Kingdom Hearts III: Chasers and Xehanort's Return Final Mix

Michael: And after years of hiatus, Chapter eight of this story is up. Apologizes for the long wait, but working on new projects and redoing this, as well having a clear idea for this than how did stories back then when I started out as a writer on Fanfiction dot net. The first four chapters have changed since 2009-2011 version then how it looks now. Once that's done, will putting time on Destinies Intertwine and the Mark of Mastery in Dream Drop Distance, and once that ans 0.2 are finished, it to the true Kingdom Hearts III storyline. I'll probably will look into what new villains and story lines to go into once I finished the Dark Seekers Saga, maybe take inspiration in Star Tour Trooper's work and look into ideas I never explored into yet, there was a idea from a fic that stopped ages ago in 2005-2006, might involve that. I'll also will work on the layout for my in-between series probably the ones thing I'll ever take from one bad fic that disappointed me in it's writing, but enough about that. This chapter will feature the group's trip to Destiny Islands, meeting the Destiny Islands friends, and something going to happen to Kairi. Can this be stretch out to be 11,000+ words and feel like a novel, we'll see for ourselves.

Chapter 8: Where our adventure started! Destiny Islands

Cue- Destiny Islands - Kingdom Hearts RE: Chain of Memories Soundtrack

Sora could feel the warm air around him, the smell of the salty sea, the call of the seagulls, the rush of the palm trees. This was home, this was the world he lived all his life, born into this world by his parents, and spent most of his childhood here. Destiny Islands, this is where it all began for him, where it started his journey and meeting Donald and Goofy and went to find his friends. He hasn't been here in such a year and being asleep too. Coming back for only a few days, he miss this world. He look to his friends: Riku, Kairi, Namine, Roxas, and Xion all felt that feeling to this world. To Riku, it was his home no matter what, even when his actions with Ansem, Seeker of Darkness that caused the fall of his world. To Kairi, it was her home when she wash up in the world, no memory of Radiant Garden and befriended Sora, Riku, and everyone on this islands. For Namine, it might have been from her somebody, but these were memories special to her. To Roxas, the times he was here were small, even if he didn't have all the memories of Sora, but remembered talking to Xion with Axel alongside him/ And Lastly, it was Xion. She always loved collecting seashells on the island, one for each day he slept. In a sense, it was just her way of trying to remember her true self, the islands were special to her. They could hear the Gullwings behind them as well Ventus just enjoying the warmth of the sun and air around them, it was just peaceful.

"This island, it so relaxing, reminds of my old world." Rikku said, her hair blowing in the wind.

"Was your world a island too Rikku?" Ventus asked looking to the Gullwing member. Rikku smiled, putting her hands behind her back rocking back and forth.

"Well, it was more of a oasis than island. My dad and brother, Yunie's Uncle were leaving our lives there. But I haven't see them in years before reuniting with my cousin." she said, her voice not completely cheerfully and kept a came tone.

"Right, Yuna's your cousin. How long you known her?" Aqua asked, holding her hand to her right sleeve.

"A few years, we only met Paine a year before all that mess in Radiant Garden and when it was still Hollow Bastion." Rikku explained, her breads blowing in the air, "We became treasure hunters and been going around looking for treasure. We then were on the wrong side for treasure and the rest is history."

"With Maleficent, right?" Donald asked, and Rikku scratched her cheek sheepishly.

"you got us there, Donald." she replied nervously knowing it wasn't easily to hide that fact from the Royal Magician. Rikku's face turned into a smile as she continued to look at the sea, "Oh, Yuna has a penpal in another world, at least for a couple months. What's his name, Tidus was it?" and Sora, Riku, and Kairi's ears perked up when they heard Tidus' name, surprised someone they knew had a friend of someone they know.

"You know Tidus?!" they exclaimed in unison to Yuna making her jump, just as someone caught their attention, calling them.

"Sora, Riku, Kairi!" The trio turned around and saw their friends coming up towards them. The first was a girl with brown hair with curls lifted up and green eyes. She wore a yellow mini-dress that is a mini skirt/overall hybrid with clasps over shoulders, clip at the front, a frontal zipper that travels the full length of the dress and two large back pockets. She wore a silver pendant, a blue strap on her left wrist and brown boots that reach mid-calf. Attach to her waist was a pair of nunchaku.

Next to them was boy who was much more taller than her. He is tall and muscled, with tan skin, brown eyes, and long reddish-orange hair styled into a coif and girted with blue headscarf. He wore the uniform of his blitzball team, the Besaid Aurochs, with alterations: a yellow vest top cut away at the stomach, a yellow shoulder pad on his left shoulder, blue and yellow baggy trousers gathered above the ankle, brown wristbands with a blue and yellow armguard over the left arm, and open sandals. He also wore a dolphin necklace and has a silver stud earring on his left ear.

Lastly, the last one was shorter to the second person. He has disheveled blonde hair with spiky layers. He wears the logo of his blitzball team, the Zanarkand Abes, as a silver pendant, and the logo is also printed on his right trouser-leg. He puts his own flair on the regular blitzball player outfit by having one shorter and one longer trouser-leg, similar to his father. He wore yellow and black shoes, a gauntlet on his left hand and a black glove on the other, a yellow jacket with a white hood, and a blue pauldron and armor over his left arm.

"Selphie, Wakka, Tidus!" they said with delight,see their friend run up to them. Kairi felt Selphie glomp her seeing her again, Tidus sling his arm around Sora, and Riku greeting him with a fist bump. Everyone watch these six of them get along, being friends, it was nice to see the people Sora and them know for a long time. Roxas and Namine just watch them, knowing from their memories (or what Namine knows) seeing how happy these people are with her friends. Xion stood with Namine and Roxas, seeing Sora with his friends, it made her wonder what could have been for them and Axel, would Axel come and greet her like this? Ventus and Aqua kept their distance letting them have their time reuniting with their childhood friends and seeing them get along, the times they spent with Terra was something they won't forget.

After Tidus, Selphie, and Wakka separated themselves from Sora, Riku, and Kairi, Tidus spoke up first, a smile on his face seeing the three were back, "Man guys, where you been? You come back a or a week and leave so soon, what you been?"

"Sorry, was a bit last minute for us to leave Tidus, sorry about that." Sora said before realizing he didn't introduced everyone yet, "Oh, I almost forgot. These are my friends I met. Donald, Goofy, and Mickey, who helped me in a way," as Jiminy hop from Sora's hood to greet Sora's island friends, "Oh and this is Jiminy, another friend of mine," pointing to the cricket who hop on his shoulder, "this is Roxas and Namine, new friends of mine." he added, gesturing to the former Nobodies. Selphie step forward seeing the two new friends of Sora, and both had a inking they would see Selphie's upbeat personality in person.

"Whoa, you look just like Sora and Kairi, are you his family?" she asked, making the pair blush feeling she got the wrong idea.

"No, no, no, no, we aren't siblings! Roxas is, important to me." Namine answered, looking away with a blush on her face.

"Anyway," Sora continued turning the attention back to him, "This is Xion, she's another new friend of ours." and gesturing to Xion, who Selphie pop over to her, seeing her clothes she wore.

"Wow, your clothes are so cute, who got them for you?" she asked, making Xion nervous to respond to her yes.

"T-thanks, Kairi gave them to me actually." she fidgeting a little.

