Last time our heroes were reunited again in the main chamber of the demon base. Sora and Sara fought as best they could against Zabuchrion, but to no avail. But then Riku, Denise and everyoen else made it, as well as Kenshin, whom helped defeat, but not destroy, Zabuchrion. Before the demon could be properly vanquished, the fated hour struck and the true evil was released from limbo. 'Nuff said, on with the show!

Chapter 10: The Heights of Light

"At last!" shouted Tirnac as he stepped through the portal, "after twenty-five years, I am free!"

"No!" shouted Sara, "you won't be free to terrorize this world again!" she held up the red locket, "my mom sent you into limbo before, and so can I!" she opened the locket and released the Rainbow of Light. The ribbon of magic then shot towards Tirnac.

"Not this time!" said the demonic centaur, "I will no be banished again!" he raised one hand and shot a beam of pure blackness at the Rainbow of Light. The two beams of magic, light and darkness, met and canceled each other out.

"What just happened?" a shocked Denise asked.

"Did that overgrown bull just destroy the Rainbow of Light?" Nate asked.

"No," said Sara as she held the locket in her hands, "I can feel its magic, it's still here," she looked at Tirnac with fear-filled eyes, "but it doesn't work on him, not any more."

"And it will never work again," said Tirnac, "I have learned from that mistake of the past. Not only am I immune to the accursed Rainbow of Light, but I have also gained mastery over its opposite."

"You mean…that black magic you just used," said Sara, "it's…"

"Yes!" Tirnac shouted triumphantly, "I have gained full power over the Rainbow of Darkness!"

"Big deal!" said Sora, "we've dealt with all sorts of baddies who say they've mastered the darkness, but my friends and I are still here."

"All those Villains who say they can control The Heartless and the darkness," said Riku, "we've faced them all and won. Just because you're a demon doesn't make much difference."

"Actually it does," said Malcolm, "remember, demons have no hearts, therefore they can go deeper into the darkness than any human Villain can."

"Your words of supplication will not avail you, mortal!" said Tirnac, "all of you shall die, and this world will embrace the darkness!"

"No!" said Sara, "no way am I going to let that happen!"

"We won't let it happen either!" said Lance as he and Nate stood to Sara's left, while David and Denise stood to Sara's right, "we'll stop you somehow!"

"So will we!" said Sora as he, Riku, Kairi and Aiden summoned their Keyblades, while Donald and Goofy pulled out their weapons and Kenshin drew his reverse-blade sword.

"You fools have no chance against me!" said Tirnac.

"We'll still try!" said Aiden.

Sora then had an idea, "Donald, do you know any spells for locating someone?"

"Uh-huh," said Donald, "but how's that gonna help us?"

"Maybe we'll find somethin' that can beat Tirnac," said Goofy.

"Or maybe find someone lost," said Riku as he realized what Sora was thinking, "or several people," he then looked at Malcolm, "do you have anything of Megan's with you?"

"I have her favorite bracelet in my pocket," said Malcolm as he took out a silver bracelet, "she gave it to me for luck when I went to see The Moockick."

"Zabuchrion said that Megan and Spike were in separate cell somewhere," said Sora, "but I'll bet their right next to each other, so if we can find Megan, we'll also find Spike, and he can still sniff out the Little Ponies."

"What good will that do?" Denise asked, "the big bad demon is on the lose in the world."

"But if we can find and free everyone," said Sara, "and get them up to the surface, then they'll be out of harms way, and if the worst should happen, they'll have a chance to get as far away from here as they can."

"That's what I was thinking," said Sora, "Donald, Goofy, go with Malcolm and find Megan and Spike."

"Right!" said Donald and Goofy. Donald then cast the locating spell on the bracelet and they, with Malcolm, ran towards a tunnel that would lead them to Megan and Spike.

"You do not have permission to leave my presence!" shouted Tirnac after them.

"Permission this!" shouted Aiden as he aimed his Keyblade at Tirnac and shot a beam of Alchemic energy at him. The demonic centaur took the blast and shrugged it off like it was a paper cut.

"Your pathetic Alchemy is no match against the forces I command!" said Tirnac. He aimed his hand at Aiden, "Behold the power of Darkness!" A beam of black magic shot at Aiden.

