Bonded Fate (PG-14 for Language and Violence)

The Fifth Element: I hate that too. I think that's why I try to keep him as..call me crazy, but I think that's why I keep him as Riku.

Someday, long into my future, I'll look back and laugh at how much trouble I had writing this chapter. For now however, I'm this close to pulling my hair out. (fumes)

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Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1
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Sighing, I piloted Infinity into low orbit as Sora finally woke up. I'd disliked this world, no matter the game it was it. But now, I suppose I was afraid of facing Santa Claus. I'd believed in him since I was a child, but meeting someone important always made me nervous. Still, we had to face the music. We beamed down into the Town Square, and my wings twitched as I caught sight of all the little lights in the area. Draped over the guillotine, the fountain and the rest of the town, the orange bulbs cast an eerie glow that unnerved me. Sora frowned, looking around as he scratched his head.

"Christie, this is Halloween Town, right?" I nodded as Donald and Goofy yelped at the appearence of Zero, making me jump. The little ghost dog flew over to Sora, licking his nose.

"Hey Zero! How've you been boy?" Zero, bieng a ghost dog, didn't answer. Just flew over to a large launch pad placed on the edge of town. Sora tilted his head.

"What's this thing for?" We all looked up at the sound of bells, and I sighed as I caught sight of Jack flying down in a sleigh made of a Trashcan, being led by what looked to be reindeer skeletons. He landed the sleigh then walked over to us with the biggest grinn on his face.

"Sora, Christie! Welcome back and salutations to these fine gentlemen. Who are they, Sora?" I snickered behing my hand as Donald fumed, and Sora shook his head.

"These are my friends, Donald and Goofy. You didn't meet them last time I was here, but they know what happened." Jack nodded, still smiling.

"Of course. Donald, Goofy, welcome to Halloween Town, and Merry Christmas!" Sora and I exchanged a look of surprise, and Sora looked to Jack.

"Merry Christmas? Don't you mean Happy Halloween?" Jack nodded, not having caught his blunder.

"Of course, my apologies. Happy Halloween greetings from Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King." He made a scary face, but it didn't even make me spook. Jack smiled sadly.

"Forgive me. I'm a Christmas mood. You see, I'm running the show again this year, but I need Sandy Claw's blessing. So, I'm off to Christmas town!" Sora quirked a brow.

"Sandy Claws?" I nodded, crossing my arms.

"He probably means Santa Claus. Although, I do wonder what Jack's doing...." As if ordered by my words, Jack stood up from his place on the fountain and spun around.

"Aren't these decorations wonderful? This year, Halloween Town's going to handle Christmas too! But fist, we have to visit Sally. She's working on something that no self-respecting Santa Claus can do without! Come along gentlemen and lady, I'll show you!"

Sora frowned, looking around the square at the guillotine and skeletal riendeer. Said creature's squawked at us, making Donald and Goofy shiver in fear. Sora and I shared a sympathetic smile, then led the way to Dr. Finkelstien's lab. Inside, the doctor was working on his newest creation with the children that had once served Oogie Boogie. I crossed my arms, scowling. Those three were always up to something...Still, I looked to Jack as he ducked through the entryway of the lap, smiling gleefully.

"Hello Doctor! Where's Sally?" Dr. Finkelstein frowned.

"Can't you see...that I'm in the middle of an experiment?" He slammed his head shut, turning his wheelchair and rolling over to the table, where his newest experiment was laying prone on the table. I stepped aside as Lock, Shock and Barrel passed by my legs with a machine part in hand. They groaned.

"This is way too heavy!"

"Then let's toss it!" Finkelstein glared at them, fisting one hand.

"You do and you'll be sorry! Now, bring it over here."

The kids looked at eachother, smirking under thier masks. After a count of three, they tossed it onto the table. It sparked with electricity, and I covered my face as it exploded. Sora and Jack waved the air away, wincing as the table came into view once the smoke cleared. The experiment was now just a heap of scrap metal, and the kids ran past us out the door as Sally came inside. Finkelstein cursed loudly, and I winced. He was worse then Cid. Jack turned around as Sally tapped him on the back

"Sally! Did you finish it?" Sally shook her head, wringing her hands.

"I'm sorry Jack, I...I need a little more time." Jack frowned.

"Oh..well, that's alright. Just as long as it's ready for Christmas." He patted Sally's shoulder, then turned to leave. Sally reached out to stop him.

"But...Jack..." He paid her no mind, stopping at the door.

"Well, I'd best be off! I've got to go get Sandy Claws, right away. Wonderful to see you all again, good-bye for now." Jack left, leaving Sally to stagger to a bench and place her head in her hands. Sora frowned, tilting his head.

"Go get Santa Claus?" He turned to leave, but looked at Sally as she grabbed his arm.

"Please, Sora. I'm afraid that something terrible will happen if Jack goes through with this." Donald nodded, tapping his foot.

"You can say that again!" Sora was snapped from his daze as Jack swung open the doors, looking for all the worlds a confused man.

"Sora, Christie, are those strange looking fellows in the Square with you?" Sora tilted his head, not understanding.

"What fellows?" Jack frowned.

"You know, the ones who wanted to spoil Halloween AND Christmas? Ohh, what were they called again...Heartless?" Sora jumped, upset.

"They're definitely not with us, but we can help you get rid of them. And then we can go see Santa!" I stared at Sora for his outburst, and Donald tapped his foot. The Keyblader rubbed the back of his neck, red in the face.

"But first, the Heartless." Jack led us out the lab and into the Square, where the Mayor was trying to fend off the Wight Knights with his megaphone
.
"Now hear this, you...you things! Leave Halloween Town at once, by order of the Mayor!" The Heartless payed him no mind, skulking around. He paniced.

"Jack! Where are you? I'm only an elected official, I can't handle this by myself!"

Not even bothering to greet the rotund man, we chased off the Heartless. Once they were all gone, Jack frowned.

"Just how is Sandy Claws supposed to relax with all this going on? That's it! Sandy Claw's needs bodygaurds! Are you up to the task?" Donald and Sora nodded vigorously, and Jack smiled.

"Good. The doorway to Christmas Town is the woods, just past the Graveyard." Our little trip didn't take but ten minutes, but Sora just couldn't hold still.

"We're going to see Santa, we're going to see Santa, we're going to see Santa!" I rolled my eyes, clamping a hand over his mouth as he began to repeat his mantra again.

"Yes, we're going to see Santa. Now, please shut up about it." He nodded, and I let go. Still, he jumped around like a hyperactive puppy that someone had given sugar until we reached the Christmas Town door in the Hinterlands. Jack gestured to it, having not noticed Sora's fidgeting.

"Here it is! The door to Christmas Town. The spooks of Halloween Town can get so tiresome year after year, so I wanted something new. Imagine my surprise when I found this! Beyond this door is a world filled with wonders...the likes of which you've never seen before! At first, I couldn't believe my eyes, everything was so fresh and new and exciting!"

I covered one ear as Sora finally burst from all his excitement.

"C'mon! Open it!" JAck threw open the door, revealing the hollow tree. Feet first, Sora just jumped down it without a care as Goofy and I exchanged a look of understanding, following Jack and Donald after Sora. We came to a stop on a snow covered hill, and I looked to Sora. His Halloween Town clothing had changed drastically, from being completely dark to a lighter grey tone. The coat he was wearing now had crown shaped buttons, and a Santa-type hat was draped over the side of his head. I stood, dusting snow from my clothes, now grey wings twitching. Not only had Sora's clothing changed, but mine had too. My black shirt and shorts had been replaced with a knee-length, long sleeved white dress. White and red striped stockings worked their way up to my knees, masked by white boots that went up to my lower calves. I let my hair down to make the snow fall out of it, but didn't bother putting it back up as Sora stood up.

"So, where's Santa, Jack?" Jack pointed towards a building at the base of the Hill.

"In his workshop. Shall we?"

Sora all but flew down the snowcovered hill, with the rest of us taking a slower pace down to avoid falling. When we reached the bottom, we found that there was more than just the smell of gingerbread waiting for us there. Sora summoned the Keyblade as a Heartless suddently popped up in front of him, and we all hit the deck as he threw his Keyblade at it, a little too hard. It sent the creature spinning into the carousel, cuasing it to go flying over our heads and face first into the snow for Jack to finish off. Donald glared at Sora, then squawked as more Heartless appeared. Sora summoned the Keyblade back to his hand.

"Here too?!" I growled, summoning my daggers back into my hands as Jack cast Graviga spells that still made my ears ring, and I was all the way across the Square! When the last Heartless fell, Donald fisted his hands.

"Christmas is in big trouble!" Goofy frowned.

"Gawrsh...we can't let anything happen to Christmas..." Sora, Donald and I nodded, and I bit my lip as Jack pointed to the workshop. I was dreading this meeting. What place does a killer have in such an innocent land?

Simple. She doesn't.

Still, I took a deep breath and walked step for step with Sora as Jack led the way into the workshop. We sidestepped a few elves, and I grabbed Sora's arm to keep him from crashing into a wall as he stared in sheer amazement of the little place around us. He turned on his heel as Jack gestured towards Santa, and I was hard pressed to get my heart to settle down a little bit as Sora stepped forward. The jolly man looked up with a smile.

"Well, hello everyone. Did you come to see if you're on my nice list?" Sora walked forward first, and Santa looked to him.

"You name, dear boy?" Sora nervously stuttered.

"Um, Sora, sir." Santa looked down at his list for a moment, then frowned.

"Let's see...Sora Isumaru...ah, here you are. Well, according to this, you are on my Nice list. But, ten years ago, you told everyone that you did not believe in Santa Claus. Oh dear, that is unfortunate." Sora frowned, nodding as he crossed his arms. Donald and Goofy now stepped forward, and I was left with nowhere to hide.

"How about Donald and Goofy?" Santa looked down at his list again, then looked up with a smile. Donald and Goofy's happy jig distracted Sora, and Santa looked to me.

"And your name dear?" Closing my eyes, I shook my head.

"I'm sorry sir, but I'd rather not know. I don't have a place here." Santa frowned, looking down at his list again.

"Well, it says here that you do." My eyes widened, then I sighed wistfully.

"Christina Leonhart." Smiling to himself for getting my name out of my mouth, the Lord of Christmas looked down at his list one last time, then looked to me.

"Well dear, you've never taken one step off of my Nice list, neither has Riku Takemaru." I stared at him, speechless. But before Sora or I could ask him anything else, Jack stepped forward.

"Am I on your list too, by any chance? It's me, Jack!" Santa nearly dropped his list as he looked up at the skeleton man.

"Jack Skellington?!" We all whirled towards a door across the room at the sound of breaking glass, and Santa stood up from his chair.

"What sort of trouble did you bring this time?" Sora looked up at Jack.

"This time?" Jack scratched the back of his neck, embarassed.

"It's a long story." I rolled my eyes, following Mr. Claus into the Factory where Lock, Shock and Barrel all stood on a high ledge, flanked by Maleficent. I snapped.

"Maleficent!" They all turned to see what the racket was, and the kids jumped.

"Busted!" Maleficent vanished as Barrel threw a rock through the window behind them, breaking the glass and jumping out onto the snow with his friends just behind him. Jack, having caught sight of them just before they vanished from our sight, gasped.

"It's Lock, Shock and Barrel!" Santa planted his hands on his hips, shaking his head.

"Not those three again..." Jack looked to Mr. Claus.

"I assure you Mr. Claws, they're not with us!" Santa frowned.

"Well, whatever the case, they've been quite naughty. Catch them and bring them back here. They're going to get a lecture."

He turned to walk back to his home, and Jack reached out a hand.

"Uh, Mr.Claws? I wanted to talk to you about Christmas first." Santa didn't stop walking, and we followed him back through the doorway.

"It'll have to wait. I need to see how things are progressing in my workshop, and you five have to catch those rascals."

I nodded, and Sora and I grabbed Jack by the arm and dragged him out of the house. Outside, I kneeled down into the snow to examine the three pairs of tiny footprints the children had left behind. Following the trail was easy enough, and I sighed in relief as my clothes returned to normal when we re-entered the Hinterlands. Sora took the lead now, shoving open the Curly Hill gate just in time to see Malecifent and a giant off white sack vanish as a massive Heartless appeared in front of us. Sora scowled.

"There you are!"

Instead of even bothering to talk to us, the children jumped into the cage hanging from the Heartless, laughing as it closed the cage door. Immediatly, it began firing balls of dark fire at us, and I winced as one passed right next to my side. While it didn't do any visible damage to my clothing, I knew the skin beneath would be singed. Grabbing Sora and dragging him behind the Hill as Jack grabbed Donald and Goofy under his arms as ran for cover, I cursed.

"We'll never reach them if they're that high up!" Sora bit his lip, then looked at the top of the hill and to my wings.

"Chris, if you get enough hieght, can you fly on those?"

Not understanding, I shook my head.

"Too much wieght, not enough height."

Sora frowned, cupping his fingers beneath his chin. If not for the Keyblade laying next to him, I would have gone so far as to call him a scholar. But as it was, the position of his hands gave my friend a very smart idea. Without even saying anything, I knew what he meant. Dispelling the Keyblade, he ran full speed up the hill, skidding to a stop at the very edge. I was two steps behind him, and jumped into the air as he turned, cupped hands ready to catch my foot. Within that instant, anything could have happened to kill us both or injure us to the point of no return had Sora or I missed the jump. But it didn't happen, and I spread my wings to glide over to the Prison Keeper as Sora gave me the extra boost I needed. Clinging to the creature's face, I smirked.

"Wake up time, Ugly!"

I winced as it shrieked in pain as my daggers found a home in it's head, then flipped over like a gymnast and stared at the kids in the cage. They clung to one another as I yanked the cage door open, pointing at the ground. They leapt down, and I followed as soon as I grabbed my daggers, letting Sora and Donald finished off the creature with Dual Thundara Spells. Back on the ground, the kids laughed.

"That was fun!"

"Let's go see if Mr. Oogie's ready!"

The kids ran away before we could stop them, and Jack stared after them in shock. Sora frowned.

"Isn't Oogie the one who tried to take over Halloween Town before? He turned into a giant..house?" Jack and I nodded.

"That's him alright. Hope you're all ready for trouble, becuase it's coming at us like a train without brakes." Goofy sighed.

"Don't we have enough trouble already?"

We all nodded, then headed out to the graveyard. But before we could get into the Hinterlands, Sally came running from that direction and crashed into Jack, wrapping her arms around him as she clung to her friend. Confused and concerned, Jack wrapped his arms around her back.

"Sally, what's wrong?" She looked up, eyes wide and full of fear.

"Jack! Oogie's kidnapped Santa Claus!" Jack's eyes went wide, and I sighed. Why now...? Taking Jack's surprise as a good sign, Sally continued.

"And he's headed to Christmas Town!" Sora took the lead, then looked over his shoulder as we didn't follow him.

"Guys, Come on! We've got to hurry!"

Torn between following Sora, and staying with Sally, Jack looked every bit like a man in love. Sally made the choice for him, running on ahead of Sora and forcing us to follow after her as she jumped down the door to the Snow Hill. We hit the ground running, following the doll-like woman into the Workshop, where we crouched behind the engine of a conveyor belt. Santa was tied up on the middle one, while Oogie Boogie pranced around.

"I've done a little..redecorating!"

I bit my lip. That was the understatement of the year. Instead of just bieng conveyor belts, they now ended in pits of spikes. Oogie suddenly stopped prancing as he looked our way, and I cursed as I forced Sora and myself out of sight.

"Wait...Something's not quite right here. I know what it is! We just need a little more of that Oogie Flair!" Ignoring the sack of bugs, Maleficent stalked over to Santa.

"I do hope our jolly old friend is looking forward to becoming a Heartless."

Gagged and tied up, Santa began to struggle as Maleficent began her spell. Unwilling to just sit idly by and watch this happen, I summoned my daggers and readied myself to throw them. There was no need however, for Oogie had crashed into Maleficent, breaking the Spell. She tapped her staff of the ground, regaining her balance.

"Clumsy oaf!" Oogie stared at her, and even Sora winced at the look on Maleficent's face as he spoke.

"Are you still here? Why don't you boogie on back to where you came from?" Maleficent snarled, and Sora crouched. We were all ready to leap into action at a seconds notice, but we found no need.

"Very well, you ingrate. You will rue the day you spurned my help, the same way Minerva did!"

I filed that little piece of information away for a later time as Maleficent vanished in a pillar of green fire. Jack, having waited patiently for the witch to leave, stepped forward just as Oogie turned around.

"Oogie!"

"Jack Skellington!" Jack frowned as Oogie laughed, "hands" on his hips.

"You and I have a score to settle Jack, same for you and your little sidekicks!" I rolled my eyes as we all stepped out from behind the conveyor belt. Jack's frown deepened.

"What are you planning to do with Sandy Claws?" Oogie looked confused.

"Who? Sandy Claws? I don't know who you're talking about."

He paced over to Santa, lifting him up.

"And why is this roly-poly red guy here? Time to to, Granpa!"

Forced to walk, Santa was pushed down the belt to the spike plate. Sally, not willing to just sit by and watch it happen, threw her leg onto the conveyor belt in front of Oogie, catching his attention long enough for Santa to make a run for it, taking Sally with him. Oogie screamed, storming after them as he noticed Santa getting away. Jack raced to head him off, and Sora and I slammed the door leading to the Workshop closed. Oogie cursed.

"Why you!" He turned on his heel, running onto some scaffolding and into a control tower ahead of us.

From there, he pressed a button and laughed as the conveyors started up. Sora and I fell on top of one another at the unexpected movement, but Donald was able to stay on his feet and he ran for the hole at the northern end of the conveyor, trying to get up to Oogie. He came out on the left belt, instead of behind Oogie, and turned on his heel to run back through the hole.

"Not again?!" Oogie cackled, and Sora and I fell over again as he reversed the movements of the conveyor belts to send us towards the Spike plates. Jack helped Sora and I to our feet, and we kept running forward to avoid a painful impalement. To think this world had been in an Kids game. Seeing as Oogie was dropping heavy boxes to try and squash us, Sora kept hitting them back up into the control area, where Oogie was standing. Sora smirked, even as he missed and Oogie laughed.

"Sorry pipsqueak! You're going down!"

Jack kicked a Wight Knight away from Donald, and then helped Sora into getting more boxes up into the control area by throwing the presents as high as he could. But we ran out of them quickly, and Oogie laughed. Sora cursed as he downed another Wight Knight, and I looked from Jack to the control area. Sora and I shared a look, and he told Jack the plan as I ran towards the skeleton man. He cuaght on perfectly, and launched me higher then I'd expected. But instead of crashing into the roof like I'd feared, I spread my wings in time to glide over to the control area, and laughed at the look on Oogies cloth face.

"Surprise!"

I jumped over the sack of bugs, landing on the spider-webbed glass and hopping into the air with one of Oogie's loose threads in hand. My extra weight broke through the glass, and I let go of the thread when it began to cut into my hand. Oogie crashed to the ground, surrounded by tinkling glass and presents. He sat up as I deactivated the conveyor belts and glided down to Sora's level. But it was too late for the sack of bugs, and he cried out as his stitching threatened to come undone. Clapping both hands over it, he sighed in relief as the flow of bugs stopped. But then, his other side opened up, and he yelled helplessly as the flow of bugs left him a motionless sack. Donald stepped on the last of the escaping bugs, and Sora and I shared a relieved sigh. We headed out of the factory and into the Square, where Santa and Sally, repaired leg and all, were standing. Sora waved.

"Christmas is safe again!" Jack snapped his fingers, and we all jumped.

"Perfect! I'd better get down to business!" Donald crossed his feathered arms.

"Leave that to Santa!" Goofy nodded as we reached Santa and Sally.

"Yup, you oughta just stick to Halloween and spooky stuff." Jack frowned, but looked to Sally as she walked forward.

"Jack?" She held out a lump of red fabric, and Jack's face lit up.

"Here. It's done." Jack took the lump from her hands, smiling brighter then even Yuffie could. I shivered suddenly, and tuned out from Jack and Sally's exchange as my heart lurched.

Riku...? What is this?

Sora's hand on my shoulder snapped me out of my thoughts as Santa stepped forward.

"Listen here Jack Skellington. You saved me, and Christmas as well. And for that, I'm very grateful. But please promise me that you won't cause any more trouble! And about that suit..."

Jack spun around, prompting Santa to put his hands on his hips.

"Don't even think of taking over for me again!" Jack tilted his head.

"I just thought you could use a little help this year, Mr. Claws. You must be exhuasted from all the preparations. And---I wouldn't mind a second chance to get this Christmas thing right."

Santa smiled warmly.

"Yes, being Santa Claus can be tiring. But let me tell you something Jack. See all the happy faces of little children when they discover the present's I've brought them makes it all worth the effort, year after year after year. And you, Jack, you love to make them gasp and see them shiver with fright. What if someone tried to take that all away from you?" J

ack looked down, scratching the back of his head. Santa continued.

"We both have very important jobs, Jack. Mine is to take care of Christmas, and yours is to take care of Halloween. So, we each have to do the very best that we can. After all, you're the face of Halloween---Mr. Jack Skellington! The Pumpkin King! The Knight of Nightmares! And even though you're fascinated with Christmas, Jack..Halloween is your true specialty. Don't you see? Children rely on both of us to do our jobs. Halloween needs your attention. And I also know that Christmas needs mine. Urgently."

He turned around to head back into his workshop, but stopped on the porch as Jack nodded, finally understanding.

"You're right! I am the master of terror! And if Halloween has become too routine, all I have to do is think of something new that'll really make them scream!"

We all smiled at him, then turned towards Snow Hill as the Mayor came running, scrolls of paper is his arms.

"Jack! Oh, Jack! I've been looking for you everywhere! We must go over the plans for next Halloween! I can't do a thing without your approval!" Jack nodded, taking Sally by the hand.

"So true." They began to walk off back towards the entrance back to Halloween Town, before Santa spoke up again.

"Good luck, Jack Skellington." Jack, Sally and the Mayor walked off, chattering about the new plans. Sora smiled as he watched them leave.

"Well, there they go." Santa nodded, seeming rushed.

"Yes, and I've still got lots of names to double check and preparations to finish!"

But before he could get back into his workshop, we all turned as Jack's Santa outfit suddenly glowed. The Mayor frowned.

"Jack, this is no time for joking around!" Jack looked at his arms, confused.

"What's this? Perhaps a bit to festive for our Halloween needs."

I relished the warmth that opening the new gate brought, but I was un-nerved by the scent of blood and death on the wind, along with the smell of smoke.

Pridelands...

Sora dismissed the Keyblade and turned to me. I nodded, and he turned to Santa.

"Well sir, we'd better be going." Santa nodded, but wouldn't let us leave without some final words.

"Before you do, Sora...I believe there's a friend of yours...who, if I recall correctly, was the one who told you there's no such thing as Santa Claus?" Sora tilted his head towards the sky with a smile.

"Yeah, he did say that." Santa smiled.

"Be sure to give him my very best wishes." Sora nodded, then bit his lip.

"Of course I will, but...do you know where we can find Riku?" Santa shook his head, then looked me in the eyes.

"No. But don't ever give up! Remember, if you believe in Riku, you will find him. Just as you found me."

We nodded, the boys waving goodbye as Sora and Donald raced eachother up the hill. Before I could even make to follow after them, Santa caught me by the hand, making me turn around.

"Christina, you said you had no place here. Where is here, dear?" I looked away, sighing.

"Among innocence, no killer belongs. We are the waste the worlds want nothing to deal with. We are the Shadow."

Santa let go of my hand, surprised. But before I could walk away, he shook his head.

"Christina, there is no killer here. You're just a girl in an impossible situation. I'll be seeing you again soon, don't you worry."

Leaving me with those words, he walked back into his workshop. I stared after the jolly man for a moment, then turned on my heel and raced up the hill after the boys in time to see them get beamed up onto Infinity. I took one last look around the snowy town, before following with a smile.

Maybe he was right. Maybe, I did have a place here.

 

That... was a great chapter! You always write long ones... don't you?

 

Yep, I always do.

Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1
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We arrived at the Pridelands after a short flight from Halloween Town, and despite me knowing that the changes would happen, I was still not ready for two legs and arms to be replaced by four legs. Sora took a few steps forward, then spun around to try and catch a glimpse of his tail as I sat down, trying to get used to my new center of gravity.

"Hey! Check us out!" He suddenly stopped spinning, looking to Donald and Goofy as the feeling of being watched made the dark brown fur on my back stick up like a porcupine's quills.

"This place, it's a little spooky..." Donald nodded, landing on Goofy's back.

"Uh-huh...Wak!" We all jumped, standing back to back as we were surrounded by hyenas. One of them, Ed, laughed before he snarled. I backed up more, tail brushing Donald's wing and making the duck turned flight bird jump. As he glared at me, Sora looked around.

"Heartless?" Goofy shook his head.

"I dunno, Sora. I get the feeling they live here." Donald chuckled nervously.

"Don't mind us! Just passing through, we won't be any trouble." Sora nodded, spiky half-mane jerking with the motion.

"Yeah, that's right!" Another laugh, this one sounding more feminine. Shenzi walked up to us, circling with the rest of her friends, Ed and Banzai.

"Don't be silly, Lion-boy. We'd love you to stick around for lunch." Sora laughed nervously.

"Um, we didn't bring anything to eat." Banzai snorted, and I lowered my haunches. I hate feeling like a prey animal.

"That's not going to be a problem." Goofy gulped.

"Gawrsh, Sora, I think we're the lunch!"

Ed laughed, licking his lips. Donald, having seen this, took into the air with a startled cry. The rest of us scattered, Goofy ending belly up in a pool of water, and my paws getting knocked out from under me as I tumbled to a stop in front of a very hungry looking hyena. Sora tripped over his own paws and rolled to a stop in front of Banzai, making the hyena laugh.

"Going somewhere?"

I snarled, leaping to my feat and baring my teeth. Several more hyenas joined the one who I'd nearly landed on, and I froze up as they began to circle me like vultures, no escape route in sight. Hearing Donald and Goofy's scared cries told me they had reached the same fate, and Sora would have as well had Scar not roared in the distance. Banzai cursed.

"Damn. That Scar's got the absolute worst timing." Shenzi laughed, still circling me as I lashed out with one clawed paw.

"Oh, just let him roar. It's been forever since we had such lively meals." Scar roared again, and I wished to copy that sound. Banzai cursed again.

"No, we'd better go see what he wants. Sounds like he's grumpy enough as it is."