"Aww, that's sweet of her!" Selphie exclaimed happily to the black haired girl. Xion smiled, still nervous about the attention again, she's still getting use to this.

"This is Aqua and Ventus, and the reason we left so soon was looking for them." Sora added introducing, both of them waving to them.

"Hello." Aqua greeted smiling to the three.

"Hiya!" Ventus waved to them.

"And lastly, Yuna, Paine, and Rikku, more of our new friends." Sora introduced and Rikku waved to the trio. When Tidus heard the name Yuna, he look to the brunette haired girl with two different eyes, who looked a bit nervous as he step forward. He smiled to her, putting a hand to his hair.

"Whoa, so you're Yuna! Wow, I can't believe I get to finally meet you!" he said excitedly to her, "Your hair is cut like mine, it looks nice on you!' and Yuna's face turn a shade of red from Tidus' compliment, putting her hands together nervously.

"Oh, t-thank you." she replied blushing, only for Rikku to sneak in behind the brunette haired treasure hunter and smiled to her with teasing grin.

"Oh, this is the spark of romance?" Rikku jeered, elbowing her sides and making Yuna blush even more looking to her cousin, Tidus too as both of waved in defense at her, everyone watching them.

"It's not like that!" they said in unison, only proving Rikku's statement of them becoming a couple. Wakka look at Yuna and Tidus with a puzzled look, but look to Sora, Riku, and Kairi, rubbing the back of his hair.

"Anyway, Sora, you're mom was worried where you went off to. They are a little concerned you wouldn't come back again." he said and Sora snap into focus/, remembering he never told his parents he left again. Namine and Roxas did remember seeing their parents, but they know they told them they were leaving again. Aqua crossed her arms, before tapping Sora on his shoulders with curiosity.

"I'm going to guess you told your families what was going on, did you?" she asked, Sora and Kairi looking to the blue haired Master.

"We had to tell them, after it seems his parents couldn't remember their own son for a year, we had to explain ourselves when Sora and Riku came back with me." Kairi explained honestly, putting her hands behind her back.

"Kairi's right, we should pay our families a visit. It won't be good to be gone again without letting them know." Sora agreed, looking to his friends who did agreed with him.

"Well, if it's okay, we'll leave your friends in good hands while you visit your folks." Tidus suggested.

"Thanks Tidus. Um, Aqua, can you come with me so she has a better understanding. Ven too?" he asked, both Keyblade wielders stunned by the request.

"Why?" Ventus asked at once looking at Sora.

"Because it's going to be complicated that I'm off looking for people who vanished eleven years ago." he stated to the blonde hair boy.

"I see. Well it would be nice to see where you leave," Aqua admitted, uncrossing her arms and look to Kairi, what about you Kairi?"

"I'll go see my dad and family too. I'm sure they're worried about me too." she suggested as well.

"Well your dad's the mayor of the Islands of course he'll worry about you." Tidus pointed out, "So, while you guys seeing your family, we'll give the others a tour of the islands, while you see them." Wakka offered to the three.

"Sure, thanks Wakka. We'll meet up at the shore of the main island. See ya!" he waved to and everyone and went up to the road to his house, Riku and Kairi following to go to their houses.

Kairi stood with Namine and Xion at her doorstep of her house, putting her hands behind her back nervous about seeing her family again. The house was a three story house, a chimney stack was visible and a red roof look like it was worked on. On the mailbox, the name 'MIZUSHIMA' was printed on the side of the box, Xion seeing the name and wondering if it was Kairi's surname to her adopted family. Kairi took a deep breath, knowing she hasn't seen her family in days, took out her house key and open the door.

"Dad, it's me! I'm home!" she announced, looking around the front of the hallway for anyone to call back. Kairi removed her shoes, grabbing house slippers from a closet and gave them to Xion and Namine to out on. They gladly did so, eyeing the pictures on the walls as they put their shoes away. It was Kairi in her younger days, her life here in Destiny Islands with her friends. There were people standing with her that weren't any of her friends, but look like her family. Kairi look happy, even if it was to a family that took her in.

"Kairi, is that you?" a male's voice asked, the sound of footsteps catching the girls off guard to look to see someone coming their way to them. It was a young man, in his early 30's, put his hand to the doorway to peer out. His appearance was different from Kairi's, while Kairi had her auburn hair, the man's hair was a short and black with dark green eyes. He wore a a dark blue suit and a white shirt underneath, matching pants and brown loafers and a noticeable watch on his left wrist. A trimmed mustache was on his face, his hair look nicely groomed. He look to Kairi and smiled, walking up to the girl.

"Ah, thank goodness you're back. You had me worried you wouldn't come back again." the man greeted, coming up to hug her.

"Sorry dad, it was last minute we had to leave. You understand." she said, hugging him back. She released him, gesturing him to her friends, "Oh! Dad, these are a few of my new friends: Namine and Xion. Girls, this is my adopted father and mayor of the islands, Hisoka Mizushima."

"Nice to meet you, sir!" they greeted, bowing to Kairi's dad.

"Nice to meet you girls. Good to meet more of Kairi's friends. Come on into the kitchen, I just brew some coffee." he said.

"Thank you sir!" Namine and Xion replied happily, following Kairi and her father into the kitchen. The girls sat themselves at the table, Kairi facing the two across the table. Hisoka went to brew the girls some tea, the two looking around the rest of the kitchen, Kairi leaning her arm to her chair looking to her dad.

"Hey Dad, where's mom right now?" she asked, looking to her brewing their tea.

"Out shopping on one of the islands right now. I just came home from the a meeting involving what to do to improve our islands." he replied before pausing. He then realized something else, "Oh, your sister was wondering where you went today." making Xion blink in response to that.

"What, Kairi has a sister?" she asked, making both Namine and Kairi look to the black haired girl like she said something funny.

"I never told you?" Kairi asked, scratching her chin, "Well, she's not my blood related sister, she's dad's biological daughter so she's my step sister." she added, hearing the sound of footsteps going downstairs and coming into the kitchen.

"Dad, I heard the door, is Kairi...?" a girl's voice caught their attention, Xion looking to see girl come inside the kitchen. Appearance wise, she looked a year older than Kairi by a year or so, her stature looking like a highschool student. Her black hair was in a plait, her hair as long as Kairi's. She wore the same school uniform as Kairi's, a white shirt with the sleeves rolled down, a sky blue striped tie that stretch down to her fron, a matching skirt with navy knee-high stockings and black shoes. Her eyes were the same dark green as her dads. Her expression turn into excitement as she saw Kairi at the table, running up to hug the auburn haired into a sisterly embrace like She hasn't see n in ages, "Kairi, where you go, you had worried half to death again! What happen?!"

"Nice to see you too, I guess." Kairi replied nervously, seeing how happy and worried she was. When her step sister let her go, Kairi adjusted herself and look to her friends, "Guys, this my step sister, Misaki. Misaki, these are my friends, Namine and Xion."

"Hello Misaki!" both Xion and Namine greeted to the girl.

"Hello, you're friends of Kai here?" she asked and they nodded, although it was first they heard someone call Kairi just Kai before, "You sure they're friends, they look like your sisters, especially that girl." looking to Namine whose hair despite the hair color, looks like Kairi. Kairi frowned, looking away from her sister and back to her friends, putting her hands to the table.

