Author's notes (A/N): Well, yet another story for me to TRY to write... maybe I'll actually be able to finish this one. At any rate, this one is going to be a bit more action-oriented than my other stories, and though it's not rated M yet, it may be later, as I haven't actually thought much beyond chapter 3. I do intend to introduce some worlds that aren't (yet) in the games, including some that are NOT Square/Enix or Disney worlds. I mean, after all, it IS my story! Why can't I have some fun with it? Also, the part at the very beginning, that is the message that was in the bottle that Sora, Kairi, and Riku found at the end of KH2.

I should note that my interpretation of the Kingdom Hearts time line is as follows: Birth by Sleep (for the most part) takes place about 10 years before KH1. The Keyblade Wars ended about two years before BbS began. KH1 took place over the course of a couple months (because let's face it, it did NOT take place in a single day...) with Chain of Memories taking place about a month or so after the end of KH1, and lasting a couple days. KH2 takes place a year after the end of CoM, and, like KH1, takes place over the span of at least a couple months. This story takes place about three months after the end of KH2, or approximately 15 years after the end of the Keyblade Wars. I should note that I haven't played BbS so I may be wrong in part of that. If I am, let me know and I'll adjust accordingly.

Also, even though they probably don't want the credit, I'm going to give special thanks to Ian "Digifanatic" Hoffman and Terri/Blaze for being my previewers and proofreaders.

Disclaimer: Yeah, everyone and their mother knows I don't own Kingdom Hearts. Just the original places and people that I introduce.

Chapter 1 – Preparations

Sora, Riku, and Princess Kairi:

Congratulations on making it back home, and on defeating Xenmas. You have all come much further than anyone had thought you would. You've earned your rest.

Unfortunately, defeating Xenmas hasn't stopped the darkness like I'd anticipated it would. There is still work to be done. I will be arriving in a week to go over the details, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask for help from the three of you once more. See you in seven days.

King Mickey

The letter had arrived in a bottle six days ago, and Sora had reread it every morning since it arrived. Sighing, he got himself out of bed and got ready for the day ahead. The brunette showered and got himself dressed. For some reason, which even he didn't know, he still wore the magical clothes that the three witches had given him in Yen Sid's tower when he started his third adventure. After that, he began to make his way to where he was to meet his friends.

"You aren't looking forward to another adventure, are you?" Sora had become used to the voice in his head, his Nobody, Roxas. Somehow, when they were rejoined, the process hadn't been completed, a situation that he'd kept secret everyone.

"No, Roxas, I'm not. My first adventure nearly got me killed, I don't even REMEMBER my second adventure, and my third one nearly got Kairi killed. Why would I be looking forward to a fourth?"

"Well, you still have us, you know. Riku, Kairi, and I will help you, and so will Donald, Goofy, and the King."

"I know. It doesn't make me want to look forward to this any more, though." By now Sora had arrived at the island with the Paopu tree, and Riku and Kairi were already there. "Hey, you two."

"Hey, Sora!" Kairi immediately stood up and ran to the Chosen Wielder, wrapping him up in a hug, which garnered at slight chuckle from Riku, much to the embarrassment of the other two.

"So, what do we need to do today?" Sora's question was to both, though he knew that it'd be Riku who answered.

"Well, we need to get more supplies together. Even if Mickey is coming, we should provide some of our own things for the journey." Riku did indeed respond.

"All right. Hey, when we're done, let's camp here tonight. After all, who knows when we'll be back here again? Just... don't let Riku cook." Kairi giggled as she ran off to go get some things.

Sora also chuckled as he hopped down to the beach below, leaving Riku standing there by himelf. "What's wrong with my cooking?" The white-haired boy questioned as he chased after his friend.

"Last time you tried to cook for us, you burned the pot of water."

"I told you that wasn't my fault! You had to go and tell about our adventure on The World That Never Was, and tell it WRONG, again!"

"I told it as I saw it, Riku!" The two were so busy arguing with each other that they didn't even see Tidus or Wakka until they ran into the other pair.

"Oh, hey you two. Haven't seen you much lately." Wakka was holding his Blitzball under his arm, as usual.

"Yeah, we have... err... something to do." Riku skillfully avoided giving a real answer to that question. Despite the fact that they'd saved the galaxy twice, most of the people of their home world were still were unaware of what Sora, Kairi, and Riku had been doing. It didn't help that the three of them had decided as a group not to produce their keyblades. They knew that the heartless were still out there, and could use the keyblades as a homing beacon, something none of the teens wanted to risk. As far as most of the world was concerned, Riku and Sora disappeared for a year, then suddenly reappeared. Nobody believed them when they tried to explain what had happened, and after about a month, the two, along with Kairi, stopped trying.

"Yeah, sure. Going to save the world again, huh?" Tidus was among those that didn't believe what Riku and Sora had claimed had happened.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Sora smiled. "Hey, Riku, I need to go do some things, I'll see you and Kairi later." With that the Chosen Wielder left the group.

"What's with him?" Tidus couldn't help but think the question out loud.

"He lost a year of his life, and nobody believes him when he explains how. What do you think is bothering him?" Riku just stared at the young man. "Have fun with your practice." And with that Riku started away from the pair.

"Uh... yeah, ok. Bye, Riku." Tidus shrugged as he watched the white-haired teen walk away.

It took most of the day for Riku, Kairi, and Sora to finish their respective chores. The sun hadn't quite begun to set behind the cliffs when they reconvened on their small island.

"Ah, tomorrow the King will be here, and we'll be going off on another adventure." Riku sighed as he leaned against the tree.

"Yeah, we get to save the world again." Sora's gloomy mood was noticed by both his companions.

"Hey, cheer up, Sora. So what if nobody here believes you? We believe you. And... we believe IN you." Kairi smiled at her.

"She's right, Sora. You saved the galaxy. Sure, you didn't get any glory for it, but then again, you didn't do it for the glory to begin with, did you?"

Sora sighed, shaking his head. "You're right. We'll just do the job again, regardless of what everyone else thinks about us." He smiled at his friends. "Come on, let's go get cooking. I'm hungry."

This comment got all three of them laughing as they made their way back toward the door to the shack. As they walked across the bridge, discussing their upcoming adventure, none of them noticed a man stepping out of a dark corridor on the island they'd just vacated.

A/N: Ok, so this was a short chapter. Unfortunately, I wanted to stop it with my O/C appearing for the first time, and I pretty much ran out of material a lot faster than I'd planned on. HOPEFULLY the ones that come after this will be longer, I'm pretty sure the second chapter will be.

As always, reviews and comments are greatly appreciated.