Shenzi sighed, then barked out to the other hyenas. I hit the ground, paws and wind knocked out from under me as a few of the dog like creatures used me as a stepping stool to leave the Gorge. I snorted, sitting back on my haunches as they all left. Sora got to his feet as Goofy righted himself.

"I dunno what that was all about, but I'm sure glad it's over."

Donald and Goofy shared a relieved sigh, before we jumped a good foot in the air as Sora fell over. He got up again, took three steps, then fell over. I rolled my eyes, padding over to him, only to fall over myself. Had I been human instead of lioness, I would have drummed my fingers on the ground. As it were, I settled for snarling at myself as I shook the dust from my fur. Sora stayed on the ground as I finally got my steps right, and he sighed as he got back up.

"Everything's harder on four legs..." Donald tilted his head, landing on Goofy's back.

"Then you'd better start practicing Sora."

He nodded, and I sat back as Sora finally got his pawsteps right, before we all jumped at a loud roar. Sora's ears pricked up, pointing towards the entrance to our little hiding spot, and we raced out. In the labyrinth of passageways, Nala was bieng forced back by two Living Bone Heartless, thier balled tails forcing her deeper into the labyrinth that was the Elephant Graveyard. Sora looked over to me.

"What do you think? Heartless?"

I nodded, summoning my daggers. I was unprepared, however, for the surprise that came with them. Instead of them ending up in my mouth like Sora's Keyblade would, they floated at my sides, just above my rib cage. Shaking it off, Sora and I raced forward to battle the Living Bones as Donald and Goofy backed us up. Nala ran off as we drew the Living Bones attention, coming back to help when Sora got knocked away by the creature's tail. She grabbed him in midair, then set him down as one of the Heartless fell. He nodded his thanks, and we double teamed on the one that remained. Once it was gone, Sora literally fell over with a sigh. Fighting in this form was more difficult than either of us were used to, so he was rightly exhausted. Still, Nala needed to say her piece.

"Thank you. You really saved me." Goofy nodded, letting Donald land on his back again.

"We're just glad you're ok." Sora nodded, head on his paws.

"Did you see any other Heartless around here?" Nala looked at the ground, eyes clouding over slightly in thought.

"Heartless...so that's what they're called. I'm not sure if they're any others around, I don't usually come looking for food outside the Pride Lands." Donald tilted his head.

"Pride Lands?" Sora stood up, suddenly coming alive.

"Hey, do you know if a guy named Riku is there? Or some guys in black hoods? Or maybe this really big bully named Pete?" Nala shook her head, making Sora sigh. But then she looked up.

"Wait. There is a new lion cub in the Pride Lands. He's got this really pale silvery fur, and blue eyes. A lot like yours, actually." Sora and I shared a look, and I closed my eyes.

Riku.

Chris? Where are you? How is...?

Stay put. We're coming to get you.

I opened my eyes, looking to Sora, and nodded. He smiled brightly, then turned to Nala.

"Do you think you could guide us there?" Nala nodded, and Sora turned to make a run for the exit. Nala gently grabbed his tail.

"Wait! The Pride Lands are dangerous now. Scar and the hyenas have made things unbearable for everyone, there's no food left at all. They've driven off all the prey, and we're about to starve." Sora smirked.

"We can handle a little danger. You just saw us beat those Heartless, didn't you? Ow, Chris!" I cuffed him over the ear with one paw, making Nala smile.

"I guess you're right. You could be just what the Kingdom needs. Maybe you can help us." Goofy tilted his head.

"Ya mean, take on this Scar guy and all those hyenas?" Nala nodded, then took in Donald's confused look.
"He took over when our last king, Mufasa, died." Sora frowned, scratching one ear with a back paw.

"So, you're saying this guy is your king? You want us to take down your king?" Nala nodded, and Sora gestured over to Donald and Goofy as he looked to Nala.

"Just a minute." She nodded, sitting back to wait for us. Sora and I padded over to Donald and Goofy. Sora frowned.

"We can't just go around knocking kings off thier thrones. Then again, if they see that I'm stronger then thier king, maybe they'll ask me to be their next king!" I looked at Sora, and he laughed slightly.

"I'd refuse of course, but I'd still like to see the Pride Lands. You three don't mind lending them a paw, do you?"

We shook our heads, and Sora hopped over to Nala. They exchanged a few words, and Nala ran off.

"She's gonna go on ahead and tell the other Lionesses. We're supposed to meet them at a place called Pride Rock."

I nodded, and Sora ran off in the direction Nala had taken, leaving us to catch up the boy turned lion cub. We reached the entrance to the Savannah quickly, and I looked around sadly. This place, once full of life and animals, had turned into a barren wasteland, with only burnt trees to say that something had once lived here. Sora shook his head, then looked up to gesture at Pride Rock. Standing proud against the grey sky, Pride Rock jutted out above the dead grasslands. Sora set his course, and we raced off after the cub a second time. The run was nice, with no Heartless to get in our way as we reached the rock formation. Once there, Nala walked over to us, Rafiki at her side. She nodded to Sora.

"That's him." Rafiki walked over, inspecting Sora and I. He stared at Sora for a moment, then turned to me. I had to make my instincts shut up when he grabbed my muzzle with one hand, looking me in the eye.

"The boy, Nala, he is no King. Nor is the girl fit to be queen of this land. But, they are strong, like desert winds. They help get rid of Scar, yes they do."

Rafiki stalked off into a small cave at the base of the rocks, waking some lionesses on the way by clocking them over the head with his staff. They stuck their tongues out at him, but began washing one another anyway. Sora tilted his head, tail lashing this way and that in his confusion.

"Uh, ok...what was that about?" Nala padded over, a worried look on her face.

"I told Rafiki you might be able to help us force Scar and the hyenas out of the Pride Lands. But he says it won't work. You see, whoever saves the Pride Lands will be our next King, and he has to have the right....qualities."

Sora sighed, having caught on to her meaning. Nala frowned.

"I'm sorry you had to come all this way for nothing." Sora shook his head.

"Hey, no, it's ok." Nala leaned her head close to Sora's and mine.

"You'd better go before Scar find you here. I'm really sorry."

She walked away, and we turned to leave. We still had to find Riku anyway. But before we could leave, I snarled as Shenzi, Banzai and Ed blocked our way. Banzai snarled at us.

"Hey, a pretty looking snack." Shenzi looked at her friend
.
"Snack? Nah, we're gonna have us a three course meal with these chumps!" Ed laughed, and they all looked up at Scar as he roared. Banzai scoffed.

"Look at that, here comes Scar. The King."

We followed thier gaze, and I frowned. Beside Scar, stood a very fat, very ugly lion version of Pete. Scar, rather gracefully, ran down the rocks. Pete on the other paw, fell over on his way down. Sora looked at him pitifully as he stood up, complaining. When Pete was fully up, Sora called out to him.

"What are you doing here?!" Pete chortled.

"Aww, the little kittycat's worried about me! If I were you, I'd be more worried about my neck!"

Sora and I whirled around, coming face to face with two snapping, snarling hyenas. Sora yowled, before Scar roared. All the lionesses looked from the show we were providing to thier king.

"Go on ladies, you've got some hunting to do." Nala snarled.

"The herds have moved on, Scar. We can't hunt in a land with no prey." Scar raised an eyebrow.

"No prey? Dear girl, then what do you call them?" I snarled, standing in front of Sora.

"We're not prey, you filthy rat!" Scar lunged at us with a roar, and I shoved Sora out of the way as Scars larger frame knocked me to the ground.

"I'm rather fond of fresh prey. Particularly the live kind. Of course, you won't be alive for much longer!"

He opened his jaw to snap down on my neck, but was knocked off by a streak of silver. Panting from the run it must have taken to get here, Riku stood above me as Scar tried to regain his breath. I hopped to my paws as Sora came to stand beside us. Riku snarled, shaking a long silver mane from his eyes.

"You, will stay away from my mate!"

Before Scar could make another move, Nala jumped on him, forcing the large male to the ground. She turned to us, and her eyes said all we needed to know. Sora pushed Donald and Goofy down the hill just behind Riku and I as we cleared the path of hyenas. They stopped following us when we reached the Savannah, where Nala caught up.

"I'm so sorry you all got involved in this." Sora shook his head.

"It's no big deal. It's not your fault anyway. I probably wouldn't have been a good king anyway." Riku looked at him, silver mane in his eyes again.

"You wanted to be..king? Sora..." Sora bared his teeth at Riku playfully, relief that his friend was alright shining in his eyes. But he turned back to Nala, head tilted.

"Nala, is there anybody else who could be King?" Nala looked away.

"There was, but he died when he was just a cub. He was the only son of our last king, Mufasa." She looked up at the sky sadly.

"Oh, if only Simba were here..." Sora and I both jumped.

"Simba?! But he's just fine! He was fighting next to us not that long ago!" Nala's eyes widened, and for a moment, she stared at Sora like he was dancing around and neon pink furred. But she regained her wit soon.

"You mean Simba's alive?! But, where is he?" Sora winced, looking away.

"That, I don't know. Sorry, Nala." Nala shook her head, smiling slightly.

"It's ok. I'm just so happy that Simba's still alive. I can't believe it! Please, tell me more about him." Sora nodded, and opened his mouth to answer her questions. But we all jumped up and whirled around when Scar roared, almost directly behind us.

"You see, I like my prey fresh. You rascals are very fresh." Scar stalked forward, at least a dozen hyenas coming up behind us, nipping at Donald's tail feathers as he tried to take flight to cast magic. Riku and Sora pressed against my sides, snarling as Scar came close enough for us to smell his breath. I sneezed, rotten meat always made me do that. Nala yowled from behind us, and we took the distraction the hyenas had to run for it. She led the way across the savannah, and we kicked up dust underpaw as the hyenas took off after us, Scar shouting orders from behind.

"Forget the lioness, get the cubs!" One hyena got to close to Sora's back legs for comfort, but a quick thunder spell from Donald sent it sprawling into the dust as we made our escape. Nala had led us to the entrance of Wildebeest Valley. We sat there, panting and trying to catch our breaths. Sora's paws fell out from under him, and he shook his head.

"That, was way too close." Riku swallowed, nodding as he tried to calm himself down by laying his head over my back. I didn't have the heart to move him, so I stayed laying down as Nala came up in front of us.

"Come on, we've got to keep moving. If Scar catches us here, we're all vulture food." She padded away, leaving the five of us to groan. Riku stood up first, nudging Sora to his paws as I shook dirt from my fur. Donald and Goofy went first, and Sora padded step for step next to Riku.

"So, where've you been? I saw you and Christie in the gardens, but that's it." Riku smirked in a lion way, before he growled as his mane ended up in his eyes again.

"Oh, I've been around. Keeping an eye on you two isn't all that hard."

Sora laughed, but stopped short as he crashed into Nala. She took a few steps backwards, then ran forward and leaped. I tilted my head, confused as to why she had done that, before I remembered the ravine. Sora walked forward, then jumped back at the sight of just how deep the ravine really was. Nala called out to us from across the miniature canyon.

"What's wrong?" Sora looked up at her, then at Donald and Goofy.

"We'd never make it across!" Nala shook her head, then padded out of sight for a moment, before appearing a little to the right of us.

"There's another way across here, come on."

Goofy followed in her footsteps, with us directly behind him. I took up the rear, and yelped as part of the stone gave out underneath my paw. Riku turned to look over his shoulder, but I shook my head and he kept walking. Once we were across, Nala took the lead. We were nearing the end of the Wildebeest Valley when she spoke up, catching our attention.

"When Simba's father, King Mufasa, died, we were told that Simba had died alongside him." Sora rolled his eyes, then turned to her.

"Who told you that lie?" Nala looked away.

"Scar." That was answer enough for Sora, and he nodded. At the sound of light pawsteps, Riku and I both turned and looked over our shoulders to see Rafiki bolt past us, laughing.

"It is time!" Nala jolted, then took off running after the mandril.

"It must be Simba! Hurry!"

She ran on ahead, leaving the rest of us to eat her dust as we ran through the Wastelands and into the Jungle. For some reason that I'm never going to understand, there were very few Heartless here, or in any other world that we'd been too. If Organization XIII needed the Heart's, why weren't they trying to get them? When we reached the entrance of the Oasis, Nala broke off our little group. Sora, Donald and Goofy paid it no mind, and we entered the Oasis. Inside, Simba stood surrounded by Aerial Knockers. He roared loudly, making them turn tail and run as Sora ran forward.

"Simba!" The older lion pounced, pinning Sora to the ground, belly up. Riku tensed, ready to leap to his friends defense if need be.

"I-it's me, Sora! Donald, Goofy and Christie are here too!"

Simba looked up from Sora to look at us, taking in the King's men and then Riku and I. Recognition clicked in his mind, and he smiled.

"Sora! Christie! Donald! Goofy!"

He nuzzled Sora in the stomach, purring like a large housecat as Donald and Goofy laughed. Riku and I shared a smile as Simba helped Sora to his paws.

"What happened to you?"

We jumped a foot in the air as two screams rang out in the air, and Simba took off running. Sora was fast after him, with the four of us on his heels. In the Jungle, Timon and Pumbaa huddled in fright in a hollow tree, shaking as Nala stalked closer. She made to leap at them, before Simba jumped at her to stop her hunt. They tussled in the leaf-covered ground, before she pinned him on his back as Sora cried out.

"Simba! It's Nala! Don't you recognize her?"

Simba's eyes looked into Nala's, then widened in disbelief.

"Nala?" Nala hopped off of her old friend, staring at him. Simba got up, looking at the lioness with hope in his eyes.

"It's me, Simba!" Nala's eyes widened in happiness.

"Simba!" They bumped thier heads together, then walked in circles around each other, just memorizing the others face. Timon and Pumbaa came out of thier hiding spot, and walked over to stand beside us.

"Hey! What's going on here?!" Timon turned to see us, then he screamed. I winced, clapping both paws over my ears as the high pitch made them hurt. From the look on Riku and Sora's faces, they were the same way. Timon and Pumbaa ran away, hiding behind Simba's leg. The older lion laughed.

"Don't worry, they're all freinds of mine." Timon peeked out from behind his friend.

"So that means...nobody's planning to eat anybody else for lunch, right?" We all nodded, but Pumbaa's fears weren't quelled.

"Are you sure they don't wanna eat me like I'm some kinda pig?!" Sora shook his head, confused.

"We won't...but you are a pig, right?" Pumbaa got up, whirling around and placing his nose into Sora's face.

"Call me Mr. Pig!" We all laughed at the look on Sora's face as Pumbaa backed away, and Simba looked to Nala, then Timon.

"Can you guys excuse us for a moment?" As they walked into the Oasis, Timon rolled his eyes.

"Why am I not surprised." I chuckled, and Timon turned around and clapped his hands together.

"Well, do any of you crazy critters know Hakuna Matata?" Riku tilted his head.

"Haguna Matada?" Timon frowned, crossing his tiny arms.

"Ha-Ku-Na Ma-Ta-Ta. It means, "No Worries". You oughta try it, silver boy." Riku snorted, rolling his eyes as Sora cuffed him around the ears with a friendly smile on his mouth. We turned to walk back into the Oasis, meeting Nala on her way out. She met Sora's eyes with her own, frowning.

"He's not the Simba I remember, Something about Hakuna Matata."

She left the Jungle, leaving Simba to lay on the edge of a small cliff overlooking the forests below. The sun was setting as we stared at our friend, and night was fast approaching. After a few moments, he nodded to a small cave close to the waterfalls.

"You might as well stay here tonight. You can leave in the morning."

Sora nodded, and we watched the elder lion stalk off into the Jungle. Timon and Pumbaa led us into the caves, before Timon curled up in a ball on his friends stomach at the back of the cave. Sora, Riku, and I chose a spot closer to the entrance, before curling up close to one another for warmth. Sora was asleep in a few moments, tail curled over his nose. Riku smiled at his friend, then settled his head down on his paws with a sigh. I leaned in close to him.

"You ok?"

"Yeah. Just considering staying in this world, actually. This form actually feels better than the one I have now." I sighed, making his ear twitch as his long silver mane brushed over it.

"Maybe it does, but you'll get back to normal soon. I just know it."

He raised his head, then nodded and licked my cheek. That was this worlds version of a kiss, if you didn't guess. We settled down to sleep, and I remember welcoming the darkness with open arms.

---
Almost 7 hours later, when the moon was losing it's battle to the sun, Riku groaned. Bright turqoise eyes came open, and he smiled. Still soundly sleeping, Christie and Sora had ended up curling closer to his body. Be it for warmth or just physical contact, he couldn't tell. But he needed to stretch his legs for a moment, and gently untangled himself from his freinds. Despite how gentle his extraction had been, Sora still woke. The younger male looked up.

"Riku?" Riku shook his head, tapping Sora on the nose with his tail.

"Just need some water. I'll be back in a minute."

Sora nodded sleepily, then laid his head back on his paws as Riku left the cave. The silver-furred male hadn't been lying, he did need a drink. Padding down the little path and onto the grass, he took his fill and made to return to the cave. But larger pawsteps made him look to the cliff face, and the sad form of Simba standing there. He was looking up at the sky, a forlorn, wistful look in his eyes.

"My father's dead. And it's all my fault. I can't go back, it wouldn't change anything."

He stared up at the stars, and his jaw dropped as the small amount of clouds formed into the shape of a lion. Riku tilted his head as a deep voice seemed to come from the clouds.

"Simba...you have forgotten who you are. You must take your place in the great Circle of Life."

No person had ever looked so lost as Simba did at the moment, and the look on his features would remain with Riku for a very long time.

"But how can I go back? I'm not who I used to be." The lion in the sky smiled slightly.

"Remember who you are." Leaving his son with those final words, Mufasa faded away. Simba stared at where his father's image had been, before he looked over his shoulder at Riku.

"How long were you there?"

"Long enough. He's got a point you know, we all have our places to fill in this life. Even if we don't like it, we have to do it."

Simba smiled wryfully, shaking his head and making his red mane twitch.

"You sound like my father."

One corner of Riku's mouth twitched upwards, and he shrugged as best as a lion cub could. Simba padded up into the cave, with Riku directly behind him. Simba curled up close to Timon and Pumbaa, with Riku reclaiming his place inbetween Sora and Christie, and returning to sleeps warm embrace.

----
I woke up some hours later, to Sora prodding Riku, my pillow, awake. My boyfriend awoke easily enough, while it took me a minute to fully wake up. Simba was out of the cave, with Timon and Pumbaa at his side. We padded out, and Simba looked up. He and Riku shared a look, and the king-to-be nodded.

"I'm going back to face my past. I could use your help." Timon tilted his head from his place on top of Pumbaa, and nodded. Simba got to his feet, and led the way through the Wastelands and past the crevasse in the Wildebeest Valley. Once we broke into the Savannah, Timon gasped.

"Wait a darn minute here. We're gonna fight your uncle, this crazy lion, for THIS?!" Simba nodded, looking very determined.

"Yes, Timon. This is my home. You can go back to your home if you want, but I have to do this."

Simba walked forward, and we followed. Timon and Pumbaa followed quickly after, but Donald and Goofy lingered a moment behind, talking amongst one another. Sora turned to spur them on, but Riku's tail on his back stopped my young friend.

"Let them talk while they can. We're walking onto a battle field. It's not a place for chit-chat."

Sora frowned, but he nodded anyway. We came to the base of Pride Rock before the sun was high in the sky, to be greeted by sleeping lionesses. Scar, standing on the edge of the lookout, caught sight of us first. He leapt down, looking all the relieved uncle.

"Simba!" You're..alive! Dear boy, this, this is a miracle!" Scar began to nuzzle his nephew, but Simba stepped back as Nala came up beside him.

"This Kingdom doesn't belong to you." Nala nodded.

"Simba's the rightful king!" Nala's yowl woke up a lioness, and she prodded her sleepmate. Soon enough, everyone was wide awake and staring at the show were were giving them. Simba pressed forward, making Scar back off.

"The choice is yours, Scar. Either step down and walk away from here, or fight." Scar chuckled nervously. Even with all his hyena lackeys, he knew he didn't stand a chance against Simba's rightous fury.

"Must it all end in violence? I'd hate to be responsible for the death for a family member, Simba." Simba glared.

"I've put the past behind me." Scar pounced on the uncertainty in Simbas voice.

"Ah, but what about your faithful subjects? Have they?" Nala looked to her friend.

"Simba, what's he talking about?" Scar began to circle Simba like a vulture would a downed antelope.

"Go on. Tell them who's responsible for Mufasa's death!" Simba looked down at the ground.

"I am." Scar pressed forward, driving Simba back. Cornered, and with nowhere to go but up, Simba ran to the top of Pride Rock, where Scar pressed him onto the edge.

"He admits it! Murderer! If it weren't for you, Mufasa would still be alive. Do you deny it?" SImba shook his head.

"No! But it was an accident!" Scar cackled, and the rest of us raced up the side of the formation.

"You're in trouble again. But this time, Daddy isn't here to save you. And now eeryone knows why!" Scar leapt, driving Simba over the edge. The younger lion was barely holding on by his front legs when Scar drove his claws into his nephew's paws.

"Now, this looks familiar. I think I've seen this before. Oh, yes! I remember. This is just the way your father looked, before he died." Scar leaned his head in next to Simba's ear.

"And here's my little secret. I killed Mufasa." We didn't see the gears in Simba's head churning and spinning, but looking back, I could swear that I'd heard them kick into action as Simba leapt back onto solid ground before pouncing on Scar. Placing a paw on Scar's neck, Simba roared.

"Murderer! Tell them the truth!" Scar choked.

"All right. All right! I did it!" Simba pressed down on Scar's neck, livid.

"Louder!" Stuck between a very angry lion and his friends, Scar had no choice but to roar his misdeed out to the world.

"I killed Mufasa!"

At this revelation, the lionesses all started to growl, fur standing on end. As with all females, when thier way of life, when all that they know is threatened, they get increasingly protective of it. And now, Scar had revealed the very reason they had lived in suffering for so long a time. And they weren't happy about it, not one bit. Scar roared again, this time calling the hyenas down from the rocks around us and out of the King's Den. Shenzi, Banzai and Ed leapt on Simba, raking teeth and claws down his sides and face to give Scar time to get away into the King's Den. Sora jumped on Ed, dragging him off of Simba as Riku and I got the other two. Spitting fur our of his mouth, Sora yowled.

"Simba! You get Scar, we'll handle these guys!"

Simba nodded, running after Scar into the Den. Before we could finish off our attackers, more hyenas came running up the side of Pride Rock. Back to back with my friends, we slashed and bit, clawed and tackled as many hyenas as we could, but there were just too many of them! But just when it all seemed lost, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, Nala and all of the Lionesses came rushing up the side of the hill, clearing a path for us to escape through. Rafiki turned to us, still clobering the creatures as a dry storm set the Pride Lands ablaze.
"Go! Help the King win his fight!" Sora nodded, and we ran after the path that Simba took through the King's Den onto the Peak. We got to the top, with Donald and Goofy just behind us to see Simba and Scar circling one another like a couple of rowdy tomcats. Donald called out, and made to fly over to help Simba, but Sora got in the way.

"This is his fight, Donald."

Breaking the trance, Simba clawed at Scar's face. Retailiating, Scar clawed his nephew's side, knocking him back and to the ground. He made to finish the job, but Simba kicked out with his back legs, throwing the false king over the edge of Pride Rock. He turned to us, smiling in relief.

"You're ok!" Sora nodded, but the relief was short lived as Pete came barreling up the from the Den, smirking.

"Aw, that was just a sneak preview! Because this ain't over, not by a long shot!"

Pete pointed to the edge of Pride Rock, where Scar was climbing back up, wreathed in Darkness. Riku and I stepped back, yowling and hissing. Pete laughed, then continued his tirade
.
"Anger and Jealousy turned the King of Pride Rock into a Heartless! Oh, your Kingdom's gonna rise again, but this time...as the Pride Lands of Darkness!"

Simba glared, stepping in front of us and staring down Scar as Pete ran off.

"That's what you think!"

Scar roared, and lightning broke the sky as the rain finally began to pour down upon the Pride Lands in a storm that could have rivaled a hurricane from the Islands. Simba, the boys, and I rushed at Scar, and the battle began. Wounds and spells were exchanged, and the battle became a violent tug of war for dominance. In the rain, Fire Spells were near useless, and all Blizzard Spells did was annoy Scar to the point that he'd literally become untouchable. After a third such incident, Donald and Sora finally caught on and stopped casting them. It was the lightning that still roared that gave Riku the idea.

"Cast a Thunder Spell!" Donald nodded, leaping into the air from Goofy's back and casting the second level Thundara spell. Sora, Riku, Simba and I all winced as Scar screamed in pain from the super-charged spell that the rain had given an extra boost. When the smoke cleared, he was still standing.

And I don't think I've ever seen anyone that mad.

He rushed at us, and it was all we could do to stay out of his way before he finally skidded to a stop on the wet stone beneath our paws. We were all out breath, this was Scar's last stand. Simba rushed at him, roaring as he lashed out with his front paws. The wet sound of a body hitting the ground told me that Scar had lost. Simba stood over his uncle's body, and we watched as Scar faded away into wisps of shadow. The battle was over, and I could hear the last of the hyenas running for the hills, now that their boss had been defeated. The joyous roar of the lionesses snapped Simba from his daze, and he led the way back through the King's Den to the hill of Pride Rock. We stood at the entrance of the Den, watching Simba pad up to the top of the viewpoint as the rain finally stopped. Gathering his courage, and his royal knowledge, Simba roared. The lionesses roared with him as the clouds broke, and as we looked up, I could swear I saw Mufasa smiling at his son. Had the warm breeze that came next smelled of something other than sea water and fish, I would have written it off. As it was, I shook my head.

Atlantica. Figures...

I turned as Riku licked my cheek, and then he was gone, running through a crowd of tan and beige fur to escape from this world. I smiled sadly, just watching him leave. Before Sora could notice however, Timon and Pumbaa walked up.

"Hey, what's with the Light show?" Sora smiled sadly.

"We have to say goodbye for a while." Pumbaa frowned.

"I'll go tell Simba." Goofy shook his head.

"Naw, he's probably busy. Just tell him we'll be back soon." Timon frowned..

"Oh, that's right. He's king now. He's gonna be so busy that he'll probably forget all about his best buddies." Sora shook his head.

"I don't think he will. But, at least you've always got Hakuna Matata." Pumbaa looked at the ground, sad.
"Guess so..." Timon whirled on his friend.

"Whaddaya mean, "guess so"?! What if he forgets to tell the carnivores who we are? One look at you, and you're a pig roast!" Donald chortled.