"It's complicated actually," she said, her sister seeing her expression change, it wasn't as happy as it usually was. The last time she saw that expression was when Sora was gone during the year, or when they for a brief moment forgotten him. When their father brought the girls their coffee and some cookies, all five of them sat at the table, Kairi stirred a spoon in her tea cup and pondered what to say as her sister and dad look to her. She took a deep breath and finally spoke up.

"Remember how I told you what happen to me when the island had that storm, then how everyone forgot Sora for most of the year?" Kairi asked, her family nodding to her, "I showed you my 'special power' to prove I wasn't making it up a couple days ago when we came back. Remember how said where I'm from too?"

"A world called Radiant Garden?" Misaki asked.

"Yes. A year ago, during the storm, something happen and my heart found itself in Sora." she explained and both her dad and Misaki gasped, "Remember what I told you about the Heartless? There was a night, like before that I was sent from my home to here, with no memory of the night. It was from what Riku and Sora told me from reports that I was sent by our enemy. Sora was able to save me, but in turn he had to release my heart from his body using the Keyblade of Hearts, a Keybalde made by the hearts of the other Princesses like me. That in turn made Namine and while she was helping get Sora's memories, Xion was made," and both her father and Misaki look to them, who nodded to her family, "Now our enemies are getting stronger, and now Sora, Riku, and I are being trained to be Masters so we can help Aqua. That's the full story."

"I see," Hisoka said, taking a sip of his coffee before putting it down and look to her, "Kairi, remember how I told you when you were much younger? That if you ever get your memories back, no matter what, you're always our family, regardless of blood."

"Dad..." Kairi said feeling taken aback by those words, it was true.

"Yeah! You'll always be my little sis Kai, who cares where you are and where you go. Always know we'll be there to greet you when you come home." Misaki said excitedly to her.

"Misaki..." Kairi added, her cheeks heating up with embarrassment.

"You won't be leaving yet, so how about you enjoy yourself here?" Hisoka suggested to her.

"Really? Sure!" Kairi replied excitedly to her father. Once she was done talking, she returned to enjoy her tea with her friends, and family.

"Mom, I'm home!" Sora announced, walking his house with Ven and Aqua following behind him, the two Keyblade wielders watching Sora remove his shoes and putting his jacket to the hook on his left.

"You know, I know this wouldn't make sense, but I'm sure your mom was furious of you missing dinner or something." Ventus said and started to laugh. Sora wheeled over to the boy and grind his knuckles into his cheeks.

"I don't care if you were in my heart, keep it up and you're going to BE in another coma!" he hissed, making Ventus flail his arms and Aqua to giggle at them. It was like watching two brothers fight.

"Sora?" a woman's voice asked, getting the three's attention to a woman coming into the hallway from the living room. Ventus and Aqua first impression of what look to be Sora's mother was a normal looking from her son. She hand her son's caramel brown hair, her hair tied into a ponytail that sling on her left shoulder. She wore a white apron over light blue blouse and skirt, wearing white house slippers on her feet. She was surprised for a moment to see her son standing them, before walking over to hug him, "You're okay, I'm so glad. When you just up and leave without a word, I got worried I'll never see you again dear."

"I'm sorry mom... I wanted to talk to you and dad before I left... sorry." he said softly, hugging her mom back.

His mother released him, looking to the two other people with her son, "Oh, are you more of Sora's friends? It's a pleasure to meet more of my son's friends. Let me introduce myself, I'm Hikaru Amai, Sora's mother." she greeted happily, her hands to her front.

"It's nice to meet you Ms. Amai. I'm Aqua." Aqua greeted to the mother.

"My name's Ventus, but everyone calls me Ven." Ventus greeted happily.

"It's nice to meet, Ven, Aqua." Hikaru replied, looking to the two of them.

"So, I'm going to ask up front... How much Sora told you... About other worlds?" Aqua asked at once.

Hikaru paused, her expression soften and put her her hands to her front, looking to Aqua and nodded, "Let's go into the living room, We'll talk there." she said, guiding Sora, Ven, and Aqua into the living room. Aqua look at the pictures that were on the top of the fireplace, seeing a younger Sora with his parents, pictures of Sora, Riku, and Kairi when they were younger, enjoying the fun and eating watermelon during the summer, and what look like the trio's first days in middle school. One of the pictures was Sora a year before the heartless business, seeing him with his jacket and hoodie, he look so different without them. She didn't even have his crown necklace, it didn't look like Sora without it. She look around the house, it felt so normal, it didn't feel like this wasn't a island without tech, remembering the telephone poles around the area. She look back to Sora and Ven, who sat together at the sofa while Hikaru was making tea for them. Aqua look to her right, seeing a photo of Sora in the arms of his mother. It look like the day Sora's was born, seeing the small patch of hair on his head and how cute he looked. Aqua remembered how Ven said he bond with Sora's heart being born into the world. Was this was Sora's birth? Hearts are particular, her time with Eraqus told her a lot about how her Master saw the world of light and dark. She sighed, all the time she listened to the master, following his orders to bring Ven home and keep an eye on Terra, is she has just disobey, would their friendship been better then? She kept on thinking about as Hikaru came back with tea and cookies, putting the large tray on the table and snap out of thought to see the tea and snacks.

"Thank you." Aqua said, taking one of the teacups and took a sip of tea before putting down back on the plate, her eyes to Hikaru, "So, like I asked Ms. Amai, how much do you know?"

Hikaru paused, her hands to her knees, "Everything Sora, Riku, and Kairi told us several days ago." she answered, "It was just after Sora and Riku finally came back after being missing for a year. All the parents were worried for them, we didn't know what happened the night of the storm to now. It was like the storm didn't happen and Sora and Riku were with us. Sora vanished during the night and then, only Kairi was back. We didn't understand what happen, Kairi wouldn't talk to us when we asked her, she even said we have no recollection of the effects of the storm."

"Because your world fell to darkness, any inhabitants would normally go to a safe haven. Others would be in the Realm of Darkness until the world return to the Realm of Light." Aqua explained before taking a sip.

"That's what Sora said to us," Hikaru replied taking another sip of tea, "We wouldn't have believed it if Sora didn't show his Keyblade. It was a shock, the idea of other worlds, hard to believe. But we kept our word, the only ones who know the existence of other worlds are us, Tidus, Wakka, Selphie, and the small niche of their friends. Don't worry, we won't mess with the world order."

"That's good to hear," Aqua replied sighing in relief, even if they gaining a team of allies, the world's inhabitants don't need to know, "Sora, isn't there something you sold tell your mom while we're here?"

"Right," Sora nodded at Aqua and look to his mother, cupping his hands together, "Mom, the reason we left without a word was because of a letter we got from our friend we didn't have time to talk to you," he went into detail of their mission, how they are looking for those who need their help, so far they helped Namine, Roxas, Aqua, Ventus, and Xion and are looking for Terra who they're looking for now. They explain of the new threat of the villains working with Pete and Maleficent, and the possibility of Xehanort coming back, in a form they won't expect. Time passed, and the cookies were almost gone, the tea kettle half full and Sora finished with his story.

"So, you'll be gone again?" Hikaru asked, feeling sad.

"We'll visit. We'll be back, we won't be long gone," Sora assured her, "But in order to keep the worlds safe, it's going to need us. Me, Riku, and Kairi, we're being trained by Aqua to improve our skills, so we can help her. It's not going to be easy, but it's what we what we have to do, it's to keep all of you safe."

