"It won't be long now until the destined wielder arrives...

He's talking about Kairi! Riku heard the voice of an older man, the one he had before. He looked around before spotting a figure in a black coat that was so close he could reach him.

He felt his anger overflowing and found the courage to yell into the void. "Who are you?! Where is Kairi?!"

There wasn't even a pause before he heard a hearty chuckle, the man already knew he was there. He'd always known. "Now you decide to use your connection to the seekers to reach out, hm?"

"My connection?" Riku asked in confusion. It must have something to do with him being a Prince of Heart.

"All this time and you never distinguished these meetings from simple dreams... Perhaps if you had, you would've been able to warn your loved ones, to save them… But it's too late for that now. It is time to accept your role, young prince!"

Riku was flung back by a burst of darkness and out into reality once more. At least, that's what he thought before he looked around.

He recognized the world as the same one that had held him prisoner not too long ago: The World That Never Was. It only took him a moment to understand why he was here given all he'd seen through his supposed connection. "This was a trap for all of us… And Sora and Kairi, they might already be caught!"

Riku was then surrounded by Nightmares, causing him to summon his keyblade and Koumori to appear at his side.

Sora felt a nuzzle on his cheek as he slept. He wondered if it was Kairi or Riku waking him up until he received a lick, causing him to spring up. "Yakumo?"

The cat-dog barked in response to hearing her name before rolling over, expecting belly rubs.

Sora did so while he took in his eerily familiar environment.

Towering over him was the very same building he'd waited on for Naminé to appear. It was one of the hardest fights of his life alongside Ansem and Xemnas.

"That's weird, I thought the exam was supposed to be over after we locked the seven keyholes." Sora said aloud, gazing at the Organization's castle in the distance. He counted on his fingers just to be sure. "Yep, that was seven…"

Nightmares seemed to block the path towards the castle.

"Maybe this is some final challenge? Guess my best bet is to go where the action was last time."

After defeating the Nightmares surrounding him, Riku was finally able to reach the castle. There he found Kairi trapped in a orb of a sleeping spell. She appeared to be sleeping peacefully but Riku could feel in his heart her dreams were anything but.

He gently took her hand. "Kairi…!"

"Kairi!"

Seconds after he'd called out to her, he heard another voice do the same. A voice he would recognize anywhere.

"Sora? Is that really you? Are you okay?" He asked, looking around wildly. I can hear him but where is he?

"I'm better now!" Sora grinned on his side. "You look like you've been doing just fine without me and Kairi, I knew you could do it!"

They could see one another faintly if they looked hard enough. It seemed like they were right next to each other, like they had been this whole time.

"I'd rather us all be together…" Riku muttered. "But you can see Kairi, can't you?"

"Uh-huh. She's trapped in some prison made of darkness, fast asleep." Sora nodded. "She's gotta wake up now that we're together again!"

They spent the next few minutes calling out to her as they were forced to watch her dive deeper and deeper into the dream she was trapped in. It was no use.

"She won't listen to us." Riku sighed in disappointment before looking back to Sora.

"What should we do, Riku?" Sora asked, crossing his arms in thought. "You've got a plan, don't you?"

. "Kairi's the planner but I guess I'm the next best option." Riku whispered to himself. "First we should get to the same version as each other, right?"

"Great idea!" Sora smiled hopefully before his face twisted in confusion. "But, uh, how do we do that?"

"I'm not sure." His friend sighed.

After a moment of thought, Sora snapped. "Hey! What if we just hold hands?"

Riku felt his face turn red. Hand-holding seemed like an intimate act to him, especially if it was long. "Sora, now's not the time to get silly ideas…"

"Hey! I'm being serious! Maybe if we touch the barrier between us will break!" He offered his hand.

Riku glanced between his hand and his own before nodding in agreement. "It's worth a shot, I guess."

He raised a hand to meet Sora's and a light began to glow as they grew closer.

"We will never let you wake from this twofold nightmare…"

Just then, Sora was knocked away by a blast of darkness. "Argh!"