Aiden countered by shooting another beam of Alchemic energy at the dark beam. The two beams met in the air and were nearly equal. But the black beam quickly overwhelmed the Alchemic beam and broke through, shooting towards Aiden.

He dodged it, while Riku shot several blasts from his Dark Aura. Tirnac took the blasts like they were nothing, then shot a black beam at him.

Riku blocked the black magic with his Dark Shield, but his defenses were quickly overwhelmed. He would have been engulfed by the black magic, but Kairi pulled him out of the way, while Sora shot several Thunder spells at Tirnac.

The demon withstood the spells, then shot two beams of darkness at Sora and Kairi. They dodged the beams with inches to spare.

"We need a better strategy!" said Riku.

"How about this!" said Nate as his Stand, Sapphire Torrent, appeared and shot several spheres of water at Tirnac. The spheres of water made contact, and the demonic centaur was finally hurt.

Topaz Skye appeared in front of David and sent several wind blasts at Tirnac, while Ruby Inferno appeared before Denise and shot several fireballs, and Emerald Mountain appeared in front of Lance and made several rocks shoot towards the demon. Each elemental attack managed to hurt the demon.

Crystal Star then appeared in front of Sara and rushed at Tirnac, delivering a barrage of punches and kicks, each blow damaging the demon.

"You've got your Stand!" said a surprised Denise.

"I know," said Sara, "isn't she cool!" Crystal Star then gave the other Stands a smiling thumbs up, while the four animal Stands nodded in acknowledgement.

But Tirnac was still in the fight, "your persistence is futile! I am indestructible!"

"Nothing is indestructible!" said Kenshin, "and at the same time, nothing is futile. With hard work, dedication, a little luck, and love, anything is possible, that it is," he then sheathed his sword and faced Tirnac with his hand poised over the hilt of the sword, "even defeating a monster like you!"

"What's he doing?" David asked.

"Battōjutsu," said Riku, "he's betting this next attack on a draw of his sword."

"If you wish to die, then so be it!" shouted Tirnac, "feel my power and perish!" He then shot a beam of darkness at Kenshin.

Kenshin drew his sword just as the beam was about the hit him. But he drew his sword in a way that the curve of the draw cut through the black magic. Kenshin then used his god-like speed to charge at Tirnac and struck the demonic centaur several times in one specific spot on the demon's torso.

"Hiten Mitsurugi style!" said Kenshin, "Ryusousen!"

Ryusousen: Dragon Nest Strike

Kenshin then jumped back as Tirnac doubled over in pain.

"Looks like hitting the demon several times in one spot is just what we to do!" said Riku. He then rushed at Tirnac as the demon was recovering. The outraged demon tried to stomp on Riku with his hooves, but Riku was too fast. Riku then jumped up and hit the demon in the spot that Kenshin had struck before.

Kairi then ran and attacked just as Riku had finished, hitting the demonic centaur in the same spot.

Sora then ran up and delivered an Ars Arcadium and Ragnaroc combination to the target spot, while Aiden delivered a strike of his own.

All along, Sara and her friends were channeling their respective collared energy to their Stands and preparing to attack.

"Aim for that spot!" said Sora, "it's our best chance!"

"Then let's make it count!" said Lance, "Green Temblor!" Emerald Mountain then sent a massive shockwave at Tirnac that hit the demon in the torso, focusing on the wounded area.

"Blue Tsunami!" shouted Nate. Sapphire Torrent shot a wall of water at Tirnac that was most concentrated on the target area.

"Red Crossfire!" shouted Denise. Ruby Inferno shot an ankh-shaped blast of fire at Tirnac, hitting the demon in the target area

"Yellow Cyclone!" shouted David. Topaz Skye shot a tornado that landed right on the target area.

"And here's the kill!" shouted Sara, "White Barrage!" Crystal Star then punched and kicked Tirnac in the target area several hundred times. This finally caused Tirnac to fall to the ground.

Once all the attacks were delivered, Sara and her friends collapsed to the ground from exhaustion as their Stands vanished again.

"They'll be fine," said Aiden as he, Sora, Riku and Kairi helped Sara and her friends stand up.

"I really think we're getting stronger," said Denise, "I'm not as tired as I was the last time."

"Me neither," said Nate.

"I've got my wind back already," said David.

"Same here," said Lance.