"I see," Hikaru replied her tone still upset about the whole thing. She sighed, looking to her only son with smile, "I know it wouldn't be right to stop you, you've grown so much, even if I didn't get to see you grown into a fine young man. Sora, take care of yourself, and no matter what, we'll always be there."

"Thanks mom." Sora replied happily, he really was worried his mother would be overprotective, yell, or forbid him to leave. But she does seen understanding. He did remember how his parents hug him when he came back, how his mom wouldn't let him go for while, but she's letting him go now.

"Although, you do need to focus on your studies Sora, you miss a full year of school and you're going to be a freshmen with Kairi this year, so will like to see you return to your studies when you aren't traveling." his mother added sternly, Sora groaning in frustration.

"Yes ma'am..." Sora replied sadly lowering his head. Aqua gave Sora a light giggle, looking to him.

"Don't worry Sora, I'll help you with your studies." Aqua said matter of fact, only making groan even more.

"Thanks Aqua, you're really helping me." Sora replied dryly, Aqua still laughing to at the keyblade wielder.

"At any case, Sora why don't you show us your room. I like to see it if you like." Ventus suggested, looking to Sora who looked miserable about going back to school again.

"Sure. Mom?" Sora asked, looking from Ventus to his mother for approval.

"Sure." Hikaru replied smiling to her son. Sora nodded, getting up from the sofa and guide Ventus and Aqua from the living room and up to the stairs. Hikaru look at her son walking away, smiling as she viewed the pictures of her holding a newborn Sora in her arms, seeing just how much he's grown.

"Mom, Dad. I'm home!" Riku called, walking into his house and closing the door behind him. No one respond back, Riku sighing before walking through his house and into the kitchen. On the counter, he saw a sandwich, still cold like it was made only recently and guess his parents made it for him. He pick up the plate and put it in the fridge, talking a walk to the hallway and look to the phone on the nightstand. He pick it up, dialing it, and putting the receiver to his ear. He waited a few minutes, until a voice spoke into the phone.

"Riku?" a man's voice asked, Riku's face turned into a small smile.

"Hey dad, We're back, sorry we left without a word, we had to leave right away. Sorry." he said, leaning his back to the wall, looking the other way, a picture of himself and his parents. While her mother had his silver hair and greenish eyes, his hair was much gray and cut mid length to his neck. His mother's silver hair was much more volume and tied behind her head.

"That's okay, it's personal matters that we shouldn't worry you on, and it's between you, Sora, and Kairi. It's not our place to get into. Even though, we all were worried about you son." Riku's father said, "Chou and I... we worried when you vanished, Kairi on her own and us forgetting Sora. We worried for you you know."

"I'm sorry, I feel like it's mostly my fault." he said to his looking to his other hand, summoning his Soul Eater into his hand in wisps of darkness. The Soul Eater was a falchion-esque sword, with a red, purple and blue blade shaped like a demonic wing. Its handle bears a Gazing Eye, and the handle itself consists of dark braids, 'It was my fault the islands fell to darkness, it was my fault Sora and Kairi almost got hurt because of me, and then... Those two still happy to call me a friend,' and dismiss his sword and spoke on, "Sora and Kairi are going to need me, and I'm going to do my best to be there for them."

His dad chuckled, "That's the spirit, son. But know this Riku, that you'll always be our son, a proud Ametsuchi, never forget that we always be there for you." his father said and Riku felt his spirits lifting a little more. He wanted to talk to his parents since they weren't present in the house, but got a few good words to help him. The past year still will haunt him, but he must do his best to change, he will follow the Road to Dawn. He won't let the darkness take him, he won't be a pawn to anyone like Xehanort. He won't be fooled by Xehanort ever again. If he allows himself to fall into the darkness of villains, all the growth he's had, would be for not. It'll be so backwards of himself, His friends would hate for them for now. While they travel the world, he'll do his best and change the way he was.

"Thanks dad, glad I got to chance to talk to you." he said, a light chuckle and smile on his face. He took his back off the wall and turned to the door when he heard the door knocking, "Looks like someone is at the door. Bye, and let mom know I visited."

"Okay, take care Riku." his father said and Riku hung up the phone, hearing the door knocking again. He walked over to the door and opened it, to see who was at the door.

"Riku, you're back!" was the voice of girl who at the door. She was much shorter than Riku, her eyes bright up in excitement. She had long, black hair in a low ponytail with a blue clip. Her eye brown and had fair skin. Her attire was a white bell-sleeved blouse under a skin-tight, sleeveless orange jumpsuit with corset lacing in the front and back and large white buckles on the thighs. She wears a pair of red leather gloves and red ankle boots, and a black choker and a large crystal suspended from a long silver pendant.

Beside her, was another girl much older than him, by a year or so. Her eyes were red, thnot ually eye color he sees on the natives. Her hair is braided in cornrows that lead into a bun and long braids, except for her long forelock: the braids are tied into a knot with four ornamented pins which may represent the four cardinal elements of black magic, and four bead-tipped braids fall from it. She wears many accessories: a necklace of purple round beads, a small one of white beads, and another of red and blue beads, rings and many earrings. She uses purple makeup and nail polish. Her clothes was a black dress with a matching black jacket over it, her arms to her sides, but greeted Riku with a smile.

"Garnet, Lulu, long time no see!" he greeted, seeing the two natives.

"It's been awhile, we heard you came back, but you went up and vanished. What's up with that?" Garnet asked, hands to her hips with a pout.

"Sorry Garnet, it was mostly Sora's idea to leave so soon. Sorry." he replied chucking at the black haired girl.

"I see, good to see you, Riku. So, is it a small visit?" Lulu asked curiously.

"Yes, I'm sure Tidus and them told you, but we are merely visiting right now. We'll back on the road once we are back in the swing of things," he said putting his hand to his door and closed it.

"I see, it's good to catch up with you. You feel... different." Lulu pointed out, eyeing Riku up and down.

"It's a long story. Speaking of which, I should go see how the rest of my friends are doing, so let me grab a few things from the house, wait for me okay?" Riku asked and when inside his house again, leaving the girls to wait at the doorstep. Both girls look to each other, Lulu crossing her arms again.

"I'm not wrong, Riku has changed a lot." Lulu aid honestly, looking to Garnet.

"Yeah, Riku always seem so serious about seeing the outside world of our home. Now, he's changed, like he's really grown up. Not just his hair being longer." Garent agreed, putting her hands behind her back.

"I think Kairi's changed too, Sora little by little. Those three... they really have grown some up the past year," Lulu admitted, "Still... forgetting Sora, that was awful, what happened to our memories?" she added, feeling down on herself for what happen a year ago.

"Who knows, I'm sure Sora and Riku will let us know one day." Garnet said as Riku climb up the stairs and into his room. His room was mostly messy, having not live in it for a full year. Dust covered most of the room, he did do some cleaning when he came back, but not enough. He came to his dresser, which had a view of another house in another yard. He look through the window, to see it was Sora, coming into his room, followed by Aqua and Ventus.

"This is my room, don't mind the cramp area I was only fourteen a year ago." Sora informed the two wielders, both Aqua and Ventus looking at Sora's room, how small it look with the small bed that would be suited for a younger boy. Clothes were scattered on the floor, a small desk that had a small wooden chair and a bookshelf that had books mostly unorganized. A toy boat hung on the ceiling, with two small figures that were on the bow of the boat. Ventus and Aqua took their spot on the bed, still small for them and feeling how the sheets weren't warm.

