Dream Drop Distance: The Nyrolian Edition

Chapter 9 (The World That Never Was)

*Author's Note: Although there is Sora's side of the story in here, however, this chapter will focus more on both Riku's and Nyra's sides of the story. And for those who have played the game, you may have noticed that Marluxia's throne (on the right side of Sora) was empty when it was supposed to have Young Xehanort sitting on it. But I decided to use this little "glitch" to my advantage and remedy it. The following chapter may contain strong language and other matters that may scare or is not suitable for younger readers, Viewer discretion is advised.*

~~~KH~~~

Sora's POV

I let myself glide down to the ground, catching myself on the road. As I regained my balance, the realization of my new surroundings hit me. "Wait, isn't this..." My eyes trailed to the tall tower in front of me. "Is the Organization's world sleeping too? No, it can't be." I said quietly to myself. I raised my hands up and began counting my fingers. "I know I definitely found the seven Keyholes already. So, I've gotta be awake again and in the real world. But why here?" I wondered out loud before a male voice startled me. "Aw, what's the matter, sleepyhead?" he asked with a hint of taunting in his voice "Who's there? Show yourself!" I shouted to the stranger, "We jumped through a lot of hoops to get you here. But it looks as if it's gonna pay off." He said. I heard a buzz; I turned my head to look where the noise was coming from, and my eyes widened at the red glowing laser heading my way. I reflexively jumped out of the way and looked to where it came from. A silhouette jumped down to reveal...Xigbar?! "You're part of this?" I gasped. "Hey. Let's hit these plot points in order, Sora...Roxas. First, you must be wondering about your revised itinerary. "Why am I here, not back home?" The answer's simple. We brought you to this place! Hijacked your little slumber party before it started. And ever since, we've been both your companions and your constant guides." He explained. "Before it started?" I gasped as I remembered, "The man in the robe! And so that guy in the black coat, and Xemnas..." I realized, "Bingo. You were able to go back in time to just before your home became a Sleeping World, only because a past version of you already existed there. And I can see, in the past, you already met Mr. Robe Guy." He continued, walking closer to me, making me more uncomfortable. I leaned back, trying to get my distance. "Yup, he was there then to make sure you ended up here now." He added, "That's ridiculous!" I blurted out. "It sure is. It's too perfect. Who'd ever believe it? Which is why you idiots never saw it coming. You thought you were off doing some kind of test, right? Well, test this; how come you're wearing the same clothes if you're already back home? You are not gonna wake up, okay? Look, there's no real versus dreams anymore. There's just you, us, and this." He replied, "I see. Fair enough." I said, summoning my Keyblade. "So what? At least I know who to blame for it!" I added as I got into position, causing Xigbar to look back. "Ooh, I see you've still got that angry look down. But, here is where I tag out. I got just a few more hoops I gotta jump through." And with that, he was gone.

I gasped, staring blankly at where he had just been. I looked around frantically; if this was a trap, then I wasn't alone. I looked up to see Xigbar grinning down at me. I quickly raised my arm over my face to shield whatever was coming my way. I heard the shots all around me, but none of them actually hit. I looked around to see a group of people in hoods all around. But one stood out the most, that young man from Traverse Town who has been following me the whole time! "Come with me." He said, holding out his hand. My head fogged a bit as I saw a vision of Riku, that day on the islands. My eyes became heavy, and everything around became a blur. "What?" I breathed, bringing my hand to my head. I turned my gaze to Xigbar, who grinned a bit. "Pleasant dreams, kiddo." He said smugly, but that's when lightning bolts shot out and caused everyone, including the young man to vanish before the lightning have struck down on them and catching Xigbar off guard. "What the?!" My vision sharpens as I became more alert; I looked in the direction those lightning came from to see that cloaked figure again! The figure leapt off from the wolf midair and landed perfectly in front of me as the wolf landed not far from Xigbar and began baring its fangs at him. The figure then stood up and looks back at me, allowing me to see a couple strands of black hair. "What are you doing, Sora? You need to go through the Portal behind you. It will take you straight to Yen Sid's tower." A female's voice told me, causing me to turn around to see the same Portal I saw at Mont Saint-Michel. I didn't know what I was more surprised about; the fact that the cloaked girl knows my name, or that there's something familiar about her voice, it couldn't be... I snapped out of it when the wolf began snarling at the approaching Xigbar in a way of saying "Don't even think about it!"; "Get going, kid!" the girl ordered me again before pushing me into the Portal, now knowing that it is. "Nyra, wait!" I called out to her, but she got herself into position to fight Xigbar off with her Dream Eater; and that was the last thing I saw before the Portal closed around me and everything went dark.