"Sora!" Riku's voice faded away as quickly as it had come.

Their connection was broken and Kairi had vanished.

The boy rubbed his head in pain before looking up to see who's separated the two. "Ansem!"

"Sora!" Riku called again in worry, running to the spot where the boy had been. Koumori followed him, staying by his side.

"He can't hear you." Someone chuckled faintly.

The boy turned to face the boy who was identical to Roxas in all but personality. "You… Who are you?"

"I'm the person who sent you off from your world to fulfill your destiny, young prince." He said, walking towards him. "I am Xehanort."

"Xehanort?" Riku asked in surprise. That couldn't be right... "But I thought Xehanort was a elderly keyblade master… You're just a kid like me…"

The boy's confident smirk flickered. "Maybe I was once. But I outgrew my childish ways in pursuit of knowledge."

"And the cost was my homeworld and everyone who ever trusted you." Riku growled softly. "Why did you send me away that day?"

"You still haven't figured it out yet?" The boy laughed.

"Figured out what?"

"I sent you away to find the destined keyblade wielder. I thought that a Prince of Heart like yourself would resonate with her, then tested the theory… And it worked. The only reason we have her in our clutches is because of you, Riku."

"What..?" Riku asked dryly, eyes widening. "What do you mean?! Where is she?!"

"You already saw. Your precious heroine is trapped in a never-ending bad dream, one you caused."

The boy's heart sunk. "…What are you talking about?"

"Just look at the symbol over your heart, it's clear as day."

He glanced down to see the symbol he'd never noticed before. It was the same one that every dream eater enemy had had. "I'm… a Nightmare?"

"That's right. When Kairi fell into sleep, you dove into her dreams and became a Nightmare. And just to be sure you didn't team up with your Spirit partner, we made sure you fell a layer deeper, mixing Kairi's dreams with your subconscious."

"That's why all the problems I faced were in line with my own…" Riku realized.

"Mmhm. You trapped yourself into a nightmare of your own design, dooming Kairi to the very same fate."

The boy bowed his head in shame. "But… But I never wanted to hurt Kairi…!"

"It doesn't matter if you wanted to or not, it's in your very nature. You've been a hindrance to her the day you met." The other boy grinned sharply, seeing the prince begin to doubt himself even more.

"A hindrance…?"

"That's right. Think back to her and Sora's first journey, they wouldn't have been forced to go on it if you hadn't been so weak, let alone fight each other. She sacrificed herself for you, bowed to the original organization for you, and now is trapped in a nightmare because you simply had to interfere with her dream..."

Riku nodded slowly, his body starting to feel heavy all of the sudden. "Everything that happened… It was my fault…"

"You're nothing but a weak, pathetic, little prince." Ventus-Xehanort hissed. "You have no place with Kairi and Sora. They were made for each other, you just dropped into their lives. You can't protect them, you can't even keep them by your side. They don't need you, Riku…"

Tears came to the boy's eyes at the thought. Would they really be better off without him? The world spun as he grabbed his head. "Ugh…"

His enemy smirked, seeing him begin to falter. "You don't look so good… Almost like you're beginning to sink into your despair…. Once you do, you can sleep for all eternity. You'll never have to worry about these troubling thoughts and feelings ever again…"

"Never worry… " Riku repeated. He stumbled forward as his vision began to darken.

"See? Even your body is begging you to sleep. You've been so resistant this entire journey, it's time to give in…" Ventus-Xehanort chuckled.

Riku felt his pure heart seemingly begin to react to his body shutting down, as if it was tugging at him to stay awake. I have to stay awake… I have to!

"Once the master realized you were joining the exam, he decided we'd not only take Kairi's body as a vessel, and your heart as a sacrifice. We need seven, as I'm sure you remember."

The boy glared at him through exhaustion, a spark of energy at hearing his friend's name. "Kairi… as a vessel for Xehanort? She'd never agree to that!"

"He thought of that as well. Given how resistant she's been in the past, we'll use your well-being to keep her in line. Once all the other guardians are disposed of, you'll be dest-"

"No…"

The young man looked up to see Riku's heart glowing brightly as he began to stand. "What's this?"

