Orrin Valemonte started at the sound of a vase breaking against the wall downstairs. It certainly wasn't the first time his parents fought against one another, but that didn't make it any more comfortable.

He had awoken from a sound sleep too. The dream he preferred to live in was quickly fading. Moonlight reflected on the ceiling of his small bedroom. Sitting up, Orrin peered out of the dusty window.

Despite the fact that he was clearly their son, he looked nothing like either of his parents. Blue hair cropped a gentle, pale face beholding two, light brown orbs.

Looking out, he sought the island far away into the horizon. Destiny Island. It had been a few years since he was privileged to live there. For one reason or another, his parents had moved them to a different island. Away from the friends he longed to see.

Isolation wasn't a new trend, however. Ever since strange occurrences started happening with the other islanders, he'd been whisked away to this paradisiacal prison. No matter how much he fathomed it, he just couldn't understand. Why did his parents fear him interacting with other people so much?

Another valuable shattered downstairs. Orrin stumbled to the door, cracking it open a little more. He strained his ears until he could hear his mother's screeching, which wasn't hard at all.

"He's a monster, Greg! A soul-devouring freak!" Maura snapped.

"It was completely accidental. I didn't expect for things to go so wrong!" Greg reasoned desperately.

"An accident…?" Maura nearly laughed. "He thinks it's an accident," she said to herself in amusement. "Another child has gone missing! Murdered, no doubt! Who's next, Greg? Tell me! What happens if someone else is targeted?"

"I'm telling you that it was all coincidental! The heartless just showed up at the wrong time," he defended.

"Again? This is the fourth time it's happened with him!" she bellowed. "What kind of coincidence is that frequent?"

Greg tried comforting his wife. "It's alright. I know it won't happen again. We just have to keep a closer eye on him."

A loud slap echoed through the house. "No, Greg! I'm tired of your pacifistic beliefs that he's not dangerous! Our son isn't normal! He's a killer! A… thing working for the darkness!"

Orrin's stomach lurched.

Killer.

He never harmed anyone. Had he? There were times when he experienced the sense of 'losing' himself; daydreaming. And then there were always those little shadow creatures. But they seemed so harmless. Like little, lost children who sought play.

Ever since he could remember, he had been around those shadow creatures. They were a comfort, but people seemed to fear him. Each time one of them showed up, they'd scream and run away. He felt so alone and always thought that it was his parent's ambition that he was so. However, those shadows made that feeling go away.

It was a rare occurrence when he met someone new on the island yesterday. Like all the others, they were horrified at his lifelong companions and also fled. Regardless, they seemed unharmed. Never had one of those creatures ever ascertained to violence. Nor had he sworn allegiance to any kind of darkness.

His mother continued downstairs. "I want that monster out of my house! I don't care if he's my flesh and blood! He's killed four people now, Greg! Four!"

"They've only gone missing, my dear. It could merely be coincidental! You're just paranoid!" he coaxed.

Suddenly, her voice was dark and brooding on the verge of fury. "Kill him, Greg."

"What?" he gasped.

"You heard me. I want you to take his life. Think about the other islanders that tend to visit this secluded place. Do you want them to suffer too? More children will die. It's for the good of the community," Maura said blankly.

"Have you lost your mind? I can't kill my own son!" he protested with great fear.

Orrin pressed a cupped hand over his mouth, stepping back from the door. His knees buckled beneath him. Why would his mother seek to slay him? She had always been skeptical around him, but this was ridiculous. To hear such words felt so much more crippling.

Ten minutes later, he was bolting through the forest outside his home. Black vest, blue shirt and grey trousers. An orange backpack flopped violently against him with every step. A silver seagull pendant jingled around his neck.

Deep footprints sank into the sand beneath his large, black shoes. He knew where he could go. His friends would welcome him with open arms. After all those years, he could still remember them. Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Selphie. He knew they'd understand. All of them were his illegitimate family when he lived on Destiny Island.

Ocean waves lapped onto the silk-smooth sand, combing it into finer bristles. Orrin smiled at the small rowboat tethered to the jetty. He stopped abruptly. A tall, hooded figure appeared from a vortex of swirling dark matter. It approached Orrin at a slow, tantalizing pace. With each step it took, he backed away.

