades of icy blue and white, as if gripped in a permanent winter. Jagged cliffs lined the edges, and a towering ice palace could just barely be made out in the distance.

Sora tilted his head, squinting at the image. "Huh… I've never been to this world before." His curiosity was piqued, and so was Ash's, who leaned closer to get a better look.

"A kingdom… stuck in winter?" Ash muttered with interest. "That sounds... kinda cool. No pun intended."

Donald, eager to take over, waddled up to the controls and shoved Sora aside with a loud huff. "Move it! It's my turn to fly!" Without waiting for permission, he grabbed the joystick away from Ash and steered the Gummi Ship towards their frosty destination.

Sora leaned back, nudging Ash with his elbow and whispering just loud enough for Donald to hear, "Brace yourself. Donald's flying is a whole new adventure."

Donald's head snapped around with a sharp gaze towards the smug Keyblade wielder. "WHAT WAS THAT?!" he barked.

Sora just laughed, throwing his hands behind his head. "Nothing! Nothing at all, Captain Donald."

Arendelle - Treescape

The crunch of snow beneath their feet echoed through the quiet, snow-blanketed Treescape area. The towering trees were draped in frost, their branches sagging under the weight of ice. A narrow path snaked northwest, leading toward the broader, more rugged Snowfield beyond.

"Whoa..." Ash marveled at the serene beauty with his breath forming soft clouds in the chilly air.

But the peaceful moment was short-lived.

Out of nowhere, the ground rumbled faintly, and the shadows at the edges of the trees began to twist and writhe. A swarm of Soldier Heartless materialized with their yellow eyes glowing ominously against the white backdrop. They were clad in dark armor with jagged helmets and their clawed hands twitching eagerly.

Ash's eyes widened. "New ones," he muttered, tightening his grip on his Oathkeeper and Oblivion Keyblades as they materialized in flashes of light.

Beside him, Sora summoned his Kingdom Key, giving Ash a quick grin. "Let's see what you've got!"

The swarm lunged.

Ash and Sora moved in perfect sync. Ash's quick slashes cut through the first wave, and with a sharp flick of his wrist, he cast Thunder, sending electric bolts crackling through the Heartless. The stunned enemies stumbled, giving Sora the perfect opening.

"Got it!" Sora shouted, diving in with a sweeping strike that scattered the Heartless like leaves in the wind.

The battle was over in moments as the Heartless dissolved into dark wisps.

As they dismissed their Keyblades, a sudden gust of icy wind whipped through the clearing. Sora shivered violently, wrapping his arms around himself. His teeth chattered as he glared at the sky. "Brrr! Man, it's freezing out here!" He turned to Ash with a half-serious, half-playful grin. "Hey, maybe we should cuddle or something!"

Ash froze with his cheeks turning bright red. "W-What?!" He frowned, shooting Sora a disapproving look. "What's wrong with you, saying weird stuff like that?" His eyes darted around nervously, as if Aqua might materialize out of thin air and smack Sora upside the head.

Realizing how that sounded, Sora flushed too, waving his hands frantically. "N-No! I didn't mean it like that! I just meant—y'know, sharing body heat!" His voice cracked slightly, making it even worse.

Ash raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching into a thin line. "Right. Sure. Whatever you say."

But then Sora's shivering slowed as he noticed something odd. Ash wasn't cold at all. "Wait a second..." Sora squinted at Ash's outfit, realizing for the first time that Ash was practically unfazed by the freezing temperature. "How are you not freezing?!" Sora exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. "You're not even wearing a jacket!"

Ash glanced down at his light blue sleeveless shirt and black pants. The same outfit that everyone always teased him about for being too "bold." He chuckled sheepishly. "Uh… maybe it's my outfit?" He shrugged. "I guess I'm just built different."

Sora groaned dramatically, sneezing loudly right after. "Ugh, this is so unfair. I'm gonna catch a cold!"

Donald, who'd been waddling silently behind them, seized the chance to chime in. "That's what you get for dressing like a doofus!" he quacked.

"Hey!" Sora snapped, glaring at the duck. "I didn't exactly plan for a snow day!"

Goofy chuckled. "Gawrsh, you two sure know how to warm things up with all that bickerin'!"

Ash just laughed.

Moments later...

As the group approached a frozen lake ahead, Ash felt a strange pull deep in his chest. The breeze that rolled off it wasn't just cold—it felt unnatural, as though it carried whispers of something. His Prince of Heart abilities were tingling, sensing something—or someone—with a heart unlike any he'd encountered before.

"You guys feel that?" Ash murmured.

Sora, squinting into the distance, suddenly pointed. "Look! Over there!"

