Chapter 13: Hollow Bastion! Team, Assemble!

Synopsis
At Hollow Bastion, Yuffie and Leon protect the townspeople from a swarm of Shadows. Leon and Yuffie talk about the peace they hope to make in their world, only to be interrupted by another outbreak of Heartless. Yuffie goes to handle the Heartless, while Leon looks on at the ominous castle in the distance.

In this castle, Pete is shown doing various chores, as ordered by Maleficent. Maleficent creates a portal of darkness, instructing Pete to go into the numerous worlds and increase their number of Heartless. Maleficent continues, explaining that by controlling the Heartless they will rule over all worlds. Basking at the thought, Pete quickly enters the portal.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy successfully arrive at Hollow Bastion, pleased to see the renovations and growth since their last visit. Not long after arrival, the group notices a couple of Shadows. The Heartless flee, with Sora in chase. Before Sora can attack the Shadows, a computer program appears beneath the Heartless, then promptly rises up, deleting them. The group runs into Yuffie, who explains the town's reconstruction. Sora asks if the King or Riku have been here, only to learn the opposite. Sora offers their assistance, which Yuffie gratefully accepts. She takes the group to Leon and the others, explaining the Claymore computer program from before.

At the group's secret hideout, Cid discusses the Heartless settling in the canyon just outside of town. Leon complains of the work, instead proposing that the group focus on removing the threat completely. To this, Cid reminds Leon of the low supply of man power. Aerith enters, concluding that they will have to continue taking out the Heartless one at a time. Merlin comes in as well, having a proposition for defeating the Heartless. Although not used, the idea gives Cid a new thought: the use of a bomb. Yuffie then enters, presenting Sora, Donald, and Goofy. Yuffie introduces the others as the "Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee."

Afterwards, Leon takes the group around the town's perimeter, showing Sora the massive army of Heartless outside the gates. Sora instantly agrees to remove them, boasting that if they can defeat Ansem, these smaller Heartless are easy. Suddenly, a group wearing black coats appear, who mocks Sora's overconfidence. The group, which Sora easily recognizes as Organization XIII, summons several waves of Nobodies. Although victorious, the Keyblade wielder is exhausted. Seeing this, one of the Organization's members tells Sora he is not using all of the Keyblade's power. Then, the Claymore program appears, starting to attack the dark beings. Before leaving one of the members tells Sora to work harder, or else "he disappeared for nothing."

Leon runs back to tell Cid about the event. Meanwhile, Sora ponders who this "he" is, when more Dusk arrive.

Covers

 * Front cover: A woman in Hollow Bastion being attacked by a Shadow

Continuity errors

 * None yet identified.

Artistic errors

 * None yet identified.

Collections

 * 2008 - Kingdom Hearts II Vol. 2
 * 2013 - Kingdom Hearts II Vol. 1