Chapter Text
Sora was glad he could properly thank and say bye to his new Dream Eater companions. The mark of mastery exam hadn't been easy and being separated from Riku didn't do him any favours but his new friends made sure he wasn't lonely. By now most of his Dream Eater friends that had filled the Traverse Town plaza had gone off on their own but his Meow Wow stayed behind to see him off.
Sora knelt by his companion and scratched the little guy's head. "I'll come back to visit you guys soon, alright," he said.
The Meow Wow nuzzled his face into Sora's palm and let out a small whine but when he looked up at Sora he saw the same reassuring smile and kindness in his eyes that eased him. Feeling comfort knowing that he'd see his Dream mate again and resolute that he would continue to protect Sora from Nightmares, the Meow Wow let out a small happy squeal and jumped back to give his friend space.
Taking a step back, Sora raised his keyblade into the air and reality began to warp near him as he prepared to open a portal back to Yen Sid's tower.
Sora and his Meow Wow weren't the only ones in the plaza though.
Young Xehanort leapt from a nearby rooftop and instantly rushed towards Sora and slammed the boy's keyblade to the side, sending it skittering away. He turned his attention to the small Dream Eater and punted the poor Meow Wow aside while extending his arm towards Sora. Grabbing the boy by the face, Xehanort slammed him into the ground before Sora could even think about what was happening.
"I had a hunch you'd return to the dream world. Always so sentimental," Xehanort taunted. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be seeing your friends soon enough although I'm quite sure they won't be as excited."
A surge of Darkness obscured Sora's face and he could feel the same darkness that threatened to take him last time as it creeped through his very soul. Eyes wide open in alarm, Sora struggled and thrashed in Xehanort's grip but the cold was numbing and the dark so very welcoming.
A shrill squeal of anger rang through Sora's head and he shifted his gaze over to his small companion getting ready to rush into Xehanort's side. The Meow Wow ran towards Xehanort with all his might and his horn struck true, sending the young master hurtling away from Sora.
"Tougher than you look but it makes no difference," Xehanort's Keyblade materialized in his hand, "i'll just erase you and move on."
The Meow Wow ran to Sora and posed protectively in front of the now kneeling keyblade wielder; intent on not even letting Xehanort get a chance at reaching Sora.
I can't believe Young Xehanort found me and I was already feeling plenty weak but that darkness ate at me. I'm not so sure I can take him on and I can't let my Dream Eater get hurt because of me. Well, I don't think I have much of a choice though.
"No cavalry to save you this time would be master," Xehanort said. "You're coming with me and you'll be extra useful in demoralizing your precious friends. I can't wait to see how the guardians of light will react having to fight another of their own."
Sora's face contorted into a snarl and the air shimmered near his hand, keyblade materializing and radiating power.
WAIT! The keyblade is still charged with all the light I was gonna use to go back, maybe I can use it to open a portal back without having to fight him. Although, it's not nearly enough for me to choose where to go….oh well, I can't gather much more.
Looking down at his Meow Wow Sora spoke, "hey little buddy, run as soon as i open this thing." Slamming the point of his keyblade downward, Sora released the energy within and opened a portal out of the dream realm.
Xehanort saw the portal open and sprang towards the pair but the Meow Wow once again met him head on and knocked him back. "HA! You think a half baked portal like that will save you? There are easier ways to commit suicide you know," Xehanort said. Unfortunately for Xehanort, however, Sora had already leapt in as soon as he was able; the portal closed in just as little time.
Xehanort looked towards the Meow Wow who was already running deeper into the town and sighed, dematerializing his keyblade.
"I suppose my little gambit to capture him failed then; no matter; he's most certainly lost in the cosmos" Xehanort said. "One less guardian who's strong enough to oppose us is victory enough."
Walking into his own dark portal, the plaza fell into silence.
~~~~~
Omake: Dream Eaters get vengeance
Young Xehanort was walking towards his dark portal when he felt a massive claw grab him by the shoulder. A Kooma Panda growled angrily at him.
Looking behind him, he noticed thousands of Dream Eaters ready to beat him down; at the center of it all, a very angry looking Meow Wow.
"Oh No," he let out before his voice went up several octaves as the dream eaters descended on him.
~~~~~
Master Xehanort was enjoying his evening tea and chess match with Xemnas when suddenly a dark portal opened and a very unconscious and very blue younger version of himself was thrown out of it.
"So that's why my arm has that weird angle when I straighten it," Master Xehanort hummed. "Ansem, please clean him up so he can explain what happened. I have checkmate in three moves."