"I said, NO! I won't allow you to use me against Kairi, not ever again!" Riku growled, slowly rising to his feet. He shook himself slightly, the despair melting into determination. If he was the reason why his friends had gone through so much, he needed to redeem himself. He summoned his keyblade in a flash of light. "If what you said was true, and I shaped all these worlds with my own subconscious, then that means I made this thing up too…"

He placed a hand to the Nightmare symbol.

"It's here because I sometimes feel like I'm no help to Kairi and Sora, that I only made them suffer, just like you said." Riku muttered. He brushed it away, showing his true symbol of a Spirit. "But… really, I have no idea who I am, all I've ever known about myself or my past is what you and your other selves have told me. My homeworld, my powers, my feelings… It's time I trust myself to figure them out."

Ventus-Xehanort narrowed his eyes in anger, realizing the plan would no longer work.

"But first, I'm going to help Sora and together, we're going to save Kairi, that's why we dove into her dreams in the first place, isn't it?"

His enemy summoned his keyblade backhanded before twirling it around to point at Riku. "I really hppef your doubt would blind you to the truth and you would fall peacefully… I guess I'll have to take your heart by force."

"Not this time."

"Do you know why we're here, Sora?" Ansem asked softly.

"You and the Organization?"

"No, you and I." He didn't wait for an answer. "It is because you failed to protect Kairi, even after you dove into her dreams…"

"Huh? Dove into her dreams?" Sora asked, tilting his head. He pouted in slight confusion. "What are you talking about? Kairi and I are taking the mastery exam together and helping Riku train! We just got separated, that's all!"

"Yes, separated by the barriers of sleep." Ansem smirked, enjoying watching the boy's confusion. "You see, when you set out from that tiny island you and Riku both felt a dark presence reaching out to Kairi, stealing her away. You both dove into the dream that she was trapped in, intent on finding her again and effectively becoming what that symbol on your shoulder represents."

Sora looked at his shoulder to see the symbol of the Dream Eaters emblazoned on his shoulder guard. "Ah! You mean Riku and I are-?!"

"Dream Eaters, yes. But that did your prince little good. At this very moment, Riku is being lured into a deep sleep, just like the destined wielder. His heart will be ripped from him, leaving him a lifeless husk."

"Not Riku, there's no way!" Sora cried in anger. Riku's light is strong and bright, he'd never be tricked by these guys! "He knows we've gotta save Kairi together!"

"Save her? Oh, Sora, It's far too late for that." Ansem laughed, making the boy grit his teeth. "She's already succumbed to the darkness in her heart and will soon be ours…"

"Succumbed…?" Sora shook his head in disbelief. "You're just spouting lies at this point! Riku, Kairi, they'll never fall to darkness. And even if they did, I'd do everything in my power to save them!"

"What power? Surely not your own..."

The boy hesitated summoning his keyblade.

"Even after accepting the darkness in your heart, your power is still so miniscule due to its balance with your light. You're not strong enough to save your loved ones, not alone." Ansem hissed, offering his hand. "You need the power of true darkness…"

Sora narrowed his eyes, not taking even a moment to consider the offer. He summoned his keyblade at last, the flash of light providing a small sense of comfort. "When I was little… I was told that my connection to others would be my power. For the longest time, I thought that meant my strength was only borrowed from the ones who were already destined to be extraordinary. That I was profiting from their success without having to do anything, like when building the raft. Funny enough, it was you who taught me what the vow really meant to me."

Ansem gave a grunt in confusion, his arm faltering.

"My power…. Kairi and Riku, the Queen, and all the friends I've made on my journeys, it's because I wanted to protect and love them that it appeared at all. They're my power, and it's stronger than anything you can throw at me."

"So that is your answer…" Ansem growled under his breath, his brows furrowing. He suddenly raised his arms, causing a dark aura to encapsulate them. "Your lights have flickered out and died… You will soon join them!"