"That's MISTER Pig Roast." Pumbaa snorted, glaring at Donald.

"Same thing! And I'm not sticking around to be anybody's pork dinner!" He ran off, wildly carving a path between the happy crown of Lionesses. Timon ran out after him, calling his friend

"Pumbaa!" It was Goofy who noticed first out of the boys, and I winced.

"Hey, where's Riku?" SOra whirled on his heel, eyes wide.

"Riku? Riku!?" He whirled on me.

"Where is he?" I shook my head, sitting back on my hips.

"He's gone. We'll see him again soon, I know it." Sora didn't want to take it for an answer, but there was no choice. We headed down the side of Pride Rock, and I yowled when Rafiki grabbed my tail.

"Here, girl! A way home."

We peaked into his little Stone Hollow, and I smiled. Infinity, you sly old dog. We nodded our thanks to the old mandril, and reboarded Infinity. On board, Sora groaned as he set himself down in the Co-Pilot's chair. I winced, running as a lion cub made muscles that most humans didn't think they had ache. It's the little things that make you think the most of the stamina that four-legged creatures have.

It's the licks on the cheek that make you miss your boyfriend that most.

I was snapped from my thoughts when Sora spoke up.

"Christie, do you think that Kairi misses me?" I smiled, nodding.

"Of course she does. You can never forget your first love. No matter what."
-----
So much easier than Halloween Town! I tried to stay as close to the movies version of the Scar/Simba battle, but it's been...almost 8 years since I saw it last. Pardon any mistakes, if you please.

See you all next time!

Silver

 

that was AWSOME!!!!! :3

Riku looks so KAWAII as a lion ^^

 

Jap: yes, he does!!

---
Note: Yes, this is Atlantica. Yes, it's got the singing. No, i don't want to hear you whine. I liked Atlantica in the game, so take your whining about Sora's singing to another world, would ya? I removed the "Ursula's Revenge" Song for the sake of flow, becuase singing in battle? Not to smart Sora!

Thank you.
----

Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1, with one addition. "Dream Worth Keeping" from "Ferngully: The Last Rainforest" is copyrighted to FOX Home Entertainment. I claim no ownership to the lyrics or song, just a worn, outdated VHS Copy of the movie and a legally purchased soundtrack. (sighs) I miss that movie.
----

Ariel surfaced, looking up towards the moon.

"The night sky is so beautiful after a storm." She layed back on the water, before a groan made her look up. Floating on a piece of driftwood, was a human man. Unconcious, he couldn't stop himself from falling off the wood and into the sea. She gasped, then dove underwater just in time to catch him. With no small amount of stuggle, she managed to get him to shore just as the sun broke the horizon. She smiled at the unconsious man, running her fingers through his black hair as she watched him sleep.

"What would I give to live where you are...what would I pay, to stay here beside you...What would I do, to see you smiling at me. Where would we walk, where would we run, if we could stay all day in the sun. Just you and me, and I could be, part of your world..."

She brushed her hand against his cheek, gasping when slivers of dark brown began to show from beneath his eyelids. She dove underwater as he began to awake, staying out of sight as he stood up on shaky legs.


"The girl who rescued me...her voice..."
----
Piloting Infinity through the route to Atlantica was easy, and while I brought us into low orbit, Sora warned Donald and Goofy about the changes that would happen when we got underwater. From the looks on thier faces, it seemed that they didn't believe him. Sora sighed, looking to me for help. Instead of speaking, I just beamed us all down into the water. Sora and I broke out of the beam first, kicking tails to grab Donald and Goofy before they sunk. Donald was holding his breath, rapidly turning blue in the face. From where Sora floated, he looked over to the magician duck.

"Donald, we can breath down here like we can above water, you know."

Donald let his breath out, then swam away to try and get used to his new form. Goofy caught on quickly, and Sora kicked his tail to back off as the elder males just swam around. I crossed my arms, suddenly feeling lonely. I knew it was becuase Riku wasn't here now, but I shook my head as Ariel, Sebastian and Flounder swam into the little glade we were in. Ariel smiled.

"Sora, Christie!" Sora smiled right back at her, kicking his tail as he tried to stay afloat. Try as we may, we were a little rusty on the swimming thing right now. Ariel giggled.

"You two forget how to swim already?" Sora rubbed the back of his neck, embarrased.

"Kinda, I guess." Sebastian swum up to him, claws on his "hips".

"I swear, worse den Urchin somedays." I tilted my head, confused for a moment.

"Urchin?" Ariel nodded, sadly smiling for a moment. But she shook her head, grabbing Sora's hand in her own and teaching him to swim again, as Sebastian swam up to me.

"Now den, what brings you two into the sea again? Is something going on?" Sora looked over, having caught the hang of swimming again quick enough.

"Kind of..." Goofy nodded.

"But everything seems peaceful.." Ariel nodded, smiling.

"Oh, everything's fine. So long as Daddy's in a good mood."

I snickered behind my hand. That sounded like Triton alright. Sebastian frowned at the Princess, but looked to Sora.

"Hey, we got us a concert very soon. Why don't you four sing in my musical extravanganza? Please say yes! Ariel's been actin' strange lately. But she might settle down and practice if you dere too! We'll put you up at the Palace, food included!"

Donald nodded, rubbing his arms together at the mention of "food". We were all a little tired of the rations onboard Infinity anyway. Sora smiled, nodding to Sebastian.

"Let's give it a shot!" Sebastian smiled, almost dislocating his jaw with how wide it was.

"Excellent! now den, I teach you everything you need!" As Sebastian swam over to a small rock outcropping, Sora stared after him.

"Er, just what do we have to do?"

"It's easy! All you gotta do is feel de rhythm! Hear de beat and put a little shake in it! Ready? Let's go!" He tapped the rock he was sitting on, releasing bubbles and starting a happy beat in the water. Sora closed his eyes, following the beat for a moment, then spun around with his arms outstretched and smiling. Sebastian nodded.

"That's it! Okay, Donald. You do it just like Sora, den he see what you've got!" Donald nodded, almost skipping to the beat before flipping backwards and landing with a smile. Sebastian turned to me.

"Alrighty, Christie. Go on girl!" I nodding, taking a breath and closing my eyes. Just count the beats...
1...2...3..4...now! I spun, smiling as Sebastian nodded happily as he turned to Goofy.

"Goofy, it's you now. Think you can do better?" Goofy kind of shook in place, before he spun around with a happy smile on his face. Sebastian's face almost cracked with his wide smile now, and he gestured for Ariel to come over to Sora and I.

"Dat's it! Dis time, you're dancing with Ariel! Remember, don't miss de beat!" Ariel grabbed our hands, and we spun for a moment before she ended up on our combined shoulders like we were cheerleaders in highschool. Sebastian laughed, stopping the music.

"Dat's right! You got it, you've managed to learn everthing I can teach you!"

Goofy nibbled on his lip.

"Gawrsh, I dunno...."

Sora ran a hand through his hair as I crossed my arms and looked to Sebastian.

"I think that Goofy's right. That practice was easy enough, but on stage? I don't think we can do that..." Sebastian frowned, then looked towards the castle as a seahorse messenger came flying at us from that direction, scroll tucked under his tail. He stopped directly in front of Sebastian, unfurling the scroll.

"King Triton hereby summons the Royal Composer, Sebastian Crabb, and his daughter, Princess Ariel, to the Palace Atrium for the musical of "Swim This Way" That is all."

He re-rolled the scroll, then rocketed off again, leaving us to stare at the bubble trail in his wake. A second trumpet made us all jump, and Ariel grabbed Sebastian and Flounder before swimming off. With no choice but to follow them, we kicked off the water and let the Princess lead the way. The Atrium itself was near empty of merfolk when we entered, and Sebastian hopped onto a raised podium of shell, grabbing a conductor's baton. He met Sora's eye, and my friend sighed. We had no choice now. Ariel, Sora and I entered the large center shell on stage, and Sebastian struck up the band. The little crab and Ariel started the song first as the happy tune started up.

"Swim this way, we'll dance and we'll play. It's very easy, come on in. Just take a chance and shake a fin!" We danced inside the shell, and Ariel took up a solo.

"Don't be shy, let the music inside and dance, dance, dance!" We spun around, Sora taking our hands and acting almost like a carousel. Sebastian laughed.

"See? You can do it!" Ariel and Sebastian took up the song.

"Swim this way, we'll dance and we'll play. It's very easy, come on in. Just take a chance and shake a fin!" Ariel grabbed our hands, pulling Sora and I up and out of the shell as it closed. Sebastian smiled.
"Watch the stage now, so exciting!" The now glowing large shell opened, revealing a smaller shell that rose to our level.

"See the sign, can you reach it in time? And tap, tap, tap?" Sora tapped the shell with his Keyblade on Ariel's cue, revealing a manta-ray with maraca's inside. He smiled, and we looked over to the overhanging entry way was a pod of Dolphin's swam in. Sebastian joined in on Ariel's singing now.
"Swim this way, we'll dance and we'll play! It's very easy, just come on in! Just take a chance and shake a fin!" Sebastian began to bounce to the beat.

"And if you can't reach the target, use magic!" Ariel spun around with the dolphin's as the circled the chandleir above us, making a tight ring then dispersing.

"It's all the same if you've got steady aim, just zap, zap, zap!" Sora and I sent out twin balls of Lightning, lighting up the chandelier. There! Now we had the rhythm and I'd forgotten about my stage fright. Sebastian and Ariel picked up the chorus.

"Swim this way, we'll dance and we'll play. It's very easy, just come on in and shake a fin!" Donald and an Octupus shared one shell while Flounder and Goofy shared the other. The octupus was tapping on the drums while Flounder managed to toot out of a horn quite well. Ariel danced in front of the stage light, posing as she finished her spin and bubbles came up. Sora and I swam to the center of these, popping them on que as we spun around and swam away. Ariel, Sebastian and Flounder all took up the song for a few moments, then Flounder began to dance with Donald and Goofy as the drum solo started. Sora and Ariel swam to eachother when it ended, grabbing hands, diving and spinning back into the big shell. Ariel soloed the next part.

"Don't dilly-dally, it's your big finale! Sha-la-la!" Sora and I hoisted Ariel onto our shoulders, posing as Sebastian left the composer's podium and joined us on stage. The last part of the song was sung by each and everyone of us.

"Swim this eay, we'll dance and we'll play! It's very easy, just come on in and shake a fin!" Ariel swam forward a bit, hands on her heart.

"Swim along, just join in the song. A musical for everyone to have a lot of finny fun." We all posed towards Ariel, and I let my breath out as the shell stage went below ground. That, was fun. We swam out of the shell, and Ariel turned to Sora and I.

"Sora, Christie, you two were amazing!" Donald pouted.

"Hey! I wanted to sing more lines!" Ariel giggled, then swam away as her father came into the small grotto we were in. Sebastian caught sight of him first.

"Your Majesty! We have visitors!" Sora and I whirled around, smiling.

"King Triton." The mer-king smiled warmly, then frowned.

"I hope there hasn't been a need to use that Keyblade of yours yet." Sora shook his head.

"Nope, not a Heartless in sight. Everything's doing great in the other sea's too." Triton nodded, having understood Sora's meaning. Sebastian climbed onto my shoulder.

"Your Majesty, our guests want to sing in the Musical!" Triton smiled warmly at us.

"Well, that sounds like a splendid idea. In face, we may need your help after all. You see, I'm afriad that Ariel's still infatuated with the human world. A busy rehearsal schedule may just be the thing she needs to stop thinking about life on the surface."

He swam away, and I crossed my arms as my tail twitched. All to easy, if he thought that Ariel would just forget about Prince Eric so quickly. We returned to the little glade we'd landed in, to see Ariel looking up at the surface of the water with longing in her eyes. Sebastian swam up to her.

"Ariel?" She didn't answer, and he sank a little.

"Dat's girl's acting strange again. Probably been flittin' around on the surface...Ohh, da Sea King's gonna have me head for dis!"

Sora rolled his eyes at the crab's moaning, and swam over to Ariel.

"C'mon, we've gotta keep rehearsing!" Ariel looked away, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry, but I don't feel like it now."

She swam past me, and I turned to look after her as she exited the glade. Sebastian called after her, but she didn't stop. Flounder piped up once she was gone.

"I've got an idea Sebastian!" The little crab, and us, turned to the fish.

"You do?" Flounder nodded, comically moving his entire body.

"I know how to cheer Ariel up! Just follow me!"

The little fish took off like a rocket, leaving us to follow in his wake as he led the way to a sunket ship. Sora and I swam forward, examing the already warping wood as Flouder came up behind us.

"It's underneath this thing..." I ran my hand down the ship's port side, stopping when my hand touched metal plating. I had to rub away some silt, but the name was still clear.

"The name of this ship was apparently the H.M.S. Starlight. Shame it went down, it's a great sailor."

Sora nodded, and Flounder swam through a little hole in the hull with us once again on his tail. Sebastian clung to Sora's dorsal fin as we went deeper into the ship, and I cast a Fire Spell into my hand for some light. Underwater, Fire Spell's are useless in combat, but serve as great lanterns if you can keep the spell up. After a few moment's of searching, we found what Flounder was talking about. A life-sized statue of Prince Eric, in intricate detail. Even his face had been done right, if memory served me correctly. Flounder cracked a bright smile, swimming around and around the statue.

"Don't ya think that Ariel's gonna love it?" Sebastian whimpered.

"But if de Sea King find's out about dis..." Donald scowled, crossing his arms.

"It's safer than her going to the surface all the time!"

Sora had already swam over to the statue and tried to lift it, but it held fast to the ground. He frowned, and I swam over to help him. Once we couldn't lift it on our own, Donald and Goofy came to try and help. But it still didn't budge, and Sora sighed.

"No good. Something's sticking it to the ground." I went tail up, poking around at the base of the statue, then jumping back when a splinter got in my finger from the raw wood.

"Well, I know why it's stuck." I stuck my finger in my mouth, spitting the splinter out when it got stuck on my tooth as Sora looked at me for an answer.

"The wood holding this thing up is stuck in the sand. It's creating pressure on the base of the statue, holding it down. We'd need an Aeroga spell to clear this mess."

Donald snickered, and I barely had time to cover my eyes before sand started to fly away and smooth the wood. When it was done, the statue was still intact and now free enough to pull up with a slurping sound that made Sora shiver. With Donald and Goofy supporting it from below, we we able to get it out of the ship and into Ariel's Grotto. We set it down, then left the Grotto to return to the the Undersea Glade. Inside, Ariel was once again just staring up at the water's surface. Goofy called out to her.

"Ariel! Come with us, we've got something to show you!" She stared at us, before kicking her tail and following back to the Grotto. Inside, her face lit up with joy at the sight of the statue. Sora smiled.

"It's a pretty cool statue, huh?" Donald tapped on the statue's head.

"It look's like he's some kinda prince." Ariel swam up to it, hanging off it's arm.

"A prince?!" From behind Goofy and I, Sebastian held his head and groaned.

"De Sea King's gonna fry and filet me!" Ariel paid no mind, placing a fork into a candlebra.

"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?" Sora and I swam over to a globe, spinning it around before it stopped.

"Wouldn't you think I'm the girl...the girl who has everything? Look at this trove, treasure's untold. How many wonder's can one cavern hold? Looking around here, you'd think.." Goofy swam up a level, prying open a jewelry box full to bursting with gold and silver necklaces.

"She's got everything." Donald swam to Goofy's level, near a jack-in-the-box as Ariel grabbed a box off the shelf.

"I've got gadgets and gizmo's a plenty, I've got whozit's and whatzit's galore." Donald squawked as the Jack in the Boxes popped open, scaring the duck..

"You want thingamamobs? I got twenty." She opened the box, showing her collection of wine bottle openers.

"But who cares? No big deal. I want more." She swam up two levels, stopping in front of a music box.
"I wanna be where the people are. I wanna see, wanna see them dancing. Walking on those, oh, what do you call them? Oh, feet." She laughed, heading up towards the sunlight.

"Up where they walk, up where they run...up where they stay all day in the sun..." She reached up to the sunlight with one hand.

"Wandering free, wish I could be...Part of that World..."

She floated down, grabbing on to the statue's arm and looking up at the sunlight. Sora reached out to her.

"Ariel, we're here to help, you know?" Sebastian frowned, getting in Sora's face.

"Oh no, you four stay out of dis!" Sora glared at the little crab, crossing his arms.

"Looks who's talking! You were gonna tell her father about this, just like last time!" Sebastian cradled his head in his claws.

"What am I gonna do?" We all jolted as a somber horn played in the water, and Ariel snapped from her trance.

"That's the curfew horn! We've got to go!"

We almost flew out of the grotto, barely making it back to the castle in time to slip through the closing doors. Inside, Triton's arms were crossed over his chest. Ariel winced, and he shook his head as she swam away into her room. With his daughter out of sight, Triton turned around to face us.

"I've had a room prepared for you all, Minerva will show you the way." A female seahorse, pink scaled, swam over to us.

"This way, if you will." She led us through empty halls, opening two doors.

"Donald and Goofy are to stay in this room, while Sora and Christina are to stay here. I will return to wake you for breakfast. Good night."

Leaving us to stare after here, Minerva swam away. We bid goodnight to Donald and Goofy, and entered the room that Sora and I would share that night. Triton had the sense to put two beds in here, and I was grateful to him for that. Sora swam over to the "window", putting one hand on the glass.

"I can understand why Ariel wants to leave this place. It's like we were on the Islands, just getting stir crazy for bigger adventures." He fisted his hand, hitting the glass.

"What I wouldn't give to go home with Riku now. What idiots we were."

I placed a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to face me. Even after all these years, I've yet to forget all the sadness in his eyes at that moment. I put one hand on the glass, looking at Sora.

"Maybe you were idiots back then Sora, we all were. We didn't know anything about the Heartless, or the Nobodies. What happened in the past, is the past. Nothing we say or do can change that." He smiled slightly, shrugging until his ears touched his shoulders.

"When did you get so wise?" I smiled as I let my hair down.

"I grew up with a very wise man. He told me that we do what we can, becuase it's all we can do."

Sora nodded, swimming over to one of the beds and crawling under the covers. he put his hands behind his head as I layed down on the other one, drifting off in seconds. It was more than enough sleep, and both Sora and I were wide awake when Minerva came to collect us for Breakfast. After that was finished, we returned to the Undersea Courtyard, where Ariel was once again just looking up at the sunlit surface of the water. Sora groaned.

"This is just terrible! We've got to do something." Goofy frowned.

"She can't be in the musical like this..." Donald pounced on this chance.

"So, I'll sing her part instead!" Sora and I whirled on him, glaring.

"No way!

"Not a chance, Donald!" He frowned, pouting.

"What? Why not?!" Goofy stopped our arguement when he turned around.

"Hey, it's Sebastian." We turned to face the little crab, as he swam up with a scroll in his claws.

"Aw, dis will never work."

"What's up?" He looked at Sora.

"I've composed a perfect song for de musical, but I dink it's gonna be to complicated for you..." Sora smirked.

"Aw, c'mon. How hard could it be?" Sebastian handed me the scroll, and the boys read it over my shoulders. Three seperate routines, four singers, at least....it would seem that Sebastian had been right. Donald blanched.

"Uh-oh...how are we going to do this...?" I pondered the scroll, thinking back to the time I'd played through this part...yeah, I had it. I rerolled the scroll, handing it to back to Sebastian.

"We'll just have to wing it."

Sebastian nodded, and we began. To start the song, he bopped some bongo shell drums to start up the band. After the music had caught Ariel's attention, he cued Sora and I to begin.

"The Seaweed is always greener, in somebody else's lake." Sora swam over to face Ariel, and she turned away. I sprang up behind her.

"You dream about going up there, but that is a big mistake!"

She turned away again, trying not pay attention. Sora and I looked at eachother, then teamed up on her.

"Just look at the world around you, right here on the Ocean floor. Such wonderful things surround you, what more more are you looking for?" Sebastian grabbed onto a fish that swam past the drums.

"Under the sea. Under the Sea--!" The fish made a sharp turn, knocking Sebastian into the wall of the Glade. Sora took up the song to keep us moving.

"Darling it's better down where it's wetter, take it from me!"

Sora spun around, frowning as Ariel swam away to hid behind a pillar. Sebastian shook his head and singing.

"Up on the shore, they work all day. Out in the sun they slave away. While we devoting full time to floating, Under the sea!"

Sebastian and some Snails sung the chorus, and Ariel began to smile. Sebastian's face cracked in a smile, we were getting somewhere now!

"Since life is sweet here, we get the beat here, naturally!" Sora and I spun one another around.

"Even the Sturgeon and the Ray"

"They get the urge and start to play!" We posed towards Sebastian.

"We got the Spirit, you've got to hear it...under the sea!" He played his bongo drums again as Sora spun around popping bubbles. Sora, Sebastian and I sang now.

"When the sardine begin the beguine, it's music to me!" Sebastian soloed the next part now.

"What do they got? A lot of sand. We got a hot crustacean band. Each little clam know how to jam here." Sora and Ariel danced around, and Sebastian and I took up the song.

"Each little slug here, cutting a rug here, under the sea! Each little snail here, know how to wail here. That's why it's hotter under the water, ya we in luck here, down in the muck here, under the sea!"

I kicked off the rock, showing off Sebastian with Ariel and Sora as the music stopped. Sebastian turned to his charge.

"Well? What do you think, Ariel?"

"Oh, I think it's a great song Sebastian. It's just...not what I want to sing." Sebastian's jaw dropped, and Ariel continued.

"I wanna sing about, how our two worlds can live in harmony. Land and Sea together." Sebastian sank onto the rock.

"De Sea King would make chowder outta me if you sang a song like that!" Ariel crossed her arms, pouting.
"Fine. If you won't listen, then I won't sing at all!" She darted off, and we raced after her as she swam up to the surface. We broke the water, just in time to see Prince Eric taking a stroll down the beach. Sora followed Ariel's gaze.

"Is that him?" She nodded, and Donald made to swim forward.

"Then let's say something!" Ariel grabbed the ducktupus.

"No! He's a human, and I'm a Mermaid. I...I don't know how he'd react." We had no choice but to watch as Eric left the beach, dropping something gold and shiny onto the sand. It was in reach of the tides, and it floated into the water just as Ariel caught sight of it.

"What's that?"

The current carried it inbetween two rocks, leaving it out of our reach. Ariel tried to grab it.

"It must be his... I can just reach it...oh, pufferfish spines! It's stuck tight."

Ariel pouted, swimming back. I summoned one of my daggers, looking from it to the rocks before I nodded to myself. I sent it out, catching the pendant's chain on the tip of my blade and bringing it back to us. I handed it to Ariel, and we ducked back underwater to return to her Grotto. She held the pendant between two fingers, admiring the shine and sparkle it hand.

"This is great, Sora, Christie. I know he'll be happy to have this back."

"And just who is this he?" We all jumped as Triton's voice boomed from behind us. Ariel spun around to face her father.

"Daddy!"

"Ariel, you know how dangerous human's are!" Ariel looked away.

"You don't even know him! Oh, Daddy, you've told me that you don't trust humans anymore, but they can't all be as bad as you say! And I'm, well, I'm going to prove it to you!" Triton scowled, holding the now glowing trident in both hands.

"So help me Ariel, I'm going to get through to you. And if this is the only way...so be it." Ariel tried to stop him, but Triton went over her head and aimed at the statue of Prince Eric, destroying it with a single blow. Donald squawked as a shard of rock flew past him, and Ariel bolted out the entrance to the Grotto, sobbing. The boys swam after her, and I whirled on Triton.

"How could you do that?! Ariel wasn't doing anything wrong!" He scowled at me, still angry we had kept this secret.

"It's for her own safety. Human's are dangerous creatures, we cannot associate with them." I fisted my hands in my hair, screaming.

"Do you just not understand?! Becuase of what you just did, Ariel's going to go straight up to the surface! She's going, whether you like it or not!"

I kicked my tail, swimming around Triton and making for the Glade. Catching up with the boys, we arrived just in time to see Ariel sign the contract that would turn her into a human. Sebastian cried out to us.

"Sora, Please! You've got to stop her!"

Sora raced forward, but was knocked back with a cry as Ursula's wind spell sprang out of nowhere. There was nothing we could do for Ariel, and we lost sight of her for a moment as the spell spun faster and faster. Sora snarled, braving the spell with his arms over his head to get to Ariel. But it was too late. By the time we reached her, she was already human, wrapped in sail cloth and clutching at her neck as she tried to swim up to the surface for air. Sora and I grabbed her arms, pulling her to the surface as Ursula cackled below us. We broke the surface of the water, and Ariel coughed harshly. Sora pounded the surface with one fisted hand, whirling on Ariel.

"Why did you do that? Why did you go to Ursula again?" Ariel looked away, one hand on her throat as she shook her head. Sora's eyes narrowed.

"Ariel, did you...did you give up your voice for legs?"

Ariel nodded, and Sora ran his hands through his hair.

"Dammit. Now Eric's not going to know you're the girl who saved him." Ariel looked at her reflection in the water, sad. Sora and I gently guided her over to the shore, where she layed down. We swam back over the to the rocks where we'd found Eric's pendant when the Prince himself walked on the beach, catching sight of Ariel. He gasped, and ran over to her.

"Are you the girl? Please, wake up!" She opened her eyes, mouth opening in a silent gasp as she saw that it was Eric who had found her first. She tried to stand, but lost her balance and fell onto Eric's chest.

"Whoa, easy there." They looked into each others eyes, before the moment was broken as Ariel began to check herself over. She opened her mouth to speak, but then put a hand on her throat when she remembered that she couldn't anymore. She sighed, looking down at the ground.

"What's wrong? You can't speak?" Ariel nodded, and Eric looked away for a moment.

"Oh...well, where did you come from?" Ariel looked out to the ocean, making Sora and I duck out of sight underwater and Donald and Goofy came up. Ariel caught sight of those two, and began to jump around to not let Eric see them. She suddenly remembered the pendant, and plucked it from her rope waistband. Eric gasped as she held it front of him.

"That's my pendant. I-I can't believe you found it." Ariel nodded, smiling as she placed it in his hand and closed his fingers around it. He looked at the golden chain hanging from his hand, then at Ariel.

"Thank you. Please, come with me. I want to help you." Arile nodded, trying to walk again but only faliing over in the process. Before she could hit the sand and hurt herself however, Eric caught her. Leading her by the arm, the two left our sights and we dove back into the Undersea Glade. No trace of Ursula remained, just little Sebastian floating in the water. Sora smiled.

"Look's like it's going pretty well up there." Goofy nodded, but frowned.