"You weren't kidding, this room does need a makeover. I guess being gone for a year does have a damper in having a room." Aqua said, crossing her legs and hands to her lap.

"My room back in Land of Departure is kind of like yours, feels like home!" Ventus said excitedly, resting his head to the bed.

"I guess we had the same taste in rooms!" Sora replied cheerfully.

"Although I had to always tell you to clean your room everyday Ven. Remember how Terra step on your leftover mash potatoes. Terra smelled like potatoes for days!" Aqua scolded to the blonde haired boy, making Ven look nervously at her.

"Sorry." he replied , remembering that incident, both Eraqus and Aqua weren't happy with that (or why it was such a big bowl.

"Well your friend uses earth magic, I'm sure nothing wrong with a little earth right?" Sora asked jokingly, laughing. It wasn't log that both Ven and Aqua look to each other and joined in laughing, the three getting into Sora's joke. Ventus finally stopped, hearing the name Terra again, still hurt they couldn't find him. He took out his Wayfinder, thinking about his older brother figure.

"Terra..." Ven said softly.

"I'm sorry, it must hurt knowing your friend is still missing after eleven years you slept. I can relate, Riku and Mickey doing so much for me when I was trying to find them." Sora realized, crossing his arms, "We'll find him, I'm always keeping my promises to my friends."

"Right, we'll find him." Aqua nodded, Ventus sitting up right nodding as well.

"In the meantime, is getting you three in shape in improving combat. Same with Ven, he'll have to catch up if he'll be a Master himself." Aqua explained.

"That's right, Ventus isn't a Master, although he's probably stronger than me in skill." Sora stated matter of fact.

"I wouldn't say that, I still had lots to learn. I was still new to the outside world, even Aqua and Terra had better handling than I did. Still, I was childish and didn't understand Aqua was Master first, friend second. I said some horrible things to her, " he looked directly to her, his blue eyes showing sincere, "I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault Ven, it my fault too. I wanted to keep both of you safe only to drive you away. I won't make that mistake again," Aqua assured him and looked at Sora, "I'll do my best too in helping you all." and stood up from the small bed, hand to her chest, "that I promised."

"And we'll make sure we achieve expectations for you," Sora replied, putting his hands behind his back and walk to his small bookcase and eyed a old picture on top of the bookcase. He held it up for both Ventus and Aqua to see. It was younger Sora, Riku, and Kairi before everything that happened last year and now. They were happy, although Kairi seem slightly nervous around them, "I'm going to make sure I won't lose either of them."

"You cherish them a lot, don't you?" Ven asked seeing the picture.

"Enough to keep fighting for all of you. Let's get going to meet up with the King and the others." Sora ordered the pair at once. Both nodded, getting up from the bed and proceed out his room and downstairs. While Ventus and Aqua came to the door to leave, Sora made a detour to his kitchen. His mother was washing the teacups and kettle, hands deep in the water before Sora hugged her from behind, shocking her.

"Sora?" Hikaru asked, surprised by his gesture despite how innocent it was.

"I didn't get a chance to say goodbye when I vanished the first time, and I didn't say goodbye when I left a few days ago. So, mom?" he asked, his face forming a smile, "I'll visit when I can."

"Sora…" Hikaru responded, turning around to embrace Sora, a warm smile on her face as she hugged her only son, "No matter what, you'll always be our son. You grown so much, take care of yourself."

"I will." and finally letting go of his mother, he left the kitchen and came back to Ventus and Aqua. While he smiled, he felt upset leaving again from his family again. Aqua saw his expression and patted him on the head.

"Leaving home isn't easy, especially a visit. I don't remember much of my parents, Master Eraqus took me and Terra as apprentices years before we met Ven. I hope at least you three can have memories of your family to give you strength." Aqua told him.

"Yeah, I know. Thanks Master Aqua." he replied and the three finally went out the house and out the door. Aqua and Ventus walk down the sidewalk as Sora locked his front door as he stood with the two Keyblade wielders. He look to see Riku leaving his house and Lulu and Garnet beside him. He waved to get their attention, Garnet seeing him and ran over greet him. Unseen from everyone, no one saw Kairi, Naminé and Xion leaving Kairi's house and heading to the shore.

"Sora, great to see you again!" Garnet said excitedly to the burnette.

"Good to see you Garnet. Your hair grew out?" he asked, eyeing her black hair.

"It has," she replied honestly, grabbing her hair and over her shoulder, "I should cut it one day. So how you been?"

"Doing well. We're going back to meet up with the rest of our friends. By the way, this is Aqua and Ventus, they're helping us." Sora introduced, allowing both of them to wave at them.

"Nice to meet you!" they greeted, both looking at Lulu and Garnet.

"Same, any friends of Sora is a friend of us." Lulu replied smiling at them.

"How's your mom Sora, was she okay about you leaving again?" Riku asked, carrying a bag on his shoulders now.

"She'll miss me, that's all I'll share," he replied, wanting to keep the feelings secret from Riku, it was something he wants to keep to himself, "what about your parents?"

"Talked to dad, gave me advice and words to remember. So let's return to everyone else, Kairi should enjoy time with her adopted family." Riku replied. Everyone agreed, Garnet seem disappointed she won't see Kairi yet. Once it was settled, they decided to go find King Mickey and the others, who were given a tour of the island. Walking along the street, Sora led the way towards the beach where everyone sat at the beach, Roxas looking at a weapon Tidus showing to him and Yuna. Selphie and Wakka were explaining Mickey, Donald, and Goofy about the sport Blitzball, a popular sport that the Islanders play. Paine was chilling in the shade of the palm tree, while Rikku joined Roxas in examining the sword.

"Wakka gave it to me, better than a red pole when I was younger." Tidus said and gave the sword a swing. Sora saw the sword, a longsword terminating in a long hook with a shimmering blue, water-like blade. Bubbles exude from the blade itself making Sora curious about how it did that. The grip of the sword is wrapped in a brown material, and a red ribbon hangs from the pommel area. The guard is black and extends only over the back of the blade, "It belong to Chappu, before he died. He thought I should finally have it."

"Wow, it's a great blade, does it have a name?" Roxas asked, eyeing it closely. Tidus held it up into the air, glistening in the sunlight.

"Brotherhood, that's what you named it for Chappu right Wakka?" he asked looking at him.

Yeah, I thought he like it, It's terrible he died. It was two years ago, some time before that storm. But I'm sure he'll be happy to know it's in a good place." Wakka said, before looking to see Sora and the others return to them, along with Lulu and Garnet, "we were still young when he passed away, but I'm not going to forget them. He's here in my heart," putting his hand to his chest, smiling solemnly, Lulu watching the gesture and smiled at him, "As long we remember him, he'll never be forgotten."

"I can relate, a friend of mine gave up his life to help Sora. I owe my friend Axel for that," Roxas nodded, his own hand to his heart, "Axel and I, sadly never got to say goodbye. Maybe I'll see him again, you never know."

"Friends are special, even if you lose them, they'll never be gone," spoke up Lulu who came up to stand with Wakka, "Chappu was important to me, but I won't forget him, even if he's in the afterlife."

"Yeah I know, even if Axel was a nobody, maybe he found a way to the afterlife too." Roxas assured himself before looking at Sora, Ventus, Riku, and Aqua's return, "welcome back guys. Family doing okay?"

