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Scuro stayed in the castle for quite a long time. "It's getting late...the Darkside will be here soon..." Scuro stared blankly into the moon as he started to laugh as if seeming almost insane.

((You might try heading for Maleficent's Castle also, Scuro. Which is of course, the World That Never Was. It's one of the bases for the SoD. And of course, you being one of them, you can use a dark portal anytime you want.))

Kiante fell through to another platform, similar to the one he'd been on, but with a different picture. Strangely, he'd fallen quickly, but slowed as he came to the platform and was able to land softly on his feet. He looked around, then listened. No voice. Not yet.

'You can fight, can't you?' the voice suddenly piped up. At the same time, the sword Kiante had "chosen" earlier appeared in his hand, and a handful of Shadows, like the ones in the cave, rose out of the floor. 'Fight.' the voice commanded.

Kiante charged at them, slashing wildly, killing most of them. When there were only two left, he slowed down a bit, he needed accuracy now. He dispatched them too, easily.

'There will be times you have to fight. Keep your light
burning strong.' the voice said, mysterious as always.

Kiante nodded. A bright light flashed in his eyes, and when it was gone, he was on another platform. The only thing here was a door. He went over to it, and tried to open it, unsuccesfully. 'Not yet, this door will open in time.' the voice said.

A staircase appeared behind the door, and Kiante started walking up it. The voice was heard again, 'The closer you get to light, the greater your shadow becomes.'

Kiante reached the top of the stairs, his shadow was extending in front oh him, very large now. Suddenly, the shadow rose from the floor, and became a large being with a heart shaped hole in it's chest.

'But don’t be afraid. And don’t forget...'

Kiante's current weapon disappeared, and his Keyblade appeared in his hand. Now he was confident. He jumped on the villain's knee, then up into it's back, slashing and hacking at it's face. It seemed to be weakening. Then, it got angry, fighting much more quickly and mcuh more effectively. It's fist crashed down on Kiante. Kiante held it just above his head and struggled to keep from being crushed.

'You hold the mightiest weapon of all.'

Kiante struggled, he was bent down, almost doubled over now.

'So don’t forget: You are the one who will end the war. You are the one who will truly open the door. You, and your friends, will be the ones to finish it.'

Kiante was now crushed, drowning it seemed in the darkness.

'Keep your light burning strong.'

...

Kiante woke up suddenly, gasping for air, fumbling his hands around to find something to hold onto. He realized he was in some sort of bed. He was very sweaty. There were people around staring at him, a few shouting. He took a few breaths, then settled back down and laid on the pillow.

A man came up to him, staring at him warmly, "Hello son."

"Hello...father?"

"Warm welcome...I don't think so. But, we'll feed ya'. Take her to the brig!" Mickey said, very commandingly, and with a point of his arm.

Teitri walked up then and saw the girl who they had...captured maybe? "Hey Mick, whos the girl?"

"That's...I don't know, she's an SoD that has, apparantly, surrendered. I'm not sure I believe her yet. But maybe..."

"Huh...oh! I'm supposed to tell you I think, Kiante's in medical. Hopefully he's awake by now."

"He is?! Yippee!" Mickey yelled, then ran for the door. He stopped for a moment and looked at Teitri. "Are you coming?!"

"Yeah, just a sec." Teitri replied.

Mickey ran on. Teitri turned to Mickey's cat-ified pilot and said, "Hey Lily, you wanna come? After all, you did save his life!"

Meanwhile...

"How are you feeling?" Sora asked his, recently, long-lost son.

"I'm...confused. And...tired. Wha- what happened?"

"You collapsed on the deck after you landed. I'm guessing...strange dreams?"

"Yeah, there was this big black thing and he punched me and the mysterious voice and-and-and...it was just a dream?" Kiante asked, a burst of energy for a moment.

"Well...not quite sure. 'He' never really explained it. But don't worry about it for now. There are many people eagerly wanting to see you."

"There are? And...who are you?"

"I'm Sora, hero-wielder of the Kingdom Key and...your father." A tear came to his eyes.

Just then, the king showed up. Running excitedly over to the bed, he jumped up and hang on the rail. "Kiante! It's you! Great to see ya'! It's been a while!" Mickey stretched out his hand for a handshake.

"A...talking mouse? Am I dreaming again?"

Mickey's face turned red and he turned his head for a moment. "Oh don't worry Mick, he's just a kid, and this is all a bit disturbing for him I think." Sora said encouragingly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right!" Mickey said, turning his head back and resuming his excited disposition.

Kiante took his hand, slowly, and gave him a 'wet noodle' handshake. He let his arm fall again, and chuckled a bit, "Guess I'm more tired than I thought."

Lily watched in silence as the smartmouth SoD girl was taken away "to the brig". As she was unsure of what to do next, news came from who Lily remembered being called Teitri give news of a great joy; the boy who they saved was awake and ok! As the King ran off more excited than before (if that was even possible), she noticed Teitri come back and ask Lily to join them.

Lily was surprised; usually this was official-stuff only, but she never thought of it as her helping to save the boy's life until now. But she was just merely doing as ordered, did she really help them? It didn't matter who got credit; the boy was ok, that's all that mattered. She nodded eagerly, and quickly followed in stride to the room and watched scene before her.

There was the teenaged boy from before, lying in the bed surrounded by a few people. One of them was Sora; she recgonized him from the castle two years ago. Teitri had already got there before her, and Mickey began eagerly talking to the boy. She felt sorry for them both as the King was at first rejected as a "talking mouse". But, after reading many books, she learned that humans weren't used to such things like that; only in their dreams and fantasys. She walked in quietly and smiled at the scene before her; it was very touching and everyone was finally wearing smiles. some more confused than others.

Kiante looked at the silver haired boy and the girl with him as they came in. Teitri walked over to the bedside, behind and a little to the side of The King. "Kiante? Hey, you finally awake?"

"And...who are you?" Kiante said, pushing himself a up a bit higher, more to a sitting position.

"I'm your brother, Teitri."

"My brother...?"

"Well, not your REAL brother. Your dad, your real dad, adopted me. We're not related by blood then, just by..."

"The heart." The King finished for him.

"Right, the heart. Anyway, it's Teitri."

"Well then, nice to meet ya' bro."

"Right back at ya'."

"Teitri," Mickey started, "Now that you two have met, I'd like you to meet someone else. There's an SoD girl in our holding cell, I need you to interrogate her please. Thank you."

"Sure thing Mick. See ya' latter bro."

"See ya'...bro." Kiante said, thinking it was really wierd to say that.

Sora turned to Lily, "Your the girl that Mickey raised, right? And you're the one that saved my boy's life. Come, introduce yourself."

Sora turned back to Kiante, "This girl piloted the ship that had come to save you. Give her your thanks Kiante." Sora said, acting very fatherly.

Kiante looked at her closer for a moment, then started lifting himself up. He swung his legs over the bedside, stood up slowly, and then turned to her and bowed, "I owe you a debt, thank you."

Kiante stood back up, then smiled, "It's nice to meet you Lily. You probably heard, but I'm Kiante. So...could someone explain what all this is about?"

Meanwhile...

Teitri entered the girl's cell, calmly, looking straight at her. "Hello. So, I'm told you were the one that was attacking Kiante, correct?"