Waves crashed up on the beach as a storm brewed out in the ocean. Suddenly, a figure came flying towards Kairi and knocks her off balance. She turns around to see that it is.....SORA! She rushes over to him only to find that she can't. Something is forcing her back. She feels like she is being thrown at a brick wall. She screams in pain, but nothing comes out. But she is screaming inside though. Screaming because of the pain she was feeling. Pain beyond pain. She felt like something was piercing her heart. She tried to reach towards Sora, but couldn't move her arms. She starts to cry.
Kairi: "Sora....Sora.....help." Then behind her comes a wave pounding on her washing Sora into the ocean. He's gone, forever. Kairi thought. As she floated through nothingness, a dark shadow comes from behind. It's yellow eyes locking on her. Soon, she too, becomes shrouded in darkness. She screams and then opens her eyes.
Kairi:"It was all a dream, Kairi. It was all a dream." She slips out of bed and walks over to her bedroom window. She looks out expecting to see Riku and Sora walking up the beach. All she sees is sand and water. She sighs, "When will you be back?" She walks downstairs and puts on a sweater. She opens the door and walks outside. Along the beach she walks until she comes to the secret place. She bends down to enter the small cave. Down the long tunnel she goes. When she comes to all the drawings they all made when they were kids, she goes over to the one of Sora and her giving each other a poupu fruit. She runs her cold hand down the smooth rock. Tears welling up in her eyes. But she doesn't feel alone. She feels as if someone is there with her. Putting a hand on hers. She smiles and walks out. When she's out of the cave, she looks to her side towards the waterfall. She examines it. She feels like she is being watched. Little does she know, she is.......
Back at the crossroads, Sora and company are following Pluto, who has a mysterious letter from King Mickey. Pluto stops abruptly and Sora, Donald, and Goofy go flying over him face first in the dirt. Goofy:"Pluto, why'd you stop? You hear something boy?" Pluto perks up and takes off again at full speed. Stopping a little ways away to let them catch up. Sora out of breath says:"Geez Pluto. You could slow down you know." Pluto gives a short bark and trots off. Sora and friends walking beside him. Sora:"Did you guys hear that?" Donald:"Hear What? I didn't hear anything." Sora:"Listen..." A gentle breeze swept over the grass. All of a sudden, 10 shadow heartless jump out of the grass and surround them. Donald:"I thought we got rid of the heartless once and for all?!" Sora:"Well, I guess they're back. And I’m guessing that they're not too happy." Donald casts Thundaga and Goofy does a tornado. Sora swings his keyblade around knocking the shadows to the ground. They disappear into a dark, gloomy mist when 10 more appear. Again the heroes fight them off. Sora:"How many are there?" Donald:"Who knows. But we can't keep this up forever." Sora:"Your right." the shadows surround them. Three heartless pounce onto each of them knocking them to the ground. Then, out of no where, a figure jumps out of the grass fighting off the heartless one-by-one. He's surrounded by a strange light, yet somehow familiar. Then from the other side of the road, another figure jumps out. This one much, much taller. Together they fight off the shadows. When they're done, they attempt to take their hoods off. As they do this Sora and company gasp. Sora:"Can it really be......"
Reunion
Back at the Island…………
Kairi goes into the little shack and walks up the stairs. She opens the door at the top and, once on the other side, walks across the bridge to the small island. She climbs onto the tree branch that stretches out over the water. Balancing herself, she walks across it to the end of the branch. There, buried in leaves, she picks a puopu fruit. She balances back to the other side of the branch and sits down. Her feet dangling in the air. She feels the puopu fruit over and whispers “I know you will.” She gives a quick smile and put’s it in her pocket. “Huh!” she turns around to see a figure in a black raincoat. He says in a raspy voice:“I have come for you, Princess.” Kairi:”What do u want with me!,” she jumps off the tree branch.”Who are you anyway?!” Unknown:“That is not important. My name does not matter. Especially to a worthless girl like you.” Kairi:”Oh yeh, well, we’ll see about that.” She throws her hands in the air causing stars to fall from the sky. They hurtle towards the Unknown, but he dodges. Unknown:”Is that all you’ve got?” Kairi:”No, I’m just getting warmed up.” The Unknown summons these two fire, spike things. Then surrounds the two in a circle of fire. She looks all around her. She was trapped! She started to panic. Kairi:”Oh no. I’m in trouble know.” Unknown:”You bet you are. No one can escape this.” Sweat started dripping down Kairi’s face. He throws one of the circular spike things at Kairi. She dodges to the side, but just barely. The thing had given her a gash across the chest and ripped her sweater, which fell to the ground. It was sliced in half off her body. She stumbled backwards only to find that these things are a lot like boomerangs. She didn’t have time to dodge this one. The impact threw her to the ground. She could barely stand up. She had just enough strength to lift her head. Unknown:”Now you’ll come with me.” Kairi:”Never!” Unknown:”Oh, I think you’ll regret that.” He points a hand towards her and flames start to circle around his hand creating a fireball. Kairi:”You wouldn’t dare!” Unknown:”I wouldn’t, would I? Just wait and see. Soon you’ll be a pile of ashes.”
Then out of the sky came a figure riding a mysterious, strange creature. Another one to the side of her swooped down hurling itself at the Unknown. It stood on top if him snarling and showing a mouthful of needle sharp teeth. It was a beautiful creature. It had a golden coat and the body of a lion. It had wings like an angel. The most beautiful wings Kairi had ever seen. It had three earrings on each ear and beautiful emerald colored eyes. The other creature landed in front of Kairi with a passenger on it’s back. This creature was a little different. Gold fur, earrings, angel wings, but this one had Amethyst colored eyes. She also had a black collar around her neck. What was on the collar, Kairi only caught a glimpse of, but it was almost the same as her lucky charm. The figure was wearing a velvet, red cloak with rubies hanging from the sleeves and a bell from the hood. She, or he, looked back and smiled at her. Kairi gave a confused look. This person, where have I seen her before. She’s so familiar. Kairi thought. And these creatures, they feel like long, lost friends. Unknown:”You haven’t seen the last of me. I’ll be back.” He stepped back into a dark, whirling portal and vanished. Red Cloaked Unknown:”That was close. You alright Kairi?” Kairi:”How do you know my name? And how come you seem so familiar? Have we met before?” RCU smiles and withdraws her hood. Lavender colored hair flows down a little past her neck. Kairi:”Oh my god! It’s you! It’s really you!” RCU:”What took you so long Kairi?”