At first, Ash thought Sora was just seeing things, but as he focused, he spotted her too.

A girl—light blonde hair woven into a loose French braid that swept elegantly over her left shoulder, her skin almost as pale as the snow beneath her feet. Rosy cheeks dotted with faint freckles framed her face, and her blue eyes were wide with fear. A long, icy-blue dress fluttered behind her as she ran, the transparent cape glistening with delicate snowflake patterns trailing like frost in her wake. Each step she took across the frozen lake seemed to expand the ice, spreading it like an unintentional ripple of magic.

Ash and Sora exchanged glances.

"Who is that?" Sora wondered aloud.

Ash frowned. "Don't know but she looks kinda scared… but why?" His heart told him she wasn't the enemy, but something was definitely wrong.

Donald crossed his arms, frowning. "Maybe she's causing all this snow! But… I don't think it's Heartless magic."

Goofy tilted his head thoughtfully. "Gawrsh, maybe she needs our help?"

The group watched as the girl fled deeper into the snow-covered mountains, heading towards the Gorge area, where the cliffs loomed high and the snow thickened with every step.

"We have to follow her," Ash decided firmly, already moving in her direction.

Sora nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Whether she's in trouble or causing it, we'll find out."

Gorge

Elsa's breath came out in frosty puffs as she stood on the snowy slope, trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart. The snowflakes around her seemed to glitter with an unnatural shimmer, responding to her heightened emotions. She had thought she was alone—until a cheerful voice cut through the crisp mountain air.

"Hey! Wait up!"

Startled, Elsa spun around, her eyes widening at the sight before her. Two strange boys—one with spiky brown hair, the other with black messy hair—stood a few feet away. They were accompanied by what appeared to be a talking duck and a tall dog. Elsa's mind raced, trying to process the bizarre group standing before her.

She instinctively raised her hands, a faint glimmer of ice magic crackling at her fingertips. "Who are you? And why are you following me?" she demanded.

Sora stepped forward with a big grin, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture. "I'm Sora, and these are my friends—Donald and Goofy." The duck gave a curt nod, while the dog waved cheerfully. "And that's Ash." He gestured to the boy beside him, who simply offered a polite nod. When Sora opened his mouth to blurt out that they were from another world, he caught Donald's sharp glare and quickly changed course. "Uh—we're just... new in town!" he said with a sheepish laugh.

Elsa's icy blue eyes flicked over each of them with her gaze lingering slightly longer on Ash. His revealing, yet oddly outfit—the one that had caused many to joke about his "lewder" sense of fashion—made her cheeks flush with an unexpected warmth. She quickly looked away, but not before Sora noticed.

Sora elbowed Ash with a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Looks like someone caught someone's eye," he whispered just loud enough for Ash to groan in frustration.

Trying to divert the attention, Ash took a step forward and asked politely, "And you are?"

Elsa hesitated. She wasn't sure she could trust these strangers, but there was something about their presence that felt... safe. After a brief moment, she lowered her hands and spoke softly. "I'm Elsa... Queen of Arendelle."

The moment the word "Queen" left her lips, Sora, Donald, and Goofy immediately snapped to attention like loyal soldiers with their backs straight and hands at their sides.

Ash blinked in confusion, glancing between his friends and Elsa. "Uh… what are you guys—?"

Sora elbowed him again, muttering out of the corner of his mouth, "Dude, show some respect!"

Rolling his eyes, Ash reluctantly stood at attention too, though it was clear he wasn't used to this kind of formality. Elsa found their sudden shift in behavior amusing with a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Are you here for the coronation?" Elsa asked curiously.

The group exchanged confused glances, clearly unfamiliar with what she was referring to. But Ash, thinking quickly to avoid suspicion, stepped in. "Uh… yes! Yes, we are. But we, uh… got lost on the way."

Elsa tilted her head slightly, still wary but less defensive. Something about Ash's awkward charm made her drop her guard just a little.

"Well," she said with a soft sigh with her eyes darting to the snowy mountains behind her, "You should probably head back. It's not safe out here."

But Sora, never one to leave someone in trouble, shook his head. "We're not leaving you alone. You seem like you're running from something."

Elsa's smile faded. "It's… complicated."

Ash stepped forward. "We're good at complicated."

Elsa's gaze lingered on Ash, searching his face for something—perhaps understanding, perhaps a reason to trust him. But whatever she saw wasn't enough. With a frustrated sigh, she turned her back on the group.

"Just… leave me alone," she said quietly.