"Zabuchrion did say that we were meant to do great things," said Sara, "that we were destined to be a team, a Five."

"Then I guess that's who we are," said Nate, "The Five."

"You won't live to fulfill any prophecies!" exclaimed Tirnac as the demonic centaur got back up.

"Oh come on!" said Denise, "how much more do we have to do?"

"Nothing," said Kenshin as he sheathed his sword, "we've done enough."

"Have you lost it!" Lance shouted, "that thing is still coming at us!"

"We need to come up with another plan, fast!" said Sora.

"And make it a good one," said Aiden.

"No," said Riku, "Kenshin is right, we're done here."

"It is not over!" snapped Tirnac, "not until I say it is over! And it is over, your you! Behold the power of Darkness!" He aimed his hands at our heroes, but instead of the darkness shooting out from the hands, it suddenly shot out from his torso where everyone had been hitting him. Tirnac shouted in agony as the dark magic continued to leak from his body.

"Now what?" Nate asked.

"I think I get it," said Sora.

"So do I," said Aiden, "all those attacks in one spot, it really weakened his body at that one point. He said that his body had absorbed the Rainbow of Darkness."

"And darkness is a force unto itself," said Riku, "it doesn't like to be contained in any vessel, especially one like a demon. So now the Rainbow of Darkness has a way out."

"And it's going to take Tirnac with it," said Sara.

Large, purple cracks had appeared on Tirnac's body, radiating out from the wound, and the cracks grew as more dark magic escaped. All that darkness was flying around the ceiling of the chamber, eventually flowing to a tunnel that lead deeper into the bowls of the world.

"This cannot be!" exclaimed Tirnac as the cracks covered his whole body, "I am Tirnac! Lord of Darkness! I cannot die!"

"Those who live by darkness shall perish by darkness, that they will," said Kenshin, "farewell."

"NOOOOO!" exclaimed Tirnac before his body exploded. The huge mass of black that was the main entity of the Rainbow of Darkness hovered in the air before retreating deeper into the tunnels.

"Is it over?" Nate asked.

"I hope so," said Sara.

"Me to," said Sora.

"Right now I just want to find everyone that's been taken and go home," said Lance.

"Same here," said Riku, while everyone else nodded in agreement.

They all left the chamber to find Donald, Goofy, Malcolm, Megan, Spike and all the captured Little Ponies. Sora, Riku, Kairi and Aiden focused their powers and managed to get an idea on where Donald and Goofy where.

But as they left the chamber, they forgot that it wasn't empty. The severely wounded Zabuchrion was still on the floor, and it wasn't alone.

"Master," said Kichot, "master Zabuchrion."

"Get me out of here, Kichot," said Zabuchrion.

It took a while, but Sora, Sara and the others caught up with Donald, Goofy and Malcolm just as they reached Megan and Spike. There was joyous moment as Sara was reunited with her parents, and Megan and Malcolm were reunited with each other.

With Spikes' nose, our heroes found where all the captive Little Ponies were, and within minutes, all of them were freed.

"Good grief!" said Kairi, "they're all exhausted." True enough, every Little Pony was emotionally drained from all the fear and despair they had been forced to undergo.

But Sara had the answer. She called her Stand and began charging up their power, "here's something I just thought up," said Sara as Crystal Star raise her hands, "Healing Light!"

Crystal Star then sent out a pulse of white light that restored all the Little Ponies.

"That was cool," said Lance.

"And here's the best part," said Sara as she embraced Galaxy.

"What part?" Riku asked.

"All unicorns in Dream valley have a special power," said Galaxy, "we call it 'winking,' and since all of us are here, I think we can get everyone home."

"What are you talking about?" Aiden asked as Galaxy and every unicorn Pony closed their eyes and their horns glowed brightly.

With a flash, everyone was out of the tunnels and back at Paradise Estates. The sky was brightening as the sun began to rise.

"Oh," said Kairi, "winking is like teleporting."

It was then that Sora noticed that someone was missing, "Where's Kenshin?"

"Did we leave him behind?" Sara asked.

"He was with us when we winked," said Galaxy.

"He must have returned to his world and time," said Malcolm, "he said that he was here only to help, nothing more."

"That's a shame," said Riku, "I would have liked to have had more time to get to know one of the greatest samurai, maybe even the greatest."