At the crossroads………..
Sora:“Riku! Riku! Is it really you?” Riku:”Hope so. Finding you is not easy. You move around way too much.” Sora:”Sorry, I’ll try to cut back on that then.” Goofy & Donald:”Your highness! Where have you been! Are you alright?” Mickey:”Yes, I’m fine. Are you three Okay?” Sora:”Yeh, we’re fine.” Riku:”Where’s kairi?” Sora:”Back on the island, I suppose. I couldn’t bring her with us. What if something happened to her while we were traveling. I would never forgive myself. Besides, she’s safe back on the island.”
Mickey:”Sora, there’s something I have to tell you.” Sora:”What is it?” “Your heart, it’s not what it used to be. You have to find something, but in order to do that, you have to lose something very important to you.” “What? What do I have to lose? Tell me!” “Sora, I can’t. you have to figure it out on your own. I’m sorry.” “Great! That’s all I need! To lose something important to me!” he puts his hands into fists. “Is there anything else I need to know?!” Riku:”Well, I met someone,” Sora:”Huh, where? Who?” “Not sure who. He looked just like you Sora. Except, there was something missing in him. Something important.” Sora:”Well, maybe that’s the thing, or person, I have to find! Let’s get going!” Donald:”WAIT! Shouldn’t we check back with Kairi.You never know what can happen to someone after a year.” Riku:”It’s been a year?! Wow, time flies by, doesn’t it. It would be nice to see my home again.” Riku looks up into the sky seeming like he’s daydreaming or going back to old memories. Sora:”Well then, let’s get going!” Riku:”Yeh! Come on guys. Hey Sora,” Sora:”Yeh?” “I’ll race you.” “Huh?” Riku whizzes past him at top speed. Sora:”Oh no you don’t!” They laugh and run next to each other like old times. The rest of the party trying to keep up behind them.
Wall Drawings & Getting Home
Kairi:”Mimi! It’s been so long!” The two hugged each other. Mimi was Kairi’s twin sister. Kairi let go and looked over at the two creatures. Kairi:”Chi-chi! I missed you so much. How are you doing?” Chi-chi:”I’ve been fine, thank you.” Chi-chi is able to talk to people through their minds. Kinda like telepathy. She is also her loyal friend and guardian since she was born. Kairi:”I remember when you were just a little cub. You’ve grown so much in the, at least 10 years, that I’ve been living here. By the way, where’s Angel?” she looked behind her to see the other creature standing beside Mimi. Kairi:”What’s going on Angel?” Angel:”Nothing much. Just that we’ve been looking for you.” Kairi:”For how long?” Mimi:“Oh, I would say at least 5 years. After what happened back at the castle, it’s been chaos and not safe to venture out into wide open areas. Especially when you’re a princess.” Kairi:”Yeah, I guess your right. Come on, let’s go back to the house and talk. There has to be a hundred things to catch up on.” Mimi:”That’s sounds fantastic! Oh, and, are you the only one on this island. Don’t you have any friends?” Kairi:”I do.” she reaches into her pocket, “but they’re away. In another world. They promised to be back. I believe them! Really, I do. I know that they would never forget about me. I’ll introduce you to them once they come back.” Chi-chi:”How long have they been gone for?” Kairi:”a year.” her voice trailed off. She looked down at the sand then over to the Secret Place. They all walked back to the house in silence.
When back at the house, they had breakfast which was eggs, toast, and tea. Mimi and Kairi talked for countless hours. About their adventures, friends, and just things to catch up on. Mimi liked to hear about Sora and Riku. She never really had any friends, except her sister. Along with Chi-chi and Angel. Mimi also enjoyed hearing the story about how Kairi was captured and lost her heart. And how Sora revived her. She listened intensely when Kairi told her all about it. When it was Mimi’s turn, Kairi liked listening to how her sister had escaped and hid for so many years. How she went all over just to look for her. It was amazing. The two got so wrapped up in their stories that they almost went through the whole entire day talking. When they saw what time it was, Kairi decided to give Mimi a tour of her wonderful home.
She showed her the small island where they were fighting with that strange unknown. She told Mimi all about their plans to make a raft and sought out other worlds. How all that changed in one night. But when it came time for her to show her sister the secret place, she hesitated. It was hard for her to go in on a regular basis knowing that her best friends may never return.
Mimi:”What’s wrong?” Kairi:”It’s nothing, really. I just can’t stand the fact that Sora and Riku may never come back. It’s hard, you know.” “Yeh, I know. But come on. You even said it yourself that you believed with all your heart that they would come back. Sora promised you, remember?” “You’re right. Come on, this place is awesome!” They bent over to go into the cave and walked down the short tunnel to all the drawings they made as little kids. Mimi:”WOW! This is so cool! You guys did all this?!” Kairi:”Yup! And the other kids on the island. They’re not really my friends. Just people I know. Their names are Wakka, Tidus, and Selphie.” Mimi:”I’d like to meet them some time.” “Don’t worry, you will.” Mimi walked over to the drawing Sora and Kairi made of each other giving them selves poupu fruits. Mimi:”Is this Sora? And you? What are those star shaped things in your hands?” She asked pointing to the drawing on the stone wall. Kairi:”Yes, that is Sora and me. Those stars are poupu fruits. They’re said to link one another’s lives to the person you share it with.” Mimi:”Ooooooooo, you have a boyfriend!” Kairi:”No I don’t! You’re so mean!” she said smiling sweetly and blushed. “Come on, it’s getting late. I’ll introduce you to the others tomorrow.” Mimi:”Ok! So, what’s for dinner?” Kairi:”Fish and coconut milk.” Mimi:”Oh, I see,” she leaned closer to her sister and whispered something in her ear. ”You sure he’s not your boyfriend?” “Mimi!” “Haha!” Kairi pushed her sister and started running off. “Kairi! You are so gonna pay for that!” She got back on her feet and started running after her sister.