Sora's cheerful demeanor didn't waver. "Hey, come on, we're just trying to help," he called out, stepping forward a bit. "You looked kinda sad back there. We just wanna know why." Then, in a classic Sora fashion, he tried to lighten the mood. "Geez, it can't be that bad," he joked, elbowing Donald. "Unless you've been hanging out with Donald too long—that'd make anyone grumpy!"

"WHAT?!" Donald squawked. "I'm not the grumpy one, YOU are!"

Goofy chuckled nervously. "Gawrsh, fellas, maybe this ain't the best time to be jokin' around."

But it was too late. Elsa's shoulders tensed, and in one swift, frustrated motion, she spun around with her eyes flashing with icy anger.

"I SAID STOP!" she shouted, thrusting her hands forward.

Without warning, sharp icicle pillars shot out from the ground, racing towards the group with dangerous speed. The frozen spikes shot up, forcing the group to scatter.

Sora rolled to the side. "Whoa, whoa! Hey, we're on your side!" he called out, dodging another icicle that narrowly missed his head.

Donald and Goofy scrambled for cover.

Ash stood his ground for a moment, with his eyes wide in disbelief as he watched the icy pillars erupt from the ground. Another girl who can control ice? His mind immediately flashed to Esdeath from his previous encounter. "Elsa," Ash called out.

Elsa's mind froze as she finally realized what just happened. "I-I..."

Soon, a herd of bizarre creatures materialized around them. Their icy antlers glinted menacingly, and their glowing yellow eyes locked onto the group like predators eyeing prey.

"W-What are those things?!" Elsa gasped, stumbling back in shock. She'd never seen anything like them before—small reindeer-shaped monsters.

Sora stepped forward with his Keyblade flashing into his hand. "Heartless," he said simply. "We'll handle this." Then, he shot a glance at Ash. "Ash, get Elsa somewhere safe!"

Ash nodded. "Leave it to me."

Then, Sora let out a sudden, exaggerated sneeze. "ACHOO!" Sora sniffled, rubbing his nose with a pout. "Ugh, I forgot how cold it is… Hey, Ash! Lemme borrow your cloak for a sec!"

Ash rolled his eyes. "Seriously?"

Sora gave him a sheepish grin, shivering dramatically. "Come on, man! I'm freezing here!"

With a resigned sigh, Ash tossed his white cloak at Sora. "Fine, but don't lose it—or else."

Sora caught the cloak mid-air, wrapping it around himself with a delighted hum. "Ooh, silky and floofy!" he teased, tugging the fabric around his shoulders. "And it smells like you, too!"

Ash's face immediately turned a shade of red. "SORA!" he barked.

Donald cackled in the background while Goofy chuckled, trying not to get too distracted as the Winterhorns began to close in.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" Sora laughed, waving a hand as if to dismiss the embarrassment. "Now go! We'll handle these guys!"

Without another word, Ash reached out and grabbed Elsa's wrist. "Come on!" he urged, pulling her away from the Heartless.

"W-Wait! I—" she started, but Ash didn't give her time to argue.

The two dashed off to a safe distance, leaving Sora and the others to handle the Winterhorns.

Moments later...

Ash and Elsa slowed their pace, finally reaching a safe distance away from the battle. They leaned against nearby snow covered rocks, panting and catching their breath.

Elsa glanced over at Ash with her brow furrowing with concern. "But what about your friends?" she asked with her voice tinged with worry. "Are they going to be okay?"

Ash waved her off with a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Don't worry about them. They're tough. They can handle it."

Elsa bit her lip, still looking uneasy. She hesitated before speaking again. "I... I just want to apologize. Back there, I didn't mean to lash out at you or your friends. I was just... overwhelmed." Her eyes softened as she looked at him.

Ash shook his head, offering a smile. "It's okay, Elsa. Really. We get it. I know it's a lot to deal with."

Elsa nodded, but her gaze drifted downward, still troubled. "Those creatures... What were they? I've never seen anything like them."

Ash's expression darkened as he thought of the Heartless. "They're called Heartless. They're born from the darkness in people's hearts. They go after the strongest hearts they can find, feeding off their light."

Elsa's face went pale. "My town... do you think they'll go after it next?"

Ash paused for a moment, glancing back in the direction they had come from. "It's possible. But you should head back, Elsa. Make sure everyone's safe."

Elsa shook her head. "I can't. I'm... I'm no longer safe to be around. All I ever do is hurt the people close to me. My sister Anna..." Her words trailed off with pain flashing in her eyes.

Ash placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're being silly. Anna loves you. You should go check on her. She needs you."

Elsa pulled away with her eyes narrowing. "Please, just... mind your own business. Leave me alone." Her tone was cold with a hint of frustration creeping in.