"Gawrsh, I wonder if we should tell King Triton about all this." Sebastian whirled on the tutrtle.

"Absolutely not! It would break his heart if he found out about dis." I crossed my arms, tail twitching.

"Then just what can we do?" Sebastian crossed his claws, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"We gonna stay right here and take care of Ariel. Dat's what we're gonna do. Donald, Goofy, you go back to the Palace and keep de Sea King busy. Sora, Christie and me will take care of Ariel."

They nodded, fired off a pair of twin salutes, and swam off. Sebastian clung to Sora's dorsal fin as we broke the surface just in time to see a now well dressed Ariel and Eric strolling down the beach. Sora smiled at the happy couple, then looked to Sebastian.

"So, we just float here and watch?" Sebastian "hmphed".

"You got a better idea?" Sora nodded.

"We could find Ursula and make her fix all of this..." Sebastian made an odd sound, halfway between a laugh and a scoff.

"Hah! She ain't gonna bother wid you!" Sora scowled.

"Hey, you never know until you try." Sebastian nodded, now understanding.

"Hmm...you may be right. It's gotta be better than doing nothing. Can I trust you two to take care of de Sea Witch?" Sora smiled, and I nodded.

"Of course you can!"

We dove underwater as Flounder came up to watch over his friend with Sebastian. We spent the next day canvassing the area for the Sea Witch, but couldn't find her anywhere. Even her old Lair past the ShipWreck had been abandoned, and it showed in all the fish that had made a home there. We met up with Donald and Goofy after they had conducted thier own search for Ursula, and surfaced in a small glade where Flounder was watching Ariel and Eric in a small rowboat.

"Hey, where's Sebastian?" Flounder stuttered for a moment.

'Uhh..oh...welll...King Triton wanted him at the Palace." I frowned.

"I wonder if he noticed that Ariel's gone missing yet." Sora groaned, head in his hands.

"If he finds out what happened, we're in some seriously hot water, especially since we kept this whole mess a secret." Flounder sagged.

"So, did you find Ursula." Donald shook his head.

"She vanished into thin air!" Sora sighed through his nose, obviously tired of this mess.

"Well, how's Ariel doing? She's only got until sunset tomorrow, right?"

Flounder nodded, then turned around in time to see Ariel and Eric leaning in to kiss one another. Sora dove forward, covering Flounder's eyes. The little fish struggled, but he didn't miss much. The eels had rocked the boat, tipping Ariel into Eric's arms. Sora snapped his fingers.

"Darn, they were just so close!" Goofy frowned.

"Well, I reckon we oughta get back to looking for Ursula." We all dove underwater again, looking for the rogue sea witch for hours on end. By the time it was sundown, there had still been no trace of her. Sora and I broke the surface, gasping as Donald adn goofy came up behind us. Sora ran a hand through his hair, scowling.

"No sign of Ursula anywhere..." Goofy bit his lip.

"I wonder where that sea witch coulda gone...oh?" We followed his gaze over to the shoreline, where Ariel was crying into her knees. Flounder floated just in front of her, and he turned around to face us as we came up behind him.

"Ariel's been crying for a long time..." I frowned, then whirled around in the water just in time to see Eric and Vanessa come strolling up the beach. Eric's eyes were glazed over, and Vanessa was hanging off his arm, singing.

"What would I give, to live where you are? What would I pay, to stay here beside you? What would I do, to see you smiling at me?" We all ducked under the water as Ariel shrunk back, knowing that if Vanessa saw us, it was over.

"Where would we walk? Where would we run? If we could stay all day in the sun?" Sora's eyes narrowed, and he nudged me.

"What's up with the Prince?" I shrugged, turning back to watch the pair.

"Just you and me, and I could be..." Flounder gasped, pointing at the shell necklace hanging off Vanessa's neck.

"Look! There!"

"Part of your world...." Flounder gasped.

"It's Ursula! She...she must have turned herself into that girl!" Sora glared.

"Okay, that's it!" He summoned the keyblade and leapt out of the water, shooting a beam of light at the necklace and yanking it from Vanessa's neck to make it shatter on the ground. The black-haired girl was left to clutch as her throat as the spell on Eric lifted, and Ariel's voice returned to her.

"Eric!" He gasped, running to Ariel and embracing her.

"You..you can talk...You're the one, the girl who sang to me!" Ariel nodded, clinging to Eric.

"Oh, Eric, I wanted to tell you..." Eric clocked himself over the head.

"Of course! It was you! You're the one who...who saved me that night in the storm! Oh, Ariel, I'm so sorry I didn't figure it out sooner. You're the one I love." He embraced her tightly, but thier happy moment was broken when Ursula cackled.

"Not so fast!" We all turned to face the Sea Witch, and Eric gasped at the octopus woman.

"Do you see what I see, Princess Ariel!" The sun had nearly set, and Ursula cackled again. She dashed over and grabbed Ariel, diving into the water. We dove after Ariel and the Sea Witch as they returned to the Undersea Glade, and Sora summoned the Keyblade.

"Stop!" Ursula sent a spell over her shoulder, making us scatter.

"Stay out of this, you fools!" She held up Ariel's contract.

"Triton's precious daughter signed a contract! Now, dearie, let's see just how beautiful you'll look when I'm through with you!" Ursula grabbed Ariel, holding a tentacle to her cheek. Sora and I snarled.

"The contract's null and void!"

"Let her go!" We whirled around in time to see a seething Triton come swimming at us. He fired a beam at the contract, but it only sent Ursula back against the rock walls, without even scorching the parchment. The sea witch shook herself off.

"Now, now, even the great King Triton can't go around breaking contracts. Why, it just wouldn't do now would it? If you'll excuse me, "your Majesty", I've some loose ends to tie up." Ariel cried out as Flotsam and Jetsam grabbed her, and Triton sighed.

"Wait, Ursula. You win. Just promise you'll let my Daughter go." Ursula smirked.

"But we had a deal. Unless, of course, you're offering to take her place?" She held up the contract, and Triton aimed his trident at it, ignoring Sebastian's cries to stop. He signed his name on the contract, and was turned into a shriveled plant creature. His crown fell into a hoop around him, and he barely avoided bieng squashed by his own weapon. Ursula laughed as she picked up the trident and pointed it at the Sea King's tiny form.

"Who's the "mighty ruler" of the seas now?" Ariel broke free of the eel's hold, and started to attack Ursula's arm.

"You---You monster! Let him go!"

Ursula suddenly cried out as a sharp harpoon lodged itself in her arm, and we followed the path it had taken to see Eric literally fuming at the ears. Ariel's face broke into a smile. I dove forward, scooping up the King and placing him into Ariel's hands. I shoved her after Eric as he swam back to the surface.

"Go! Take your father and Eric and get as far away from here as you can! Leave Ursula to us!"

She nodded, and swam away like sharks were on her tail. Ursula yanked the harpoon from her arm, and sent Flotsam and Jetsam after the fleeing princess. Sora got in the way, knocking them back.

"That's enough!"

The trident glowed, and Ursula cackled as she suddenly grew to three hundred times our size. We surfaced as she pointed the trident at Eric's rowboat where Ariel, Triton and Eric were escaping, but managed to escape as Donald distracted the witch with a Thundara spell. Sora glared, pointing up at the witch as she writhed in pain.

"You got what you deserved!"

Sora and I both cried out as we were dragged under by the eels, prompting Donald and Goofy to come to our rescue and knock them away. We toook off through her thrashing tentacles, with Sora and I getting swept into the wall by one of them attacking us. Sora floated to the ground, and I was grabbed before I could dive down to help him. Barely catching sight of Donald and Goofy going to help my friend, I was dragged above water straight into Ursula's view.

"My, won't Maleficent reward me handsomely for you. The thorn in her side ever since the Door's opened! Hah! A measly girl who can't even defend her love when he needs her!"

I snarled, punching the tentacle holding me up. I bit my lip to hold back a cry as she squezzed, and I swear I heard a bone or two crack before she cried out in pain as Sora attacked her with the Keyblade. She let go, and I managed to turn in time to avoid landing head first in the water. Sora dragged me to the surface, hitting the eels with a Thunder spell to drive them off. Be it by rage or something else, the spell was fueled and it completly destroyed the eels, leaving not even a trace of them in the water. Ursula tried to call them to her, but they didn't respond. Sora and I dove into the water, waving at Ursula.

"Sorry, "Mommy", your Poopsies are toast!"

SHe gasped, and I dragged Sora down with me as she swung the trident at us. She raised the trident to the sky, calling down lightning that arced over our heads. Before she could do that again, Sora leapt from the water and attacked, somehow knocking the Trident from her hands. It spun in the air, landing in the sand back in it's normal size. Ursula clutched her hands.

"No...It's not possible!" Sora smirked.

"It's over, Ursula." Sora dove back into the water, and Ursula made a grab for the trident. Eric beat her too it, yanking it from the sand.

"Alright, you want this back? Then you can have it!"

He threw it, and it pierced the Sea Witch's heart. She screamed in pain, disappating into a cloud of ink that vanished in the wind. Ariel dove back into the water as Triton returned to normal, and Eric swallowed as the Sea King looked at him hard.

"So, you're the human that my daughter was willing to die for?"

Eric nodded. After staring at him for a moment, the King heaved a sigh and turned to his daughter.

"Well, you'd best start teaching him to swim, Ariel."

Her eyes widened, before she gasped and hugged her father tightly. When she let go, Eric was already in the water and they swam off hand-in-hand. Once they were gone, Triton whirled on us, glaring.

"As for you four...thank you." Sora stared at the Sea King, and Triton continued.

"You watched over my daughter when I was unwilling to accept her choice. You are all true friends to this Kingdom, and can return whenever you wish."

He bid us goodnight, and dove underwater to return to Atlantica. Sora sighed in relief, and we returned to the Palace for some much needed rest. After breakfast, we headed to the Undersea Courtyard to see it barren of plantlife. It was to be expected, after all the ink that was is the water. Sora laced his hands behind his head.

"Prince Eric's a great guy, and he's really brave too." Sebastian swam up behind us.

"Yes, he is. But he's still a human." I facepalmed.

"Oh great, this again." Sebastian frowned, and handed me a scroll.

"Ariel's still with dat Prince fellow, and there's a solo that his Majesty wants to hear. Think you can do it?" I unrolled the scroll, looking over the lyrics with a smile. I knew this song, I knew it well. Rolling the parchment back up, I handed it to the crab.

"Of course I can. Better than Donald at any rate." Even Sebastian laughed at the look on the duck's face, and he led me to a small dressing room where Minerva was waiting. He tapped a claw on the wall.

"1 hour, Minerva. 1 Hour." I watched him leave, surprised. There was only one hour before the solo?! Damn, damn, damn. Minerva swept me over to the shell stool, and I let my hair down. She tutted as she brushed it back

"Such pretty hair. Why do you keep it up all the time dearie?" I shrugged, wincing as she pulled on a tangle.
"It's easier to handle that way. I've always kept it up." She nodded, sweeping some of it off my face with a pearl comb.

"Yes, I can understand that. You move like one of the Warriors. Always fighting, correct?" When I nodded, she frowned. Still, she shook herself off and opened a small shell box, pulling out a string of crystals and placing them around my waist. Placing another pearl comb into my hair, she knotting the remaining strands together with a piece of brown seaweed.

"There. All ready for your performance." I took a deep breath, swallowing the lump on my face. It was one thing singing in a group or cheering up Ariel, but doing a Solo? I was nervous enough that anyone would have seen me shaking from a mile away. Minerva tapped my shoulder with her tail.

"Now, now dearie, you'll do fine. I saw you in your first performance, you'll do fine." I nodded, and we both turned when Sora rapped on the entry-way.

"Sebastian said it's time for the song. You ready?" I nodded, kicking off the seat and following after Sora. When he reached the entrance to the Atrium, he stopped.

"I'll be watching from here. Knock'em dead." I smiled, grateful for his confidence in me. I swam forward, until I was floating directly on top of a large shell platform. The stage lights focused on me, and Sebastian struck up the band with a nod to me. I laced my fingers in front of me, and began the song.

"Anytime you want to be right here, just imagine me and all this will appear." I closed my eyes, letting the memories this song brought wash over me.
----
Riku smiled, splashing his girlfriend with chilled river water. She blinked, then splashed him back as thier stocking of clean water turned into a water fight. It was a memory they'd keep forever.
----
"Just imagine me, and all this will appear. You can keep this moment all your life, forever near. A dream worth keeping..."
----
Riku sat up in bed, watching Christie sleep. He brushed hair from her face, smiling sadly. What had he done to deserve her love for him? Opened a door that had turned thier world upside down. She turned over in her sleep, throwing an arm over his legs. He smiled. She was...his everything....
----
"When you're feeling lost, I'll be your star. Just reach out and touch me, no matter where you are.."
----
Riku struggled against the gaurds, trying to get to Christie. Why did this have to happen now, of all times? He elbowed another gaurd, and ran to her. Why did they have to be so lost in this world, where no one understood...
----
"In a world where precious things are dissapearing overnight, just keep my star in sight."
----
Huddling close to the fire, both teens looked up at the starry sky. Pointing out constellations and worlds they knew, they spent that harsh night knwoing that the memories of the last months would always be safe at heart.
----
I could feel the tears coming, and it took all I had to keep singing.
"I believe, we've founf a dream that's worth keeping, for more than just today. And even though the winds of change may come sweeping, it's still a dream worth keeping. So don't let it fade away..."
---
Riku and Christie fought side to side, back to back. No Heartless or creature was able to get to them, and that's all that mattered to either of them.
----
"Maybe you'll be in some distant land, feeling all alone, but I'll be close at hand. And everytime you see a rainbow paint the sky behind the rain, you'll be here again."
----
They danced, spinning and twirling in eachother's arms as the rain performed the music that was in their hearts. Droplets of tropical warmth on any uncovered skin, it was enough to grant a moment of peace to the weary travellers.
----
"I believe, we've found a dream that's worth keeping, for more than just a day. And even though the winds of change may come sweeping, it's still a dream worth keeping...so don't let it fade away..."
----
Fear....where was she? She had to be here, she had to be safe! He couldn't go on if she wasn't here with him, he's be heartbroken. He rounded a corner, and she crashed into him, desperately clinging. He embraced her tightly, swallowing his fear.
She was here, that's all that mattered.
----
"Someday you might be thinking, that life has passed you by. Your spirits might be sinking, with hope in short supply. That's the reason why, that's the reason why!"
----
"I know it may be taking advantage of you, but there's something I have to do." He leaned forward, taking her lips to his. She didn't push him away or scream, she only kissed him back. Everything they had wanted to say to eachother, in that moment, was said.
----
I was unable to hold back my tears anymore, and let them fall
"I know this dream's worth keeping, as long as it will stay. And even when you see the Darkness come creeping, a dream worth keeping, will never fade away....."

The music came to a close, and I let myself fall to the shell below as I buried my head in my hands. Sora swam over, putting an arm around my shoulders.

"See, I told you you'd do fine." I nodded, tearfully smiling as I gently undid my hair. Triton swam over to us as Sora picked me off the shell, and I swallowed the lump in my throat for a second time. He nodded to me, respect glimmering in his eyes.

"I saw how hard it was for you to sing that song. It brings back many memories to anyone who hears it." Sora tilted his head.

"Your Majesty, who wrote that song?" Triton smiled sadly.

"My late wife, Athena. It was originally a lullaby for my girls when they couldn't sleep, but Athena wanted it to be remembered. Sebastian put it to music, but it hasn't been sang since her death." I gasped, hands flying to my mouth.

"Your highness, I..." He shook his head.

"Athena would have been honered to have a girl like you sing her song. She'd understand. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to find Ariel and tell her off for missing that lovely piece." He swam away, and Sora led me back to the dressing room before swimming off. I placed the combs and crystal chain back in the box Minerva had taken them from, placed my arms on the little desk that housed the mirror, buried my head in them...

and cried. The floodgates had been opened with the memories from singing, and I didn't bother trying to close them again.

"Riku..."
----
It was a couple of hours later that I found myself returning to the Undersea Glade, where Ariel and Sora were talking.

"So, how'd it go with your father, Ariel?" She smilied brightly.

"Great! Thank's for all your help. I gota go, see you later!" She swam up the surface, not even letting Sora finish his sentence. Flounder suddenly gasped.

"I almost forgot, Sebastian! King Triton said that this year's festival is so important that the music had better be your best ever!" Sebastian clacked his claws together.

"My best ever?" Sora frowned.

"All right, what's going on?" Sebastian floated over to us, stage whispering in our ears. I kicked back, shaking my head.

"No. Absolutely not. I'm not singing anymore."

Sebastian turned to me, a pleading look in his eyes. After a moment, he sighed and I swam off for the atrium. I took a seat at the back of the seats, and settled back to watch the show. The Sea Sisters did there renditions well, and I found myself tapping my fingers on my tail to the beat. Everyone in the audience roared with applause when the song ended, and a curtain of bubbles came up to let the singers rest. I dove away from the crowd as Sora opened another gateway, and he smiled sadly as I came into view. Ariel frowned.

"Sora, what's happening?" Sora looked away.

"A new pathway has opened. We have to go now." I laced my fingers in front of my stomach.

"But we'll come back someday, I promise. Ariel nodded, understanding.

"All right. Thank you so much for all of your help. Good luck on your journey!" We waved goodbye, and returned to Infinity from the Beam still in the UNdersea Glade. Donald and Goofy collapsed into thier seats, exhuasted from all the swimming we'd done over the past 5 days. I sat down in the captain's chair, smiling up at the Cait Sith form of Infinity. She flipped over, smiling

"Twilight Town's back." Sora and I gasped, and we took off for the tiny burg. All the while, Sora was clutching at the Oathkeeper charm, muttering some kind of prayer. I glanced at him, worried. if Kairi was there, I could only hope we'd reach it in time.

----
Note: I cut out "A New Day Is Dawning" for a reason. I hate that song!!! I ran this through a word-counter program before posting it, and it's just above 9000 words!!!! EEEK!~

Silver

 

Girl, this puppy was LONG. It was a good read though. Keep up the great work and don't make us wait too long!

 

that took too long to read >.<

but it was an awsome chapter ^^

 

Kairi: This one's even longer!

Jap: Heehee! Say hello to Bailey in my story! Don't worry, she'll get more attention later in the story.

Disclaimer: Check chapter 1, with 3 differences. 1: Bailey is copyrighted to JapAnimeFanatic (Kh-Vids). 2: Mikaila is copyrighted to ILoveRikuAndYouCantStopMe/NobodyofANobody (KH-Vids/FFN). 3: Evan is copyright to Xemnas The Superior (neoseeker) Respect that, and we'll get along just fine.
-----

I dedicate this chapter to my best freinds, without whom I'd never have made it this far. Thank you all, for bieng there.
-----

Our calm flight to Twilight Town was halted by a distress beacon, coming from an unknown ship. Despite Sora's protests, I swung Infinity in that direction. After we caught sight of the ship that had been downed, Sora stopped complaining.

R.G.S Fenrir.

Cloud's Ship.

Infinity came to a halt directly above Fenrir, and she beamed Sora and I down. I covered my mouth as smoke flooded the rear cabin, this ship had been in a major collision all right. Still, Sora and I pressed onwards until we'd nearly tripped over Cloud's semi-concious form. Concerned, we grabbed him under the arms and beamed back to Infinity. He came too as I was launching the towlines to drag Fenrir with us, and he groaned.

"Where am I?" Infinity turned to him, holographic form fizzling in her distress.

"On board Infinity. We found your ship downed." Cloud sat up straight, only to fall right back down when his lost his balance. I crossed the little room over to where we'd laid him down, frowning.

"Cloud, why were you in the area of Twilight Town?" He looked away.

"I'm looking for someone. Not Sephiroth this time." Sora tilted his head.

"If not Sephiroth, then who?" Cloud buried his head in his hands, be it to hide the single tear that flowed from his eyes or to lessen the headache.

"My little sister, Bailey. I haven't seen her since..." I frowned, uncrossing my arms.

"Since the Invasion. Almost 13 years...." Cloud nodded, looking out the window towards the stary sky.
"I got word from Reeve that she's been sighted at Twilight Town, and I...I wanted to see if it was really her. But I was attacked, and that's as far back as I remember." I nodded, as Infinity hummed.

"I'll contact Captain Highwind to let him know that we'll need repairs for Fenrir, while you search for Miss Strife. Oh, and Captain? We arrived at Twilight Town five minutes ago."

We all stared at her as she fizzled out of sight, and Cloud stood. He swayed for a moment, but was able to stand as we beamed down into Town. Sora, Donald and Goofy were right behind us, and they looked around as Sora tilted his head.

"Cloud, what does Bailey look like?" Cloud closed his eyes, smiling slightly.

"Last I saw her, she had layered light brown hair and hazel eyes. She took after Dad in that respect."

Sora nodded, and the boys headed off that way. Cloud and I headed for the Sandlot, asking the townsfolk for information along the way. When no one could answer, I sighed, hands on my hips.

"If you're talking about Bailey, she mans the Synth shop in Tram Common." I stiffened. I knew that voice....In disbelief, I turned around slowly. The owner of the voice smiled, waving.

"Good to see you're still alive, Silver." My jaw dropped, and I had to rub my eyes to see if I wasn't dreaming. When he didn't fade away, I pounced on my friend.

"Evan!" He smiled, wrapping his arms around my back. I laughed, backing away a step to look him over. Same chin length brown hair, same eyes always changing colors from blue to green. Standing at six foot even, Evan had almost towered over me when we first met. Now, I'd halfway closed the gap. Same tan boots, same blue jeans, same white short sleeved t-shirt and black hoodie. Even his watch and Eagle's head ring were the same, along with the metal band he wore on his right wrist in memory of the fallen on September 11th. I shook my head, this was amazing.

"How are you here? I thought that Earth was safe?" He nodded, and we took a seat on one of the benches.

"It is. But some of us just, ended up here. You were missing for four years, your Mom's just about given up on you." I looked away from my oldest friend, surprised that Mom had actually noticed I wasn't there. She was always so busy with her job. The town bell jolted me from my thoughts, and Cloud jumped a foot in the air. Evan tilted his head.

"Just why are you looking for Bailey anyway?" I pointed to Cloud.

"He's her brother. It's been almost 13 years since he saw her, and I don't think he ever gave up." I elbowed Evan in the ribs, smirking.

"You protecting her?" He noogied me.

"No more than I protected you." We shared a laugh, and I stood. He understood that I had to go, and I gestured to Cloud to head for the Tram Common Entrance. Before I followed after him, I turned to Evan.
"Once we find Bailey, we're going back to Hollow Bastion. Wanna come along?" He nodded, and almost broke my jaw by smiling so wide. Cloud called for me, and I growled.

"I'll be back for you, don't go anywhere!" He nodded again, and I ran off after the elder Strife. Tram Common was all but abandoned at this late hour, and it was easy to spot Bailey. From where we stood, I could tell she hadn't really changed her look. Sure, she'd gotten older, but she'd stayed mostly the same. Her hair now reached to stay between her shoulder blades, brushing against her black vest. When she turned around, Cloud was unable to hold back the floodgates of his emotions. I looked away in respect as he cried a little, before he took a deep breath and walked over to the counter of the Synth Shop. He knocked on the wood, making Bailey look up.

"Yes?"

"Are you, Bailey Strife." She nodded, and Cloud had to lock his knees to avoid falling over in relief.

"I'm your brother, Cloud. Remember?" She stared at him for a moment, before her hazel eyes widened and she raced out of the shop to embrace Cloud tightly. They clung to eachother, and I smiled in relief.

"Oh my gosh...Christie?!" I whirled around, and my jaw dropped for the second time that day when I came face to face with the girl that I could have called my sister. In the past four years, she'd really changed. But still, I could recognize her.

"Mi--Mikaila?" She nodded, brown hair flying with the movement. We hugged like old friends, before breaking apart. She really hadn't changed either, but she'd gotten a tan and some new clothes. Blue cut off jean capris, aqua shirt and white sleeveless jacket. She'd added some caramel streaks to her hair, and the surprise in her eyes was showing.

"How...how are you still alive? Your Mom said you'd gone missing four years ago!" I tilted my head.

"I kinda landed on Destiny Islands, it's been a long four years." She nodded, and we both turned as Cloud called me over. Mikaila headed for the Sandlot as I walked over to the Strife siblings, only to get glomped by Bailey.

"It's so good to see you again!" We hugged, and I nodded.

"Likewise."

"Christie! Cloud! Did you two find her...? Nevermind."

I laughed, and even Cloud chuckled a little at the look on Sora's face when he saw Bailey. But our happy moment was ruined when little Vivi came running from the Sandlot.

"H-Help! The Sandlot! It's Seifer! Somebody please help us!"

I whirled around, not even giving Sora and the others a moment to catch up with me. All my thoughts at that moment in time was to reach my friends before the Beserkers killed them. I could not lose them again! Sora and Cloud caught up to me quickly, with Bailey close behind them. In the Sandlot, at least 4 Beserkers were dancing around Seifer's gang and my friends. Sora and I leapt into combat, with the Strife siblings keeping the stragglers busy. As the last one faded away into the ground, we heard clapping.

"Impressive." I stiffened, backing away from the portal as Saix stepped through. He stepped forward a pace.

"By the way, have you seen a man named Axel and his companions? I suspect they're here somewhere." Sora snarled, ready to leap back into combat.

"Like I care!"

"You see, Axel's no longer acting in our best interest." It was like someone had thrown a switch in my brain, summoning fear of the man in front of us. I stepped back, crashing into Cloud. He looked towards Saix, eyes narrowed.

"You're with the Organization, aren't you? Where are the Triplets?" Saix shrugged, and Sora laughed.

"Not a very organized Organization, if you can't even control your own people!" He pointed towards Sora, warning him
.
"Don't let your guard down. Axel will stop at nothing to kill you, and the girl behind you is his accomplice in this matter." Sora rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, like I'm gonna beleive a stranger's word over that of my friends. And for your information, I trust Axel too." Saix backpedalled, and he tried to recover his wind.

"Glad to hear it. Axel aside, it would break our hearts to see anything happen to you." Donald scoffed.
"Hearts? You don't have any hearts!" Saix nodded, and he lowered his hood.

"True. But we remember what it was like. That's what makes us special." And again, the switch had been flipped. Fear turned into anger, and I threw both daggers at him, scratching his shoulder and cheek.

"Keep talking and you'll get another scar on that face of yours!" He glared at me, and took a step back. Sora looked over his shoulder to me.

"Let's jump in after him." Donald had heard Sora.