Sora:”So, how we gettin back to the island?” Riku:”Beats me.” Mickey:”We’ll fly. With the gummi ship.” Sora:”How? Aren’t the impassable walls up now? Gummi ships can’t fly through them. Can they?” Mickey:”Well, the walls are down again, correct. And so, gummi ships are flyable.” Sora:”Hooray! Destiny Islands, here we come!” Riku:”Hope Kairi’s alright. It’s been so long. She’s not mad at me, is she?” Sora:”For what?” Riku:”For the thing with Ansem and giving myself to the darkness. For putting all of you in danger.” Sora:”Of course not! She would never be mad! She knows what happened and why you did what you did. Don’t worry.” Riku hung his head down staring at his feet. Thinking about when they all were little kids. When they used to scribble on the walls in the Secret Place. He wondered if everything would stay the same between the three of them.
Mickey:”Here it is! Our way back.” under all the brush was the gummi ship. It was tremendous! It could have fit at least 10 people inside. They all climbed in and fastened their seatbelts. Mickey:”5...” Donald:”4.….” Goofy:”3.….” Sora:”2.…” Riku:”1.…” Mickey:” BLAST OFF!” the ship rocketed through the sky and soared over the treetops. Sora looked out the window. He was heading home.
The Shooting Star
Mimi and Kairi awoken to the smell of pancakes being baked. They raced downstairs and gobbled everything up. Then they got dressed and went out to the docks to take the boats over to the island to draw in the Secret Place. They had decided the night before to draw pictures with each other incase anything happened and they would never see each other again. This way, they had memories of the days they spent together on Destiny Islands. When they reached the shore across the ocean, they tied their boats to the small dock and headed towards the Secret Place. They charged inside and began looking for a rock to start drawing with. When they each found one, they knelt down next to the wall and began.
They outlined their hands then colored them in. They did the same to Chi-chi and Angel. Below their hand prints, and paw prints, they wrote their names. When they were done, they stepped back to examine their masterpiece. Kairi:”What do you think?” Mimi:”I think they’re wonderful.” Angel:”Yes, I agree. I’m just happy my name is there.” Mimi:”Of course it is, silly! I would never leave you out. No, I wouldn’t,” she said stroking her beloved friend under her chin. Angel gave out a loud purr. Kairi stood there smiling. Then she reached into her pocket. She had put the same poupu fruit she picked the day before in her pocket. That way it was always with her. Kairi:”Hmm…,” she gave out a sigh. “Huh? What’s that?” the four rushed out of the cave to the edge where there was a small jump to the ground below. Chi-chi and Angel were snarling. The two sisters just stared up into the sky with bewildered looks on their faces. Suddenly Kairi gasped and her eyes widened. Kairi:”Is it?” Mimi:”What is what?” a roaring sound split through the sky. Wakka:”What is that!?” Tidus, Selphie, and Wakka came running up to them staring into the sky with the same expressions on their faces. Mimi:”I have no idea.” Kairi jumped down to the ground below and ran to the shore. Then stood there as a blue aura, which looked like a shooting star, went soaring through the sky overhead. Then to the right came an object that appeared to be some kind of ship. Kairi:”Hey! Hey, down here!” she started throwing her hands above her head. Then started to cry. Her friends had finally come home. She jumped for joy. Mimi joined her by her side. The other three did as well. Chi-chi and Angel stayed in their position, except without the snarling. They sat down, as most cats and dogs do, and just watched as the ship came landing down. Kairi was the first one over there. The top lifted up and out of it a head appeared. Sora’s head! Sora:”Hey Kairi!,” he jumped down and ran over to her giving her a huge hug. She stood there in his arms crying. Sora:“I missed you so much.” Kairi:”Me, too.” Riku:”What about me? Don’t I get a hug?” Kairi:”Riku!” She ran over to him and hugged him as well. Then she stepped back and said, “Where have you been all this time!? I’ve been worried sick!” Sora:”We were, uh,” Kairi:”Don’t you make excuses!” Riku:”Huh? Who’s that?” he asked pointing to Mimi. Kairi:”Oh, this is my twin sister, Mimi.” Mimi:”Nice to finally meet you.” Riku:”Yeh, me too.” he said and started to blush. Mimi smiled at him and turned towards Sora. “So, you’re Sora. I’ve heard a lot about you and your pal, Riku.” Sora:”Really, what did she say?” Kairi:”Nothing important.” Kairi turned around to face Wakka, Tidus, and Selphie. “Hey! This is my sis Mimi.” Wakka:”Hey! Wat’s up?” Mimi:”Nothing. Nice to meet you.” Selphie:”Same here. So you guys are twins, huh? That must be really cool!” Mimi:”Yeh, I guess so. Having a sister, especially a twin, is so much fun.”
Riku:”You guys want to go talk somewhere?” Sora:”How bout the Secret Place?” Mimi:”Yeh, why not! See you guys later!” she waved good-bye to Wakka and the others, then they headed for the small cave under the tree. Chi-chi and Angel still sitting there in their spot and had not budged an inch. As they all approached them, Chi-chi perked up. She finally got up and went over to Sora. She sniffed him and circled him once, then sat back down in front of him. “You smell familiar.” she said to him. Sora:”Wah? It talked!” Chi-chi:”Of course I did. What did you expect me to do. Growl?” she made a disgusted noise and turned around and disappeared into the cave leaving Sora, Riku, and the others just staring. Mimi:”What are you waiting for? Come on!” Sora & Riku looked at each other and followed behind everyone else. Angel stared at them as they passed making a deep, growl from inside. Her eyes locked on them and shined a bright, dark, plum color. She did not at all look happy. She took up the rear behind everyone else into the Secret Place. When inside, everyone sat in a circle, well, almost a circle. More like the circle a kindergartener would draw. Kairi in the middle of Sora and Mimi and Riku on Sora’s other side. Goofy & Donald sitting on either side of King Mickey. Chi-chi and Angel behind their loyal friends. Angel stared suspiciously at Riku. For some reason, she didn’t like him at all. Sora:”So, who are they?” pointing to the lion-like creatures behind him. Kairi:”Oh them. They’re Chi-chi and Angel. Our beloved friends and loyal guardians since we were born.” Riku:”So, how can they talk?” Chi-chi:”We talk to others than ourselves by speaking through their minds.” Mickey:”Like telepathy? Correct?”