Darkness surrounded them as Ansem's guardian appeared behind him, holding its master in a protective orb.

Ansem gave a growl before sending out homing shots at the boy, intent on stopping him before he could reach them.

Sora and Yakumo fused together, allowing them to dodge the projectiles before leaping at the orb.

Just as he was about to hit, the guardian swung down, sending the boy flying.

"Ghaa!" He hit a wall that hadn't been there before and slowly opened his eyes to find he was now in a narrow and gloomy hallway with his enemies waiting for him at the end.

He gritted his teeth in pain as he glared up at Ansem. "Guess I have no choice…"

"Finally…" Ansem whispered, seeing the boy embrace his inner darkness.

But instead of the mindless animal he was used to seeing, Sora was in complete control this time around. The orbs that were once red and filled with rage were now a soft blue, showing determination instead.

"Impossible!"

Riku flew into the air using Koumori's power, thinking he had the upper hand until Ventus-Xehanort appeared in front of him with wings of air.

The prince summoned his keyblade quickly to block the swords that shot after him. Only one managed to hit, but he quickly healed the wound.

The dark seeker landed before summoning his dark keyblade, guarding against the diving force that was Riku.

The boy was hit back but quickly recovered, catching himself with a quick somersault before landing.

The two began to parry one another, light magic burning the darkness that tried to corrupt it.

"You will never win against me! You're still the weak little boy you always were!" The young man growled, darkness edging over his blade.

Maybe I was but now…! Riku shook his head, not fearing the darkness would capture him. "I'm a keyblade wielder now. I have the strength to protect what matters!"

At his declaration, the leather bracelet around his wrist began to glow.

"What?!" His enemy's eyes widened in shock before he suddenly stumbled away.

Riku watched in confusion as the boy put his head in his hands. "Huh?"

"That… That doesn't belong to you!"

Sora's dark form shattered the orb, causing Ansem to go on defense before flinging him away.

The boy wasn't deterred, lunging at him again and again.

No matter how many blows they exchanged, it seemed neither would give in. They were at a stalemate.

At this rate, we'll be stuck fighting forever! Sora thought to himself as he blocked another hit. I'm determined to save my friends, is that not enough?

Just then, a spark of light lit the darkness.

Sora grinned, fading out of his dark form. Riku was just as determined as he was and together…

"Riku!"

"Sora!" Riku gasped, the bracelet guiding them to one another across worlds.

The two reached out for one another, a bright light appearing between them.

Two halves of a keyblade appeared in that instant: Riku's was a shining gold with a teal hilt while Sora's was a midnight black ending in a purple handle. They combined to make a singular keyblade.

"This light…" Their enemies chorused in shock.

The boys' raised their hands to the sky with matching yells before slashing down.

The keyblade knocked their enemies away with a burning ray of light before ripping a doorway through Riku's dream, releasing him at last.

Sora jumped into Riku's arms, nearly knocking him right back into the dream. "Riku!"

Riku winced as Sora tugged on his hair and cheeks. "Hey, quit it!"

"Just making sure this isn't a dream!" Sora laughed, scratching the back of his head. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"Yeah, the darkness can't get me that easily." Riku smiled faintly before remembering Kairi. "Sora, Kairi was taken by Master Xehanort. He and a new Organization are planning on using her as some kind of vessel for his darkness. They tried to take my heart too…"

"What? That's… nuts!" Sora gasped, unsure what other word he could use to describe it. "What are they trying to do?"

"Nothing good." Riku guaranteed. "We need to find Kairi before it's too late."

"Right!" Sora nodded.

As if on cue, a flower Spirit dove in between them. She trilled wildly, looking panicked.

"Whoa, whoa! What's the matter?" Sora asked in concern.

Riku tilted his head in realization, recognizing Kairi's light radiating off the flower. "You're Kairi's friend, aren't you?"

Saki nodded eagerly before flying off in the direction of the castle.

"Come on." Sora smiled hopefully to Riku before taking his hand. "Kairi's saved us so many times, it's time we do the same for her!"

"Together."