"He was a great Samurai," said Kairi, "but we were lucky to know him, if only for a while, as a real human being."

"You're right," said Sora.

Kenshin then found himself back in the field of stars. "I am to assume that I was successful?" he asked.

"Indeed," said the fourth Ethereal, "the crisis has passed and the ways to the future are no longer clouded by darkness."

"The destinies of the two groups," said the fifth Ethereal, "The Keyblade Wielders and The Five, they are now free to choose their paths in life. But they have already chosen to stand against the darkness, and that, in my opinion, is the right choice."

"What will happen to them?" Kenshin asked, "now that their futures are no longer in danger?"

"That is something we cannot tell," said the second Ethereal, "but what we do know is that they will go on to do great things; they will visit many worlds and save countless souls from the darkness."

"Very soon Sora and his companions will travel to another world that is threatened by the darkness," said the first Ethereal, "while Sara and her companions will continue to develop their powers, and eventually go on a journey of their own."

"But at some point in the future," said the third Ethereal, "the two groups will cross paths again. It may be in a year, five years or even ten years, but they will meet again."

"Then I have no regrets of leaving them, that I don't," said Kenshin, "though I have no power to see into the future, I know in my heart that I will see them again."

"The power of the heart knows no bounds," said the second Ethereal, "and now, it is time to send you back to your world."

"Must you remove my memories?" Kenshin asked, "though Sora, Riku and Kairi are from the future of my world, they did not say anything that would change the destiny of my world, or my personal destiny."

"Regrettably we must," said the second Ethereal, "our vows demand that we keep out existence as much a secret as possible."

"I understand," said Kenshin, "so be it, I have no regrets," he smiled, "but if you need me again to stand against the darkness, I am at your service, that I am."

"You have our unending gratitude," said the fourth Ethereal, "a pitiful reward for the service you have rendered."

"I ask for nothing except the chance to help those who need help," said Kenshin.

"No doubt you will be given many such chances in the future," said the fifth Ethereal, "both in your time, and on other worlds."

"The time has come," said the first Ethereal, "farewell, brave samurai."

"Farewell," said Kenshin. He bowed, and vanished.

The next thing Kenshin knew, he was back at the crossroads between Kyoto and Tokyo. For a moment he was confused, as if he was trying to remember something important that had just happened to him.

But Kenshin couldn't think of what it was, but he felt that whatever he wanted to remember, he had done some good and had helped a lot of people who needed to be helped.

With that, Kenshin started towards Tokyo, unaware of the wild adventures to come.

"He will be alright," said the third Ethereal, "Kenshin will survive all of his adventures and live out his life with those he loves."

"But what of Sora and his companions?" the second Ethereal asked, "even though they are destined to return to their universe, they will have to pass through more trials and tribulations before they reach their goals. Must we allow them to suffer? Can we not help them return home?"

"We cannot," said the fifth Ethereal, "our vows prevent us from interfering with the course of destiny on such a minor level. Sora and his friends must complete their journey."

"They must be allowed to continue," said the first Ethereal, "there are more worlds that are in danger of falling to the darkness. The Keyblade Wielders need to travel to these worlds."

"But how much longer must they be lost before they return home?" the third Ethereal asked.

"Not much longer," said the fourth Ethereal, "though they do not know it, they will return home soon. How soon, I cannot tell, but they will return home."

"Until then we can only watch," said the first Ethereal, "watch and wait. I wish we can do more, but we can't. That is how it is."

"Then we will watch and wait," said the second Ethereal. And watch and wait they did.

"Well I'm just glad that everyone's safe and that it's over," said Denise.

"It's not over," said Riku, "it may never be over."

"As long as there is darkness in people's hearts," said Sora, "The Heartless will still be a threat."

"And there could be other demons," said Kairi.

"Just our luck," sighed David.

"But we've taken the first step," said Sara to her friends, "we all have what it takes to keep this world safe from the darkness."

"Our Stands," said Nate.

"Exactly," said Sara.

Just then Sora saw something that made his jaw drop. From the sky came half a dozen Ponies that flew on butterfly wings.

"The Flutter Ponies!" said Megan.

"You told me that they rarely leave Flutter Valley," said Sara.

"Unless it's of great importance," said Megan.