Chi-chi:”Exactly. Or kything, as we would say.” Donald:”Kything?….” Angel:”Is talking, but through spirit. Through minds. Instead of physically, mentally.” Goofy:”Oohhhh, now I get it.” Riku gave a quick glance at Angel and shivered. Her gaze felt like it was piercing through his heart. Riku:”Kairi,” he whispered. “Why is Angel staring at me like that?” Kairi:”Like what?” they both looked back at her. She was staring at him. Not even blinking. “Maybe she senses darkness within you? Because of what happened to your….”her voice trailed off. Angel stood up and walked over to him. Angel:”How did it happen?” Riku:”Huh?” Angel:”That shooting star, do you know about it? Who was the boy in the white costume?”
Returning Promises
Riku:”What shooting star?” Mickey:”There was a star falling!” he stood up abruptly. Everyone stared at him. “That’s not good. Not good at all.” Kairi:”Why?” Angel:”Answer the question! Who was the boy in the white costume?” Riku:”I have no idea, and I don’t know about the shooting st-,” he stopped talking so suddenly it was like he had lost his voice in a second. “What did it look like?” Angel:”A blue aura. Falling through the sky just before you landed.” Sora:”I didn’t see anything. Did you guys?” he asked looking at Donald and Goofy who were shaking their heads. Mickey:”Ansem has returned.” Kairi:”What?! He couldn’t have. That means that…..” Riku:”We’re all in danger. Especially you two.” he said looking at the twin sisters. “I have to go.” he stood up. Kairi:”You can’t go! I won’t lose you again!” she grabbed his arm and clung on with tears welling up in her eyes. Riku bent down. Riku:”But, then what will happen to all of you? If he’s back, he’s likely to come after me again, and Sora. There’s no way that I am going to risk any of you being lost again, either.” Sora:”I’ll risk it. For you.” he said grinning. Goofy:”So will I.” he chimed in. Mimi:”And me, too.” Riku:”But… but what if he takes my heart again? I can’t stop him if he harms you in any way. You know that, right? I can’t really hold him back. He’s probably stronger than he was before.” Kairi:”We know that. But losing you is like-is like losing part of our heart. We’ll stop at nothing to save you. If that’s the case.” Kairi said with confidence and wiped away the tears in her eyes. Riku:”You guys would really do that for me?” They all nodded their heads in approval. Sora stood up next to him, ”You’re my best friend. Why would I want you to go away. And if he does come back for us,” (he made one of those gestures with his hands-The one where he it looks like he’s pulling something down.) “we’ll be here to finish him off like the last time.” Kairi:”Yeah! We’ll make sure he never wants to come back again.” Mimi stood up and walked over to him.”We’ll be here for you, all the way.” he looked at her and smiled. Riku:”But you’ve only known me for a couple of minutes. You would still risk your life for me?” Mimi:”Well, yeh. You did for my sister. I’m repaying you.” Riku:”Thanks.” Mimi:“Your welcome.” Chi-chi:”We’ll help, too. After all, we’re their guardians.” Kairi:”if you didn’t help us, you’d be in trouble.” she patted her on the head.
Donald:”So, a shooting star fell. What’s so horrible about it?” Riku:”If stars are falling, then that means that worlds are disappearing again, right? That means that only one person could be responsible for this. Ansem and his army of Heartless. Even though they sortive used him the way they did Maleficent. Correct?” Mickey:”Precisely. That’s why we need to be prepared for when he does return and comes looking for us. Let’s go.” he walked out of the cave with Goofy and Donald, protectively, following behind. Everyone else stood there for a couple of seconds, then headed out. Sora:”Kairi, wait.” she spun around to face him. Kairi:”Why? What is it?” he walked up till he was in front of her, directly. He reached for her hand and placed something in it. Sora:”Here. I promised you, remember?” she opened her hand to see her lucky charm sitting in the palm of her hand. She put her hand to her mouth and started to cry. She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Sora” “No problem.” “Here,” she put something in his hand this time. Sora:”What is it?” he opened his hand to find a puopu fruit. Sora:”For me? To share with…” Kairi:”Me silly. I’ve been saving it. Why? You don’t want to?” she bent down to look up directly at his face since his was hung down. “I do.” he lifted his head up and broke it apart. “But we’re always together no matter what. Remember when we were in Traverse Town at the secret waterway. And when I was looking all over for you, but you were with me the whole time. Sharing this would just make our bond,” Kairi:”Stronger, right?” “Yeh, it would. So, here take this half.” he gave her one half while he ate the other. Then they walked out.
Side-by-side.
Holding hands.
Walking Away
They all headed for Kairi’s house. When there, they all sat down in her bedroom and thought. How to stop Ansem? How to prepare ourselves? Donald:”Well, we could do the same thing we did last time. Don’t you think?” Sora:”Not necessarily. I mean, he could be stronger, or have stronger forces. He may be more of a spirit than human, right?” Riku:”I guess so.” Kairi:”Well, then what do you propose we do? How do we prepare ourselves for the worst?” Mimi:”If the Heartless do show up, then we should be at full strength to beat them. And if Ansem show’s up, which I doubt he will, then we have to do some serious training.” Goofy:”Then, let’s get started, uh…..right after I get some sleep.” And he laid his head on the ground. Kairi got a pillow and tucked it under his head. Sora:”How bout after I get some food. I’m starving!” Kairi:”Let’s all go down stairs and have some hot chocolate. What do you say?” Riku:”And some muffins?” Kairi:”Sure. Why not? We could have a party of your returning.” Sora:”What would have happened if we hadn’t returned?” Kairi:”Then I would have gone out and looked for you. And once I found you, it wouldn’t be pretty. You promised that you would, so I believed with all my heart that you would. And here you guys are, safe and sound.” They headed down to the kitchen and Kairi started boiling some hot water for the hot chocolate. Then she went to the oven and brought out a dozen muffins. Kairi:”Freshly baked.” she set them down on the table. Sora and Riku diving for them stuffing their faces. Mimi:”Hey! Leave some for me!” she pushed them aside and grabbed a bunch. Riku:”That’s no fair! You have two more than me! Give them back!” Mimi:”Never! They’re all mine! Nah-nah.” she stuck her tongue out at them and ran into the living room. Sora and Riku chasing her. Kairi:”No running in the house!” then she heard the front door slam. “Well, at least they’re out of the house. I’ll just have one quick muffin.” she reached for them, but none were left. “What!? They have them all! Oh, they’re in trouble now.” she raced to the front door and swung it open. Sora:”Huh? Uh-oh, Kairi’s mad. Run for it!” Kairi ran after Sora and tackled him into the sand. Kairi:”Give them back! They’re mine!” Sora:”No they’re not.” he said, struggling to get out of her tight grip. Riku and Mimi were cracking up. As well as Sora and Kairi . Mimi:”I”ve never had so much fun in my entire life! This is hilarious!” Kairi looked up at her. Kairi:”Hey Mimi,” Mimi:”Yeh?” “You enjoying those muffins?” “Uh-oh, I’d better start running.” “You bet you should. You have to share those muffins! You big fat hog!” “No I’m not! You’re too slow. You should have gotten them quicker! Haha,” Mimi finally stopped, as well as Kairi. Mimi:”Here, a muffin. Hope you like blueberry.” Kairi:”Thanks, sis.” “No problem. So, how we gonna prepare?” Sora:”Like you said, we have to be at full strength. Tomorrow, we start training.”