"Yeah, it was wonderful seeing them again. Speaking of which, where's the girls?" Sora asked, seeing Kairi, Naminé, and Xion weren't present. Was Kairi still talking to her dad and step sister? Kairi probably really missed her family that she wanted more extended time?

"We thought we saw Kairi and the girls going to her rowboat, but it was ten minutes ago." Mickey explained crossing his arms.

"Gee, was there a reason?" Goofy asked, curious as well.

"Kairi is Kairi, maybe just to get time to think?" Donald asked.

"A lot has happened to her: saving me, fighting Ultimecia, and secondary leader, it's a lot to take now. I can understand having many things on your mind." Aqua said, holding her left arm lightly.

"Kairi probably just needs time alone. Rushing for her to come back wouldn't be right. I feel Kairi just needs to not have us worry her, like the fight with the time witch…" Ventus said and paused, looking at the other island in the distance, his blue eyes staring at the island before seeing a bright light from the island shooting into the sky. Everyone realized and turned around to the island, Paine seeing the light and stood with the others.

"The island!" gasped Riku and Sora in unison.

"Is it a enemy?" Donald asked, taking out his Mage's Staff at the ready.

"No, it's a light… no, darkness…? No, it feels, nothing." Ventus said feeling unsure what it felt like.

"We should help them, who knows what Kairi and the girls were facing." Sora ordered to the group.

"Okay," Riku nodded and look at Lulu, Garnet, Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie, his concern for their safety now on high alert, "Guys, stay here. If any enemy comes, will you protect the island?"

"We'll do it. Kairi's gonna need you. Go help her!" Selphie exclaimed, taking out a pair of nunchucks, Sora being reminded of her jump rope but she held it at the ready.

"We will, let's hurry to the boats. Tidus, it was great to meet you in person, let's talk more when we visit once again." Yuna told him, smiling at the boy.

"Same to you. Now, you better hurry and get to Kairi." Tidus told her. She nodded, as everyone hurried to the boats to the other island. The thought on everyone's thoughts was what was happening at the other island. Another thing was can Kairi handle it on her own, she did have Xion and Naminé with her, but what it truly was a Organization XIII member? As the group made it to the ships, they say the light fade away, the concern for Kairi deepening.

Kairiclimbed up the stairs of her home, leading Naminé, Xion, and Misak

i towards her room, her steps soft as she keep her guide to them. Her room was at the foot of the stairs, opening the door to her room. Her room was mostly purple and red, the twin sized bed beside the window, a wooden dresser had a large mirror on the top with several plushies there. A bulletin board had pictures of her growing up with her family and friends, including reminders to events in the coming months. Kairi sat on her bed, looking at her sister and friends and relaxed, putting her back against the comforter.

"I do miss my bed, it feels cold. Guess I been gone for a long time." she said, brushing the sheets with her hand. Naminé sat with her, relaxing her back to the bed too.

"You'll be gone for a long time, will you?" Misaki asked, feeling crestfallen and from her dad's ears to hear them.

"Yes," Kairi replied, staring at the ceiling, "Our mission might take months, who knows what Maleficent, Xehanort, or the other villains will do. I also want to keep my promise to help Master Aqua," she eyed her armor piece and thought about Aqua, helping her find Terra and stop Xehanort. She rose up to look at her sister and Xion, "I'm going to keep my promise to help her." before finding her sister swing her arms around her, shocking her, Naminé, and Xion.

"Misaki?" she asked, feeling her sister's embrace tighter.

"I'll miss you. You are always going to be my little sister, blood related or not. I know it's important to you, but I'm going to miss you." she said and looked at Kairi, "you've grown up from the quiet girl who came the night of the meteor shower. Kairi," she put her hand to place it on her head, "go kick butt, protect all the worlds with all your might."

Kairi smiled, her cheeks bright red, "Thank you Misa."

"Right back at you Kai," Misaki replied and look at Naminé and then to Xion, "keep her safe will you?"

"Promise!" Xion said brightly. Naminé nodded, putting her arms around Kairi's shoulders. Kairi smiled happily, looking at her sister and her friends, before looking at the window. She couldn't see the other islands, including the island they played together. Now that she thought about it, it wasn't long she visited the island. Maybe it's time to visit before depart back to Radiant Garden. Maybe waiting the sea again can finally give her thoughts on everything.

Kairi look onto the endless sea on the Children's Island, her spot she always sat on the Paopu Fruit branch with Riku and Sora not so long ago, now sat with Naminé and Xion sitting with her. There was a lot to think about now that she away from everyone. Seeing her family again, talking to her sister and friends in her room, had her thinking a lot of her future. The future, she did wonder if she'll finally catch up with Sora and Riku on her own merits. It was what Ultimecia said that made her curious, her power is only half? Saving Aqua, was it only half her own power, she didn't know, and it still made her wonder where her potential will go. She took out her Wayfinder, looking at the Seashell charm and thought hard about it. Is her potential still locked?

"You're still thinking about what that time witch said, aren't you?" Xion asked, Kairi brought out of her thoughts.

"Yeah, you think she's right?" Kairi asked, putting her Wayfinder down.

"Who knows, but it's what Leon said, she's powerful." Naminé reminded her, Kairi sighed, adjusting herself in a fashion like Sora would do.

"I know, don't forget I went up against her Naminé, her power was incredible." Kairi replied, looking into the clear blue sky, "I want to grow stronger so I won't have Sora or anyone worry about me, will ever reach that gap?"

"You are working hard, especially those command Styles. Your magic and transformation ones are impressive, changing into Aqua during your fight was great if you ask me." Naminé suggested smiling to the girl.

"I guess... Even with Aqua's power, I was able to win. But I have to keep trying. One day," she put her back from the branch and smiling, her face fueled with new determination, "I'll be the one saving Sora and Riku, not the other way around." only to have both Xion and Naminé jump on the branch and put their heads to her shoulders, smiling to her.

"That's the spirit Kairi. We'll help you!" Xion said excitedly, "We girls have to stick together!"

"Heh, thanks Xion." Kairi replied with a light chuckle, the two resting themselves with Kairi as the continued to watch the sea. It wasn't long that Kairi shut her eyes, allowing the waves hitting the shore and inlet and went to sleep. It wasn't long that her eyes opened quickly, feeling a presence on the island that wasn't either of her friends. It felt like it could be anything, Heartless, Nobody, another villain? Kairi snap up off the branch, startling both Xion and Naminé to realizing something was wrong.

"Kairi?" Xion asked.

"What's up?" Naminé asked as well, seeing Kairi look around the islet for something, not feeling what she was feeling.

"Something's coming. Come on!" she ordered, running from the islet and to the bridge, jumping down the bridge, running to the direction of the boats. Naminé and Xion followed suit, jumping down to keep up with Kairi as a corridor of darkness emerged in front of them, Taking into battle positions, three saw something walking out of the corridor, making them shocked. It was someone, dressed in a black coat, a black trench coat that is double-breasted and twin-tailed, with a hood and long sleeves. It has a large silver zipper that fastens at the top and zips down to seal the coat. The zipper features a small symbol. It had silver drawstrings for the hood decorated with a large silver bead hanging from the end and a silver chain ornament adorned with four large cylindrical silver beads that fastens to a loop on either side of the collarbone region. Kairi could tell it was look more like a woman, the shoulder blades were that of a woman, even the shoes look feminine than any male members. Kairi didn't hesitate, summoning her keyblade at the ready to this intruder.

