It was bright, sunny day on Destiny Islands. Palm trees blowing in the graceful breeze, crabs dodging the slick waves, and a certain brown haired boy snoozing off in a dream, his name was Sora. The rays of the sun caught his eyes, and he woke up in surprise of the sudden warmth. Little did he know, his red headed best friend, Kairi, was anticipating him waking up and scared him.

"Whoa! Gimme me a break, Kairi…"

The young girl giggles at Sora's reaction, "Sora, you lazy bum. I knew that I'd find you snoozing down here."

"This huge black THING swallowed me up! I couldn't breathe, I couldn't-Ow!" Kairi bonked him on the head to get his attention.

"Are you still dreaming?"

"It wasn't a dream! Or was it? I don't know. What was that place? So bizarre…Say, Kairi, what was your hometown like? You know, where you grew up?"

Kairi sighed at the question of her past, "I've told you before, I don't remember."

"Nothing at all?"

She shook her head, "Nothing."

"You ever want to go back?" Sora made eye contact with Kairi's radiant blue eyes.

She smiled, "Well, I'm happy here. But you know…I wouldn't mind going to see it."

"I'd like to see it too. Along with any other worlds out there! I want to see 'em all!" Sora exclaimed while jumping up on the soft sand.

Little did they know, the oldest member of the trio, Riku, was watching from afar, and heard them making plans. Deciding to take charge, he joined in, "Hey, aren't you guys forgetting about me?"

Sora and Kairi looked up at Riku, and shrugged while smiling. Sora's however, was a smug one to his rival.

"So, I guess I'm the only one working on the raft?" Riku tossed a log, and Sora attempted to catch it with both hands, but miserably failed on contact, falling down with the log landing in his arms.

"You're just as lazy as he is Kairi!"

"Riku! You're so immature sometimes!" She rolled her eyes, "How about you and Sora finish the raft, while I go grab us some food?"

Riku huffed and got back to work, knowing full well not to change Kairi's mind. Last time he tried, he got hit on the head hard with a coconut. Still having a mild bump, he tried not to remember how much it swelled up. He hoped Sora would be quick to get the supplies and not be so behind as usual. Brushing off his hands to make sure no splinters were sticking out, he grabbed the rope and began to tie the logs together to make the main part of the raft. Luckily, Riku had good upper body strength to do all the dirty work around Destiny Islands. Three fourths of the raft became all knotted together securely in less than fifteen minutes.

Footsteps were coming up behind him and he jumped in surprise when the rest of supplies where thrown at his feet. "Sora! You didn't have to throw them at me!"

"Did I scare you Riku?" A cheeky grin spread across his face.

Riku pinched one of Sora's cheeks and tossed his head to left, "Ha-ha, very funny!"

"Well it looks like you're about done here, I'm going to go get some food cause I'm starvin'!"

"Not so fast slowpoke, Kairi's already on that mission for us. Our duty is to complete the raft."

"Ugh! Do I have too?" Sora groaned.

"If you want food, than yes. Plus, you need more exercise considering how I beat you in that race earlier today."

Sora sighed, "Don't remind me…"

Picking up the rest of the logs and placing them in position, Riku handed Sora the rope and he began to tie them together just as done before. Knotted twice and around the log, tie and repeat. Sora's hands were covered in rope burns by the time he finished his part of the job. Riku walked over to put the mast in place along with a hand made flag Kairi made for all of them. Standing back from their creation, they both felt proud of themselves for completing their project.

"Hey! Riku! Sora! I got the food over here so we can watch the sunset together before our adventure tomorrow!"

The boys ran over as fast as they could, since both of their stomachs were 'dying' of starvation. After they filled their stomachs with all they could hold, they sat and gazed out at the bright orange circle reflecting on the sea. Not a single wind could be felt, just peacefulness.

Sora leaned back quietly asked Riku, "So, Kairi's home is out there somewhere, right?"

"Could be. We'll never know by staying here though."

"But how far could a raft take us?"

"Who knows? If we have to, we'll think of something else."

Kairi chimed in their conversation, "So, suppose you get to another world. What would you do there?"