Ash frowned, trying to reach her. "Elsa, I'm just trying to help—"

Before he could finish, Elsa raised her hand, sending a flurry of sharp ice shards speeding towards him. Ash swiftly dodged, the shards crashing harmlessly into the ground around him.

"That's your only warning," Elsa hissed.

Ash's eyes softened, but his plea remained firm. "Elsa, please, just listen to me. You don't have to do this alone."

But Elsa only turned away. Without another word, she sprinted off into the mountains with her form quickly disappearing into the distance.

"Elsa!" Ash dashed after her, but Elsa was ready. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a massive ice wall, blocking his path. He slammed his fist against the icy barrier in frustration as he watched her retreat into the snowy peaks. He sighed, standing there for a moment. "Stubborn queen..." he muttered.

"Nice going there, Romeo," a sarcastic, feminine voice called out from behind Ash, causing him to flinch. His eyes widened, confused by the tone, which sounded all too familiar. Slowly, he turned his head over his shoulder, and the moment he did, his breath caught in his throat.

A slender figure stood a few feet away, dressed in a black coat. The smug smirk on her face seemed almost too knowing, and for a brief moment, Ash couldn't shake the sense of recognition. There was something about her—something unsettlingly familiar.

She had blonde hair slicked back to jaw-length, with two long strands twisted into antennae-like shapes. Her golden eyes glinted in the dim light, and Ash blinked in surprise. Her eyes were gold now—far different from their original green. The more he stared, the more his mind churned, the past bubbling up to the surface like a tide he couldn't fight.

Twilight Town - Several years ago...

Ash's Nobody, Xhäs, had only just come into existence. Born from nothingness, he was alone and disoriented, curled up in a shadowed corner of a street, his ragged cloak clinging to his form. His eyes, red and emotionless, stared blankly at the bustling people walking by, completely unaware of his existence. He was scared—lost in a world he didn't understand. How had he arrived here? What was his purpose? He had no answers, only the haunting silence of his solitude.

But then, a laugh echoed in the distance, cutting through the oppressive loneliness. Xhäs looked up as he met the gaze of a young woman. She stood with a grin, seemingly amused by his presence. The girl, who wore the same black coat as the others, had an air of confidence that made him uneasy.

"Well, well, what have we here?" she teased with her green eyes gleaming with amusement as she looked him up and down. "You're a little lost, aren't you?"

"..." Xhäs didn't know how to respond.

Who was she?

Why was she speaking to him?

He barely understood himself, let alone anyone else.

But the girl's eyes softened slightly, and she leaned down to meet him at eye level.

"Don't worry," she continued with her voice surprisingly gentle in contrast to the sarcasm she had just spoken with. "I'll look after you. You're not alone anymore."

"..." Xhäs didn't trust her, but he couldn't deny the comfort her words offered. He wanted to speak, to ask who she was, but no words came.

The girl, seeing his hesitation, smiled again—this time with an unexpected kindness. "The name's Larxene," she introduced herself with her tone no longer condescending, but more... reassuring. "And you are...?" She tilted her head, waiting for an answer.

That moment had been pivotal in his memories. Larxene, the one who had shown him an ounce of care when he had been nothing more than an empty shell of a person. He couldn't explain why, but there was something about her then that had made him feel like maybe—just maybe—he wasn't as alone as he thought.

"X-Xhäs..." He finally spoke his name.

Larxene's smirk deepened as she watched Xhäs. She extended her hand towards him with her green eyes glimmering with a knowing gleam. "Nice to meet you, Xhäs," she said. "Here. Let me take you to your new home."

Xhäs recoiled instinctively with his body stiffening as he eyed her hand. His red eyes flickered between her and the outstretched offering. Every part of him screamed to be cautious, but deep down, a quiet instinct told him that it might be okay. It was the first time since his birth that anyone had shown him a semblance of care—or any indication that he wasn't as alone as he felt.

With a hesitant breath, Xhäs slowly reached out with his fingers trembling slightly. When his hand made contact with hers, Larxene's smirk widened with a knowing look passing between them as she gripped his hand firmly, guiding him from the shadows of his confusion.

"Good boy," she murmured.

Ash stood frozen. His heart raced as he locked eyes with the woman in front of him, the very same woman who had once been a part of the Xhäs' life. His voice was tight, as though the very mention of her name was enough to choke him.

"You're... you're Larxene," Ash finally stammered.

Larxene's smirk twisted into something even more wicked with her golden eyes gleaming with delight as she leaned forward, enjoying the reaction she had sparked. "It's nice to see you too, Xhäsy-poo," she purred with her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Or at least, what's left of you, anyway."