"Guess this counts as something important," said Aiden.

The six Flutter Ponies landed on the lawn. They appeared to be somewhat smaller in size than the other Little Ponies and colored much more brightly, as if their bodies shone with a powerful magic.

One of the Flutter Ponies had yellow skin whose mane and tail were light pink. Her simbol was roses.

"Queen Rosedust," said Megan as she, Malcolm, Spike and all the Little Ponies bowed. Sara and her friends also bowed, shortly followed by Sora and his friends.

"It has been far too long, Megan," said Queen Rosedust in an odd British accent, "far too long indeed. My fellow Flutter Ponies have been aware of the situation regarding the demons and The Heartless. We would have given more assistance, other than providing the items for your husband, but it required all of our magic to keep our valley safe," she looked at Malcolm, "I take it that the blessed elements were helpful?"

"Very much so, your majesty," said Malcolm.

Queen Rosedust then looked at Sara and her friends, "I can tell that you and your friends have discovered your true powers. The prophecy of The Five has come true."

"What prophecy?" Denise asked.

"The demons said something about a prophecy," said Sara, "and something about me being some kind of princess."

At that Sora and the gang gulped nervously.

"It was foretold long ago," said Queen Rosedust, "that five ordinary children from Earth would be chosen by destiny to wield extraordinary powers," she looked at Nate, "the power of Water," she looked at David, "the power of Wind," she looked at Denise, "the power of Fire," she looked at Lance, "the power of Earth," she looked back at Sara, "and the power of Light."

"Our Stands," said Sara.

"The prophecy said that you would discover your Stands during a time of great crisis," said Queen Rosedust, "when the forces of darkness threatened to consume the world. It was also said that great heroes from beyond time and space would arrive to give assistance," she looked at Sora and the others, "and I'm please to see that that part of the prophecy came true as well."

"You here that?" said Donald to Goofy, "she said we're 'great' heroes, not 'junior,' great."

"Guess we are great," said Goofy.

"Okay," said Nate, "we've gotten our stands and defeated the darkness."

"Does that mean it's over?" Lance asked.

"I'm afraid this battle was only the beginning of a greater conflict," said Queen Rosedust, "one demonic threat has been averted, but other demons are sure to come to destroy this world," she looked at Sara, Lance, Nate, David and Denise in a serious tone, "it's up to you Five to Stand against the darkness."

"For how long?" David asked.

"For as long as you can," said Queen Rosedust.

"Just our luck," sighed Denise.

"Well there is one thing that we can do to make Dream Valley safe from the darkness," said Sora, "or at least from The Heartless."

"We can find this world's Keyhole and seal it," said Riku.

Just then Sora's Keyblade, as well as Riku's, Kairi's and Aiden's, appeared and dragged then towards the meadows.

"Is this normal?" Aiden asked.

"Sort of," said Sora.

They then saw a large white form in the air, "another big Keyhole," said Kairi.

"It's going to take all of us," said Riku.

"I'm ready," said Kairi while Sora nodded in agreement.

"What do I do?" Aiden asked.

"Just follow our lead," said Sora as he, Riku and Kairi aimed their Keyblades at the Keyhole. Aiden aimed his and beams of white light shot from the four Keyblades and intersected at the keyhole. It vanished with a bright flash and a loud 'Click!'

"And that's that," said Riku.

"What did we just do?" Aiden asked.

"I'd like to know that myself," said Sara, for she and everyone else had followed the Keyblade Wielders.

"We just sealed this world against The Heartless," said Sora, "they won't be able to come back in such large numbers again."

"It won't stop any demons from coming again," said Kairi, "but I think you guys have that covered."

"I think we do," said Nate.

"So do I," said Sara, "now, if someone would just tell me what my being some kind of princess means, I'd feel that much more confident about the future."

"We might as well tell her," said Sora to Riku, Kairi, Aiden, Donald and Goofy, "Zabuchrion said she was a Princess of Heart, and if the demons know, it's only a matter of time before Maleficent knows."

"She has the right to know the truth," said Riku, while Donald nodded in agreement.

"I'm with you on that," said Aiden, while Goofy nodded in agreement.

"I'll tell her," said Kairi. She then looked at Sara, "in a way, you are a princess, Sara; a Princess of Heart."