A long sigh could be heard from Riku who was sitting in the middle between the other two, "Well, I haven't really thought about it. It's just…I've always wondered why we're here on this island. If there are any other worlds out there, why did we end up on this one? And suppose there are other worlds…Then ours is just a little pieces of something much greater. So we could have just easily ended up somewhere else, right?"

"I don't know," answered Sora.

"That's why we need to go out there and find out. Just sitting here won't change a thing. It's the same old stuff. So let's go."

Kairi admired Riku's insight on this mind-boggling topic, "You've been thinking about this a lot, haven't you?"

"Thanks to you. If you hadn't come here, I probably would've never thought of any of this. Kairi, thanks."

She blushed slightly, "You're welcome."

Later, Sora, Riku, and Kairi walk back to the house. Then, Riku called out for Sora.

Just as Sora turned around, an object plopped down in his hands.

"You wanted one, didn't you?"

Sora gazed at the rare delicacy, "A paopu fruit..."

"If two people share one, their destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives no matter what. C'mon, I know you want to try it." Riku teased his friend, while giving him a noogie.

Sora and Riku went back to their homes and slept dreaming about the paopu fruit and gets to share it with Kairi. Bright and early the next morning they all met by the raft. The boys couldn't resist grinning stupidly at each other.

"You guys at it again? All right, I'll be the judge! The usual rules apply: Take any route you want... First one to tag that tree and make it back here wins."

Sora couldn't wait, "Alright! If I win, I'm captain! And if you win..."

"I get to share the paopu with Kairi."

"Huh?"

"Deal? The winner gets to share a paopu with Kairi."

"Wha... Wait a minute..." Sora was soon distracted by his friend's proposition.

"GO!" Kairi shouted from the raft.

The race begins. Sora got a late start due to still thinking about the paopu fruit, and Riku was blasting ahead of him. The determined boy pushed as fast as his legs could carry him to catch up to his rival. Starting to ease his breath at a steady pace, he soon gained speed. Riku looked behind him in surprise at how fast Sora was catching up to him. This time, Riku pushed harder, and now the two were neck in neck. Both touching the tree precisely the same time, they turned around and started back towards the beach. Kairi saw the two pushing to their limit, and giggled a little to herself at their expressions. Trying to catch their breath, they arrived and collapsed on the white sand.

Kairi stood up, and put her hands on her hips, "And it was a TIE! Congratulations to both of you! Ha-ha, now bring all the supplies on these lists back to me when you're done searching. We need food and water for our voyage. Go and get to work!"

The boys groaned in response and both set off. While gathering provisions, Sora enters what's known as the 'Secret Place' and walks into the cave protected by tree roots. Memories flashed in front of his eyes as he saw the carving that Kairi and him made together when they were kids. Going up to the old drawing, Sora decided to add the paopu fruit in his hand, handing it to Kairi. Smiling at his additions, he suddenly whipped around. He felt a presence behind him, "Wh-Who's there?"

An ominous voice echoed through the dark, "I've come to see the door to this world."

"Huh?"

"This world has been connected." Sora could now see a silhouette of dark, hooded figure. Judging by the tone of the voice, it was a man's.

"Wh-What are you talking about?"

"Tied to the darkness...soon to be completely eclipsed."

"Well, whoever you are, stop freaking me out like this!"

"You do not yet know what lies beyond the door."

Sora gasped, "So, you're from another world!"

"There is so very much to learn. You understand so little."

"Oh, yeah? Well, you'll see. I'm gonna get out and learn what's out there!"

The cloaked figure laughed to himself, "A meaningless effort. One who knows nothing can understand nothing."

The hooded man suddenly vanished into a dark, opaque door. Sora shook his head from what had just occurred. Where did he come from? What did he mean by 'tied to the darkness?' Sora realized he had been holding his breath the whole time his thoughts were swirling in his head, and gasped for oxygen. Exiting the cave, Sora handed the food and water to Kairi. They could both see the sunset coming across the ocean, and they decided to sit at the dock together, since Riku went back home after he gave his provisions to Kairi.

The young girl breathed and stared into the sun, "You know, Riku has changed."

"What do you mean?"

"Well..." Kairi started, but shook her head to ignore the thought.

"You okay?"

She regained her composure and looked at her friend, "Sora, let's take the raft and go - just the two of us!"