Meanwhile...

Sora, Donald, and Goofy trudged through the snow, having just dealt with the Winterhorn Heartless herd. Their minds were still focused on Ash and Elsa. They hoped they were safe, but as they got closer to the location where Ash was last seen, they were met with a sight they hadn't expected.

Ash was pinned to the cold ground with his back against the snow and his arms held above his head by a blonde woman in a familiar black Organization XIII coat. She was on top of him with her position clearly one of control, and though her face was unfamiliar.

The trio stopped in their tracks. "Who's that?" Goofy asked, squinting. "She doesn't look like any member of the Organization we've seen."

"She must be new..." Donald murmured. But their confusion didn't last long. Ash was in trouble, and that was all they needed to know.

Without another word, the three friends rushed forward. But as they neared, they saw something even more disturbing. Larxene, the woman atop Ash, was far too focused on him to notice their approach. She was cooing softly with her eyes glimmering with a twisted pleasure as she observed Ash's facial expressions.

"You may look different, but you're still my Xhäsy-poo," she purred sweetly, as though savoring the sight of him in his discomfort.

Ash's face was a mixture of frustration and tension, struggling under the weight of her presence. It wasn't just his body she was controlling—it was his mind, his memories, digging into the deepest parts of him.

Her fingers traced along his chin as she spoke with her touch far too intimate for Ash's comfort. But what caught the trio's attention was Larxene's wandering gaze. Her eyes shifted over his exposed shoulders, and the visible skin of his armpits. The look in her eyes seemed far too predatory.

It was then that Sora's voice cut through the moment, calling out, "Hey! Get off of him!"

Larxene's head snapped up with a glare shooting in their direction. The moment was broken, and for a brief second, her smirk faltered. "Well, well," she sneered, glaring at Sora and his companions. "The Keybrat and his lame-o sidekicks. How quaint." She turned back to Ash with her voice lowering to a whisper in his ear. "I'll get my sweet revenge, don't worry. This isn't over."

With that, Larxene effortlessly sprang off Ash as she landed in the snow a few feet away. Sora, Donald, and Goofy quickly moved to stand in front of Ash, shielding him protectively as he slowly pushed himself up from the snow.

Sora's eyes narrowed as he barked, "Who are you? What do you want with Ash?"

Larxene shot them a scornful look. "You don't remember me, do you?" she scoffed, before her expression turned to one of realization. "Oh, right. You forgot. How unfortunate." Her golden eyes glimmered with malice as she raised a hand and spoke. "I'm Larxene, Remember that. Got it?" She smirked, but then realized it was pointless to tell them that. "But it doesn't matter, does it? You'll have your hands full with my prize." She gave a mocking glance at Ash, who was now standing,

Before anyone could react, Larxene opened a portal of darkness behind her. Donald growled and charged forward, only to crash face-first into a pile of snow as Larxene slipped through and the portal closed immediately. "I hate portals!" he grumbled.

Sora turned back to Ash, who was slowly standing upright. "Ash, are you okay?" Sora asked, worry evident in his voice.

Ash blinked, shaking his head as if to clear the fog, trying to regain his composure. "I'm fine," he reassured them. "Just... caught off guard."

But despite his words, Sora, Donald, and Goofy exchanged concerned glances. They weren't convinced. There was something more going on here, something they couldn't quite put their fingers on. And seeing Ash in such a vulnerable position—pinned to the ground, defenseless against Larxene—only made their unease.

Sora stepped closer to Ash with his hand resting on his friend's shoulder. "We'll figure this out, buddy."

Ash gave a small, weary smile. "Thanks, Sora."

"And I promise I won't tell Aqua what we just saw earlier too," Sora joked with a cheeky grin.

"Sora!" Ash's face turned bright red. As the teasing settled down, the group's thoughts quickly turned back to Elsa. Ash spoke first, breaking the silence. "She's heading up to the mountains," Ash stated. "We need to catch up with her before she gets too far ahead."

Sora nodded. "Let's go, then! No time to waste!"

Mountain Ridge

Ash, Sora, Donald, and Goofy sprinted up the snowy path that wound its way towards the Mountain Ridge. The snow crunched beneath their feet as the cold air biting at their faces, but they didn't slow down. They couldn't afford to. The mountain path was steep and challenging, but with the adrenaline pushing them forward, they barely noticed the sharp winds or the difficult terrain. The goal was clear—get to Elsa, make sure she was safe, and figure out what was really going on with her.