Kairi:”Let’s head back inside. It’s getting chilly. The hot chocolate is probably ready anyway.” Riku:”Yeh, your right. Come on guys.” he headed inside. The others following behind. Kairi shivered and Sora gave her his jacket to wear. Kairi:”Thanks.” Sora:”Your welcome.” Mimi:”Chi-chi, is Ansem really back?” Chi-chi:”I’m not really sure. But there is an uneasy feeling in the wind. Maybe he is, I can’t tell. But don’t worry, I’ll protect you princess.” Mimi:”Of course you will. And I’ll protect you.”
They sat around the dinner table and drank hot chocolate. Talking and talking, but softly so they didn’t wake anyone else up. Donald and Goofy snored peacefully upstairs. Mickey was taking a walk in the small village. Thinking hard. Sora:”So,what have you guys been up to lately. While we were away?” he asked Kairi and Mimi. Kairi:”Waiting for you to come back. Just hanging out with Wakka, Tidus, and Selphie some of the days. Most of the time I would spend the days in the Secret Place and on the small island. But then, someone came here. He was very strange and wore a black, raincoat. He had spiky, red hair and these two weapons that had spikes on them. He also could create a fire ring. That day, when this stranger appeared,” Mimi:”I showed up. And saved her butt.” she said looking at Kairi, smiling. Kairi smiled back. Sora:”What happened then?” Kairi:”She defeated him, but he said that he would come back,” her voice trailed off. Sora:”Were you injured?” Kairi:”Just a gash across my chest. But I’m fine now. After that incident, me and Mimi drew in the Secret Place. Then you guys showed up. Now, here we all are. Back together again.” Riku’s face looked like he was in deep thought. And somehow, lost. He didn’t seem to be part of this world. Like he was off in some distant land, or galaxy. Something was troubling him. He stood up and walked upstairs to Kairi’s room. He stood by the window looking out upon his peaceful home. Mimi:”You okay?” Riku turned around. “Yeh, I’m fine. It’s just, I don’t know.” Mimi:”Something bothering you?” Riku:”Kind of. That guy you two met, he….I…never mind.” “You sure?” “I’m sure. I’m going to go to bed. See ya tomorrow Mimi.” he walked out of the room and down the hall. Mimi:”Hm, k. See ya.” Mimi climbed in bed as Kairi and Sora made their way up the stairs. Sora:”Good night guys.” Mimi & Kairi:”Good night.” They turned the lights off and went into a deep slumber dreaming sweet dreams.
When everyone was asleep, in the middle of the night, Riku crept out of the room he was sleeping in, and went down the stairs, out the front door. He walked away from the house, head drooped, staring at his feet. Before he disappeared, he gave one last glance at his home where all his memories were of all his friends, family, and walked off into the cold, crisp night.
The Return of the Heartless
Sora:”Time to get up Riku. We have to start training.” he climbed out of bed, pushing the covers aside, “Riku?” he walked over to the bed where Riku was sleeping. Sora pulled the blankets off the bed. “Riku! He’s gone!” he rushed out the bedroom door and into the girls’ room. He stood in the doorway. No one was in there. “Maybe they’re downstairs. And Riku.” he said aloud. He ran down the steps into the kitchen. Mimi was sitting at the table with a very sad expression on her face. She looked up at him. Mimi:”He’s gone, Sora. Where, I don’t know. I just wish I was there to stop him, you know.” Sora:”He’s gone? But why would he leave! Where would he go?” there was a long pause. Sora:”Where’s-” she pointed out the window. He walked outside to find Kairi standing at the cliff’s edge behind the house. He stood there behind her. Kairi:”So, he’s really gone, huh?” Sora was going to say something, but held it back. It’s better not to say anything at all. He thought. Kairi:”We had so much fun together, making a raft, drawing on the walls inside the Secret Place, exploring the islands, but he still leaves us. Why did he leave?! We were together again! We were together,” tears rushed from her eyes, splashing into silver shards on the ground. She sank to her knees. “We were together Sora. Why?” Sora bent down next to her. Sora:”Maybe, maybe it’s for the best. A lot has happened to all of us, and it’s different between us now. Riku’s having a hard time at the moment. Maybe he just needs to think.” Chi-chi:”It was after the discussion on him.” Sora:”Him? Him who?” Chi-chi:”The red haired stranger. I was watching Riku. Something was wrong. There is some connection between the two of them. I don’t know how I know, there’s just some feeling inside me telling me this.” Mimi:”Yeh, I noticed that also.” Mimi had come outside to join them. “When I went upstairs to talk to him, something was wrong. He said something was, but he said ‘Forget it. I’ll be fine‘. So I left it at that. Then, I woke up, and he was no where to be seen.” Everyone was silent after that. Just thinking. No noise. The ocean didn’t make a single splash. The wind didn’t howl, the birds didn’t sing. There was utter silence. Kairi broke that silence.
“I’m going to go find him! And you can’t stop me!” she stood up. Sora:”You cant’. It’s way too dangerous.” Kairi:”What did I say!? Don’t try to stop me! Riku is my friend, like you, like Chi-chi, Angel, Goofy, Donald, Mickey, Mimi! I won’t lose him again Sora!” Sora:”Uh, your right. I’ll help you.” Mimi:”Me, too! He’s my friend after all, also. And besides, there’s no way your leaving me behind!” they stood up, heading for the house. Sora:”Let’s get dressed and start training.” Mimi:”Yeh, your right. Let’s go.” everyone went inside, got dressed, and took the boats over to the small dock across to the other side.