Cue Another Side, Another Story - Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix soundtrack

"Hey you, what are doing here?!" she demanded, pointing her keyblade at the mysterious woman. She didn't respond to Kairi's question, holding out her gloved hand the girls could see she was summoning something. Her hand sparked light, before seeing a Keyblade form into her hand. It was no keyblade they seen before, it was a new one in their eyes. It's appearance was different from even Sora and Mickey's Kingdom Keys. It's shaft had an hourglass arc, joining to the now-wider rainguard with a silver segmentation and the teeth with a silver cage shape; the orb at the end of the shaft has been replaced by a crescent moon. The gold star at the teeth of the key is overlaid upon a blue five-pointed star, producing a ten-pointed star, and the trail is now wider and hollow. The guard now bears a gold star filled with blue at the hilt, with silver and blue shooting star trails in either direction. The Keychain has links of silver and gold, with the clip being silver, and the token is filled with blue. Kairi couldn't believe it, neither could Naminé and Xion.

"A Keyblade?" they said in unison, seeing the blade. The mysterious figure didn't respond again, taking the Keyblade into in a fighting stance and dashing towards Kairi, surprising the two as Kairi held her keyblade to protect herself. The two clashed, Kairi's feet skidding the sand as she was push back. She grunted, feeling the weight of the attacker get to her, looking at her dead in her unseen eyes.

"Who are you?" she demanded to the woman. The woman push Kairi down in the struggle, finally speaking.

"... I am nothing... a soul loss to a terrible fate..." she spoke, her tone, empty, and lifeless. Kairi push her away with a swing of her keyblade, the woman landing back with no problem.

"Terrible fate, what do you mean?" Kairi asked, wanting answers as to why she was fighting her.

"My fate... My was taken from me by someone else... I will see her again... I will see her!" she screamed, Kairi realizing this person wasn't in the state of mental stability. She came swinging her keyblade at her, Kairi blocking her swings, the feet moving as the mysterious figure felt like the better fighter. The blows were that of someone much stronger. Kairi swung her keyblade horizontal, the woman narrowly evading it by millisecond, coming back to swing her keyblade at the vertical arc, striking Kairi's keyblade with sparks of stars and flowers flying. Kairi push the woman back, jumping up into the air, landing on the bridge, and holding her keyblade at the ready.

"Let's do this: Naminé!" Kairi exclaimed, her body and keyblade glowing brightly. A yellow star appeared in front of Kairi in the air as a beam of light shot from the blade. Kairi was then engluff into the light, her body changing. When she emerged, her hair shifted from auburn to blonde, her clothes changing from her own to a white dress, her hair and appearance looking more different than before. Her keyblade changed too, shifting from her Destiny Embrace into Oathkeeper and a second Keyblade summoned in her hands. It had a long pointed shaft and the teeth resemble three spikes. Although the base of the Keyblade appeared solid, the hilt and additional detailing appear weak and delicate, forming wispy curls all along the Keyblade. The Keychain charm resembles the symbol of the Heartless. The overall color scheme is silver and metallic blue. Kairi's new dress resembled a completed different dress, similar to Naminé. Her shirt is longer on the right side, curving up a little and showing a little skin on the left side. In addition, little bows are seen on the straps and the right side, attaching to her skirt and wears a frilly white garter. Over these, she wears a longer, frilly skirt, cut diagonally down to the left, which only reaches her knee at its lowest point. The frilly skirt isn't completely connected and uses the shirt's right bow to keep themselves attached. Kairi twirled her keyblade in a style like Roxas, standing in a new form, "Transformation complete!"

"Is that... me?" Naminé asked, a loss for words at the new command style transformation Kairi had used.

"Whoa, you look way older now!" Xion exclaimed with amazement, "I wonder what Sora will feel about this?"

"I don't know, but this power, it's like a fusion of her own and mine." Naminé pointed out, putting a hand to her heart.

Kairi jump down and the two continued trading blow after blow. Kairi now could keep up with the woman, feeling each blow of her keyblade hit hers. Kairi spun around, her two blades swinging at the woman who miss them by a second, dodge rolling from Kairi before standing straight up at her, pointing her blade at her. Fireballs shoot from the blade, the fire hitting Kairi as she was push back. She knelled down for a moment, even with Naminé's face, she was irritated. She tossed her Oathkeeper at the woman, who swing it away, sending it flying. Naminé and Xion gasped, but look to Kairi, why wasn't she worried? Then a glint shined in her blue eyes, they saw a confident smile on her face, and saw she wasn't worried. No, it was all part of her plan. Kairi ran forward to the mysterious woman, the woman swing her blade to almost hit Kairi's side, she evade it in time, only to deliver her own swing to the woman's side, making her startled. Kairi's Oathkeeper came falling back into her hands, hitting the woman, juggling her into the air before launching her up high.

"Light!" Kairi exclaimed, tossing both her keyblade into the key and, shoot themselves to the mysterious woman. Trailing light form from the blades, forming chained links like ribbons. Flying around the woman and trapping her in a prison of chains. The light chains finally exploded, the light blinding the area and the girls with it. When the light faded, Kairi's keyblades came back to her side, panting heavily and appearance reverting to normal, her Destiny Embrace back and look in her direction. The woman was panting, but she slowly walk to Kairi, her keyblade still in her hand. Naminé and Xion were worried that she still could fight but watched as her hood flew off her head, showing her face. Her appearance was a girl, no older than any of them, eyes looking rather dull. She had long red hair that frames her face, with her bangs falling over her forehead down past her eyebrows while the rest of her hair is tied back in two long pigtails that reach past her waist on either side of her head. She also has fair skin and dull light blue eyes, like there really want no life in them.

"Who... are you?" Kairi asked, realizing she had no clue who she was.

"I guess I really didn't have what it takes as a Union Leader, not even about to defeat anyone, or save her," she said sadly, Kairi wondering who this 'her' was, the girl looked to Kairi, a weak smile on her face, "It's crazy, your eyes... they remind me of her, maybe she's free from the Keyblade War... one day..." and Kairi was puzzled. Keyblade War, what Aqua, Yen Sid, and Mickey talked about? "All I wanted..." and a corridor of darkness opened beneath her feet, shocking the three, "Was to speak to her..." and the mysterious girl, vanished into the corridor, the corridor vanishing with her.

Kairi rose up from the ground, walking over to where the girl was, seeing something was left: a flower and a keychain. The flower wasn't a native flower from the islands or even Radiant Garden, so the girl had to be from another world. Was she a Nobody, but she felt human. Was it like Roxas and Naminé's situation? She picked up the flower and keychain, examining them as Naminé and Xion came up to her.

"You okay?" Xion asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Kairi replied, smiling to her.

"Who was that? Who is this 'her' she's talking about?" Naminé asked, her eyes looking t the flower as well.

"Who knows, but... It's funny, looking at this flower, I see something, could it be her heart?" she asked, images flashing in her heart, images of the girl she fought.

Her clothing wasn't the black coat, instead new clothes. She wore a white dress with black straps that fall over her shoulders and tie together in a bow on the front. Additionally, she had matching sleeves on both of her arms, and wears white pants with grey boots. She saw her sitting on the rooftop of a unknown world, seeing many keyblade wielders pass on by, holding in her hands something she never saw before. It look like a stuffed toy with grey fur accented by black stripes. It had large spherical heads with small ears, narrow blue eyes and a white snout. It's limbs are quite stubby, lacking distinct digits, as are their tails. It dress in a gold and blue cape that conceals a sigil on their back, while also bearing a small pink purse around their necks that bears a mysterious emblem.