As they ran, Ash's mind raced with thoughts of Elsa—her stubbornness, her fears, the way she had shut herself off from everyone. He could still hear her words echoing in his mind: "I can't go back. I'll only hurt people." He had tried to reassure her, but part of him was afraid that he hadn't done enough. If anything, Larxene's appearance had only made things worse.

"She's not going to listen easily," Ash said, more to himself than to the others.

Sora glanced back at him. "Well, we'll just have to be convincing, right? She won't be alone for long!"

Goofy gave a firm nod. "That's right, Sora. We've got her back."

Donald didn't need to say anything. He was determined to help Elsa too, even if he didn't always show it.

The climb grew steeper, and the snow began to fall harder, swirling around them in thick flurries. But they kept going, step by step, each of them pushing forward for Elsa's sake.

Suddenly, amidst the whistling winds, a soft, haunting melody cut through the storm. It was familiar and yet, strange.

"The snow glows white on the mountain tonight

Not a footprint to be seen

A kingdom of isolation

And it looks like I'm the queen

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside

Couldn't keep it in, Heaven knows I tried,"

The group stopped dead in their tracks with their eyes widening as they exchanged confused glances.

"Did you hear that?" Ash whispered.

"I... I think it's Elsa," Sora muttered. "But how? How could she be out here in this storm?"

"Elsa? Is that you?" Ash called out. "Elsa!" he tried again, but the singing continued, untouched by his plea.

"Don't let them in, don't let them see

Be the good girl you always have to be

Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know

Well, now they know,"

"It's her," Sora confirmed as he pointed towards the top of the mountain. "Look! There! It's Elsa!" Without wasting another moment, the group sprinted up the snowy slope towards he sound of Elsa's voice guiding them forward.

"Let it go, let it go

Can't hold it back anymore

Let it go, let it go

Turn away and slam the door

I don't care

What they're going to say

Let the storm rage on

The cold never bothered me anyway,"

They reached the crest, and there she was. Elsa stood tall with her arms raised to the sky as if she were commanding the very storm around her. Snow swirled in the air, and with a flick of her wrist, an ice palace began to form around her.

"It's... beautiful," Ash whispered in awe, watching as the snowman Elsa conjured took shape beside her, part of the growing icy domain.

Elsa's voice rang out once more, louder now, as she sang:

"It's funny how some distance

Makes everything seem small

And the fears that once controlled me

Can't get to me at all,"

With every note, her powers swirled around her, turning the snow into sharp crystalline shapes, while her ice domain grew taller, more intricate.

"It's time to see what I can do

To test the limits and break through

No right, no wrong, no rules for me

I'm free,"

Her palace was nearly finished with the walls rising to the heavens. Elsa stood tall at the top with her back to the group as she continued with renewed strength:

"Let it go, let it go

I'm one with the wind and sky

Let it go, let it go

You'll never see me cry

Here I stand

And here I'll stay

Let the storm rage on,"

The wind howled around her as she finished the final touches of her palace. The door to her icy fortress began to close.

"My power flurries through the air into the ground

My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around

And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast

I'm never goin' back, the past is in the past

Let it go, let it go

And I'll rise like the break of dawn

Let it go, let it go

That perfect girl is gone

Here I stand

In the light of day

Let the storm rage on

The cold never bothered me anyway,"

With a final, definitive slam, the door to Elsa's palace shut behind her, and the storm seemed to quiet, leaving the group breathless, standing in awe of the cold beauty that surrounded them.

"Wow...just, wow..." Sora gawked at Elsa's ice palace with the others.

"You can say that again..." Ash muttered, not taking his eyes off the scenery before them.

There was a moment of awkward silence until Sora couldn't help but break the tension in a playful tone. "Well," Sora began, giving Ash a mischievous grin, "I guess there's nothing going on between you and Elsa, huh? I mean, with all that... ice magic and her singing, I wouldn't blame you if you two were... bonding, you know?"

Ash's face immediately turned bright red. He shot Sora a glare. "Don't you dare try to get me killed, Sora!" he snapped.

Sora chuckled, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Come on, Ash. She's pretty... charming, isn't she?" he teased, poking fun at his friend.

Ash crossed his arms defensively, still blushing. "Seriously, Sora, don't even joke about it. Aqua would—"

Sora cut him off, dramatically pretending to be scared. "Aqua? Oh man, now I really want to see how she'd react. Maybe we should let her know about this," he said with a sly grin, watching Ash squirm.

"Sora!"

"Alright, alright," Sora said, holding his hands up in mock surrender, but his grin didn't fade. "I'll stop. But you have to admit, she was pretty amazing, huh?"

Ash just rolled his eyes.

"Keep it up, Sora. I'll toss you over the mountain."