They started training. Sora practicing his techniques. Kairi and Mimi their magic, along with Donald. Goofy and Mickey training with each other. Chi-chi and Angel having a battle against one another. Everyone was training, everyone was upset, yet they still went on. Kairi:”We have to be at full strength! For Riku’s sake,” she said taking a break. Sora:”And you’ll never do that when taking a break, you know. You have to learn to keep going, without stopping.” Mickey:”He’s right, ya know. Golly, am I tired though. But, you have to keep going.” Kairi nodded. “Yeh, you’re right. I’ll keep going, for Riku, and everyone else.” she said softly. Soft enough just so she heard.
Suddenly, while they were in training, these shadows showed up. Kairi:”Oh no! what’s going on?!” Goofy:”The heartless are back!” he screamed. Out of the ground, neo shadows popped up and circled around them. In front of everyone, the red haired stranger came out of a dark portal. Sora stood in front of everyone along with Mickey. Keyblades in hand. Kairi:”What do you want!?” she cried. Unknown:”I want you! I told you I would come back, and here I am. Now, you’re coming with me! Along with your sister!” he summoned the spike weapons again and threw them at her. Sora struck them down. Sora:”Don’t you dare touch my friends!” Unknown:”So, you have finally returned key blade wielder. I shall annihilate you as well!” the unknown threw a fire ball at him. Mimi ran in front of him, putting her hands up, creating a shield. Mimi:”Not until you get through me!” Unknown:”Okay then, I’ll kill you!” he ran towards her and threw a dark ball at her. It went through her shield, knocking her to the ground unconscious. Or dead? Kairi:”Mimi!” she ran over to her, bending down. “Are you all right?” she didn’t respond. The Unknown threw a dark ball at her. Kairi ducked down. Closer to her sister, protecting her. Angel leaped in front of her, wings stretched out to their fullest span covering Kairi and herself. Kairi looked up at her. Kairi:”Angel….” Angel:”Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” Sora:”Kairi! Mimi! Watch out!” The neo shadows crept closer to the princesses. Surrounding them. Sora lunged towards them, but was forced back by something and thrown into the sand. He sat there, watching helplessly. “Kairi…”
But then, another dark figure came out of nowhere and destroyed the Heartless. Then he looked towards the Unknown. The Unknown looked at him and shook his head. Unknown:”He will not be pleased.” and vanished, once again. Sora was just staring at the Unknown that had saved them. Angel unfolded her wings and Kairi peered out from the soft , angel feathers. Her eyes widened. The unknown looked behind him at her. Withdrawing his hood. Kairi:”Riku! Your back!” he smiled a small smile and his innocent eyes showed sorrow. He stepped back. Mimi became conscious and sat up. She looked up at Riku and smiled. He stepped back another step. Mimi:”Uh? Wait! Don’t go!” Sora stood up and ran over to him. Riku stepped back even more. Sora stopped in his tracks. He looked from him, to Mickey, to Mimi & Kairi. Riku:”I’m sorry,” Kairi’s eyes showed forgiveness. He walked over to Sora. “Take care of her.” he looked at him confused. Riku stepped back again. Sora finally realized what he meant. Sora:”Riku! Don’t leave us! You can’t,” he rushed towards him, but Riku disappeared with the wind. Leaving his friends sad, hurt, and alone.
The Brown Haired Stranger
Everyone sat there. Mimi crawled over to her sister, putting her arms on her shoulders. She lay her head on Kairi’s shoulder and wept with her. Sora:”Riku…..are you really? But, why?” Sora dropped to his knees, letting his Keyblade fall to the sand. Mimi:”He’s gone…..he’s actually gone. I can’t believe he would leave.” Chi-chi walked over to Kairi and laid her head in her master’s lap. Angel licked away Mimi’s tears while wiping her’s away with her wings.
Goofy and Donald hung their heads and Mickey did as well. Putting his Keyblade away, Mickey walked over to Sora and put a hand on his shoulder. Mickey:”We have to think about what to do when anyone else, like that Unknown, comes around and train more. As you can see, Ansem’s forces are stronger. So, let’s start trainin’.” Sora:”I guess you’re right, but, why? Do you know, King Mickey?” “I’m sorry, but I really don’t know. Even when traveling with ‘im for a couple of years. Sorry Sora.” Sora stood up and so did Mimi. Angel followed her master and Chi-chi stayed there with her head in Kairi’s lap. Sora walked over to her. He put his hand in front of her and she looked up at him. Then she looked at his hand and took hold of it. He pulled her up off her knees and put a hand around her shoulders. She leaned her head on him and they walked on behind everyone else.
Riku walked, and walked, and walked. Just thinking and being angry at himself for abandoning his friends. But I had to! They would be in danger……..he thought. “Why is this happening? Shouldn’t he be dead?! I thought he was gone,” he said out loud. There was no one that would hear him anyway. He stopped in his tracks. “Who’s there?” he said sternly. Someone is following me. He turned around to see another figure in a black raincoat. “What do you want?!” he yelled. Unknown:”I want to help. I’m not here to harm you. Honest,” there was something in his voice that gave Riku the feeling that he could trust him, as if he knew this person his whole life. Riku:”Who are you?” Unknown:”I am in search of someone else, in search of myself.” he replied. Riku:”What? Wait…..Sora?” The Unknown lifted his head up and took his hood off. Unknown:”Yes, I’m looking for Sora.”
Everyone entered Kairi’s house and sat down in the living room. No one spoke, just sat. Kairi fell over to lean on Sora’s shoulder. Mimi’s eyes watered and Chi-chi gave Kairi comfort by placing her head in her lap and looking at her with big, soft, emerald eyes that showed that she, too, shared her sorrow. Mickey stood at the window looking out at the small island village. Mickey:”If Ansem truly is back, we must leave now with what strength we have and defeat ‘im once more. So, let’s get goin’.” he walked towards the door and opened it. “Come on Sora.” he stepped out and walked away. Sora gently shook Kairi a little and walked by her side out the door with Chi-chi on Kairi‘s other side. Mimi and Angel followed behind along with Goofy and Donald. When out side, Angel and Chi-chi took to the sky. They flew around for a little and stretched their wings before going into the Gummi ship. Their wings barely making a sound. Chi-chi landed on a nearby tree balancing herself on one of the branches, surprisingly, supporting her weight. She gazed upon the small islands and then down at her friends. Her sister joining her by her side fluttering in the air. Chi-chi gave a graceful leap into the air and floated down to the ground. Everyone hustled into the ship. Kairi, Sora, and Mimi gave one last look at their home and climbed inside.
