After the trip around Olympus Coliseum, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and the Fairy Tail wizards were heading towards the Mysterious Tower to meet Master Yen Sid.

While everyone was chatting among themselves, Drake on the other hand was sleeping. However, he was having some weird dream that he was not in the ship, but a place that is dark with blue like lights. 

Drake: The hell am I? 

The white haired Devil Hunter was walking forward until he reached a beach like area.

Drake: Okay, this is some strange dream world. 

???: Who are you? 

Drake turns and saw a young woman with short blue hair, blue eyes, wearing a black and blue high-collared halter top, two pink belts over the chest with a silver badge, black shorts, white belle sleeves on both arms, tan fingerless gloves, black stockings on her legs, two blue strips of cloth that drape over both her hips with white strips of cloth tied around her waist, pointed armored silver boots with sharp hooks on both sides, and segmented piece of armor on each of her upper arms.

Drake: Oh, hi. I didn't see you here, miss...

Aqua: Please, call me Aqua. Why are you here all alone in the Realm of Darkness? How did you end up here?

Drake: I don't know. I was just in the ship sleeping, then I end up here. Is this a dream or is it real?

Aqua: I see. So you're here, but not here at the same time. 

Drake: I guess you could say that, ever since I got myself a Keyblade.

Aqua: (surprised) Wait, you can use a Keyblade? (Drake nodded) That means your heart is strong. 

Drake: So, you're a Keyblade Wielder too. 

Aqua: I was, but I lost my Keyblade. 

Drake: Oh... 

Aqua: Can I see it? 

Drake nodded as he lift up his right hand to summon the Keyblade version of Rebellion. Aqua stares at his Keyblade in awe then draws her attention to look at Drake. 

Drake also looks at her as she stares into his bright right eyes while he stares into her beautiful blue ones. Aqua looks away with a blush while Drake manages to hide it. 

Aqua: (smile while blushing) Sorry, it's just... I was in this place for so long that I thought you were an illusion.

Drake: It's fine. I'm surprised you've been here for so long. How did you ended up here? 

Aqua starts telling Drake how she ended up here. A little over ten years ago, she along with her friends, Terra and Ventus, all fought against Xehanort. But, it resulted badly for them. Terra's possessed by the madman himself, Ventus lost his heart and is now in a coma, and Aqua was sent into the Dark World. She had a chance to escape, but gave it up to save Riku's life. 

Drake: I... I'm so sorry.

Aqua: It's alright, I know someone will save me. 

Drake: (nods before he felt something) I think I'm waking up soon. I could feel my presences here disappearing. 

Aqua: Alright, I hope we can meet again but in person. 

Drake: You got it, just stay strong, Aqua. 

Drake winks at Aqua which made her blush but smile as well. Before he wakes up, he had another vision of a girl younger then Aqua.

She had with black hair and also with blue eyes. She seems to be saying something but he couldn't hear as the vision fades.

Drake woke by the feeling of his cheek being pulled by Trish as she told he that they're arriving at the Mysterious Tower. 

*the Dark World* 

This place was completely dark, with dark walls, dark curvy pillars and small cracks of light blue light on the curvy pillars. This place was known as the Dark World, also known as the Realm of Darkness.

There are three realms in this universe: The Realm of Light were everyone resides, The Realm of Darkness were time does not exist and only darkness and the Heartless exist, and The Realm Between were both the Light Realm and the Dark Realm meet.

The Realm of Darkness has been a place of mystery and superstition. Some say it's a hostile place inhabited by the darkest of creatures. Others, that it's a prison, for those who've been outcasted. Regardless, all agree on a common word to describe it; Hell.

Deep in this place, two wielders of light were walking down, searching for their friend. They were Riku and King Mickey.

Riku is Keyblade Master and Sora's childhood friend, and Mickey Mouse, another Keyblade Master and King of Disney Castle. 

They are both on a quest to find Aqua, who has been trap in the Dark Realm for almost ten years, and bring her back to the Realm of Light to fight Master Xehanort. The two kept walking until Riku suddenly stops.

Mickey: What's wrong, Riku? Are you tired? Do you need a break? We can stop.

Riku: No, just... I've been here. I should know this place. But that all seems like another life.

Mickey: (walks over to him) Well, gee. Think of all you've seen! All the feelings you've felt. Why, you've done years of growin' in almost no time at all.

Riku: (doesn't respond immediately) I remember my first time here. I was so scared. (turns to Mickey) But now, my doubts and fears are gone. If anything, I feel exhilarated. (places hand on his heart) And it's not because there's darkness in me— I know too well what that rush is like. This is different. And it's not adrenaline either. I know Aqua needs us... but I'm ready. I'm in control now. (tsct) Maybe it's because you're with me this time.

Mickey: (shakes his head) It's not me. I think it's because you've finally found inside you that special strength to protect what matters.

Riku: What?

Mickey: Sometimes you care so much for somebody that other feelings disappear. And then, there's no room for fear or doubt.

Riku: Is that it?

He then has a flashback to years ago when he met Terra. On the day he was passed the power to. Originally, Riku was chosen to wield the Keyblade, but when he gave into darkness, he lost his power. But, with the help of Sora and his friends, Riku gained a new power.

Riku: "Strength to protect what matters"... It reminds me of a promise I made.

Mickey: To who?

Riku: Just someone I once met. Can't tell.

Mickey: Sounds like a good memory.

Riku: Yeah... While we're reminiscing-Mickey, does any of this look familiar?

Mickey: (looks around) Sort of, but the Realm of Darkness has changed since I was here with Aqua.

Riku: Yeah, it's different from what I remember.