"Ah, come on! You know you can't resist me, Ash. You'd never throw me off a mountain," Sora teased, nudging his friend with his elbow.

"I will if you keep running your mouth," Ash shot back, though the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

Sora leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice. "Well, if you did toss me over, I'm sure Elsa would catch me with one of her ice slides. She seems like the type who'd save me, right?"

Ash's eyes narrowed, though he couldn't hide the amusement in his gaze. "You better hope so, Sora."

Donald's patience began to wear thin as he scowled at Ash and Sora. "Ugh! Could you two stop for a second?" Donald huffed, clearly annoyed. "I just want to get to Elsa and be done with this already!"

Sora chuckled, nudging Ash. "You hear that, Ash? Donald wants to skip the fun and go straight to business."

Ash smirked. "Guess he's not a fan of our charm."

Donald shot them a glare. "Not this time!" he snapped. "Let's just go! Enough with the bantering. Elsa's waiting for us, and I'm done wasting time!"

But just as they reached the top of the stairs, a portal of darkness suddenly ripped open in front of them.

"Well, well, well," Larxene's voice taunted as her figure stepped out of the darkness. "Did you really think you'd reach Elsa that easily?"

Sora immediately drew his Keyblade.

Ash summoned both his Keyblades.

Donald gripped his staff tightly, glaring at Larxene.

Goofy got his shield raised up, preparing for battle.

"Larxene!" Donald growled, "We don't have time for your games. Get out of our way!"

Larxene smirked. "Games? Oh, but this is the game, little duck."

"Move, Larxene," Ash warned, stepping forward.

"Not until I've had a little fun," she purred. "And besides, Elsa isn't going anywhere...for now, that is." Her smirk grew wide.

Adding the Frozen's Let it go! song was pretty challenging in the chapter, but I managed to do it somehow x.x; Anyway, a lot has happened in this chapter. From Ash surviving Aqua's wrath to Sora wanting to play matchmaker and trying to get Ash killed again and lastly meeting Xhäs' "old" girlfriend. Yup, Elsa will eventually be included in Ash's harem very shortly unless...Sora steals her that is...since in the KH3 version, it did seem like the plot was trying to make Sora x Elsa a thing. Also, expect a long fun Valentine's special at the end of the chapter for some amusement.

Extra scene: Chocolate Madness

The kitchen inside Merlin's house was a battlefield.

Flour dusted the air like smoke, chocolate dripped from bowls and countertops, and the sweet scent of melted cocoa filled the room. Seven women, each with their own skill set (or lack thereof), were deep in the trenches of making Valentine's chocolates—some for love, some for admiration, and some… well, against their will.

Lightning Farron sighed with her arms crossed, standing by the counter as she watched the madness unfold. "Remind me again… why am I here?"

Serah, her younger sister, flashed a cheeky grin as she rolled up her sleeves. "Because, sis, it's Valentine's Day! And deep down, I know you want to give someone chocolate."

Lightning scoffed, but there was a faint pink dusting her cheeks. "Ridiculous."

"Oh, come on," Yuffie piped up from across the counter, aggressively chopping a bar of chocolate like it had personally offended her. "I'm just here to make something cool-looking and edible. You, on the other hand, definitely have a certain someone in mind."

Lightning shot her a glare. "You're both imagining things."

Kairi giggled as she carefully measured out cocoa powder. "You know, it wouldn't hurt to just go with the flow, Lightning."

"Exactly!" Aerith chimed in, expertly tempering chocolate over a double boiler. "Valentine's isn't just about romance; it's about appreciation too. You could just be showing gratitude."

Lightning groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "And yet I feel like I've been tricked into a trap."

Aqua, who was stirring a bowl of ganache, smirked. "You probably have."

Tifa laughed as she worked on shaping truffles. "Don't worry, you're in good company. Some of us are making chocolates for admiration, not necessarily love."

Serah nudged Lightning with her elbow. "Uh-huh, sure. But I know one big sister who's lying through her teeth."

Lightning turned to her younger sister with a deadly glare. "Serah."

Serah only grinned wider. "You know, you could just say his name. It won't kill you."

"I'm going to throw you into the chocolate vat."

"See! That reaction says it all!"

Before Lightning could launch a verbal counterattack, Yuffie accidentally sent a puff of flour into the air, covering her face and half the table.

"Yuffie!" Aqua scolded, coughing as she waved away the white cloud.

"What?! It was an accident!" Yuffie sputtered, looking like a ghost with her flour-covered face.

Kairi giggled, wiping her hands on her apron. "At this rate, we'll be covered in chocolate and sugar before we're done."