"Why?" Sora frowned.

"I'm not really sure, but maybe he'll lead us to the Organization's world." Saix scoffed.

"Don't be reckless. Do you want to end up like Riku?"

Sora's eyes widened, and I called back my daggers, launching one at Saix with a cry of rage. He backed into his portal, closing it just before the dagger would have hit. Sora looked at his shoes as I stood there, panting.

"What did he mean, end up like Riku...Chris?"

I let my daggers fall to the floor, watching them fade. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Evan walk over to our little group as Seifer picked himself off the ground.

"Hey, how about you idiots get outta my town now. You've caused enough trouble already." Bailey whirled on Seifer, getting into his face.

"Fine, you fool! Nii-sama, let's go."

Cloud nodded, and they turned to leave. Sora stared at his shoes for a little while longer, just looking as lost as I felt. We turned to leave, Evan and Mikaila behind us, before Seifer spoke up again.

"Hold it!" Sora snarled.

"Make up your mind already!"

He held up the Struggle Trophy. Roxas was going to win that... I looked away. Why was everything falling apart again now? It didn't make any sense...I was jolted from my thoughts as Seifer rushed at Goofy, thrusting the Trophy into his arms then walking off with a smug look at his face. Pence came running from Tram Common, skidding to a stop in front of Sora.

"Sora! Christie! Do either of you know a girl named Kairi?" Sora and I both jumped, and I could feel the hope radiating off of Sora.

"K--Kairi! We sure do!" Pence swallowed, standing up straight.

"Then you'd better come to the station!" Sora took off running, leaving us to follow at a slower pace. By the time we reached the Station Plaza, Sora was looked at his shoes again, hands fisted at his sides as Hayner and Olette looked to me nervously. I walked over to Sora, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Sora?"

"She's gone. That guy from Olympus kidnapped her." My free hand went to my mouth. Demyx had taken Kairi...no, this wasn't right... Sora unclenched his fists, taking the Oathkeeper charm from his pocket.

"Kairi..." Hayner looked away.

"Sorry..." Sora shook his head.

"Hey, it's not your fault. C'mon, cheer up!" He looked at the ground with a sigh.

"Like even I can say that now..." He burst out the next few words, scaring us.

"I gotta find Kairi!"

Goofy dropped the trophy, and all four crystals came tumbling off. The Twilight Trio grabbed the red, yellow, and green ones, while the blue one rolled to a stop in front of Sora. He bent down to pick it up, then straightened and held it to the sunlight. For just a moment, his image was replaced by that of Roxas. I frowned, had that many of Roxas' memories transfered when we broke him out of the Data? We called out to Sora, and he snapped out of his trance in confusion.

"What?"

Goofy frowned, holding up the Munny Pouch. All of a sudden, the crystal in Sora's hand glowed, lifting into the air as the breeze kicked up around us. I closed my eyes, smiling at the scent that this gate brought. Fresh rain water, flowers, with just a hint of the bitter Darkness.

Look's like I'm going home again...

Pence stared in shock.

"What...what the heck was that?!" Sora turned to Pence.

"A new road has opened, and Kairi and Riku are somewhere on it, waiting for us."

Olette nodded.

"You'd better hurry then. Before they get lost." Sora and I nodded, and Hayner fidgeted.

"You're coming back again, right?" We all nodded, and Sora clapped arms with Hayner.

"It's a promise."

Leaving the Twlight Trio at the Station, our little group of eight returned to Inifinity. Cloud and Bailey were chattering away in quiet tones at the back of the ship, while Evan and Mikaila took seats across from Donald and Goofy. Inside the cockpit, Sora's head hit his hands.

"This King, Riku, and now I've lost Kairi again too. This isn't fair." I put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't be sad Sora. If we keep going, we'll be sure to find them."

He looked up at me, and I smiled slightly. He nodded, and I set course for home. It wasn't a long flight, and I enjoyed the look on Cid's face as he caught sight of Bailey.

"Kiddo! Welcome home!" Bailey laughed.

"It's great to be home. AH, Nii-sama!" We watched as Cloud pulled her and Cid away to fix Fenrir, as screams from the Marketplace drew my attention. Sora and I raced outside, the boys on our heels as my old friends tried to keep up. At least three dozen Shadow's headed up the stairs to the Market's upper level, before vanishing. Sora blinked.

"Do you think..." Goofy nodded.

"Look's like there's more Heartless now..."

We yelped, stepping back as a few odd Dusk's floated in front of us. Donald squawked, making one Dusk look at us. But it didn't attack us, and faded away. I hopped over the banister, heading for the Borough with Sora on my heels. We entered Merlin's house, and I grabbed Sora and shoved us both to the ground as the Wizard fired off a Blizzaga spell at the place we'd been standing. He blinked, then cast a spell that returned us to our feet.

"Sorry about that, dears, but Heartless have been getting into my home all day! Cid's defense Program has failed us in our hour of need, once again."

Aerith came up from behind the wizard, Yuffie and Vincent in tow. She sighed in relief when she saw us.

"Thank Bahamut you're all okay. Christie, Leon's at the Postern. I think he need's help with Ansem's computer." I stiffened.

"You found it?!" Vincent nodded.

"Cloud did, three days ago. You'd best hurry."

Sora and I nodded, and I turned to Evan and Mikaila.

"You two stay here, we'll be back." Leaving them with just a view of our backs, Sora, Goofy, Donald and I took off for the Postern. We entered the Bailey at a full run, and fell over one another when a little voice rang out.

"Excuse me, are you four with the Restoration Committee? Oh my, I'm sorry I startled you." We looked up, and I sighed at the tiny forms of Yuna, Rikku and Paine. We picked ourselves up off the ground, and Yuna shook her head.

"What's Leon's gang up too?" Donald grinned.

"They're over at the Postern---hey! lemme go!" I clamped my hands on Donald's bill, but the damage had been done. Rikku pumped a fist in the air.

"Scoop!" Paine tossed a lock of hair over her eyes.

"Let's report. She's gonna want to hear this." Sora tilted his head.

"She?" Yuna clasped her hands behind her back.

"Our leader, of course. Who else would we report too?" She raised a hand to her ear.

"Aniki, we're ready to go."

They waved goodbye, and faded away in a Ship's transport Beam. Sora frowned, looking to Donald and Goofy. We all shrugged, and kept heading for the Postern. Once we got there, Cloud and Bailey were waiting. Sora walked over to them.

"Have you guys seen Leon?" Cloud pointed over his shoulder, towards the passageways inside the Castle.

"He's in there. Your King is there too, Donald, Goofy." They both whooped for joy, and Sora bit his ip.

"Is...Is Riku there with him too?" Cloud shook his head, and Sora sighed.

"Well, at least I can ask the King about him now. And the Computer might me able to tell us something..." Bailey nodded.

"Sounds like a good idea. I hope you can find something on them." We waved goodbye, working our way through the winding passageways and into Ansem's Study. A large picture of Xehanort was perched on the wall. Sora snarled at it.

"Ansem..." Goofy scratched the back of his head.

"Garwsh...I guess this musta been his room...kinda odd lookin', dontcha think?" We nodded, and Sora cupped his hands around his mouth.

"Hello! Leon? Your Majesty?"

"Hey, you four!"

We turned, and I smiled at the sight of Tifa in the doorway. She looked around the room.
"I'm looking for a couple people, maybe you've seen them? Thier both about six feet high. One's got blonde hair that's really spiky and blue eyes, always wearing black. The other, he's got long black hair and red eyes. He's got this red cloak, it's how you'd recognize him....oh, by Bahamut! Christie!" I nodded, and she hugged me.

"I can't believe this! Leon's gotta be so relieved you're safe! Have you found Vincent, or Cloud, or Zack, or Reeve, or....anybody?!" I raised a hand to stop her tirade.

"No go on Zack or Reeve yet, but Cloud, Bailey and Vincent are in town. Don't know where exactly though. I think you might have passed Cloud and Bailey on the way in..."

She smacked herself over the head.

"I thought I smelled his cologne. Ugh, what an idiot I am sometimes. Thanks, Chrissie. See you later!"

She waved over her shoulder, running off back into the passageways to head outside. Sora stared after her, then jumped a foot in the air as Nii-san spoke up.

"So, you made it back." I raced over to give him a hug as Sora turned around.

"Leon! Stop scaring me like that!" Nii-san chuckled, and Donald rubbed his hands together.

"Where's the King." Nii-san raised a finger to his lips.

"You'll see him soon enough, he'll be back soon."

Donald glared, and Nii-san turned to the wall.
"This oughta tide you over for a while."

He placed a hand on the wall, and a door swung open. The walls inside the door were different from the ones out here, a metallic blue instead of the pale yellow of out here.

"Ansem's Computer is through here. Think is, we can't figure out how to get it working."

We headed for the computer, and I kneeled down to look under the console. Instead of meeting just wires, I met a pair of bright blue eyes attached to a head of blue fur. We stared at eachother for a moment, before I screamed, jumping back. Leon and Sora rushed forward, blades drawn to meet the threat, when Stitch jumped on Sora.

"Friends!" Sora backpedalled to take Stitches wieght on his chest, but ended up falling over. Stitch ran off, and we all stared after him. Nii-san recovered first.

"That...was a bit strange." He picked Sora and I up off the ground, and Sora rushed to the computer, gently tapping the keys now that it was fixed.

"Where's Kairi? Riku?" When the computer didn't answer and Sora started banging on the keys, Nii-san put a hand on his shoulder.

"Easy now, you wanna break it?" Sora blushed a little, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh, sorry. Guess I got a little carried away." Donald hopped up on the keyboard before we could stop him.
"How do we stop the Heartless?!" I winced, covering my ears as an alarm started to blare, with a mechanical male voice ringing throughout the little room.

"Attention current users, this is a warning. Further misuse of this terminal will result in immediate defensive action." Sora summoned the Keyblade.

"Who's there?"

"I am the Master Control Program. I over see this system." Donald made to hop off the keyboard, but accidently pressed another key with his feet and sounded the alarm again. We stared at him.

"Donald!" He frowned.

"I'm sorry!" I looked up at the ceiling as the MCP spoke up again.

"Decision gate breached. You are now under arrest." Sora whirled around.

"Arrest!?" Goofy picked Donald off the Keyboard, but it was too late. The last I saw of Nii-san was him reaching out to try and grab us, before the electronic beam sent us into the computer itself.

----

I don't know how long it was before I came too inside the computer, but when I did, I had to snarl at all the Heartless that were holding Donald, Goofy and I captive. Catching sight of Sora, we called out to him. He smirked at the man beside him, Sark.

"Go on you guys, show 'em who's boss!" Sark smirked, making a data emitter appear in his hand. I back away a step when he pointed it at me, but no amount of running would have changed what happened next. Ever been shocked by static electricty when you touch metal or something like that? That's what this felt like, only a thousand times worse. I think I screamed my throat out, but I can't be sure. The next thing I knew, Sora was looking at me in concern, blue eyes wide.

"You ok?" I put one arm over my eyes, shaking my head.

"No. That hurt."

"Of course it would. Sark almost deleted you with all the data he pumped into your mainframe."

I removed my arm from my eyes, looking up at Tron. Sora helped me sit up, and I looked out the cell door.

"We're inside the computer, aren't we?" Tron nodded, then frowned.

"This system is a copy of one created by a company called ENCOM. The original progams were destroyed, but this copy was aquired by another User. This new User updated and customized the programs, renaming the system Hollow Bastion OS. He used it for town maintence and to further advance his private research. My name is Tron, and I'm a security program. But now, I'm under arrest, same as all of you."

Sora turned to face Donald and Goofy.

"Did you two get any of that?" They shook thier heads, and Goofy frowned.

"Gawrsh...You know, we haven't introduced ourselves. We're Sora, Christie, Donald and Goofy." Tron tilted his head as Sora helped me stand up.

"With that configuration...you must be Users..." Sora blinked.

"Users?" Tron paid him no mind, heading over to the terminal in the cell.

"You'd better get out of here, fast. Who knows what the MCP will do to you if you stick around." Donald frowned.

"MCP?" Tron nodded, kneeling under the console to try and get power into it.

"The Master Control Program. It controls the entire system. If you linger here, you'll all be deleted." The boys jumped.

"Deleted?!" Sora buried his head in his hands.

"Then, how to we get out of here?" Tron cursed, coming out from under the console.

"This terminal could have returned you to the User world, but the MCP must have cut the power." We all sighed, and Tron crossed his arms in thought.

"If we could bring the energy core in the Canyon online, we could power it back up. Problem is, we're stuck in this cell. We can't go anywhere until the Energy Gates are unlocked."

Sora summoned the Keyblade, smiled, and attacked the Energy Barrier. He downed it in a few shots, and Tron blinked.

"Remarkable...It seems that you ahve some unique functions. I'll go with you to the Canyon. You'll need someone who can interface with the Energy Core, right?"

Sora nodded, half-frowning.

"If you say so...thanks, Tron." We headed away from the Pit Cell, catching a transporter into the Canyon. I don't know if it was because of all the electric colors or what, but I was nervous the entire time we were walking towards the Energy Core. Tron touched one of the blocks there.

"This is the Energy Core. But it's locked down tight..." Sora smirked, using the Keyblade like a wand and lifting it up into it's proper slot. He smiled.

"Mission accomplished!" Tron crossed his arms.

"Yes. Now...will you four do something for me?" Sora and I nodded.

"You got it." Tron stared at us.

"Don't you want to hear what it is first?"

I shook my head, smiling.

"No need. You helped us out, now it's our turn to help you."

Tron chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You guys really are Users. Your actions are completley illogical." He looked up at the now pulsing Energy Core.

"Let's hurry back to the Pit Cell."

Sora nodded, and we ran off. What really made me flinch was the fact that there were absolutely no Heartless here at all. It was like they had just...vanished into thin air. When we re-entered the Pit Cell, Tron began to type on the keyboard of the Terminal. Sora crossed his arms.

"So, what do you want us to do?"

"Find my User. He'll give you the password to access the DTD. The DTD is the name that my User gave to the Dataspace. Copies of all the original system programs are stored there, along with anything sensitive or restricted, like Birth Records or Family Trees."

Goofy frowned.
"Is there stuff there about the Heartless, or Organization XIII?"

Tron nodded, continueing to type.

"Most likely. Now, a number of my funcions were appropriated when I last took on the MCP. That's why I need the password. If I can get inside the DTD, I can access my original backup program and restore all my functions. Then, I'll be able to put this system back the way it's supposed to be, before the MCP took over. It'll be a free system again, designed for User's like you."

I bit my lip.

"Tron, isn't the MCP one of the programs too? Do you know..who made it?" Tron stopped working, and he turned around.

"Actually, I don't know who made us. The Original Program would have known, but he was deleted a very long time ago." Sora tilted his head, but nodded anyway.

"Okay then, we'll just have to find your User and ask him. What's his name?" Tron blinked, frowing as he pressed the key to send us back to Hollow Bastion.

"You mean, you don't know? My User is the User of this system: Ansem the Wise."

Before we could even get a word out to question Tron, we were beamed back into Ansem's Lab. Sora and I, having made to take a few steps forward, tumbled to the ground and caught Nii-san's attention away from the computer. He sighed in relief, pulling us both up off the ground and into a fierce embrace. Sora looked like a fish out of water, but Nii-san just didn't want to let go. After a moment longer, he did. Clearing his throat in embarrasment over the show of emotion, he turned to Sora and I.

"So, where've you been." We explained the situation to him, and he frowned.

"So...in other words, Ansem's research Data is off-limit's until we know the password?" Sora nodded.

"Yeah." Nii-san and I frowned, sharing a look.

"Sora, you defeated Ansem almost two years ago. A dead guy can't tell you his password." Sora smacked the heel of his hand to his forehead, extremely annoyed at himself.

"What's the matter, kid?" We turned to face the door, where Tifa and Vincent now stood. I hid my bright smile behind my hand. The look of joy on Vincent's face would have been scary, had it not been for Tifa hanging off his arm. Sora ran a hand through his hair.

"It's this passcode we need. The guy who had it, he's kinda dead right now. It's for something called the DTD..." Vincent's eyes narrowed.

"DTD? Ansem was researching that before the Invasion. He kept all his codes written on the wall behind the painting of his adopted Son. It's in his office..." Sora rocketed off before we could stop him, and Tifa sighed.

"He'll never be able to lift that painting on his own. Come on, we'd better help him." We followed after the martial artist, and I smiled as Sora stood in front of the painting, lips pursed in confusion. Tifa bound her hair up with a clip she fished from her pocket, and grabbed her gloves, tugging them on. She walked in front of Sora.

"Excuse me." She lifted the painting as if it was just a sheet of paper, then punched the wall to loosen the dust. Walking back over to Vincent, they returned to the computer room as Sora stared after them, wide-eyed. He shook it off, looking at the Diagram sketched onto the wall.

"What's the doodle?" I put one hand on the wall, squinting at the almost ancient writing.

"Hollow...Main...Security....Tron....Door..to...Darkness?!" Sora gasped, pointing at the large letters at the top of the Diagram.

"D-T-D! We found it!" Nii-san tilted his head, walking over to the diagram.

"What do you know...But, this still leaves the password. And I don't think it's written here..." We all turned as the front door came open.

"Say, fellas, did somebody mention the Door to Darkness?"

I smiled, Mickey had returned. He kept his hood up, not that it did a good job of hiding his ears. The boys stared in shock.

"Your Majesty!"

Jumping, Mickey put a finger to his mouth, looked into the hallway, and slammed the door shut. He sighed in relief, and removed his hood as Donald rushed at him to hug his old friend. Goofy jogged over, picking them both up and tightening his hold. Sora and I smiled at eachother, and my friend waved.


"Long time no see!" Mickey tensed.
"Shh!" He looked over to the computer room, and let out his breath.

"The Organization might be listening."

Sora nodded, putting a finger to his lips as Goofy and Donald let go of the King. Mickey looked around the room, and I leaned back on the desk as he relaxed.

"Now, you mention the Door to Darkness?" Goofy nodded.

"Uh, yes, sir! Ya see, we're looking for the secret password." Mickey's ears twitched.

"Password? Oh, you mean like a code."

Nii-san and I smiled. Mickey crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well, the Door to Darkness can only be opened bu the Seven Princesses. There's Snow White, Jasmine, and Belle." Leon snapped his fingers.

"Of course..." He walked back into the computer room, and Mickey tilted his head.

"So, just what are ya trying to do, anyway?" I turned to the tiny king.

"With that password, we can get access to Ansem's research data. And hopefully.."

"Find out where he is. I see..." Sora looked between Mickey and I.

"Stop jokin' around you two, we already defeated Ansem. You both know that." I facepalmed, as Mickey frowned.

"Look's like, Christie and I have some explainin' to do." I nodded, and Donald turned to face me.

"We're listening..." Sora shushed the Duck Magician.

"Ok, but first, I have a question to ask you, Your Majesty."

"Hey, there's a message from some one named Tron. He's saying to hurry up with the password before the MCP gets into the mainframe." We turned to Tifa, and the King nodded.

"Don't worry about it. I'm not going anywhere. If the Heartless attack, I'll stand and fight just like everybody else." Sora nodded.

"Yeah...we will too." The boys walked over to the computer, and Sora looked over his shoulder when I didn't follow right after. I waved him on.

"I'll be right there, I just need to ask the King something." Sora nodded, and they left my sight with Tifa. I turned to Mickey.

"Did..did Riku tell you? About Earth." When Mickey hesitated for just a moment, I knew. Still, I waited for his answer.

"Yes, he did. He told me about how things with Roxas were supposed to end. He also told me that you wouldn't say how things will end. I think you made the right choice. All the knowledge that you have, it's a big wieght to carry." I shook my head.

"That's just it. The memory, it's fading. I can remember how things go, vaguely, but I can't remember things clearly as I could just last year. It's like, when Sora woke up...my memory started to fade." Mickey frowned, and we turned when Sora called out to me.

"You'd better go. We can explain to Sora later." I nodded, waved goodbye and ran off to join my friends as we were beamed into the Pit Cell. Goofy walked over to the Terminal.

"Gawrsh...I wonder where Tron is..." He tapped in a few keys, and we were transported to the Game Grid. All around, it was a flat piece of land with very high, smooth walls. Sark's voice rang out.
"Welcome to the Game Grid." Sora frowned.

"Game Grid?"

"Correct. You've been chosen to play a few games. Lose, and you will be subject to immediate deletion. Win? Well, no one wins."

Three LightCycles appeared, Sora taking one, Donald and Goofy doubling up on another, with myself taking the last one. It wasn't much different from riding a real motorcycle, and I knew how to do that after the year long stint in Traverse Town. One of the outer district's had a race track, and I'd signed up for one race. Won it, actually. At the sound of a tone, we raced off. No Heartless got in the way, until near the end of the course. A very large Devastator appeared behind Sora, and he barely escaped the path of its energy ball as it hit the wall, opening a crack. Sora smirked.

"All right! We can escape through there!" Winning the race by escaping through the crack returned us to the Pit Cell. This time, it wasn't empty. Tron lay face down on the ground, and he groaned as Sora and I raced over to help him sit up. He rubbed one hand over his eyes.

"I don't understand...why are you here again?" Sora tilted his head in confusion.

"We came to give you the password." Tron shook his head, leaning on the wall to stand up.

"Why didn't you just transmit the Data?" Donald frowned.

"Transmit?"

Tron made to take a step forward, but almost hit the ground again before Sora caught him.

"Hey, are you ok?" Tron nodded, managing to stand on his own now.

"I'll be alright, once we access the DTD." We returned to the Canyon, this time entering the Dataspace. Tron walked over to a large computer across the room.

"All right, what's the password?" I crossed my arms.

"Belle, Snow White, Aurora, Alice, Jasmine, Cinderella..." I turned to Sora, to see him looking at the ground.

"Kairi..." Tron nodded.

"Kairi. Got it." There was a small rumble in the floor beneath us, and Tron sighed in relief.

"There. That did it. Now, we just give it some time...oh no.." He immediatly turned around, placing a hand on the terminal. Energy seeped into him, and it was just in time. We leapt away from a beam of energy that shot down from the cieling.

"Finally! I have full access to the DTD! My takeover of the system is now complete. I might have anticipated such a simplistic password...what's this? An emergency destruct program for the town? Let us see how it performs." Before Tron could react, I screamed, catching the MCP's attention.

"The castle holding this mainframe is part of the town you're about to destroy! Do it, and you'll go up with the city!" In the MCP's nano-second of hesitation, Tron changed the password. MCP sputtered.

"Program! You changed the Password...!" He finally shut up, and Tron sighed.

"There, that should buy us enough time." Sora frowned.

"Tron, tell us what's going on!"

"The MCP's loading a hostile program into the I/O Tower's terminal as we speak. We have to get there and erase it before he can upload it to the User Town's end. Come, quickly!" We raced off after him, catching a transport to the I/O Tower's Communication Room. Inside, Tron immediatly began messing with the terminal. He came back up a minute later.

"It must be total chaos out there...Come, I need to get a circuit from outside to fix this."

We raced back to the Hallway, where Tron found the needed part.. Before we could return to the Terminal, MCP spoke up.
"I'm disappointed in you, program. Why do you insist on allying with these selfish Users?" Tron put a hand to where his heart would have been, had he been human.

"Becuase I want to help them. Something in my codes commands me to do what I know is right. I can't really say what command it is...but I just know that I have to do this." Sora placed a hand on Trons shoulder, swinging his other arm around me.

"Friends, they help eachother, that's all."

The MCP retreated to process the Data, and we returned to the Communication's Room. Tron repaired the terminal, and he came back up smiling at us.

"I really owe you all one. With all my function's back up and running, I think I've got a chance of taking the system back from the MCP. Now, I'd better get to work on that. It's what my User would have wanted." Sora looked away.

"What Ansem would have wanted..."

We nodded to eachother, and Sora looked back at Tron.

"Tron, listen. We didn't get the password from Ansem. We just sort of found it, back in the User world. By accident. And one more thing...Ansem...he was our enemy. I mean, he still is...I guess." Tron nodded, understanding.

"Well, actually he's my enemy too. He took ENCOM's original system and customized it for his own use. My original data was part of that that system, and Ansem copied then modified it, creating me. So, that makes him my User. But, Ansem is also the one who brought back the MCP. The Ansem I first met wouldn't have done that. So, that makes him my enemy too. I'm sorry I didn't tell you any sooner."

Sora shook his head.

"That's ok. But now I really don't get it." Tron smiled slightly.

"I don't understand it either. But, I think that User's like you are going to be the ones who will finally figure it out. You all have the ability to take illogical routes and srill arrive at the destination you seek. Now go, before the MCP starts acting up again. Any data you need from the DTD can be accessed directly through my User's terminal. I'll keep a dedicated access channel for you open at all times. I changed the password too, so you won't have to worry about the MCP for a long time." I tilted my head.

"Access Channel?" Tron laughed.

"I knew you'd ask." He pressed a button on the terminal, and we began to be sent back to the Computer Lab.

"It's a very important link between our worlds. It's how we'll stay connected. You, my friends, are the new password." Sora smiled, and we waved goodbye.

"Thanks, Tron. Take care of yourself now!" Tron nodded.

"You as well. And give my best to the User's!" Next thing we knew, we were back in Ansem's lab. Sora smiled again.

"Well, that's that." Leon turned around, pointing at the monitor behind him.

"Take a look." I smiled. Dancing on the screen were four little sprites of us, with the words "Thank You!" typed beneath. Sora smiled gently.

"Tron...hang in there." Leon turned back to the computer.

"So, where do we start now?" I walked over to his side.

"Let's start with the DTD." He nodded, typing on the computer. He must have sensed Donald and Goofy poking around.

"The King went into town with Vincent and Tifa, he'll be back soon...Look, it's asking for a password." Sora smiled.

"That's easy! It's our names!" Leon smiled as he typed them in, and Sora walked over to his other side.

"Well?" Leon nodded.

"That did it, we're in. I have to go into town now, need to see what that last shakeup did." Sora frowned.

"You're not gonna check out the data? It wasn't exactly easy to get!" Nii-san shook his head.

"I'm coming right back." He turned to me.

"Chris, why don't you get started on loading the Data and copying it down." I nodded, but Sora looked hesitant.

"Don't worry, she knows what she's doing. Besides, it's just a few keystrokes. Easy, right?"

He walked out after patting Sora on the shoulder. I turned to the computer, bringing up a search engine. On a whim, I typed in Sora's full name.

"Sora Mizu Isumaru...One result found." We stared in shock as Sora's full birth certificate was brought up.