Sara blinked in surprise and confusion, "okay, I'm a Princess of Heart. What does that mean?"

"It means you have a very pure heart," said Kairi, "I should know, mine's just as pure. It also means you're linked with others with pure hearts, and you all have a special magic that can bring light to the world and hold back the darkness."

"But it also means that there are others," said Riku, "those who serve the darkness, that will try to use that magic for foul means. Our enemies already tried to use one set of Princesses of Heart to plunge our universe into darkness, and now there's another set, and they're sure to try again."

"And you think your enemies will come after me someday," said Sara in a slightly depressed, but understanding tone.

"They won't be coming any time soon," said Sora, "they don't know that you're a Princess of Heart."

"And we just sealed this world," said Riku, "so we don't have to worry about any major Heartless invasions, so I don't think Maleficent will be interested in this world for a while. And besides, Sara, you and your friends are strong enough to protect each other, or you will be soon enough."

"Your Stands are awesome!" said Aiden.

"They are," said a smiling Sara, "I think I'm getting a handle on this whole Princess of Heart thing. I know now that I'm not ordinary at all, that I'm special in a great way, and my friends are special too."

"Really special," said Lance as he, David, Denise and Nate walked over, "and don't worry about Sara."

"No way any baddie is getting a single filthy hand on my BFFL!" said Denise, "we've got that Hannah Montana concert to go to."

"We'll keep this world and Sara safe," said David.

"Darn right!" said Nate.

"You're right," said Sora, "I think you guys are going to be okay."

Just then the flickering and transparent image of King Mickey appeared in front of Sora and the others.

"Your Majesty!" exclaimed Donald and Goofy.

"Sora, Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, Aiden," said King Mickey, "we got the Moogle's message and found you."

"Good old, reliable Moogles," said Sora.

"Maleficen't spell sent us off course again," said Riku.

"We know," said King Mickey, "Master Yen Sid and I had to work all night to find you, but we're ready to try again. We're to get you home this time."

"Let's hope so," said Kairi.

"We can only try and hope," said King Mickey, "we'll send you the portal, it should be there in a minute or so."

"We'll be ready," said Sora. With that the image of King Mickey vanished.

"You're leaving already?" Sara asked.

"We have to," said Kairi, "I wish we could stay some more, but our families are worried sick by now."

"Again," said Riku, "We really ought to make some means to call home from another universe."

"I've no one to worry about," said Aiden, "but I'm as anxious to go as Sora and the others are. We've got places to go, people to meet and worlds to save."

"What he said," said Sora, while Donald and Goofy nodded in agreement.

"Well I guess this is goodbye," said Lance. Everyone then said their goodbyes. A few minutes later the portal appeared.

"Here we go again," said Kairi, "oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained." With that she stepped through the portal, followed by Riku, Aiden, Donald and Goofy. Sora waved goodbye to Sara and her friends, and stepped through the portal.

But instead of arriving back at Disney Castle, Sora found himself in a seaside village populated by humans.

"At least this time we didn't land atop each other," said Riku as he, Kairi, Aiden, Donald, Goofy and Sora took in the sights around them. They were in a side alley of a medium-sized village that had a modest sized harbor. Seagulls flew overhead on the salt breeze.

"This is getting ridiculous!" said Kairi, "how much longer are we going to be bouncing around existence?"

"Until The King finds a way to successfully remove Maleficent's curse," said Riku.

"At least there's people," said Aiden, "real, human people. Not that I have anything against the Little Ponies, but I'd rather choose human company."

"Ahem!" said Donald as he and goofy looked at him in an annoyed manner.

"Umm…no offense implied," said Aiden.

"I think we should try to find out where we are," said Sora, "what this world is called, and anything else that might help us. We could be here for a while."

"Right," said Riku, "we'll scout around this village, ask a few non-conspicuous questions, and we'll meet back here in an hour or so."

"Sounds like a plan to me," said Kairi, while Aiden, Donald and Goofy nodded agreement. Sora and Kairi went up one street, while Aiden, Donald and Goofy went up another and Riku went up a third street.

Back in Dream Valley, while Sara and her friends were celebrating with the Little Ponies, they had no idea that the darkness was still a presence in the world.

Kickot had dragged Zabuchrion up from the tunnels and had taken shelter from the sunlight under an outcropping of rock.