Tifa smirked. "Well, Valentine's chocolates are best made with a little mess, aren't they?"

Aerith began cleaning up Yuffie's flour disaster. "Let's just focus, or we'll never finish before the day is over."

Serah leaned closer to Lightning, whispering softly, "So, do you want me to write his name on your chocolate? I can add a cute little heart, too."

Lightning's glare intensified. "I will end you."

Serah only laughed as she shaped her chocolates with ease. "Aww, come on, Sis. I bet he'll love it. And I bet he already knows you care."

Lightning clenched her jaw but didn't retort this time. Maybe, just maybe, she was planning to give someone chocolates.

Maybe.

And if she was… she was going to make sure they were perfect.

With a quiet sigh, Lightning finally grabbed a mixing spoon and got to work—ignoring the knowing smirks and suppressed giggles of her friends.

"I hate you."

"And I love you too, sis," Serah said with a chuckle, earning an eye roll from Lightning.

Meanwhile, elsewhere within Radiant Garden...

In the heart of Radiant Garden's Marketplace, the guys were on a mission of their own—or rather, Sora was on a mission, and the rest were just along for the ride. Sora ran a hand through his spiky brown hair in a mix of panic and determination. "I can't just give Kairi some standard chocolate. It's gotta be special! Unique! Something she'll never forget!"

Riku chuckled with his arms crossed as he leaned against a nearby post. "Sora, it's not a world-saving mission. It's Valentine's Day."

Ventus grinned, slapping Sora on the back. "Yeah, but I get it. You want to make it memorable. Let's check out some of these Moogle shops. Bet we'll find something cool."

As they wandered through the marketplace, stalls were decorated with heart-shaped balloons, pink and red banners fluttered in the wind, and the sweet scent of candy and pastries filled the air.

Lea, hands in his pockets and a smirk on his face, trailed behind them. "You know, Sora, you could just go up to her and say, 'Hey, Kairi, here's my heart on a silver platter.' Simple. Direct."

Sora groaned. "Lea, you're not helping."

"Hey, I'm just saying. Girls love honesty!"

Cloud and Leon followed at the rear, both looking like they'd rather be anywhere else. Cloud's expression was as unreadable as ever, while Leon had his signature scowl plastered on with his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

"I don't know why we're even here," Cloud muttered, glancing sideways at Leon.

Leon shrugged. "Ask them."

But before either could say more, Ash—the future ruler of Radiant Garden—found himself in a situation he definitely hadn't signed up for.

A group of local girls swarmed him with their hands full of chocolate boxes and handmade gifts.

"Your Majesty! I made this just for you!" one girl squealed, pushing a heart-shaped box into his hands.

"Your Highness, you have to try this one!" another added with her cheeks flushed pink.

Ash's face turned a bright shade of red as he awkwardly tried to juggle the growing pile of gifts. "Uh… th-thanks… I, uh…" He shot a desperate look at his friends, silently pleading for help.

But help wasn't coming.

Riku raised an eyebrow. "Wow, Ash. Didn't know you were such a ladies' man."

Ventus burst out laughing. "Looks like someone's gonna need a whole caravan just to carry all his chocolates home."

Sora, momentarily distracted from his Kairi crisis, smirked. "Hey, maybe you should share with us, Your Highness."

Lea let out a whistle. "Man, Aqua's gonna love hearing about this. Mr. Popular, huh?"

At the mention of Aqua, Ash's face somehow managed to get even redder. "You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, we would," Ventus teased, winking.

That was the last straw.

With a swift motion, Ash grabbed a handful of chocolates and started pelting them at Sora, Ventus, Riku, and even Lea.

"Take it back!" he shouted.

"Hey!" Sora yelped, dodging a flying truffle. "Watch the hair!"

Riku ducked effortlessly with a smug grin on his face. "You're just proving our point, Prince Charming."

"S-Shut up!"

Ventus wasn't as lucky—a chocolate square bounced off his forehead. "Ow! Okay, okay! Truce!"

Lea caught one mid-air and bit into it with a grin. "Not bad, Ash. You should get bombarded more often."

"I said, shut up!"

Through all the chaos, Cloud and Leon stood off to the side, watching the spectacle unfold.

For a long moment, they said nothing.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Cloud let out a quiet chuckle.

Leon shook his head with a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Idiots."

Ash, now thoroughly flustered and out of chocolates to throw, finally slumped against a nearby wall, groaning. "I'm never showing my face in the marketplace again."

Sora clapped him on the shoulder, still laughing. "Don't worry, man. I'm sure Aqua will totally understand."

"You're not helping, Sora..." Ash groaned again.