"Sora Mizu Isumaru. Born: December 7th, 1991 to Daichi Isumaru and Ellone Leonhart. Remaining living relations as of April 14th, 2008: Uncle: Takeshi Isumaru, Aunt: Aoi Isumaru, Cousin: Squall Leonhart, Cousin: Christina Leonhart, Mother: Ellone Leonhart. "

Sora and I stared wide-eyed at one another, then back at the computer screen. We were...cousins? Sora shook his head.

"Well, that's not too much of a surprise. Mom always said that I wasn't her birth child. Doesn't matter." Sora and I shared a nod, we acted enough like siblings that a little thing like this didn't matter. I opened the search engine again.

"Kairi Zephyr Hikari. Born: September 15th, 1991 to Ansem the Wise and Haruka Hikari. Remaining living relations as of April 14th, 2008: None."

Sora shook his head, clutching at the Oathkeeper.

"She has me..." Goofy and I shared a sad look, and I returned to computer.

"Riku Takemaru. Born: March 28th, 1900 to Kasumi Takemaru and Sephiroth. Remaining living relations as of April 14th, 2008: Grandfather: Satoshi Takemaru, Brother: Loz Takemaru, Brother: Yazoo Takemaru, Brother: Kadaj Takemaru, Father: Sephiroth.

Sora blinked, rubbing his eyes. Riku, was Sephiroth's son? I tilted my head, nodding.

"Of course. It would explain the looks he has."

Sora nodded, and I opened the Search Engine one last time.

"Organization XIII; Nobodies: The Data is Corrupt."

I searched again, getting the same answer. Sora slammed his fist on the computer, causing alarm windows to jump around frantically before I caught his hand. I shook my head, and he calmed down in time to see a picture of Ansem the Wise appear on screen. Sora frowned.

"Who's this guy?"

"Whelp, I see ya got things working!"

He shushed us before the boys could cry out, and he walked over.

"Good goin, all of you. The computer should tell us the things we'll need to know." I bit my lip as Sora looked over his shoulder at the screen.

"But it keeps saying the data's all corrupted, and all we could find was a picture of some guy we don't know." Mickey looked at the computer screen, then jumped four feet in the air.

"Ansem the Wise!" The boys all shared a look, and Sora laughed.

"Come on, are you teasing us again?" Donald frowned.

"Did you forget what Ansem looked like, your Majesty?" Mickey frowned.

"Of course I didn't! And I know this is him, I'm positive about it!" Sora scowled, grabbing the King's shoulder and dragging him back to the main office.

"Excuse me, could you come this way please?" We followed after him, as Sora set Mickey down in front of Xehanort's portrait.

"See, this is Ansem. You know, the guy we all worked really hard to defeat?" Mickey and I shared a look, and Mickey crossed his arms.

"That's right...we never did get around to explainin...you see, the man in this picture is definetly the one who tried to take over Kingdom Hearts, the one that you and Riku defeated. But, who you actually fought was his Heartless. Ya see, he wasn't really Ansem. He just went around telling everyone that he was." The boys stared at the Mouse King...

"WHAT?!" As Mickey recovered from the shock of having three different males scream in his ears, Sora bent over at the waist.

"We went through all the trouble, just to defeat an imposter?! I can't believe this..." I placed a hand on his back.

"Fake or otherwise, he had to be stopped." Goofy frowned.

"Uh, I'm kinda confused...If he was a fake, then what happened to the real Ansem?" Mickey shook his head, not knowing.

"Well, that's what I'm trying to figure out. Ansem the Wise should know all about Organization XIII's plan, and what's been happening to the worlds. I'm pretty sure he'll give us some help. Ya know something...I came pretty close to finding him once. But he just...slipped through my hands like sand." I tilted my head, and Sora looked at me with wide eyes.

"Please don't tell me there's more. I'm already confused enough!" I shook my head.

"This fake Ansem, he became a Heartless. That means, that he should have a Nobody too, right, Mickey?" Mickey nodded.

"Yeah, and that Nobody is the leader of the Organization." The boys made vague sounds of surprise and Mickey turned back to the portrait.

"I know I've met this fake Ansem before, and I've seen the leader of Organization XIII, too. It kinda felt like bieng around the same fella..." Sora bit his lip.

"So, where did you meet this guy?"

"Gosh, I just can't remember. Ansem the Wise, the real one, he must know the fakes real identity. That's why I've got to find him and ask him about it." Sora glared at the portrait.

"You...becuase of you...Riku and Kairi...oh! Your Majesty, do you know where Riku is right now? Christie won't tell me..." Mickey and I flinched, looking away.

"He's...I'm sorry, Sora. I can't help." Sora frowned, walking over to try and look at Mickey's face.

"Really, your Majesty?" Mickey turned around again.

"I'm sorry Sora."

"Then what about Kairi? Organization XIII might have kidnapped her!" Mickey jumped.

"Oh, no..." He looked at the painting, then nodded to himself.

"Sora, Christie, Donald, Goofy...I was planning to go get help from Ansem the Wise. But now, I know I forgot the most important thing. Helping others should always come before asking others for help. We're safe and sound, and free to choose. So, there's no reason we shouldn't choose to help our friends and family. Let's go look for Riku and Kairi together!"

I covered my head, yelping as a large explosion knocked us all off our feet. Sora turned around, standing up using the desk.

"Outside!" Mickey took off first, and we ran after him through the corridors. We lost him after an odd turn, and he wasn't around when we broke daylight in the Postern. Before we could cross it to return to the Site, I grabbed Sora and tugged him back as Sephiroth beamed in, looking tired and battle-worn.

"Where is Cloud?" I shook my head, and Sephiroth extended his wing to fly off. Sora called out to him.

"What are you gonna do to him?" Sephiroth closed his eyes.

"Make him face his Darkness, before it consumes him and those around him, as mine did. Bailey and Aerith do not deserve that fate." He flew out of our sight, and we raced into the Site. We arrived just in time to see Nii-san cutting down the last of his Heartless opponents, and he turned to face us.

"The King's in the Bailey! You'd better get over there! Chris, come on!" I nodded, and we split up. Aerith went to help Yuffie when she fell down, while Nii-san and I raced over to where Cloud and Bailey were fighting off thier own oppenents. Bailey and I went back to back, as did our brothers. Nii-san smirked at Cloud.

"Think you can handle this many?"

"Well, it might be tough if one more shows up."

Bailey and I smiled, and we summoned our weapons.

"That'll be the one we take care of." They looked to us, and smiled. We leaped into combat, slicing Heartless left and right, knocking some of them off the cliff. Throughout the battle, I kept hearing this crackling sound that just kept getting louder. When the last of the Heartless was gone, did we notice what was causing it. But it was too late, and we all screamed as the cliff broke away from the path, tumbling down the monutain side.

My world went black...

----
"Leon, everybody, hang in there." Sora, Donald and Goofy ran to head into the Courtyard, but King Mickey jumped down in front of them, arms outstretched to block thier path.

"Ok, fellas, you've gotta go find Riku and Kairi! Christie'll be along soon enough!" Sora frowned.

"But...but Leon and others are our friends too!"

"Don't worry about it. There's already lotsa help for them here. We'll take care of this fight." Sora bit his lip.
"But I promised Leon..."

"Donald! Goofy!" They both straightened up, saluting.

"Take Sora and get outta here! I'll send Christie along when I find her!" Sora looked past the king, clenching at the charms in his pocket. Kairi's Oathkeeper, and Riku's dark Crown.

"Riku...Kairi...just give me a little time, ok?" Donald and Goofy looked at one another, nodded, and straightened again. Donald smirked.

"Your Majesty! We understand. We'll go search for Riku and Kairi!" Mickey nodded, still looking away from the trio behind him.

"Right. Watch for danger!" Sora's protests were drowned out as he looked between his friends and the King. Donald frowned.

"Sora, do as you're told!" He looked at Donald in disbelief. Goofy spoke up.

"You're coming with us whether ya want to or not!" Donald winked at Sora, and the Keybearer caught on. Goofy smiled.

"Well then, skedaddle!" Sora mouthed "Thank you" at his friends, and they ran past the King. Sora turned around.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I have to do this." He hopped off the cliff, leaving Donald and Goofy to follow behind.

"Hope you can forgive us!" Mickey ran to look after them as they ran for the Courtyard, and he smiled slightly. Suddenly, he looked to the cliff pathways at the sound of a loud rumble.

"What in the..."

-----
I groaned, clutching my head as I shoved my way up off the ground.

"Owwiee..." I shook my head, clearing my vision as I looked to Bailey.

"Bai, you alright?"

She nodded with a wince, fingers coming back red as she probed the back of her head. Look's like we'd all taken bonks on the head. The warmth beside my leg finally snapped me back to reality, and I put a hand on Nii-san's arm.

"Nii-san. Nii-san! Wake up!" He blinked, coming back to the land of the living with a frown as he sat up. For a second, we both thought that he hadn't been hurt at all, but when he tried to move his right arm, we found out otherwise. He clutched it to his chest, breathing heavy.

"Definetly dislocated. We're gonna need Aerith...Cloud!"

We all turned to where Cloud was laying, facing away from us and towards the cliff face. Bailey ran over to him, trying to shake him awake.

"Nii-sama! Nii-sama! What the...?" His sleeve had been ripped, and it showed the black bruise working it's way up his arm. I sat back on my hips, shaking my head.

"Geostigma. The last remnants of Jenova." We all looked up as Sephiroth landed on the little platform we were stuck on, and Bailey threw herself over her brother.

"You won't touch him!" I shook my head, as Sephiroth gently tugged Bailey off of Cloud and examined his arm.

"It's in the most advanced stage. I'm amazed that no one has noticed until now." Nii-san frowned, and I helped him stand.

"Cloud's good at hiding things. I think we all know that."

Bailey looked close to tears already, and it didn't help that Cloud wasn't waking up. I looked up to where we'd fallen from, then turned to Bailey.

"Bailey, find Cloud's phone and call Vincent to help you get out of here. I need to get to Sora. Sephiroth, can you give me a hand?"

He nodded, stepping away from Cloud's unconcious form to lift me up the cliff face to where I could grab on. Before I got to climbing, Nii-san put his hand on my leg. I looked down.

"Be careful." I nodded, and began my climb up the cliffside. I reached the top as Vincent arrived, and we exchanged a look before he leaped down to help Bailey and Nii-san with Cloud. I ran for the courtyard, arriving just in time to stop Demyx from attacking Sora. He must have jumped a foot in the air when I latched onto his arm, but it gave Namine time to run down the stairs and latch onto him.

"Demyx, please stop!" Roxas and Axel were taking a slower pace, but they got there. At the sight of his friends, Demyx dismissed his Sitar. I backed away as they embraced one another, and I sighed in relief. Sora dismissed his keyblade, walking over to Demyx.

"Excuse me...where did you take Kairi?"

Namine glared at Demyx best as she could, and Axel facepalmed as Demyx blushed crimson red. So much for not having feelings. Demyx looked to Sora.

"I took her from Twilight Town, but...I can't tell you where she is. She's safe now, isn't that enough?" Sora shook his head, and I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You can trust Demyx, Sora. We'll find her, ok?" He nodded, a bit hesitant. I looked over at Axel and his friends.

"You four better get out of here. Xemnas and Saix are here. Now, scram!" Axel nodded, smirking as they portaled away from us. Before we could get back to the Ravine Trail, Mickey found us.

"Aha! There you are!" Wide-eyes, we turned around. I rubbed the back of my neck as he stared sternly as us, before he sighed.

"Well, you sure have lots of friends to help. So, we'd better all pull together and finish this battle for good." We nodded, and he walked on ahead. But before we could even leave the courtyard, a large rock began falling down towards the king. Goofy saw it first.

"Look out!" He pushed Mickey away from the rock, and ended up getting knocked in the head by the rock. He skidded up towards the wall, and we all ran over to him. Mickey stared, unable to fathom what had just happened. Donald tried to wake up his friend, arms on his chest.

"Hey! You're the King's Captain! You've gotta wake up!"

"C'mon! Wake up! Goofy!"

"What's Max going to do without you! Wake up!" Mickey extended a hand.

"Goofy...?" Donald shook his head, placing his head on his friends chest. Sora sagged, looking at the ground.

"This is not happening. It can't be happening...it just can't..."

I felt Mickey's anger before I saw it, and looked down in time to see him turn towards the Ravine Trail.

"They'll pay for this." He whipped off his cloak, summoned his Kingdom Key, and ran on ahead. Donald looked up, staring after his king before screaming and running after him. Sora stood, taking one last look at Goofy before summoning Oathkeeper and running off towards the Trail. I summoned my blades, and turned to Goofy.

"You'd better catch up."

Sora and I ran together, running into Yuffie first. Her shuriken cut down Heartless left and right, but it was Sora's anger that did most of the work. When Yuffie poofed away, we ran on ahead towards Tifa. She punched and kicked, healing us with Potions before running off to go kill more Heartless. Boxed in by two hard walls, I was surprised when Aerith came to our rescue with Holy and Third Level Spells. She ran off to find Cloud, leaving Sora and I to push on alone. The last little area of the trail was full to bursting with Morning Star Heartless, but Sora just ran on in headfirst. We somehow managed to cut them down to size, and entered the Crystal Fissure. Inside, Sora and I flopped onto the ground to catch our breath, and I held my side as the little stitch in my ribs complained about all the running. Mickey walked over to us.

"Are you both all right?" Sora nodded.

"We're fine, but...." Mickey and Donald understood what he meant, and looked away in respect for our fallen comrade.

"Hey, fellas!" We all turned around, with the boys eyes widening in disbelief at the sight of Goofy jumping around at the entrance. He ran over, then rubbed his forehead.

"You know, that really hurt!" Mickey jumped, hugging his friend tightly.

"Aw, Goofy!" Goofy hugged his friend, looking confused.

"Gawrsh, your Majesty, I get bumped on the head all the time."

Sora and I chuckled, but Donald wasn't happy. He stalked over to Goofy, hitting him on the shin with his staff. Goofy hopped around on one foot, and Donald looked up at him with tears in his eyes.

"Ooh, don't you ever do that again!" I looked out to the Great Maw, sensing an enormous amount of Darkness. My left hand curled into a fist all on it's own, and Mickey frowned.

"Just how many Heartless did they summon..Come on!"

We ran after him, and Mickey slid to a stop when we saw that none of the Heartless were moving. They just stood there, twitching. Sora frowned.

"What's with them?" Goofy looked up at the top of one of the cliffs, and pointed to a man standing there, cloaked in black.

"Hey!" We followed his gaze in time to see him remove his hood, revealing silver hair and amber eyes. Xemnas...Donald jolted.

"It's the guy who's not Ansem!"

"It's his Nobody!" Sora glared.

"The Leader of Organization XIII...." Mickey jumped, suddenly remembering.

"Wait a minute...now I know!"

---
Mickey, newly crowned, stood in front of Ansem the Wise's desk. The Hearts floating around in the tanks un-nerved him, but he turned to the man in front of him.

"Wise Ansem, I've come to seek your advice."

"I'm glad we have the opportunity to speak like this, my friend. I'm intrigued by your hypothesis..and I'm finding it difficult to stave off the urge to test it. Still, I'm very concerned about the stability of the worlds." He sat beack in his chair, and Mickey nodded.

"Yeah, that's what worries me too."

"That door that appeared below the Castle, the place the Heartless seek...I fear my research may have brought the next apocolypse upon us now.." Both monarchs turned to the door when a knock sounded. A young man, dressed in a lab coat with his silvery hair tied back, stood in the door.

"Master Ansem. Regarding the experiment I presented the other day...with your permission I'd like to proceed to the next--" Ansem stood, pounding his desk.

"I forbid it! Forget this talk of doors, and the Heart of all worlds..that place must not be defiled!" The younger man tried again.

"But, Master Ansem! I've been thinking..." Ansem cut him off with the shake of his head.

"Xehanort, those thoughts are better left forgotten." Xehanort growled, but bowed and shut the door.
---
Mickey snarled, looking up at Xemnas

"Now I remember! Xehanort! Ansem's first apprentice! The Leader of Organization XIII!"

He summoned his Keyblade and ran up the cliff face to get to Xemnas. We summoned our weapons to follow after him, but the Heartless surrounded us.

"Move it!" We all stood back to back, and Donald scowled.

"We can't let Xehanort get away now!"

Sora glanced back at us, and we all gave him thumbs ups. Donald and Goofy ran off in seperate directions, with Sora heading straight for the largest amount of Heartless. I ran off to take care of the stragglers, hacking and kicking the Heartless away. The cloud of Hearts that floated up from Donalds sector let me know he'd used Break, while the Hearts floating up in twos and threes from Goofy's area told me he was doing alright. I must have cast thousands of spells that night, and my hands were coated in cold Heartless Blood when I met Sora at the entrance of the Dark Depths. He leaned on the wall, catching his breath as the moon began to come out. Donald and Goofy ran over to us.

"Where's the King?" We all turned at the sound of metal on metal, and Sora gasped at the sight of Mickey and Xemnas locked in a stare. We ran forward to meet them.

"Xehanort!"

"How long has it been, since I abandoned that name..." Sora snarled.

"Out with it, Nobody! Where's Kairi! Where's Riku!"

"I know nothing of any Kairi. As for Riku...perhaps you should ask these two." He began to walk into a portal, and Mickey jumped in after him with a cry to stop. It shut before we could follow, and Sora looked like he was ready to cry.

"He's gone..." He slumped to the ground, pounding it with his fist. Goofy and I placed hands on his shoulders. Goofy looked to me.

"What's goin' on here?" I shook my head.

"Way to fall right into their trap, Sora." We turned, and I facepalmed at the sight of Axel leaning back against the wall. He shook his head.

"C'mom. It's a set-up by the Organization. Xemnas is using you to destroy the Heartless. That's his master plan." Donald tilted his head.

"Xemnas?" Axel chuckled.

"Dense as a doornail. He's that guy you just saw, thier leader. Got it memorized yet?" Goofy frowned.

"Organization XIII wants to get rid of the Heartless." Axel rolled his eyes, pointing to the Keyblade.

"Every Heartless slain with that Keyblade releases a captive Heart. That is what the Organization wants. They want to make themselves whole again. Crazy *******s don't know thier already as whole as they'll get."

"Axel!" Before we could react, Saix appeared in a flash. Axel paniced, backing away into a Dark Portal. Sora tried to run after him, but Saix stopped him.

"We'll ensure he recieves the maximum punishment for his misdeeds, as will his "friends"." Sora shook his head.

"I don't care about that! I wanted him to..." Saix scowled.

"You wanted him to take you to Kairi? A fool's wish, Keybearer."

Sora glared up at Saix as I pulled him back.

"However, if you destroy enough Heartless, I will take you to Kairi myself." He snapped his fingers, summoning Heartless to his side. He looked up at the sky.

"Pitiful Heartless, mindlessly collecting Hearts. And yet, then know not the true power they hold. The rage of the Keyblade releases those Hearts. They then gather in the Darkness, masterless and free...until they weave together to make Kingdom Hearts. And when that time comes, we can finally, truly exist once more."

"What in the world do you think you're prattling on about?!" We jumped as Maleficent appeared in front of us.

"Kingdom Hearts belongs to me! The Heart of all Kingdoms, the Heart of all that lives. A dominion fit to be called Kingdom Hearts must be my dominion!" Sora cried out to her.

"Maleficent, no! No more Heartless, please!" Maleficent looked at us over her shoulder.

"I don't take orders from you, Keybearer!" He summoned Soldiers to surround Saix, but he swept them away with Dusks. They turned thier attention to Sora, fully willing to take his heart at thier master's command. Sora stepped back, and we leapt in front of him. But Maleficent suddenly stretched her arms out, creating a barrier of green fire to protect us.

"While I keep these creatures at bay, you devise a way to vanquish them, forever! Do not misunderstand me, I shall ahve my revenge on you soon enough. Christina, a final favor to ask of you. Do this, and I shall never bother Riku again."

She knew I'd accept the deal, and continued to speak.

"Tell Minerva, that Molly said she's sorry." She was overtaken by the Dusks, and we lost sight of her.

"Leave, now!" Sora snarled.

"I don't take orders from you!" I grabbed his arm.

"Sora, now! We have to go while we can!" He struggled, and by then it was too late. The barrier cracked, disappearing as Maleficent vanished. Saix snapped his fingers again, dismissing the Dusks and summoning more Heartless. Sora frowned.

"Just who's side are you on, anyway?!"

"The Heartless ally with whoever's the strongest." He pointed towards Sora, and the Heartless attacked. Sora knocked them away, releasing Hearts into the air. Saix smirked, portalling away as we were surrounded. Sora raised the Keyblade in defense as one of them attacked him

"Maybe everything we've done...maybe it was all for nothing..." He knocked the Armored Knight away, then examined Oathkeeper.

"What am I supposed to do if I can't use the Keyblade?!"

"Imbeciles! You can't be trusted to do anything right!" We cried out as a portal appeared beneath us, sucking us into the Dark Realm.

----
At the Ravine Path, just as Sephiroth was helping the now concious Cloud up the cliff side, a giant beam of Light could be seen at the Dark Depths. Leon began to panic.


"Christie! Sora! Donald! Goofy!" Cloud shook his head.
"Relax. Those four aren't going down that easily." He hugged Bailey tightly.

"The Keyblade's chosen one...he's a lucky kid." Leon looked up at the sky, to where the beam tapered out into a Ship's transport beam.

"See you soon."
---
I placed a hand on Sora's shoulder, gently shaking him awake. He pushed himself up off the ground, looking around.

"Is this, the Realm of Darkness?" When I nodded, he cupped his hands to his mouth.

"Kairi! Riku!"

Donald suddenly cried out, and we all turned in time to see Riku holding a white box. Donald ran over to him, but he was gone before we could get there. Donald picked up the box he'd left behind, prying it open to let us see the bar of Sea-Salt Ice Cream and the photo inside. Donald handed the Photo to me. Goofy looked at it over my shoulder.

"Gawrsh, it's the gang from Twilight Town. There's Hayner, Pence, Olette, and..."

"Roxas. His name is Roxas." We turned to Sora in surprise. Donald frowned.

"You know him?" Sora shook his head.

"No, the name just kinda...popped into my head. We saw in the Courtyard, but I didn't know his name until now...Are you sure you wanna eat that?"

Donald licked the Ice Cream bar, staring at it in surprise.

"Salty...no...sweet!"

He suddenly dropped it as it began to glow, and Oathkeeper appeared in Sora's hand. No wind came when he locked the gate this time, and he clenched a fist when we returned to Infinity.

"Now what? We gotta find Kairi and Riku...but where do we start looking? What's the matter with you two?" Sora was asking Donald and Goofy, both of them fidgeting. Goofy spoke up first.

"Well, Sora, ya see, Donald and I were wonderin...if we could go home?" Sora nodded.

"Sure, we'll just drop you off and come pick you up in a couple of days----" Donald shook his head.

"No, Sora, that's not what we meant. Goofy and I, we wanna go home for good." Sora stared, then looked away.

"Sure. So long as I can come and visit somedays?"

They both nodded, and we headed off for Disney Castle. Donald and Goofy were happily talking to one another in the back, while Sora just sat there, completly silent except for his breathing. When we arrived at the hanger, we all hugged goodbye. Goofy patted Sora and I on the shoulders.

"Now, you two take good care of yourselves, ok?" We nodded, and Goofy looked to me next.

"The King would have wanted me to say this. No matter what happens, you've both got a place here. Don't be strangers now!"

Sora nodded, and we waved goodbye as the two of them headed up into the Gardens. Sora raced back on board Infinity, disappearing in one of the back rooms. I set the course for Land of Dragons, then went after him as we took off. Knocking on the door got me nothing, so I gently opened it. Sora had his head buried in his knees as he sat in front of one of the cots, crying. I shut the door behind me, throwing us into near total Darkness as I walked over to him, kneeling in front of him and placing a hand on his head. In the minimal light that the room had, I could see the tears streaming down his face. After a moment, he launched himself at me, digging his fingers into my vest as he finally let the tears fall. We sat there, and I rubbed circles in his back while letting some of my own tears fall. It was all happening so fast, there was nothing we could do to stop this wars course.

And it really scared me.
---
Note: Longest chapter I've written in a while! ALmost 13000 words! Yeesh...

 

CLOUD! noooos!!!! i thought something horrible happened to him!!!!!!!

what the heck?! why did donald and goofy leave like that?! are they nuts?! :yelling:

that was a good chapter ^^

 

.... ok, I like your story, it's really cool.

I just don't understand some stuff.. at all...

1. Didn't Sora already know that he was called Xehanort's heartless and not Ansem?

2. I thought Ansem was evil, seeing as he shot Axel..., so why the hell is Mickey looking for him, I mean shouldn't Riku or Christie have filled him in by now?

3. Riku noticed how(when he was talking to Saix a few chapters back), that he said MY orders, meaning he's not following Xemnas..., yet he seems to be following his orders(retrieving Axel), in the latest chapters.

Also, something I hate(sorry), is how you keep staying towards the storyline of the game in your chapters, for example, the Beast's Castle, I started reading it, and after the first 2 paragraphs, I just skipped the rest of the chapter cuz it was nothing new to me. Just saying you could put a BIT more of a twist into your chapters.

And, wtf with Riku being related to Sephiroth...., I mean their looks match and everything, but it really seems, uhhh... far-fetched? oh well, your story.

Sorry about picking out all your flaws, but just saying it so you can 'learn from your mistakes', as my brother says.

Honestly though, I LOVE the RikuxChristie, its really cute, though I feel bad for Sora, Riku pops in every now and then, but as for Kairi... welll..., you get my drift.

Anyways, I'm hooked on your story, so keep on writing!

 

(head in hands) Temia de esto...

Ralor:

1: Yes, he already knew. Namine edited his memory at the end of CoM, and that really screwed thing sup.

2: Christie hadn't seen Mickey after the Twilight Town escape until the Invasion. Riku may have seen the King again, but there wasn't much time to explain.

3: That's a plot twist. Please learn to read them. For all you know, I could be making Saix follow Xemnas's orders as part of Saix's plan. But, you won't know until I put in writing.

4: I stay to the storyline becuase that's just what I do. It's the way I've always written, it's the way I'll always write. Please, save us both the time and don't witch. I rarely listen to witching, even if it is well meant.

5: yes, Sephy is Riku's dad. I've caught heck about it, and I dun care! RAWR!

6: Thank you! Kairi's gonna make more of an appearence later, with a little turnaround from the games story. See, that's the thing. When the final wolrd is reached, everything's gonna change.