"My wounds will heal," said Zabuchrion, "I will have my revenge, Kichot! I will make every Little Pony in this wretched world suffer the likes of which that would make hell seem like paradise!"

"Yes, master Zabuchrion," said Kichot.

"Then I will destroy The Five," said Zabuchrion, "I will rip their souls out and devour them! Then I will turn their bodies into mindless slaves!"

"Of course, master," said Kichot.

"Then I will find those Keyblade brats and destroy them, one piece at a time!"

"Of course, master."

Just then a Dark Corridor appeared. From it emerged Pete, several canine-type Heartless, and Rakel Mindblighter, a Hakonian whom Maleficent has given the task of hunting down and destroying Sora and the others.

Rakel had waist-length black hair with indigo highlights and was braided. Her eyes were dark green that were behind horn-rimed glasses. She wore a green blouse and jacket over a tan skirt and high-heals. She looked to be in her late teens, but like other Hakonians, she was gifted with extended youth and dark powers.

She looked around with an intense, frantic, almost obsessive look on her face. Rakel had a reason to be this way. Not just to please Maleficent, for failure would surely mean her destruction. No, Rakel was nearly obsessed with finding Sora and the others because they had harmed the one man in all of existence that she loved, or at least, was in lust with.

During the final battle on Arcadium Prime, outside the State capital of Central, Sora and the others fought against Rakel and he beau Reddik Nightshade. The battle ended with Reddik wounded from a backfired curse that left him in unbearable agony and disgrace.

Rakel, whom happened to be afflicted with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, vowed to destroy the Keyblade Wielders, and set off with relentless intent to fulfill her promise. Pete was with here not just to help find and destroy their prey, but to make sure that Rakels' OCD didn't get the best of her, a task he was doing his best to uphold without getting on her bad side.

But right now Pete had other things on his mind, "them Keyblade brats were here, alright," he said as he looked around, "I can smell them."

"They were here," said Rakel, "I can sense them as well." She then saw Zabuchrion and Kichot, "You! Demon! Did you see four human children whom had Keyblades?"

"They were the ones who did this to me," said Zabuchrion, "they destroyed my subordinates and my superior, Lord Tirnac. I can tell that you are disciples of darkness. This world is contaminated by Light. Together, we can pull this world into the darkness where it belongs, and together, we can destroy the Keyblade Wielders!"

"He looks tough," said Pete, "but someone put him through the wringer just now. Who do you think did it? Sora? Riku?"

"Does it matter?" Rakel asked. She then extended her senses to find out what happened, "there was a great struggle, a clash between Light and Darkness, and Darkness lost. I can sense that this world's Keyhole has been found and sealed.

"This world is so full of Light it is sickening. No doubt that Maleficent would want to destroy it, but that is not why we are here. Sora and his friends are no longer on this world," she looked at Zabuchrion, "did you see where they went to?"

"No," said Zabuchrion, "but together, we can find and destroy them." the demon fully intended to use these newcomers to achieve its revenge, then discard them like worn out tools.

But Rakel had other ideas, "then you are of no use to us," she aimed her hand at Zabuchrion and power up a blast of dark magic, "goodbye."

"NOOOOO!" shouted Zabuchrion, but the ruthless Rakel shot her dark magic at the demon, destroying it.

"I should have used a different manner," said Rakel as she calmed down somewhat, "creatures like that can cheat death if they're not destroyed properly. That one will most likely come after me in a hundred years or so, but I can't worry about that," she looked at Pete, "we can't afford to take a crippled demon with us, it would have slowed us down, that that is something I cannot allow."

"I'm not arguin' with you," said Pete, "but what about that pipsqueak?" he pointed at the cowering Kichot.

Rakel glared at the trembling demon, "what's your name, creature?"

"Kichot, oh great and terrible one," said the demon, "Please, do not destroy me, I am only a D-class demon. I am no threat to you. I merely wish to live."

"You look like someone who can take care of someone's personal needs," said Rakel, "and that you can move fast when you want to."

"Oh yes, great one," said Kichot in a more positive, more submissive tone, daring to hope that it wouldn't be destroyed, "I can do all that you ask of me without complaint. And if I displease you, I will take whatever punishment you think is appropriate."