Riku:”Why are you looking for Sora?” Unknown:”Because-because, I think he can help me. I feel empty inside, and these strange creatures are popping up all over my home. There’s something inside me telling me to look for him. Why? Do you know him?” Riku hesitated before answering. He didn’t exactly know if he could trust this guy. Riku:”What’s your name?” he asked. Unknown:”My name is Aros.” Riku:”Uh, so, you’re looking for Sora, huh? Well, I’ll help you.” Aros:”Really?! Thank you! So, what are you doing here?” Riku just stared at him then turned his head up towards the dark, night sky. His eyes blank, not at all how they usually are; full of spirit and shine like the twinkling stars. Riku:”I left the island and went to look for someone. Someone by the name of Ansem. If I stayed at home, everyone would have been in danger.” Aros:”I know him,” Riku:”Wha?! You know him? How?” Aros:”Ansem. He’s the one who started trouble in my town. He’s the one I’m also looking for. I’m looking for Sora because he is the key blade wielder, correct? And he’s beaten Ansem once before, so…..I figured that Sora could help me out, you know.” Riku:”Sounds fair and reasonable.” Aros:”So, you’ll help me out, right?” Riku:”Yup, you can count on me. Let’s get going. But one thing…..” Aros:”What’s that?” Riku:”Once we get to the island, I have to leave. I can’t return there. I just can’t. You understand, right?” Aros:”Completely.” They headed for Destiny Islands. Riku thinking what would happen when they got there. Will they forgive me?
Traverse Town
The ship landed in a town. Sora opened his eyes from his nap. Mickey:”Familiar, Sora?” Sora’s blue eyes opened wide in surprise. He jumped out and looked around. It was the small town where his journey began. Sora:”Traverse Town! Wow! It’s changed over the years, hasn’t it?” Mimi jumped out and walked in a circle examining her surroundings. Sora ran up the stairs and walked into a store at the top. At the counter of the store, stood a man. Sora:”Cid!” the man turned around to see who had called his name. Sora ran to the counter. Cid:Hey, Sora! Wow! You’ve really grown.” Sora:”Cut it out, you sound like my mom.” Everyone laughed. Kairi walked over. Cid:”Kairi, Hi! How are you?” Kairi:”I’m fine, thank you.” Cid looked over at Mimi. Cid:”Whaoh! I think I’m seeing double,” she giggled. Kairi:”This is my twin sister, Mimi.” Mimi:”Hey Cid! I remember you from somewhere before….” she looked at him intensely. Cid:”Really!? Wow, I didn’t think you would. Yeh, you know me all right. I lived with you guys at Hollow Bastion. But that was so long ago.” Mimi:”Well, I remember.” Kairi:”Now I do, too! I remember when I was playing in the stream down by the waterfall, I fell and Chi-chi carried me back to the castle and you fixed me all up on the kitchen table,” she giggled. “I miss it there.” Cid:”Yeh, me too. Well, you can go back, right? Why not go visit?” Mimi:”You’re right!” Mickey:”We will, after we defeat Ansem.” Cid’s face darkened. Cid:”He’s back? How is that possible?” Sora:”We have no idea. But we’ll get rid of him once and for all. We promise.” CId:”Well, since you guys are here, you should go see Leon.” Sora:”Didn’t he go back to Hollow Bastion with you?” Cid:”No, we stayed behind. He’s in the third district at the house.” Sora:”Thanks,” Cid:”No problem.” they all waved good-bye to their old friend and walked out heading for the third district. When they arrived at the house, no one was there. Sora:”He must be at the Waterway. Come on,”
Mimi:”Oh my gosh!” Donald:”What!?” Mimi:”Those shoes are so awesome!” she said pointing to a store window. Kairi:”Do you guys mind if we hang out and look around? We’ll catch up with you later back at the house, k?” Sora:”Sounds okay to me.” the two walked into the store. Sora looked at Mickey and shook his head. “Girls, I’ll never understand them.” Goofy:”Who will?” They walked to the third district till they came to a door with a flame symbol on the door. Donald pointed his staff at it and shot a fire spell at it. It lit up and flashed red for a moment before swinging up. They all walked in as the door closed behind and they disappeared into a strange dark place. The rocks formed a pathway in the water allowing them to cross. They made their way across the slippery wet stones being extra careful not to slip in. When they reached the other side, they made their way around the old broken down house that looked abandoned. On the side there was an opening, a doorway, covered by a green tattered curtain. They pushed it aside and wandered in…………
Back in the second district, Kairi, Mimi, Chi-chi, & Angel were having such a great time shopping that they forgot that they had to meet the boys back at the house pretty soon. When they came to buy their last items, they headed over to the small house in the third district. When they opened the door, they expected to see no one inside, but to their surprise, someone was inside. It was their long lost friend Arith. Kairi:”Arith!” she ran over to big open arms. “I missed you so much! It’s been so long!” Arith:”Wow! You still remember?! I still do too, but you were so very young.” she looked up at Mimi and smiled. “Well, aren’t you going to give me a hug as well?” Mimi looked at her with teary eyes. Arith:”What’s wrong?” Mimi dropped her bags on the floor (but not so hard everything would break) and lept into Arith’s warm hearted hugs. Mimi:”I can’t believe it’s you! I missed you as much as I did my sister. Considering that you were like my second sister,” she said over her sobbing tears. “It’s been too long!” Arith:”Yes, it has. But at least we’re back together again. Right?” she said stroking Mimi’s hair.
They sat down on one of the beds and talked and talked. Catching up on everything that had happened while they were separated. They laughed and cried remembering everything they used to do together. Then they showed Arith all their items they bought. Arith told them about everything that had gone on in Traverse Town and how she had lived there ever since everyone had to abandon their childhood home, Hollow Bastion. There was tough times, and great times. But it had just seemed like ages since they had seen each other.
But then the door swung open. And in came some one else…………..