Silver

 

in my opinion, if you rat someone out over doing something YOU dont like in the story, then dont read it, just saying, you shouldnt tell someone how to do their own work, if you dont like it make up your own story,

 

1. ohh....

2. makes sense.

3. ...... ok..., its just that, you'd never think Saix'd go traitor..., espicially if you see all the yaoi in Deviantart..., but twists are one of the best things about stories. But it's cool, cuz it's really original.

4. ok, I'll learn to cope with it. I'm gonna say 'witching' is a way of saying, being harsh, or something, I have no idea what it means, but I apologize.

5. Hey I like the idea, just saying it's kinda outta place....., mainly cuz, Sephiroth is so evil(from a Final Fantasy view), and Riku..., well, y'kno..., isn't.

6. Ok, I just never liked the fact that Kairi never gets the limelight, girls are just as strong as guys, In and Out of fan-fic's. and btw, I'm a guy, just making it clear.

 

Thank you Jap. ^_^

Ralor:

3: Yes, I've seen all that Yaoi. You should see the SaiXem Community on Fanfiction.net...ugh. And people call me rabid.

4: Witching is the "polite" way for me to say "female-dog"ing. If you don't get that...

5: ANd not every boy is like his father. Just cause Sephy was bad in FFVII doesn't mean he's that bad here. For all you know, Riku could turn out more like...Cloud or something.

6: Girls need the limelight. Kairi most of all. Darn you Nomura, she needed more screentime!~

 

you are welcome silver, i just get annoyed when people do that,

lol, THAT would be a sight to see Silver xDDDD

 

Yes, it would. I might just write that someday. Heehee

Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1
-----
Sora fell asleep about an hour into our flight to Land of Dragons, and I left him on one of the cots as I returned to the cabin. Pacing back and forth, hands in my hair, was how Infinity saw me for those few hours.

"Captain? Are you alright?" I shook my head, undoing and redoing my ponytail a dozen times. I bit my lip, nibbled on one of my thumbnails and paced some more. Infinity huffed.

"Captain, either you tell me what's wrong right now or I'll shock you where you stand!" I turned to her, then looked out the windows at the stars pasing us by. I walked over to one, placing my hand on the glasslike substance.

"What's wrong? Heh, you'd have a shorter list asking me what's right. This war, everyone who's been lost...it just hit me hard." Infinity tilted her head, Moogle form switching to a Moomba as she crossed her arms.

"I can't say I really understand Human reasoning, but...Sora. He needs someone to hold onto now. I saw what happened in the room, he's falling apart. Captain Highwind fell like that when Miss Shera died."

I licked my lower lip in thought, focusing on one star that passed us by. I looked away when it winked out of existance. For another hour, I just stood there, lost in thought. The war, finding my oldest friend from Earth in these worlds, the Invasion...it was all just too much to take. I heard Infinity's form flicker, and I turned back to look at her. Moomba form abandoned, she "stood" before me as a Moogle once more.

"We're here. Do you...do you wish for me to awaken Sora?" I shook my head, heading back into the room where Sora was sleeping. He was awake when I got there, arms wrapped around his knees. He turned when the door opened, flashing me an embarrased smile.

"Sorry, about earlier. I didn't think..." I headed him off with a shake of my head, sitting next to him on the little cot.

"It's ok. You needed a break, I understand." He chuckled slightly, looking away.

"I bet Riku never did that." I laughed, startling the poor boy. Holding a hand up in apology, I gathered my wits.

"Actually, Sora, he did. We were stuck on a world that hunted so called "shemales" and it was just too much for him to take. Minute we were safe, he broke down and cried." Sora stared, swallowing hard. He shook his head, rubbing at his red eyes. He threw the blanket off, jamming his feet into his shoes. So, he heard Infinity say we were here, did he? Alright then. We left the ship, beaming down into the village. Sora looked around sadly. It was still burnt to a crisp, and only did the black form of a person standing out near the mountains base startle us both.

"Hey!" He ran off, heading up the mountain. Sora and I made to follow after him, hopping over some of the burnt wood. Mulan came up behind us, winded.

"Sora! Christie!" Sora shook his head.

"Hey, Mulan, no time to talk. We gotta catch that guy!" Mulan nodded.

"I'm following him too! Quickly!" We ran to the ridge, where we lost sight of him. Sora looked around, before Mulan tapped his shoulder. Riku was running up the side of the Ridge, multiple Dusk's in pursuit. We followed him up to the summit, and Mulan sighed when there was no sign of him.

"Damn. Look's like he got away again..." Sora turned to her.

"So, why were chasing after somebody from Organization XIII?" Mulan frowned, confused.

"What is that?" I gestured to where Riku had run off too.

"The guy in black, supposedly one of the bad guys..." Mulan cursed, snapping her fingers.

"I knew it!" She turned to face us, letting her breath out in a "whoosh".

"There's a rumor going around in the Imperial City about a spy in black, lurking in the mountains. I'd been up here tracking him, but I lost him when you both arrived." Sora rubbed the back of his neck, looking to the snow for answers that it just didn't have now.

"Sorry..." Mulan shook her head, patting him on the shoulder.

"It's alright, Sora. There's no need to apologize. I do wonder where he went though..." She suddenly looked around, looking very much like a lost puppy.

"Where...where are Donald and Goofy?" Sora turned sharply, looking out over the side of the mountain. When he wrapped his arms around himself, I turned to Mulan.

"They returned to thier home. Sora..didn't take it very well."

Mulan nodded, sadly looking at the snow. We all jumped when the ground beneath our feet began to shake. At first, I thought it was another avalanche, but then I looked up. I smacked the heel of my palm onto my forehead, and Sora groaned.

"Not again...don't these things ever give up?!"

Mulan scowled at the Heartless bearing down at us, and we ran to face them. Sora stopped, and I skidded, turning around to see what was keeping him. I locked eyes with Riku, giving a subtle nod. Sora whirled around at a slight cue from his old friend, cutting down a Rapid Thruster that would have taken his head off. For that short time, it was just the three of us cutting down Heartless. For some reason, both Sora and I laughed when Riku slipped on the snow, and I could feel his playful glare under his cloak. But it wasn't time for laughing, it was a battle. When the Heartless finally retreated, Riku gave us a little shrug and a wave, then ran off down the mountain. Sora chased after him, then stopped and extended a hand.

"That guy..no..why would he? Riku?"

He made to run down the mountain, but I grabbed his shoulder to stop him. He looked back at me, and sighed as I shook my head. Mulan walked up to us.

"Are you both all right?" We nodded, and Mulan looked around. She shrugged to herself when she didn't see Riku anywhere, and we all yelped as the ground trembled beneath us again. Mulan recovered first, muttering something to herself. She then turned to us.

"Come on, we'd better get off the mountain!"

Sora nodded, letting Mulan lead the way down. Before we left, he turned and looked around the Summit one last time. He shook his head, and we returned to the Ridge. The next shake-up knocked us to the ground, heralding the Storm Rider's appearence. Sora summoned Oathkeeper, but there was no need. The purple dragon stared at us for a moment, then flew off towards the Imperial City with a loud roar. Mulan gasped.

"It's heading for the city! We have to warn Shang!"

Before we could stop her, she was running headlong down the mountain. We bolted through the ruined Village, knocking away the Heartless that tried to stop us in the Mountain Pass. The Checkpoint was barren of life, and Mulan got us through the City Gates and into the Courtyard without a hitch. Inside, Sora looked around.

"What the...Everything's fine here...huh?"

"Well now, look who decided to show up again! Spikey-boy and Fighter-girl!"

I stared at Yao. Fighter-girl...? Sora perched his hands on his hips, smirking.

"Is that a problem?" Chien-Po shook his massive bulk.

"No. We are just glad that you are not in black cloaks." Mulan's eyes widened.

"You saw him?!" Yao nodded, little ponytail bun wobbling with the motion.

"Yeah, he's in the palace. Wiped the floor with us--hey!"

Yao never got to finish his sentence, as we were already halfway up the stairs to the Palace Gates. Sora ran to the doors, banging on them with one fist. He jumped back with a scream when a Sniper's bullet lodged itself into the door an inch from his face, and we whirled around. Sora snarled, summoning Oathkeeper and making quick work of the creature that had the misfortune to cross my cousin on a bad day. After it was gone, we tried to pull the doors open. But they wouldn't budge, and Sora tried to yank them open by bracing himself, but still no good. Mulan suddenly called out to us.

"Over here!" I turned, and Sora let go of the doors as we followed Mulan to the pillar. She looked at where it connected with the rooftop of the Palace.

"If we can climb this, we can get into the Palace."

I nodded, cracking my knuckles. With a little help from Sora, I launched onto the pillar and began my climb. Sora and Mulan were quick to follow, but Sora and I looked down at Mulan as she cried out, having lost her grip. Sora reached out to her, but she managed to grab back on before she hit the ground. We stared at her as she recovered from her near death experience, before she looked up at us and we continued to climb. Once at the top, I helped Sora climb on up to the roof, and we both reached down to help Mulan. She dusted herself off, putting her hair back behind her ears before leading us into a small hole. From there, we leapt down into the Antechamber. Sora and Mulan landed on crouched knees, barely making a sound. When he noticed that I hadn't followed right after, Sora looked back up at me. I bit my lip, shaking my head before leaping back down. I stumbled, barely making the landing quietly. I got up, and we heading to the door to the Throne Room. Mulan reached out to the man in front of the doors.

"Wait!" He flinched, turning around to face us. Sora took a few steps forward.

"Riku..?" The man shook his head, lowering his hood to reveal purple and grey striped hair, a scarred face with one yellow eye covered by an eye patch and elven ears. He scoffed, and I remembered Braig.

"Nope, never heard of him." More Snipers appeared, and we lost sight of Xigbar in the process of defeating them. Sora sagged, looking away as the last SNiper faded away into Darkness.

"Guess it wasn't Riku after all..." Mulan bounced from one foot to another.

"Sorry, Sora, but I can't stay. I'm worried about Shang." Sora nodded, and we raced into the Throne Room. Beyond the lingering scent of rain that Riku always carried, there was no sign he'd ever been in here. Mulan raced forward.

"Your Excellency! Shang! Something terrible has happened! We saw a huge monster fly out of the mountains and toward the city!" Emperor nodded, closing his eyes.

"So. It is as the young man said after all...Isn't that right, Captain Li?" Shang nodded, stuttering slightly.
"Y-yes, Your Excellency." As if sensing Sora's confusion, Emperor turned back to face us.

"You see, a young stranger visited us not long ago. The Captain fought him, but was quickly defeated." Either having not heard or ignoring Shang's muttering, the Emperor continued.

"It seems that young man was the one clad in black that I've heard so many whispers about." Sora bit his lip, fists clenching.

"Did..did he mention the name Riku?" Emperor shook his head, lacing his fingers.

"He did not offer his name. In fact, he was rather curt and rude about the entire thing." Sora sagged in relief, running a hand through his spikes.

"Rude? Then it was Riku!" Mulan put a hand on her chin in thought as she turned to Sora.

"But then, why would he come here, of all places?" Sora smiled, shaking his head.

"I dunno. But at least I know he's okaaaaay!" A tremendous rumble shook the palace, knocking all of us off our feet. Mulan recovered first, running for the doors.

"I'll check outside!" Shang grabbed her by the arm.

"Mulan!" She looked down at her Captain, gently smiling at him.

"Shang, guard the Emperor. I'll be alright with Sora and Christie." Shang looked unconvinced, and Sora turned to him, thumping his chest with one fist.

"That's right!" The Emperor laced his fingers, unconcerned.

"Indeed, that is true. We need not worry while you three protect us. Now, hurry!"

We ran from the Throne Room, heading through the empty Antechamber as Mulan pried open the doors. The Storm Rider got up into her face, and she cried out in surprise as she stepped back. But Sora was there right beside her, and he nodded. Mulan swallowed, nodding. We ran through the gate and into the Square. The massive creature was gliding around in the sky, waiting for us. It roared when it caught sight of our little trio, swooping down at us. We hit the ground, and Sora leapt to his feet in time to grab onto it's tail. From our prone places on the ground, Mulan and I stared at Sora with wide-eyes. She recovered first

"What in the name...What is he doing?!" I face palmed, sighing through my teeth.

"Bieng an idiot. Come on, we've gotta help him."

We ran at the creature, latching onto it's tail before it flew out of range. Sora helped us up, and we carefully walked up to it's head. I felt it beginning to flip before it began, and we all latched onto it's "horns" as it barrel-rolled to try and knock us off it's back. Sora made it to the head before we could, and he began to hack away at the horn. When it flipped again, he clung to the appendange until the Storm Rider righted itself again. It was obvious that Sora couldn't knock this thing out on his own, and I let go of my relatively safe perch to go help him. But I let go too late, and was sent flying off the side of the mighty dragon when it rolled. Sora tried to grab my hand, and I felt his fingers slip past mine in an instant. In some moment of instinct, I reached out with one dagger and thrusted it into the creature's side, hard. It screeched, but my fall was halted.

When the Storm Rider swooped low to the ground, I dismissed my daggers and rolled to a stop on the ground near the stairs, hand on my heart as it raged. The creature's death screech, and the dual thumps of Sora and Mulan landing let me know the fight was over. Mulan put her hands on her knees as she recovered her breath in the center of the Square, and Sora ran over to me. I nodded when he arrived, and took his hand to stand up. But a final roar rang in the Courtyard, and we whirled around in time to see Storm Rider falling on top of where Mulan was standing. She stood there, frozen in fear. A blur of red passed Sora and I by, as Shang ran to Mulan. We lost sight of them when Storm Rider collapsed, but when the smoke cleared with the Heart released, they were both alright. Mulan was standing in Shang's embrace, and he wasn't about to let go anytime soon. They looked over at us, then down at thier hands, and blushed. They'd ended up holding hands in the confusion. Sora and I shared a smile as fireworks were released on top of the Palace, and we all returned to the Throne Room. Mulan, Sora, and I stood in front of the Emperor's throne.

"Once again, you have all served China well. It would please me to reward you three. What is it that you wish for."

Sora tilted his head, and I nodded to him. Understanding, he turned to the Emperor.

"Well, you say a guy in black came to see you. What did he say?" Emperor laced his fingers together.

"This is all that you both request?" We nodded, and Emperor began his tale.

"Dragons have crossed our land and left a great web of paths. These dragons wield much power, and they are the source of many precious gifts to both man and nature. But it would seem, that some one of evil intent had disturbed one of our dragons, and transformed it into what you both call a "Heartless". It is my firm belief that this young man came to warn me of that danger, so I could alert and prepare my troops."

Sora frowned.

"Did you?" Emperor laughed.

"I was about to, but he told be the situation had changed for the better."

Shang turned to us, smiling.

"He said that his brother and the love of his life had arrived, and that they would handle things."

I put a hand over my heart, sighing in relief that I really had been right as Sora smiled brightly.

"That's gotta be Riku! I knew it, I knew it!" Smiling at Sora's antics, Emperor turned to Mulan.

"Now then, Fa Mulan. Do you have a request?" Mulan stuttered.

"I'd like Shang...I-I mean...well...The Captain..." Emperor leaned forward, urging her on. She took a breath.

"Could the Captain have a vacation, please?" Shang jumped in surprise, and the Emperor chuckled as he sat back in his throne.

"I hardly expected such humble requests. But, in this case, I must refuse. Captain Li's responsiblity is to protect the Emperor. And yet, Mulan..would you like to serve alongside him, and protect me?" They both stared at the Emperor in surprise.

"Two reeds together are stronger than one. But the choice is yours alone." Mulan smiled brightly, nodding vigoursly as she bowed.

"Thank you, your Excellency!"

Shang walked up to her with a smile on his face, placing an arm around her shoulder. Sora and I bowed to them, and returned to the Courtyard. Before Infinity beamed us up, I turned back to face the Palace. Xigbar was standing there, half out of a portal. He waved, and vanished without a trace.

Braig...
-----

Xigbar smirked, boots clicking on the stark white floor of the empty hallway. Almost 13 years since he'd lost his heart, and he ended up seeing the little Lioness. Unlucky number 13...the year they were loosing so many of thier members.

Saix was on the warpath against the Lioness for his scar, Luxord was all wrapped up in finding a way to get his homeworld back, Xaldin was almost on assignment, Demyx, Axel, and Roxas had gone rogue, and Xemnas...damn him. He didn't care if they all died getting the stupid Kingdom Heart's together or not, so long as he got himself a heart in the end. Really, what difference had it made...Axel, Roxas and little Nami had no hearts either, and they all loved eachother. Xemnas was blind. A fool. Xigbar shook his head as he leaned up against the balcony, waving to Xaldin. The older member came up, leaning alongside his comrade in a comfortable silence. Xigbar spoke first.

"I saw the Lioness today. She grew up damn good."

The gunner let out a sigh, looking up at the nearly complete Kingdom Hearts above. Xaldin followed his gaze, smirking cruelly.

"Out of the Six, perhaps only Ienzo held onto his mind. As of now...it is only you and I. Luck be with you, Xigbar."

They exchanged a final handshake, and Xaldin portalled out. Xigbar shook his head, looking back up at the moon.

"Good luck, Lioness.

-----

We arrived at Beast's Castle just as the moon began to rise, and I smiled at the sight of Beast pacing nervously in the Foyer, dressed up in a fancy blue suit. He spared us a look, then growled in frustration. Sora titled his head in confusion.

"What are you so mad about?"

"Why are you here?"

Sora shook his head, as if the answer was the most obvious thing in existence.

"The Nobodie's world is out there somewhere, and we're trying to find the way in."

Beast hmphed, then turned as Belle began to walk down the stairs from the Eastern side. Her yellow dress glowed in the candle light, but her smile was reserved for Beast alone. Before the man in question walked up the stairs to meet her, he looked at us over his shoulder.

"Tonight, is very important." Sora and I nodded, understanding. At the entrance to the Ballroom, Belle and Beast bowed to one another. He took her by the arm, and led her into the Ballroom. Sora ran a hand through his hair.

"Maybe we came at a bad time."

I nodded, and we turned to leave. But before we could, a scream rang out from the Ballroom. We raced up the stairs, and I leapt back as a Dragoon's lance nearly took off my head. Looking up to the railings above the dance floor revealed Xaldin, with his hood down. Sora raced forward, summoning Oathkeeper.

"The Organization!" Xaldin scowled at us both, one lance in his left hand.

"You two just don't know when to give up, do you."

It wasn't a question I was going to answer now, that was for sure. Beast roared from behind us, then blazed past us to try and get to the man before us. Behind her charging beau, Belle clenched her fists.

"Not tonight!"

Xaldin snapped his fingers, making several more Dragoons appear. They blocked Beast's path, but he swiped through them with a single swipe, roaring. Xaldin glared down at us.

"I've come to take something you hold very dear." Beast bellowed, very pissed off.

"Yes, let your anger grow..."

He disappeared, leaving the Dragoon's to take care of us. Before Sora and I could even get a hit in, Beast was finished with his target and running from the ballroom. Sora stared after him, then screwed up his face and finished his opponent. The last one, finding itself outnumbered, vanished away into a Dark Portal. Belle gathered up her skirts, bolting past us and up the West Wing stairs. We followed after her and into the Beast's Room. He paced the floor, then roared and attacked the floor. Belle reached out to him, taking a few steps closer.

"What's wrong? Please, calm down!"

Beast swumg around to face here, and she held up her hands in defense.

"Calm down?! You just had to have a party, didn't you? Don't you see what's happened?!" Sora scowled at Beast.

"Hey, what's gotten into you?" Beast buried his his head in his paws.

"The rose...my rose..." Sora rolled his eyes, clucking his tongue in sympathy

"What, that? He took it?" Belle reached out to Beast again, before I could stop her.

"But surely...you can find another rose?" Beast snarled, his back turned.

"Silence! You dohn't know anything!" He swiped at her, and Sora raced to place himself between them as she gasped in surprise and stepped back. He glared up at Beast.

"That's not fair, Beast! Don't take it out on Belle. It's not like she stole it!" Beast looked away, holding a paw to his forehead. Belle looked at the ground.

"I'm sorry." Sora shook his head, and we tried to hold this situation together. I patted Belle on the arm.

"Don't apologize, Belle. You didn't do anything wrong."

"But..." Beast groaned, looking out the window.

"Belle...Sora...Christie...I want you all to leave the castle." We all stared at him, and Belle's hands flew to her mouth in disbelief. Beast shook his head.

"Look at me. Look. This is all that I am. All that I'll ever be. When you first got here, Belle, I tried to change." He looked down at his paws.

"But I was only fooling myself. I can't be any different. I'll always be a Beast. So, I should live like a Beast. With no one, alone. Goodbye, Belle."

Belle reached out to him, trying to change his mind.

"You..you can't mean that..." Beast said nothing, and I fisted my hands in my pockets. I shook my head and looked to Sora.

"I think his minds all made up."

Sora nodded, then looked to Belle as she turned to leave the room.

"Look, Belle. Leave this to us. If we can get the Beast's rose back, he'll calm down."

She nodded, not entirely sure. Before she left the room, she took one last look at Beast's back, then bit her lip and walked away. We followed after her in time to watch her walk down the hall. Mrs. Potts frowned in sympathy.

"Poor child..." Cogsworth looked downcast.

"How could it have come to this?" Lumiere cursed under his breath.

"And when they were so looking forward to this evening..."

Mrs. Potts turned to her companion.

"Now, now, no need to be so sad. Once the rose is back safely, this will be all over."

It sounded more like she was reassuring herself, but Sora pretended not to notice. He frowned.

"What's so special about one rose anyway?" Cogsworth looked up at the both of us.

"If the master can love and be loved in return, the spell will be broken. We'll all be human again, like we told you. But there's a time limit. You see, he must find his true love before the last petal falls from that rose. But that isn't the entire problem, lad. Over time, caring for that rose has become a cherished part of the master's daily life. It's almost, as if all his hopes and dreams are tied to that single bloom...and without it, it's as if he has no reason to live."

I swallowed hard, raising one hand to my necklace. Is this how I'd act, if Riku died? I shook my head to drive that thought from my mind, and sighed as Sora bit his lip.

"Poor Beast. We have to get it back for him!" He suddenly kicked at the floor, realizing something.

"But we can't do it without Beast. If it's that important to him, he has to do this himself." We shared a nod, then returned to the Beast's room. He growled as we came back in.

"Leave me alone." Sora shook his head, determined to see this through.

"C'mon, you need to hear this. You used to be fearless. You would have given your life to save Belle! Don't you know what that meant to me and Christie? You gave us both courage! Hmph, maybe, you should have saved a little for yourself. I mean, are you really gonna throw your happiness away? That rose is your only hope, right? Well it's the only hope for Cogsworth and the others too! So, don't throw away your last chance. Remember what is was like before Belle was here?"

Beast stood up a little straighter, and Sora took a breath.

"See? You can't give up. Not now." Beast stood up straight, ready.

"I know one thing." Sora tilted his head, a smile gracing his face.

"What?" Beast whirled around, cloak flying out behind him.

"This castle belongs to me. Xaldin will never be welcomed here!" We nodded at the Prince, and returned to the Entrance hall to begin our search. It was there we found him.

"So, Beast, you came after all." We whirled around. Xaldin stood on a small ledge close to a stained glass window, holding the rose in hand.

"You had me worried. I was afraid you'd given up for good." Sora snarled, eyes flashing amber for a brief second.

"What the hell do you guys want?!"

Xaldin stared down at Sora and I, and lowered his hood.

"...Kingdom Hearts. When Kingdom Hearts is ours, we can exist fully and completely. So you see, Beast, that's why we need your Heartless and your Nobody."

He summoned Dragoons, and we were forced to fight. Sora, in his rage, actually managed to learn thier Jump attack, and turned it against them quite well. When the last one faded, Xaldin floated down to the front door. He looked back at us, smirked, and actually used the door. We stared after him, surprised. I choked.

"Well, at least one of these guys knows how to use a door..."

We ran after him out into the Courtyard. Sora looked up, narrowing his eyes as he looked up to Belle's balcony. I followed his gaze, and we lost sight of her for a moment as she turned to run back inside. Suddenly, she stopped. She bent over to pick something up, and I yanked on Beast's cloak to get him to notice her. He looked up as she balanced the Rose on her balcony and smiled
.
"Look! It's the Rose!" Beast's eyes filled with something I knew well, but before we could return to the Castle to collect both Belle and the Rose,a black gloved hand clamped over her mouth. She struggled against Xaldin, but he held firm. Beast roared in anger.

"Belle!" Xaldin grabbed Belle, and she barely managed to keep hold of the Rose as he jumped over to the Bridge, using his control of Wind to transport them both thier. We ran forward, and Beast knocked the doors from thier hinges with his shoulder as he charged in front of us. He ran on ahead, charging towards Belle and Xaldin. He stopped when he got closer, giving Sora and I a chance to catch up. He snarled, baring his fangs.

"You! Get out of my castle, now!" Xaldin smiled cruelly.

"With pleasure. But I'd rather travel light..." He looked between the rose, clutched under one arm, and Belle, held under the other.

"What should I leave behind? Belle? Or the Rose?"

Beast growled, there was no choice. He raced forward, calling out to Belle. She took advantage of Xaldin's surprise and elbowed him hard in the gut. She grabbed the Rose, running past us with a smile on her face. Beast stared after her, and Sora waved.

"Good one Belle!" I pushed her on, smiling as she raced into the Courtyard.

"Good job!"

I turned my attention back to Xaldin and Beast as Beast charged at him, swimping his cloak with his claws. Xaldin leapt backwards to avoid, and held his arms up when he landed. Six whirlwinds of dust formed, with lightning roaring through them. He lowered his arms, and the dust cleared to reveal his six spears. He caught two in each hand, and the other two floated behind him. He smirked.

"Come!"

Sora summoned Oathkeeper as I called my daggers, and we raced forward on Beast's heels. The battle with Xaldin is what cost me the most time when I'd played this game so long ago, and it was costing us blood now. Sora hit the ground hard after Xaldin had tossed him up into the air, and he didn't get up. I charged forward as Beast tended to my cousin, catching Xaldin's attention away from the injured boy. He launched two spears at me, but I jumped around them. The other four tried to go after me from behind, but I deflected that with one dagger. Ending up in Xaldin's face, he glared. But somewhere, there was a hint of kindness beneath. He picked me up by the collar without breaking a sweat.

"So, it as Xigbar told. The Lioness has grown."