"C-can I help you…?" he asked skeptically.

The stranger stopped and spoke in an ethereal echo. "So… you're the one. Blesséd by darkness." Orrin raised an eyebrow. The man chuckled. "I sensed another of impure essence. But I never imagined a child would set siege to his own home."

He shook his head. "I… I don't understand." Another shrill laugh. "Sir, I ask that you explain yourself!" he demanded. The stranger's amusement was sending chills down his spine.

Without a word, the hooded man gestured to his previous destination: Destiny Island. Squinting in the direction, Orrin could make out something moving in the dark. When the beach came into view, his blood ran cold. His companions, the Heartless, were raiding the village mercilessly. Never had they exhibited such violence in his presence!

A gloved hand clapped his shoulder as he stared in disbelief. "Well done, young master," said the stranger with jubilant pride.

"What? Are you saying I did this?" he asked, feeling numb. The words came out in astonished cries, but his body was solidifying in utmost shock.

A harsh laugh was bestowed upon the boy's reaction. Just as he was boarding the rowboat, the stranger cursed and fell to his knees. Orrin turned, seeing the man gripping his head before vanishing into the swirling black vortex again. Behind where he had once stood, was a small creature about a third the height of Orrin. A large grin adorned his face behind a small, black dot of a nose.

"Uh… umm…" Orrin stammered.

"Well, hello!" Mickey Mouse chirped.

Orrin glanced toward Destiny Island. Now was his chance to stop the havoc at his hometown. But he'd no doubt that the little guy had gotten rid of the stranger. And he much preferred this person than a creepy, hooded man. He gave Mickey a nervous wave before unknotting the rope from the jetty.

"Hey! Where ya goin'?" Mickey inquired with his naturally high-pitched voice.

"I have to save my friends," Orrin answered urgently.

"Oh? Do you mean from the Heartless?"

Orrin stopped. "You… know about the Heartless?"

"Sure do!"

He sighed. "Then… it's best if you just leave me alone…"

"What d'ya mean? You can't go there all by yourself! You'll get killed!"

He winced. Killed. Yeah, right. Others had been killed, but he knew the Heartless wouldn't harm him. They would welcome him like a brother. Maybe all of this was his fault.

"Listen, I really don't have time to explain, but I'll be fine. Everyone else is in danger here! Even you!"

Mickey stared for a moment and then started laughing. "You don't think that I can defend myself? I'm a master of the art!" he exclaimed, slicing the air with his big, gloved hands.

"Uh-huh…" he answered with disbelief.

"Everyone is okay. They've all just been scattered because of the darkness. This has happened before, so it's not that scary," he said more seriously. "Mainly, I came here to help you out."

He cocked his head to the side. "Me? But, why?"

Mickey looked down solemnly. "There has been… an incident." Orrin glanced over to Destiny Island. "No, not the Heartless. But… concerning you, Master Orrin."

He took a step back, nearly falling off the jetty. "You know me?"

Mickey placed a hand to his forehead. "It's a long story." He reached up a hand toward the boy. "If you come with me, I'll explain it in detail once we've met up with Ansem."

He stared at his hand and then looked to Mickey. Did this little guy understand what he had been searching for? Was it really okay to trust him? He hadn't made any gesture that suggested that he would harm him. A wave broke out over the sky of Destiny Islands. Orrin looked over to see a monstrous creature of great stature towering over the small island.

Looking back to Mickey, he hesitantly took his hand. And the two vanished into a beam of light.

A light chuckle filled the air. Iron struck the sand harshly as the tall, intimidating woman leaned against her staff. "So the little mouse thinks he can save the tainted child," Maleficent grinned. "What a foolish effort. The child breathes nothing but darkness. This king's little epic will be quite amusing."

A/N: This is my first, real Kingdom Hearts fan fiction that I am dedicated to completing. If you haven't noticed, it begins around the same time as the first game. I may have switched some facts about to fit my fanfic, but that's why it's a fanfic. I can't guarantee complete canon since I haven't played the games in a while.

Please R&R if you can.

-Mayris