Narrator's POV

After the plan was made, Sora and the others began to stock up on supplies. Fortunately after defeating massive amounts of Heartless, they have enough munny to purchase massive amounts of potions and ethers. They as well bought bags to help carry these items. After they bought their supplies that gathered everyone to the front of the inn and once again opened a Gate to The World That Never Was. Everyone went through the Gate. One by one and when it came for Sora to go through, he put on a look of determination and began to walk through. "Hold on (Y/n)! We're coming for you!"

???'s POV

"Looks like they are heading our way. Dark Chirithy tell Vanitas to remain vigilant. He has visitors coming his way." I said and he nods. "Yes. I will do so right away." And Dark Chirithy left. "Now we will have to see and watch what will happen. Let's see how you will feel about facing yourself, Sora." I then feel a dark presence behind me. I turn around only to see Vanitas standing near. "Ah Vanitas. What brings you here? Shouldn't you be in your chamber, waiting for them to arrive?" I ask him and he shook his head. "It's boring just waiting for them, I would rather want to talk with you." Vanitas told me. Then HE went through me.

"It be wise to keep your nose where it belongs boy." Vanitas took a step back as he recognized my voice. "X-Xehanort? Is that you in (Y/n)?!" He asked me in shock. I only chuckle at him. "Yes. It it me Vanitas. But why is this such a shock to you?" I ask him. "Y-You told me, Terra, and Saïx to arrive here and await further instructions! I had no idea you placed your heart in (Y/n)!" He said in what seems to be both in shock and anger, which brings me some slight concern for the black haired male. "Now why do you sound so upset Vanitas? You normally don't care for others wellbeing except your own." I then put a smirk on my face. "Could it be perhaps you have feelings for this boy?" I could see Vanitas having a slight blush on his face.

"I-I u-uh-" I have my answer. "No need to say more. Your response is enough." I said and turn away from him. "But I advise that you put your feelings aside and look to the task ahead." I then look at the window and I see that Sora and the others have arrived at the castle entrance. "As you can see, Sora and the others have arrived. Best to be ready for their arrival to your chamber, Vanitas." I say and turn around to see Vanitas about to leave through a portal of darkness. "And Vanitas..." I said and Vanitas looked back at me. "Don't disappoint me."

Sora's POV

We arrived at the castle entrance. What awaited us beyond those doors are Heartless and Nobodies. I turn around, facing everyone, who were all looking at me. "Alright everyone. Once we enter the castle, we are not coming out until we rescue (Y/n). If you're not ready or if you want to turn back, please say so now." I say to everyone. "Sora. We're not turning back. We said we're going to help you save him, no matter what. We're ready." I heard Roxas and everyone nodded in unison. I smile and nod. "Thank you guys." I then turn around and push the doors open. "Let's go."

We walk inside the castle to see the white corridors. As we walk through the castle I came to notice that it is eerily quiet here. Normally, Nobodies and Heartless would be attacking us right now, but we haven't encountered any of them. "This seems to easy." I said. "Yeah. It's too quiet. Very unsettling." Riku said. We then enter a large room that had three separate hallways, pointing north, east and west. "Where to Sora?" I heard Naminé. I close my eyes and try to focus on (Y/n) with all my heart. However I wasn't able to feel him or his presence, it's as if he vanished or didn't exist. I open my eyes and feel disheartened. "I-I don't know... I can't feel him..." I said with a frown on my face.

*tap, tap, tap*

"Huh?" I hear footsteps, light and fast footsteps. I look at each hallway but I don't see anything because each hallway was filled with darkness, unable to see through it. I then see a small figure in the north hallway, it was familiar sight. "C-Chirithy?" I said in slight surprise. I heard a small gasp from behind me and I see Ventus, who was also in shock. Does he know Chirithy? I then look back at Chirithy, who seemed to be beckoning us to follow him. "Should we follow him?" Xion asks. "We have no other leads. Plus it seems this place has changed since last time. It's best that we follow him." I said and everyone nods. We then follow Chirithy down the hall, but he was walking fast and it was hard to keep up with him.

"Hold up! You're going to fast!" I yelled but then Chirithy disappeared. "Huh where did he go?" Kairi asked. I didn't have an answer but this hallway only goes straight. "I don't know but all we can do is follow this hallway. But be on your guard." I said and everyone brought out their keyblades. We continue to walk down the hall but as we walk we see a door that has some kind of symbol.