Mickey: Usually, I'd just follow my heart, and Aqua would show me the way. But the closer I get, the hazier our connection feels.

Riku: You mean...

Mickey: (knowing what's he saying) Maybe, but we can't give up hope.

Riku: Yeah. 

They resumed walking and eventually found themselves at the dark shores. If there was one common thing about this realm, is that no matter what direction you go to, you always wind up back here. 

Unknown to the duo, they were being watching by creatures from that shadows that are not Heartless. After the final battle from their last adventure, Sora and Riku had found themselves on this shore. This was also the last known location Aqua was at.

Riku: This beach...

Mickey: (walks ahead) It's gone.

Riku: Huh? 

Mickey: I'm positive Aqua was here. But now...her trail's gone dim.

Riku: I've been here, too. With Sora.

Mickey: Really? 

Riku: This is where we found our way back to the realm of light. Hey, maybe Aqua did too!

Mickey: (shakes his head) Aqua... has fallen into an even darker abyss— somewhere I can't see her. And I don't think we're equipped to dive any deeper than we already are.

Riku: So then...

He didn't get to finish his question, he barley dodged a fireball that was heading straight towards him. He and Mickey saw a Hell Knight demon that roared at them. 

Riku: (surprised) What is that?

Mickey: That's defiantly not a Heartless!

Then they were surround by three more Hell Knights, six Imps, and eight Shadow Heartless. Reacting quickly, Riku summons Way to Dawn, and Mickey summons Kingdom Key DX.

Mickey: Riku...be careful. Even the least threatening Heartless are stronger in this realm.

Riku: I got it.

The shadows then started to merge together and become a massive swarm in the form of a tower, A,K,A the Demon Tide.

They fought it for a while, and managed to disperse it, then they fought the demons that were stronger than the Heartless. 

Then another Demon Tide erupts from the ground, and with little time to react, Riku gets swallowed up by it.

Mickey: Riku!

Inside, it was like Riku was drowning, and yet he could breath normally. He clenches his chest, and hears a voice in the darkness.

???: Didn't expect to see you again.

Riku: (looks around) What...?

???: Why did you even come here?

Riku: Because somebody needs me.

???: Do you want some help?

Riku: Who are you?

???: Me? I'm...

He never got an answer as he passes out. When he woke up, he was beside Mickey and they were back on the shore. And, aside from his hair changing a little, he was alright.

Mickey: Are you okay?

Riku: (turns to Mickey) Where'd the Heartless and the monsters go?

Mickey: I got more than half of 'em, and the rest vanished. Well, I wouldn't say vanished. 

Riku: What do you mean? 

Mickey: The truth is, someone came here and killed all the monsters. But, he managed to get them to spit you out first. 

Riku: (stands up) Someone else was here? 

Mickey: (nods his head) I didn't got his name, but he was a young man with white hair, blue eyes, and he wears a blue rob. And he was defiantly strong. 

(flashback) 

Mickey: Riku!

Mickey was surround by the demons and the Heartless while the Demon Tide has Riku. The king was about to save his friend until...

???: Summoned Swords!

A series a demonic blue energy swords stabbed through the demons and the Heartless which made Mickey looked surprised. He saw a man walking towards the Demon Tide, it was none other than Vali Sparda. 

Vali: Stand back, you would only get in the way. 

Vali lifts his right hand and in a flash of blue light, a Keyblade that looks like the Yamato appeared from his hand.

Mickey: (shocked) A Keyblade?! 

Vali: Darkslayer!

Vali's Keyblade was coated blood red like the Yamato as he gained a dark blue aura before he unleashed his Judgement Cut End technique. 

The Demon Tide was cut into pieces before Riku fell on the ground unconscious. Mickey's eyes were widen in shock as Vali then switched his Keyblade to Yamato and creates a portal with it. 

Vali: (looks at Mickey) ...

Mickey: Who- 

Vali: You can thank me later. 

Vali heads to the portal before it closes.

(flashback) 

Riku: (shocked) He wields a Keyblade?!

Mickey: Yep, he sure was strong. Perhaps even stronger than Ansem and Xemnas.  

Riku: I feel like I own him.

Mickey: I know you feel invincible, but we're not.

Riku: Are you alright, Mickey?

Mickey: Yeah, thanks to the new gear. But... your Keyblade...

Riku: (sees his blade) Oh.

Sure enough, when Riku saw his trusty weapon, the general base of it was intact, but half of it was broken off.

Mickey: The Heartless and those monsters here are stronger than what we expected. I guess we probably should've powered up our Keyblades before we came in here, huh? I think we need to go back to Master Yen Sid's tower so we can regroup.

Riku: But, Aqua's still down here, alone. (walks down to the shore) Facing enemies like that.

Mickey: I know.

Riku: (stops) What if she's feeling as scared and alone... as I felt the first time I came here? How long are we supposed to keep her waiting in this awful place?

Mickey doesn't respond immediately, and just walks over to his side.

Mickey: But Aqua... she's like Sora.

Riku: (thinking something different) Whaaat?!

Mickey: (quickly) No no no! Strong like Sora!

Riku: (sighs in relief) Okay... good. Then I guess she's gonna be alright. Sora could fall into any darkness and swim his way out.

Mickey: Besides, we won't be long.

Riku: Right.

Before they leave, Riku removes the keychain off of the hilt, puts it in his pocket, reverse grips the blade and plants it in the ground. 

Mickey's confused, until Riku explains.

Riku: Can't use this Keyblade anymore. Might as well leave it here... for the other me.

Mickey: Wha...?

The two then exit the realm to return t the tower. Unfortunately, little did they knew, that Aqua was in far more trouble then they realize.

Chapter 40 ended.