He looked to Beast and Sora, charging down the bridge as one entity. Almost gently, he threw me to the bridge's floor. I rolled to a stop near the gate that led to the woods, and bowed my head as Xaldin's death cry rang in my ears. Dilan had been kind, to Nii-san and I when he still was whole. I'd miss them, when I wasn't forced to fight for my life. Sora helped me too my feet, and we returned to the Courtyard where Belle and the Castle Staff were waiting. Belle stood, handing the Rose to Beast.

"Here. It's yours again." Beast took it from her, but it wasn't his concern now.

"Belle..." She looked away, and nodded.

"I know. You want me to leave the castle." Beast shook his head, trying to keep her here.

"What matters is...that you weren't hurt by Xaldin. You're safe. And I'm very grateful to you from bringing the rose back to me. Thank you." She looked up at him, smiling.

"It's the least I could do. You've been good to me, and you didn't have to be." Beast placed the rose on the ground, and tried to gather his nerve.

"Listen, Belle..." She turned to him.

"Yes?" He took a deep breath, and I found myself cheering for him again, just like I had back on Earth.

"Belle, I'd like you to stay...with me...please?" Belle smiled widely, and held her hand out. Beast understood, taking her hand and wrapping his other arm around her waist. He smiled as she answered his desperate plea.

"I will." Lumiere cued the music, and they began to dance. Sora turned to me as we watched the happy couple.

"Hey, Chris, did you see the look on Belle's face when she grabbed the rose?" I nodded, smiling eye to eye.
"Yeah, she was having the time of her life." Lumiere looked up at us, then to the pair dancing in the Court.

"She is rather unique, non?" Mrs. Potts nodded, smiling.

"Always ready for a little adventure." Cogsworth chuckled as we snuck away, leaving the servants to say our goodbyes.

"The two do seem made for each other, don't they?" Lumiere looked at Cogsworth strangely.

"Who? Miss Christie and Sora? Non, my ticking friend, Sora's heart belongs to another, as does Miss Christie's. Honestly, are you sure you aren't wound up to tightly?" Cogsworth sputtered, hands on his "hips".

"Lumiere, I was not talking about Christie and Sora! I was speaking of the Master and Belle!"

"If you say so, mon ami. If you say so."

"Now, see here!"

-----
Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, Beauty and the Beast...
----

We returned to Infinity, and I narrowed my eyes at the consoles, tapping it with one finger. Sora came up behind me, confused.

"What's up?" I frowned at the monitor, trying to understand the reading.

"There's this...wierd reading from close to Twilight Town, but it's all clouded and fuzzy..." Sora shrugged, taking his seat in the Co-Pilots chair.

"Probably just a glitch." I nodded, rather unsure.

"I dunno..."
-----
Done!

Silver

 

yay! Senpai was in this chapter! plus Xaldin ^^

this was a good chapter, really good ^^ lol, i like what Lumiere said to cogsworth xDDDD

 

Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1
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The flight to Olympus from Beast's castle wasn't a long one, but my mind was racing back and forth, processing all the information that had come in over the past week and a half. The game hadn't been this confusing, but I didn't have to worry about losing everything. If Sora was "killed", I'd just retry the fight and learn from my mistakes. Here, there wasn't that option. The cliff falling could have killed us, Cloud's geostigma could kill him at any time, and Riku...oh, Riku...I shook my head, and beamed us down into the Underdromes main Courtyard. Sora rubbed the back of his neck, and I heard Griever snarl in protest at the cold. I shushed him quietly, frowning at the Underdrome across the Styx. Sora looked around.

"No sign of the Nobodies or Heartless here, for now anyway...what the heck is that?!"

He'd seen the Underdrome, and was now staring at it in alarm. As such, he didn't hear Auron walk up behind us until the red-cloaked man spoke, sending my friend a foot of his skin.

"The Underdrome. Fiends of the Underworld once clashed there, battle after battle. Zues didn't like the senseless violence, so he locked it up tight." Sora frowned.

"The, how did it get unlocked?" Auron shrugged.

"Some fool must have broken the seal by force." Sora snorted, rolling his eyes. Auron turned to walk away, and Sora reached out to him.

"Where are you going, Auron? We should catch up!" Auron kept walking.

"If you need something to do, Sora, you should go help your friends."

We looked over to the entrance to catch Hercules and Meg walking down from the Coliseum, but Auron was gone when we turned back. Sora sighed, and we walked over to the pair. Hercules waved slightly, looking exhuasted.

"Hey, you two.." Sora waved back.

"Hey yourself, Herc. Feeling any better?" Herc shook his head, and Meg huffed.

"Well, it's the same routine. Wonderboy here thinks his hero days are long over, and Phil keeps telling him it's all in his head. Personally, I agree with the Satyr." I shook my head with a shrug, making Herc look up a little.

"It's not the hero's physical strength that determines what makes a hero, but rather the strength of his heart. I read that somewhere." Herc smiled a little, but the smile was wiped off his face when Hades appeared.

"That's right, Blunderboy. How can you mope on a day like this? The Underdrome's back, and you, you, are gonna fill the stands. After all, your fans won't settle for anything less than a certified hero." Herc snarled, then seemed to deflate. Hades smirked, placing an arm around his nephew's shoulder.

"But, I mean, if you're not feeling up to it, you could always just...oh, I dunno...lose?" Sora snarled, getting up in Hades' face.

"I bet you'd like that!" Hades looked back at Sora, eyes burning.

"Excuse me? Hey, I'm not a selfish guy. No, not anything like those high and mighty snobs up on Olympus. I stand for the masses! And have I got a massive idea! The games, ladies and gentlemen, are back! Yours truly, Hades, the one and only Lord of the Dead, brings you the ultimate games, to celebrate the re-opening of the Ultimate Coliseum! We'll finally answer the ages old question: Who deserves the title of Ultimate Hero? These games are gonna settle the debate once and for all! The winner reigns supreme. Of what? You guessed it! The Hades Cup!"

He finished with a flourish, and turned to Herc. "And I assure you, the "great" Hercules will be there. Otherwise..." Hades looked over his shoulder at Meg and I, and Herc jolted away from his uncle to cover her as Sora stood in front of me.

"You'll never see your precious girlfriends again." Sora and I glared at Hades, and he vanished. Sora cursed after him.

"Lowlife!" The so called "god" laughed.

"You're too kind, kid." Sora cursed, kicking at the floor as I signed our little team of three up. It would have been four, but I couldn't find Auron in the Entrance Hall, so it was just Sora, Herc and I. Pain took our entry form.

"His Most Perniciousness is feeling kinda charitable today, so don't worry about dying or anything. You should consider yourselves lucky!" Panic nodded.

"And if you win, you get to leave!" We glared at the little devil, and turned to the tier board for the Hades cup. Herc frowned.

"So, who do we face first?" Sora looked at the lowest tier, where we would start.

"It's some team by the name of "Spin Strike." I squinted at a name in the lower right hand side, then ran a hand through my ponytail as I cursed through my teeth. When Sora and Herc looked at me in confusion, I tapped the name I saw.

"Auron's in the Tournament too. We might have to fight him in the finals." Hercules bent at the waist, depressed.

"I bet he's a real hero, huh?" Sora frowned in thought, then shrugged.

"Well, I don't think he's a bad guy, but you're the only hero around here, Hercules. And you know it!"

Hercules nodded a little, but he was very unsure.

"Maybe before, but now I'm just a washout." Sora scowled, stomping his foot.

"Stop that!"

"Second Match: Team Keyblade versus Team Spin Strike!"

We raced to hop into one of the boats headed for the Underdrome, and were carried across the Styx. Our opponents were three Dancers and one Morning Star. Now, if it had been Sora, Donald, Goofy and I, this would have been easy. But since it was just the two of us and a very exhuasted Herc, it was more difficult. Sora and I didn't have the luxury of concentrating on just our opponents, we also had to protect Hercules from getting too hurt. Once the match ended in our favor, we were returned to the Entrance Hall. Meg walked over, handing us all bottles of water and placing a hand on Herc's cheek.

"How'd it go out there, Champ?" Hercules shook his head, taking a seat.

"I'm just not what I used to be..." He looked up at Sora and I.

"Sorry to be dragging you two down." Sora swallowed his water, and shook his head.

"Don't throw in the towel yet, Herc! We need you in the semifinals!"

Herc nodded, and I returned to the tier board. Auron had made it past his opponent, and had proceeded into the semi-finals along with us. I was finding our opponents profile on the board when a tiny weight set itself down on my shoulder. I looked at it out of the corner of my eye, not too surprised to see Rikku. Her blonde ponytail shook back and forth as she looked around, and I cleared my throat to her attention. She shrieked, and jumped off my shoulder to float in front of my face.

"That was mean, you big meanie!"

I quirked an eyebrow at her choice of insults, shaking my head as I returned to the profiles. She fidgeted in mid-air, and seemed to gather her nerve.

"Um...is a man named Auron in this tournament?"

I nodded, holding his profile for her to read. She stared at it, placing a tiny hand on the picture.

"Auron...." She took a deep breath, and we both jumped as the speakers rang again.

"12th Match: Team Keyblade versus Team Bad Alert!"

I set the pixie down on the nearest bench with Auron's profile, and ran to catch up to Sora and Herc as they boarded the boat. Sora helped be aboard.

"Who's our opponent?"

""Bad Alert"." Herc flinched.

"Are they any good?"

I shrugged, summoning my daggers as we came onto the arena. Our opponents were quickly defeated, and we returned to the Entrance. Sora pumped a fist in the air.

"We made it to the finals! Once we win this, there's no way I'll still be a Junior Hero!" I laughed, catching my cousin's attention.

"So that's why you're so happy now." Sora nodded with a smile as he accepted the towel Meg offered.

"I can't stay a Junior Hero forever, you know." I nodded, but Herc was still depressed.

"I'll try not mess things up for you, Sora." I put my head in my hands.

"Oh for crying out loud, enough already...huh?" I looked up in time to see Auron over by the Cave of the Dead entrance. Herc frowned.

"He's our final opponent, right?" I nodded, and Sora walked over to the red-cloaked man.

"Auron?" For a second, a red glow surrounded Auron. It faded as he turned around.

"And you are?" Sora stopped in his tracks.

"What? Auron, are you feeling alright?" Auron shook his head.

"I will not be all right until I defeat you and atone for my crime."

He walked through the Cave of the Dead entrance, adn Sora was left to stare after him. I walked up to my cousin, and we followed after Auron. Hades' voice made us stop before we turned to corner. Sora and I peeked around the wall, staring at the conversation in front of us.

"Ok, let's review. State your crime, prisoner."

"I exist. That is my crime. It is...inexcusable." Hades smiled, nodding.

"Good, very good. Just making sure you understand." Sora frowned.

"What's up with Auron? He's never acted like this..." I shushed him, and we returned to watching the unlikely pair.

"Ok, you made one lousy mistake. You exist. But hey, I'm a forgiving guy. You keep your end of our little deal, and I'm willing to overlook a major transgression or two." Auron nodded, acting more like the cold man from Zanarkand then the man we'd met here the first time.

"I understand. Defeat Hercules." Hades nodded, whirling around to face Auron.

"And his meddling friends." Auron jolted in surprise. It was obvious that hadn't been part of the plan.

"What?! No, only Hercules..!" Hades threw an arm around Auron's shoulders, placing a hand on him.

"Now, don't tell me you've forgotten who's in charge here?"

I could barely hold Sora back when pyreflies swirled around Auron's body, making him groan in pain. Hades pulled a mini figurine of Auron from his cloak.

"Hercules, and the other two. Are we clear?"

Auron nodded curtly, trying to get out from Hades' hold.

"We're clear, Hades." Hades pressed down on Auron's shoulder again, making the man grimace in pain.

"Lord Hades."

"Lord Hades..." Hades lifted his arm from Auron, and smiled.

"Good. Now, go to it." I pulled Sora back into our little alcove as Auron turned around. Hades walked away, and Sora snarled.

"So that's how he's controlling Auron! Damn jerk!" I rolled my eyes, and we returned to the Entrance Hall after Auron did.

"Sora, I think Hades would take that as a compliment."

Sora paid no mind, and continued in his rage.

"I just can't stand seeing Auron do that lowlifes bidding! We've got to help him!"

I nodded, and we ran to the docks. Rikku was trying to get Auron to look at her, but he paid no mind and sailed away to the Underdrome. She deflated, floating to the ground where she buried her head in her hands. I kneeled down to help her up, and she started to sob.

"He doesn't remember me! After all we went through back home, he doesn't remember me!" Hercules walked over to Sora and I.

"What's wrong, Sora?" Sora pointed over to the boat Auron was in.

"Auron's in trouble! It's like, Hades brainwashed him using some kinda of statue!" Herc frowned, pensive.

"You know something? That's sounds kinda familiar..." He snapped his fingers.

"Hades may be using the statue to hold Auron's free will hostage!"

Rikku flew up, looking a little better.

"Then, how do we get it back?" Herc looked to the little pixie.

"See if you can find that statue and get it back to Auron. It's gotta be somewhere in the Underworld. Hades wouldn't let it to far out of his reign." Sora nodded.

"Right. I'm on it!" Before he could run off to start his search, Hades walked up.

"Oh, don't tell me you're thinking of leaving? You've got a match coming up?" Herc and I shared a look, and I turned to Hades.

"We'll fight Auron in the final, together." Hades stared in surprise, then looked away to make a plan. Herc leaned down to whisper the plan to Sora.

"I'll draw things out to buy you some time, don't worry."

I placed Rikku in Sora's hand, and gently shoved him towards the Cave of the Dead entrance. Hades turned around as Sora ran off.

"Congratulations to the both of you, you've got a deal! But, it's on one condition. The keyblader over there was to fight the winner in one final clash. Whaddaya say?" I

looked out of the corner of my eye as Sora and Rikku squeezed through doors, and turned to Hades the moment they were through.

"Won't that drive the crown wild...." Hades snickered.

"Oh, it'd better. I promised the crowd the event of thier afterlives."

Hades, Herc and I got into the boat with Pain and Panic, and I barely heard Hades muttering to himself over the roar of the crowd as we landed.

"Suckers. You know for me, the rest of this is smooth sailing."

Herc and I leapt into the arena, where Auron stared us down. His good eye was clouded, almost glazed over. He lunged, and I leapt aside as Herc caught his blade with one hand. I looked over my shoulder as Herc jumped away at the last second before it would have cleaved him a hand.

"Sora, hurry."
-----

Sora put his hands on his knees, out of breath from the full out run past all the Heartless to get here. Rikku tugged at his spikes.

"Come on! Auron's counting on us!"

Sora nodded, getting back up and entering Hades' Chamber. Inside, just standing on the stone table, was the statuette of Auron. Sora leapt forward, and cried out in pain as energy flowed from the statue to him. Rikku grabbed his arm, yelping as the energy flowed to her. As quickly as it'd come, it stopped. Auron's voice rang throughout the chamber, making both teens look up.

"It is not too late! Please, let us turn back! Yes, I know, but I...I can't accept it. Where is the sense in all of this?! But there has to be another way! Your deaths will mean nothing, you must live!"

Sora looked to the little statue in his hand as Rikku leaned on his shoulder, tears leaking from her eyes.
"I get it now...this is what belongs in Auron's heart." Rikku nodded, digging the heel of her palm into her eyes to stop the tears.

"He had a rough life, before..." Sora nodded, understanding.

"Yeah...but in the end, that's really what made him stronger. Let's give this back to him."

Rikku nodded at her newfound friend, and they turned to leave. Before they could run back to the Underdrome entrance, several dusks appeared. Rikku screamed, backing into Sora.

"What are these things?" Sora snarled, looking this way and that.

"Nobodies. But, where'd they come from?" He smacked them away as best as he could with Oathkeeper, but more just kept coming. Rikku cast a Firaga spell at one, making it back off.

"Go away, you stupid things!"

Ignoring the pixie girl, the Dusks continued to stalk forward. Heartless suddenly leapt from the pit outside of Hades' Window, biting into the Dusks. Sora dismissed Oathkeeper.

"Not really what I had in mind, but I'm not complaining!"

Grabbing Rikku and the statuette, Sora ran from the Cave. A quick run later, they were back in the Entrance Hall. Pain and Panic were waiting at the boat, laughing. Pain laughed, even after Panic had noticed them approach.

"Ha! Hercules and that stupid girl must be screaming for mercy by now!" He felt Sora's glare on him, and turned.

"What? Did you come to see Hercules lose?"

Pain found himself on the recieving end of Sora's keyblade, tossed into the Styx as Panic ferried them across. Before they'd even reached the Arena, Sora could see what was going on. Herc and Auron were locked in combact, with Christie casting spells on Herc as needed. Auron cleaved down with his sword, but Herc managed to dodge. He spun, letting the sword swing over his head before grabbing it with both hands. When his foot slipped out from beneath him, he looked back. Noticing he was on the edge of the platform, Auron put more pressure into his blade, forcing Herc onto one knee. Sora hopped aboard the Arena just as Hades cried out an order to Auron.

"Now! Finish him!" Rikku surged forward from Sora's head, tiny hands latching onto Auron's neck.

"Auron, stop!" Sora, not having time to race over to Auron, threw the staute.

"Auron! This is yours!"

It soared over to Auron's head, and burst. He glowed red for a moment, then gently set Rikku onto his shoulder as he stopped fighting and removed his sword from Hercules grip. Christie and Sora raced over to him.

----
Auron turned around, fully calmed and in control of himself. Sora and I looked over to Auron as he spoke.

"Sora. Christie. Rikku." Rikku's face broke out into a massive grin, and Sora and I shared a sigh of relief. All three of us cried out.

"Auron!" Our attention was turned from our comrade to Hades as he leapt from his throne, turning red with anger.

"Prisoner! What happened to our mutual agreement?! I give you a clean slate, but you work for me!" Auron smirked, looking up at Hades as Sora and I helped Herc to stand.

"Maybe you didn't hear me, Hades. This is my story, and you're not part of it."

Hades was overcome by firy, and burst into a pillar of flame. He disappeared from his chair, reappearing on the Arena platform. The Death God's sudden anger cuased the spirits in the area to flee, leaving only us living biengs and Hades there. Speaking of Hades, I wouldn't have been surprised if he was fuming at the ears.

"That's it! This game is over! I've played by the rules so far. Okay, I confess! I was hoping Wonderboy over there would lose, but it was still a fair fight! C'mon, is that really so wrong?"

Sora and I stared at the god, crying out in unison.

"A fair fight?" We looked at one another, and laughed. Hades glared.

"Oh, sure. Laugh, laugh, laugh all you want!"

He laughed weakly, not finding this amusing in the slightest.

"Becuase the laughing is about to stop. Wanna know why, oh esteemed Keybearer? Becuase now, now we're playing by my rules."

He snapped his fingers, making the stone slab behind him lift up to reveal the portal to the true Underworld. The Spirits moaning below made my heart lurch, and I barely stayed on my feet. A shrill female scream made us all look up to the stands in time to see Meg vanish from Phil's side, and reappear above the portal. She cried out to Herc, and he tried to reach for her. Hades looked to his nephew and Sora as he turned blue.

"I warned you both from the get-go. You don't compete, you lose the girls."

He snapped his fingers again, making Meg drop into the portal. I vaguely heard Herc cry out, and run after Meg into the Portal, but I was too wrapped up in staying on my feet. The feeling I was getting, it was like all the Darkness in all the worlds had settled itself in my heart, leaving nothing but black all around. Sora's arm around my shoulder offered a tiny light, but it was Greiver's roar that brought me back. It had only been a second, but from the worry on Sora's face, it could have been months. I looked up as the stone gate behind Hades slammed shut, taking Sora's hand to stand up as we glared at him. Sora summoned Oathkeeper.

"You've still got us to deal with, Hades!"

Hades teleported behind us, laughing and turning red a second time.

"Oh, yeah. This is gonna be good."

We lunged at him, attacking with all that we had. Even little Rikku got involved, throwing Blizzage spells at the Lord of the Dead. But they did nothing, and Hades laughed as Sora fell over.

"We can't win, why?!" Auron glared.

"Becuase it's his Underworld, that's why." I swallowed hard, panting.

"Then...how do we beat him?"

Auron shrugged, and Hades readied to throw a fireball at Sora. He stopped all of a sudden, when the stone gate behind him began to open up again. We looked, but there was no one there for a moment. Then, Hercules walked up from the portal, holding a breathing Meg in his arms.

"I think a true hero should be able to help." Hades stared, fully in shock.

"But...you...how?!" Herc smiled, whistling for Pegasus.

"I owe you one, Hades. I didn't hesitate to give up my life for Meg's. It made me remember something my Father said." Pegasus flew down, landing beside his companion.

"A true hero is measured by the size of his Heart, not his strength." Herc gently set Meg down on Pegasus, setting the winged horse out of here. He reached down to help Sora up.

"I'll never forget that again." Sora took his friends hand, standing.

"Just no more crazy stunts, okay?" Hercules stage whispered to Sora and I.

"People always do crazy things, when they're in love." We shared a small laugh, but our amusement was short lived when Hades flew into a rage.

"What is so funny, you imbeciles?! How dare you get a happy ending! How dare you?!"

We were launched into combat, with Herc and Sora making spheres of energy and knocking them into Hades. Auron, Rikku and I attacked in the openings they created, but Hades wasn't going down without a fight. I've never been afraid of Fire in my life, and my friendship-slash-siblinghood with Axel shows that. But when you're staring down an angry God with fire in his hands, survival is more important than anything. I rolled to the side, barely dodging the ball of fire that Hades had shot at me. As it was, I felt the heat singe my back a second too early. hades attention was on me, and that proved to be his downfall. He didn't see Sora and Herc attack him before it was too late, and he clutched at his heart. Sora ran to attack, but Hades teleported away to the edge of the portal. He backed away, slipping.

"This...isn't...over"

He screamed as he fell, and Herc brought the stone gate slamming down to lock him in there. We returned to the Entrance Hall, where Sora and I looked to Auron and Rikku. Sora spoke up first.

"Auron, what are you going to do now?" Auron looked down at the ground, unsure.

"I...I lived my life defending others. But now...there's no one left to protect. Maybe...it's time I shaped my own story." Sora nodded.

"Yeah. You deserve it, Auron. After everything you've been through." Rikku kissed Auron on the nose, and the red-cloaked man chuckled.

"I suppose I should thank you, Sora." Sora proudly thumped himself on the chest.

"Not at all." I laughed at Auron's response, and the look on Sora's face.

"Fine." Auron turned to leave with Rikku, and Sora slumped over. He straightened up before Auron was out of sight.

"I mean, sure, you could thank me a little." Auron looked over his shoulder, smiling slightly.

"You should say what you mean, Sora." He turned back to face the doors of the Cave of the Dead.

"I suppose...I could spare a few words. Thanks, for meddling." Sora slumped over, and I laughed as Auron walked away with Rikku in tow. We headed topside, where night had fallen. Herc and Meg stood in front of the Coliseum being rebuilt. Herc waved us over.

"Thanks again, you two. You're the best." Sora crossed his arms, looking away with a huff.

"Excuse me for meddling." Meg covered her smile with one hand, and I ruffled Sora's spikes.

"Aw..sounds like somebody's feathers are a bit ruffled." When Sora glared a little at her, she shook her head.

"I'm kidding. Sora, Christie. Thank you." Herc tilted his head at us.

"So, where are two headed next?" I shrugged as Sora toed designs in the sand beneath us.

"Around. Besides, you two lovebirds seem to be getting along just fine without us hanging around."

Sora, Herc and Meg looked down, at Herc ad Meg's clasped hands. The couple stared at one another, and Herc grabbed her before she could slip out of range. Sora turned to me, mood slightly improved.

"We'd better go, before we start meddling again." Sora nodded, and we turned at the sound of hooves on stone.

"Are you two turkeys trying to put me out of a job? If you Champs keep acing every challenge, who am I gonna train?" Herc made a face.

"Aw, you can't abandon me now, Phil! I need to be at the top of my game if Hades ever shows up again!" Sora ran over to Phil as the satyr huffed in annoyance.

"Hey, Phil! Am I a true hero yet? Come on, I gotta know!" Phil tilted his head, stroking his goatee as he pondered Sora.

"Lemme see now...Well, you're not quite wise enough yet, and certainly not seasoned enough." Sora groaned, flopping over onto his back to stare up at the stars.

"Yeah, I get the picture." Phil snorted.

"Look, kiddo, it's not my choice. If it was though, you'd have no problem making Hero. I'd make you both Heroes in a heartbeat!" Sora shot up, staring at Phil.

"Really?! Say it again!" I rolled my eyes at Sora's antics as Phil took a step back.

"On second thought, Sora, if that's your Hero face...you've still got a lot of work to do." He turned, walking away. Sora stood, racing to walk alongside him.

"What do you mean by that?!" Phil cursed.

"Go away!" He ran off towards the Lobby of the half-repaired Coliseum, with Sora hot on his heels.

"Phil!"

"Leave me alone!" I sat down to watch the show, looking up at the stars when Meg pointed up into the sky. I smiled, calling out to Phil.

"I think you've been outvoted, Phil!" Sora and Phil skidded to a stop, looking up at the starry sky. Sora jumped for joy as Phil huffed and walked away. The stars above us had formed an image of Sora, Donald, Goofy and I. I closed my eyes, falling onto my back.

---

When I opened my eyes again, I was laying in a grassy plain, with Greiver sitting beside me.

"Child. You and I have much to speak of." I sat up, elbows on my knees as the lion paced in front of me.

"As of late, your Heart..it has been fractured. I do not know the cause, I only know that it grows worse with each passing day."

I looked away from my family gaurdian, staring at my left palm. The burn scar still mottled the once unmarred flesh, even as it healed. Had the Darkness, had creating Kia...had it really taken such a toll? Griever nudged my arm, regaining my attention.

"Child, you should not fear. The Darkness is your and Dawn's to wield. It is your own power, lurking within."

After connecting this "Dawn" person to Riku in my mind, I let my breath out in a whoosh. I fell back onto the grass, looking up at the twilight sky. If this was my heart, then when dawn broke, it would shatter entirely. Griever laid his head down next to my side, and I ran a hand through his mane. His purring like an oversized kitten made me smile, and I closed my eyes.

----

Done! I know, abrupt ending...but I like it! Note, theres a bit of bitter irony at the end. Zeus said that a true Hero/Heroine is measured by the strength of his/her heart. Consider that CHristie's heart is falling apart at the seams, and Zues' desicion to make her a True Heroine is kinda flimsy.

 

Omg these are really good ^^ keep up the good work

 

i like it, odd ending or not xDDDDD it was nice actually, not having to write about four characters xP