I then heard Aqua and Ventus gasp. "That's the Unversed symbol!" I heard Aqua yelp and then all of a sudden, creatures that I wasn't familiar with began to appear. "Unversed!" I heard Ventus yell, and both him and Aqua charged at the Unversed and attacked them. The rest of us joined in to help get rid of the Unversed even faster. Slowly one by one they disappeared and once the last one was defeated we found ourselves inches away from the door. "I'm getting a boss battle vibe coming from this door." I heard (D/n) say. "If that's the case then be ready." I say and everyone nods. I then reach my hand and open the door, only to find pitch black darkness.

We walked inside the room with Keyblades in hand, cautiously examining the dark room for any possible danger. However once we were all inside the door behind us closed and locked us in. Then light began to shine in the room and I could see a figure dressed in black and red spandex, who looks... like me! "Vanitas!" I heard Ventus yell. Vanitas didn't respond and had a look of sorrow on his face. "What are you doing here?!" Ventus yelled. "I'm here because I was called." He said but I can notice the sorrow in his voice. "Guys... Vanitas sounds upset." I said. "Don't think about that! Vanitas is a cruel and terrible being, created by Xehanort by splitting Ventus in half!" Aqua yelled. "Don't give him the very feeling of compassion! He doesn't deserve it!" She continued to yell, but deep inside I can tell Vanitas is hurting but why, I don't know.

But Aqua's right. I can't think about that right now, the more time we waste the less likely we will come out of here with (Y/n). "We can't stay here and fight. We have to get out of here and help (Y/n)!" I say and then Ventus walks up in front of me. "Leave Vanitas to me Sora." He said but Aqua did not like that. "What?! Are you crazy?! Ventus you can't fight him, remember what happened?!" She yelled but Ventus smiled at her. "Don't worry about me. Go on ahead with Sora. I promise I'll be fine." Ventus's smile was enough to soothe Aqua and so she sighed. "Alright. Just be careful. Come on Sora!" She said and we followed her to the door that was on the opposite side of the room. We then enter the door into another hallway, leaving Ventus and Vanitas together. "Good luck Ventus."

Ventus's POV

Once everyone was out of the room I prepared myself into a battle stance, but Vanitas didn't move. Sora's right... he does seem upset. "Vanitas? Are you alright?" I ask him but got no response, he seems to be lost in thought. "Vanitas!" Still no response. "VANITAS!" That finally got a response because he shook as if he was pulled out of his own thoughts. Something IS off, but still Vanitas didn't say a thing.

But Vanitas was cautious now, and he pulled out his keyblade. This isn't the Vanitas in know, so there is only one way to know why he feels like this. He won't speak under normal conditions, the only way to know how he feels is through a fight. So I ready myself again and then I rush at Vanitas with my keyblade ready to strike him.

However just before I could hit him, he blocks my attack and parries it. I continue to rush him and every time I do, he blocks and parries, but he never attacked back. Normally he would be attacking back by now and would be dodging my attacks, but all that he's doing is blocking. He's not himself.

"Vanitas tell me what's wrong!" No response. "Vanitas you can tell me what's wrong! We are like brothers in a way, so you can tell me anything!" And just as I said that I saw tears fall from Vanitas's eyes. "He's crying?" His keyblade then disappeared and for a moment I felt light spark inside his once pitch black heart. "I-I n-need to save him. H-He doesn't deserve this." I heard Vanitas choke out. "Are you talking about (Y/n)?" He nods. "Xehanort is controlling him and when I found out... it hurt. Because when I first saw him... I couldn't explain it... but I felt happy... to meet him. I never felt that before, it was wonderful."

I never seen Vanitas like this, it hurts to see him so sad. And by instinct I walk up to Vanitas and made my keyblade disappear. Then once I was close enough I gave him a hug. "Vanitas... you don't have to feel this way. I know you want to save him, and you can. Just help us and we can free (Y/n) from Xehanort's control." I then heard shuffling and saw the Vanitas wrapped his arms around me, not in a threatening way, but a comforting way. He was hugging me back. "T-Thank you... brother."