"I'm Strelitzia. This this is my spot. Mine alone." the creature hop off her hands and look down at the other keyblade wielders, I've spent my days these past two years defeating creatures from the dark and protecting light. I've met a lot of people, and said goodbye to a lot of people. My party members have been replaced over and over, too. I didn't have many teammates or friends who'd been with me since the start.." her thoughts flash to a girl, looking like she was waiting for someone at a in the Fountain Plaza, as Strelitzia crosses paths and watches in the background, "But, I do have a "friend" who I've shared the time with since way back. I first saw them at the fountain looked as though you'd been waiting for someone for a long time. I went on my mission, and you were still there waiting or whatever you were doing by the time I got back. In the end they never came. You picked up your Chirithy, and tears welled up in my eyes." She thought of her adventures, the many worlds she visited, watching from the distance, "Ever since that, I'd come across you every now and then. I think I'd probably actually seen you before that too, but after I saw you at the fountain plaza that time I began to be aware of you whenever you were around me. So many times I saw you and thought of striking up conversation, but in the end I was never brave enough. Back then, everyone was just going about their days as usual, not sensing that anything was wrong. But it seemed like you were seeing something different to everyone else - you looked somewhat special. You don't know me, but I felt like we were friends. I always hoped we'd get to talk someday."

The memory flashed, and Strelitzia was walking, before some called for her.

"Strelitzia?" the voice asked, and Strelitzia turned around, before standing with someone, their face covered by a white fox mask that has a blue trim. Her pink, hooded cloak is decorated with light green tassels and covers a white robe, light purple shirt, and light purple sash.

"Lady Ava." Strelitzia greeted, seeing the woman before her.

"You are a Dandelion, right?" Ava asked. She nodded, the woman named Ava stepping closer to the young girl, "I know this is sudden, but there's something I'd like to ask of you."

"Huh? Me?" Strelitzia asked, still puzzled by what the master wanted from her. AVA handled over a book, still surprising her, "M-Master Ava?"

"Please stay calm and listen while I tell you this. Soon, this world will..."

"Kairi?" Naminé asked, waking Kairi up from her thoughts. She was seeing the memories of the girl's, Strelitzia's memories. She saw her life, watching over a girl she took interest from afar, but was too afraid to speak. Then there was the woman with the fox mask, Ava, she gave her a book and was about to tell her something. Was that the past, what did she see?

"It's nothing," Kairi replied, shaking her head to the blonde former Nobody. She look to the flower, her eyes on it intensely, 'Did I really see her memories?'

The flowers started to glow in her hair, her jacket and pendent blowing upwards in the light as the flowers started to float above her. Kairi held the Keyblade out, Sora's crown appeared under her feet as light danced around her, feeling herself enter the world's heart. The light around the flowers shot out a beam of light, a keyhole appearing in the air. Kairi step back, twirling her keyblade in her hand before pointing skywards at the keyhole, shooting a beam of light that shined around her.

When the light faded, Kairi saw the flower float gently down to her hand, catching it before hearing a familiar voice called foe her, "Kairi!" the three girls could see Sora, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Ven, Aqua, Riku, Rikku, Paine, and Yuna running towards them.

"Everyone!" Kairi exclaimed in surprise, only for Sora to come up to her quickly.

"Kairi, what was that about?! First light coming from the island, now a gate opening, what's going on?" he asked, firing so many questions at once, even Xion and Naminé couldn't keep up with them. Kairi smiled, putting the flowers she obtained from Strelixia to her belt to hold onto.

"It's nothing. But I opened a new gate, we should get going?" she asked, putting her hands behind her back and Sora just still confused on her behavior. What happened when he was talking with Tidus and the others? But everyone weren't worried about it (or why Kairi look like she ran a marathon fighting someone), but they returned to the Gummi Ship, seeing the new path open to them: Olympus Coliseum.

"Looks like another tournament is opened, meaning they fixed the place." Goofy said seeing sometihng what's going on there.

"Awesome! It's going to fun!" Ventus said excitedly, wanting to see how Herc and Phil were doing.

"You think Zack will be there?" Aqua asked, but Sora, Donald, or Goofy knew who he was. Aqua frowned, maybe they never met him, "Never mind."

"I'm curious as to what opponents we'll meet, hope they're strong." Ventus hoped, relaxing his head to the seat.

"Who knows, we might meet some powerful warriors from another world while we're at it. And we are looking for more allies. Getting that kind of power will be great for us." Paine reminded everyone.

"Yes." Kairi nodded, before taking out the flowers she collected and stared at them. She look for a moment before feeling a head rest of her lap. She look down to see Naminé hang off her seat and sleep on her lap. Kairi giggled, she really had been through a long day. While the day was crazy, seeing the girl with the red hair Strelitzia and the past she saw.

Maybe the next world, she hopes to learn more as their destination was drawing near.

Michael: And after six years, a new chapter as I am redoing my Kingdom Hearts III trilogy. Originally, the chapter going to Destiny Islands entered with Kairi collapsing. Actually, she collapse three times, but I felt it would be too repetitive just to build up her awakening her full potential. So I got rid of the fainting and just have her enter her Dive into the Heart without the fainting gimmick. Now the addition of Chi/Unchained X/Union X, I didn't know if I wanted to add it so soon redoing this or if no one will be upset that their favorite character lose to Kairi who a majority of the community hate, ignore her for bias to other characters, even Crossover characters, and other things. But exploring the Keybalde War past might help enhanced my Trilogy since some of what we are learning in Union X will be in Kingdom Hearts III and haven't read 2017 Kingdom Hearts III stories and knowing how most feel they won't add the Chi information. Next chapter will be two chapters in Hercules' world tournament and the encounter of the Neptunia cast. And to make sure anyone wants to know, both Sora and Kairi are the main characters of the first two parts of this trilogy. Then Sora is the Deuteragonist for Dream Drop Distance, his companions Riku and Kairi are the protagonists of Dream Drop Distance and Kairi joins Sora in Kingdom Hearts III proper. I won't forget any of the characters, I don't play to be bias, I want to develop Kairi as a character, that's all I want to do. I don't want to be better than Nomura or any of the Kingdom Hearts writing staff, I don't want anyone to believe that. At beat, I'm average, but happy to earn my following. I don't need gimmicks like most stories, just want to write, that's all.

So, hopefully the next chapter won't take too long to come out, writing actually full battles that's action than just naming attacks, isn't easy. See you next time.

2009-2011 changes

-Sora, Riku, and Kairi's family weren't in the original draft, but focused on meeting Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie

-Originally, Sora and Tidus had a battle on the Main island, this was scrapped in the new version

-Tidus and Yuna weren't worldly pen pals, added between the redos of the chapters to connect both FFX Characters

-no Lulu or Garnet from IX or X, added to give Riku someone to talk to and Lulu added during Chapter 2's rewrite

-Kairi went to the Children's Island on her own where she was thinking before collapsing. This was dropped because it would be repetitive and weaken Kairi's Character if all she does is faint have Sora worry about her

-Addition of Union X was last minute during the summer, will dive into this in later stories and post Dark Seekers saga

-Namine Command Style is based off Naminé in Dead Fantasy as well Nu-13 from Blazblue. Also Penny from RWBY