"Then you're coming with us," said Rakel, "I am in need of a servant whom knows its place. And who knows," she looked at Pete, "we might just make a proper demon out of it."

"We'll have to work really hard," said Pete, "and that's just to give this shrimp a backbone. You really want that slowin' you down?"

"I won't be bothered," said Rakel. She then cast a spell that changed Kichot somewhat, "at least now it can tolerate sunlight. Come! The trail isn't getting any hotter if we just stand here." She opened a Dark Corridor and went through.

"Let's go, pipsqueak!" said Pete to Kichot, "ya' don't want to make her mad on your first day on the job."

Kichot horridly ran after Rake, followed by the dog-type Heartless, with Pete bringing up the rear. The Dark Corridor vanished after them.

Sora, Riku, Kairi, Aiden, Donald and Goofy met back at the side street after an hour of looking around and asking questions of the people in the village.

"We're in a world that's has a lot of water and islands," said Sora, "we're on one of them."

"There are four major oceans," said Kairi, "North Blue, East Blue, South Blue and West Blue."

"There's also an area of the ocean called The Grand Line," said Riku, "a sea and a chain of islands full of wild weather and sea creatures. The creatures on the normal oceans aren't what we'd call normal either."

"That's nothing to what I learned," said Aiden, "I heard that somewhere in The Grand Line is huge treasure trove, big enough to make whoever finds it rich beyond their wildest dreams."

"I also heard of this treasure," said Riku, "it was hidden by one of the most wealthiest, famous and powerful pirates the world had ever known. He died saying that whoever can find the treasure can have it. There's thousands of pirate crews sailing the oceans, all of them hoping to find the treasure."

"You think we'll run into these pirates?" Kairi asked.

"We've faced pirates before," said Goofy.

"We can handle them!" said Donald.

"I don't think so," said Sora, "the pirates in this world, from what I heard they're nothing like Captain Hook, or Barbosa. Some of them are pretty weird, weirder than Jack Sparrow, sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow."

"I also heard that some pirates here have strange powers," said Riku, "like the kind you'd read in a manga."

"You think they'll be a problem for us?" Aiden asked.

Just then several screams rang out in the air.

"I think trouble has found us regardless," said Riku as he, Sora, Kairi and Aiden summoned their Keyblades, while Donald and Goofy pulled out their weapons.

Our heroes ran out to the main street to find that the village was being attacked by Heartless. Sora and the others could see dozens of Pirate and Air Pirate-type Heartless, along with the occasional Neo Shadow and Large Body.

"It never ends, does it?" said Aiden, "oh well," he put his Keyblade away long enough to press his wrists, "alright then, let's do this!"

Our heroes ran forward to help the villagers and destroy the attacking Heartless.

Sora and Kairi had just helped a woman and two children to the safety of a side alley, and were just about to attack a group of Pirates, when Sora saw a lumbering Large Body running towards them.

But before he and Kairi could do anything, the Large Body was destroyed. Something punched it in the back hard enough to destroy it, something that turned out to be a human fist that was attacked to something long an flesh colored, something that turned out to be a very long arm.

"What the…!" said both Sora and Kairi.

The long arm retracted and became a normal arm that belonged to an 18 year old boy that stood several yards away. He wore a red-sleeveless shirt and blue denim shorts and sandals. He wore a straw hat with a red band. He had black hair and friendly black eyes. A long scar was below the left eye.

The boy ran up to Sora and Kairi, "hey, you two okay?"

"We're fine," said a confused Sora.

"We could have handled that Heartless," said Kairi, "but thanks for the help."

"No problem," said the boy as he smiled widely, "these things, they're called Heartless?"

"Yeah," said Sora. He then abruptly asked, "who…what are you?"

The boy smiled and laughed heartily, "I'm Monkey D. Luffy, but you can call me Luffy. Everybody does!"

"Luffy?" a confused Sora asked.

"Yep!" said the boy, Luffy, "and I'm going to be King of the pirates!"

The end of Volume 4.

Alright! This fic is done! But the adventure goes on as Sora and the gang have found themselves in the world of Onepiece! I hope you all have enjoyed reading this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. And be sure to stay tuned for the next action and comedy packed fid in the series.

Coming soon…

Beyond the Door to Light Volume 5: Legend of the Straw Hat Crew

See you then!