“Ahhh, Sora. How have you been? It’s been, what, one year already?” a man with a long silver beard that reached his toes and shiny spectacles spoke from the middle of the small room at a table high up on a stone circle. Sora:”Yeh, I believe so. We came to use your passageway to get to the Water Way. Can we?” Magician:”Of course!” he peered over at Mickey and nodded his head. “Your majesty, it’s good to see you again.” Mickey:”You too. Thank you for helping Sora out earlier.” Magician:”No problem. Anything to assist you.” Mickey bowed his head. The magician waved his hand in the air and a chunk of stone removed itself from the floor. Everyone hustled onto it. When they reached the bottom, they walked through an archway. Standing before them was Squall Leonheart.
Squall Leonheart
Squall, who prefers to be called Leon, turned his head to look at Sora and everyone else. He closed his eyes and laughed a little. Leon:”So, wat brings you down here? Thought you were done with travel-,” Sora:”What you should really be asking is how we were able to travel here!” he said grinning. Leon:”Huh? What do you mean?” he went into a deep thought, then lifted his gaze from the stone floor to the mural on the wall down an alcove. It shone brightly, just like the sun painted on it. Then he looked back at Sora. “The Heartless are back? What’s going on?” Sora:We think Ansem is back. And the Heartless as well. We were able to come here by the gummi ship because the walls are down again.” Leon:”But I thought that once the walls were up, they would stay up and travel between them would be impossible.” Sora:”Well, I guess the Heartless have taken them down again.” Mickey:”Kairi and her sister sa-” Leon:”Wait, wait, wait,” he said waving his hands in front of him. “Her sister? Mimi?” Mickey:”Yup, Mimi. They finally found each other.” Leon:”That’s good to hear!” Mickey:”Yup! You bet it is! But anyway, they saw a shooting star. And that means that the walls are down once again and a world has disappeared.” Leon:”This can’t be happening,”
They ventured back up to the house where they met up with Kairi and Mimi. They both got up to greet them. Kairi:”Sora!” Sora:”Hey Kairi. Don’t have to get all excited, I was only gone a short while.” Kairi:”Hee, yea, I know.” she said pushing a strand of hair behind her ear that had gotten loose from one of her braids in her hair. Arith came up behind them. Along with Yuffie. Sora:”You guys are here, too!? Didn’t anyone go back?” Arith:”Yea, Cloud did. He said he wanted to just be by himself. Yuffie was there, but somehow she just came here. It’s strange. How could she?” Yuffie:”I’m not all that sure, either.” Goofy:”Gwarsh, you don’t know? Well,” Donald:”Oh, you big palooka! I should tell her. What do you know?” “As much as you do!” he said proudly putting his hands on his hips. Donald:”Oh yeh!” with that he pulled his staff out and shot a blizzard spell at him. Goofy swerved to the side dodging the attack. The spell bounced off a mirror and shot back at Donald. Freezing him in a block of crystal ice. Everyone laughed hysterically. Goofy:”That’ll show him! Uh huh!” Sora pointed his keyblade at Donald and melted him with a fire spell. When the whole ice block melted, Donald gave a sigh of relief. “Thank you Sora.” Sora:”No-humph-problem-” he said trying to fight back a huge laugh. Donald:”What’s so funny!!?” he took a sniff. “Huh? What’s that smell? It smells like something’s,” he looked behind him. “Ahhhhh! My tail! Mwaahhhhhhhhh!” he started running in circles and finally sat in the icy cold water on the floor that had once been the block of ice. “Look what you did! You big, fat, palooka!” he said pointing at Goofy. Goofy:”Me? Ya shot that blizzard spell at me!” Donald:”Wanna start something?” Mimi:”Chill guys. Relax. Let’s just tell them about the star.” Goofy:”Yeh, you’re right.” Donald:“Oh, I’m sorry Goofy.“ “Apology accepted.” Donald put his staff away and slumped down on one of the chairs. Arith:”So, as you were saying?”
After stepping through one of the portals, Riku and Aros arrived on one of the small islands of Destiny Islands. Riku:”Huh? That’s strange…..” Aros:”What?” “No one’s here. Everyone is gone. Well, at least Sora and Kairi are. And so is Mimi. What’s going on?” Riku walked over the bridge towards Sora’s house. He walked to the back and looked across the water at the second island where they used to play. He looked down the rocks below and saw Sora’s boat tied to a dock. Aros:”What a beautiful place this is,” joining Riku by the cliff’s edge. “You have a wonderful home here. Why did you leave?” there was a long silence before Riku answered.
“I was, trapped, a time ago, by the darkness when trying to save my friend Kairi. I gave in to the darkness and Ansem took over my body. I had betrayed Sora and joined forces with Maleficent. And when Sora defeated Ansem, I went along with him…...in a way.
“Ansem had trapped me in Kingdom Hearts. A door that conceals all darkness, but light as well. It’s where all hearts are born, end up. When Sora sealed Kingdom Hearts with his keyblade and shut it for good, I was trapped inside. But me and King Mickey were able to escape. But when I did, I had no idea where to go, what path to follow. King Mickey said to join up with him, and so I did.
“We set off to find The Door to the Light, and Sora as well. But Sora, I guess, was already looking for me and the door and had left Kairi safe and sound on the island to begin his search. We ended up finding each other, but only to discover that Ansem is back, and stars, or worlds, are disappearing. And that isn’t good. So, I left, knowing Ansem would be searching for me again and that they were all in danger. Now I guess they’ve left once again to find me and to destroy Ansem, but I just couldn’t stay knowing that if they got hurt, it would’ve been my fault……”
Aros:”Riku, you have some really great friends. They are determined to stay with you, and to protect you no matter what. They don’t care what happens, they’ll just always be there for you. You should know that by now,” he said turning to face Riku. Riku looked at him and turned back towards the other island. Riku:”You’re right. That’s true. But, it’s just……..with everything that’s happened and all the chaos, it’s changed between us all. It’s not the same, yet it is. I don’t know how to explain it.” there was a long pause. The winds rustled the leaves in the towering trees above. Something seemed to whisper in Riku’s ear and he turned around abruptly. Aros:”What’s wrong?” Riku:”I’m not quite sure,” they stood there for about 30 seconds before budging. Riku:”Come on, let’s go find Sora. I think I know where he is.”
~...TO BE CONTINUED...~
© Stephanie.C. 2004~