"Huh?" Sora didn't know where she was going with this...

"Just kidding!" She laughed.

"What's gotten into you? You're the one that's changed, Kairi."

"Maybe... You know, I was a little afraid at first, but now I'm ready. No matter where

I go or what I see, I know I can always come back here. Right?"

"Yeah, of course!" He smiled.

"That's good. Sora, don't ever change."

Soon as the trio was about to find out, that there were more than Destiny Islands out there. One of these places happened to be 'King Mickey's Castle;' A world where King Mickey ruled and watched over to ensure the safety of the residents. Donald Duck, the castle's mage was doing his rounds around the castle, and stopped by the throne room to greet the morning to his ruler. But what he found, was the not the king, but a little note scribed by the majesty himself:

Donald,

Sorry to rush off without sayin' goodbye, but there's big trouble

brewin'. Not sure why, but the stars have been blinkin' out, one by one.

And that means disaster can't be far behind. I hate to leave you all

but I've gotta go check into it. There's someone with a "key"-the key to

our survival. So I need you and Goofy to find him, and stick with him.

Got it? We need that key or we're doomed! So go to Traverse Town and

find Leon. He'll point you in the right direction.

P.S.

Would ya apologize to Minnie for me? Thanks pal.

Donald struck with worry and rushed to the Queen's room where Daisy and Goofy were discussing important means. "Your Highness! I went to greet the King and he left a letter for all of us!"

All four of them read the letter, and everyone looked to Queen Minnie for an answer, "It means we'll just have to trust the King."

Donald bowed out of respect, "Your Highness. Don't worry. We'll find the king and this "key."

"Thank you, both of you. We hope for your safe return. Please help the King."

Donald Duck agreed to the hard journey and Goofy salutes next to Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, as if he wasn't accompanying the mage.

He soon realizes this and snatches the knight's arm, "Oh, you're coming too!"

Jiminy Cricket was going with them on their trek. Goofy decided to ask him about his own world disappearing.

"It was terrible. We were scattered. And as far as I can see, I'm the only one who made it to this castle," he confessed.

"Goofy?" Donald didn't want Goofy get sidetracked with all the chit -chat.

"Oh, right... I gotcha," he filled Jiminy in, "While we're in the other worlds, we can't

let on where we're from. We've gotta protect the world border."

"Ah-hem, 'order'!" The mage quacked.

"Right. World order."

Goofy, Donald, and Jiminy enter the Gummi Ship and prepare for their world flight. Flipping on all the switches and opening up the hatch, they were ready for blast off!

At Destiny Islands, the weather wasn't as sunny and warm as it usually was. A dark, gloomy storm was roaming in on the front of the horizon. Sora peaked out from his window and saw the clouds. "A storm? Oh no! The raft!"

Dashing out his front door, he leaped across the steps and rushed to the mini island where all of their hard effort was. When he came a little closer to the raft, a group of dark, short figures with yellow eyes appeared in front of him, blocking his way. Searching for an alternate path, he sees Riku standing and staring at the storm clouds. "Where's Kairi? I thought she was with you!"

"The door has opened..."

"What?"

"The door has opened, Sora! Now we can go to the outside world!"

"What are you talking about? We've gotta find Kairi!"

"Kairi's coming with us! Once we step through, we might not be able to come back. We may never see our parents again. There's no turning back. But this may be our only chance. We can't let fear stop us! I'm not afraid of the darkness!"

"Riku!"

The black shadowy circles engulf Sora and Riku with heavy pressure. Sora reached out towards his friend's hand to get him back on the island, but it was no use. Riku was enveloped by the shadows.

A mysterious light appeared beside him and a giant key landed in Sora's hands. Gripping the weapon, he ran to the 'Secret Place' to find Kairi. There was something there that hadn't appeared before; A gleaming white door, looking as smooth as glass. He peered in and saw his best friend, "Kairi!"

Kairi mustered up all the strength she had to talk, "Sora…" She was in pretty bad shape by the sound of it.

Suddenly, the white door opened behind her and writhing black wind came out. Kairi suddenly got blown closer to Sora. He tried to hold Kairi in his arms to tell her that she was safe, but she vanished into thin air.

Sora was blown away into the darkness.