Chapter 1: Here I Go Again

On Destiny Islands
Sora sat down on the beach next to Riku. The pair had spent hours trying to understand the letter the King had sent to them. Riku sighed for about the fiftieth time that day, and said, "Maybe there is no hidden message, Sora. Maybe he just wanted to pet us know he was okay."
Sora looked at his best friend, and replied, " Do you believe that, Riku?" At Riku's silence, he knew the answer.
Suddenly, Sora felt someone tackle him from the side, and, with a loud "Oof!", was staring up into the eyes of Kairi. Kairi was looking deep into Sora's eyes, and Sora was unable to not do the same. Riku simply rolled his eyes, and asked, "Kairi, what is so damn important you needed to play bowling with our hero friend?"

Blushing, both teens stood up, but Kairi soon recovered. "Oh, yeah! I figured out the letter!"

"WHAT?" Sora cried, as Riku merely smirked.

"Yeah! Take another look."

Sora and Riku took the letter from Kairi's enthusiastic grasp, and read it once again.

Dear Sora, Riku and Kairi,
Hi there! Everyone here is doing just fine. Lots of people wanted to say hello, like Donald and Goofy, but we haven't the time. Presently, we are making sure everyone here is safe. Worlds around us have been slightly damaged, but we seem to be okay. Eventually, I will visit. Alas, not today. Right now, Queen Minnie and myself are making the rounds. Every year we do this, but we now have a purpose. I've never seen our people so happy. No worries does that. Donald says hello, and that he misses you. And Goofy says the same, but with an added 'Hyuk!'. Nothing new in Radiant Garden. Good news, right? Eradicating all the Heartless is tough for Leon and the others. Really must go now, miss you all a lot!
Sincerely,
King Mickie Mouse
MM

Sora, for one, thought that the letter, while comforting, was a little too broad, and must have had a secret message. Luckily, they had Kairi. "Well? What is it Kairi?" he asked, as Riku continued to smirk.

"It's rather easy actually," she replied modestly, "just look at the first letter of each sentence."

Sora, looking at Riku for the first time since Kairi had tackled him, saw the smirk. "You knew? Why didn't-"

"Cause I though you would pick it up. Not so smart without school, are we?" Riku replied smugly.

Sora mumbled something indecent under his breath, and followed the instructions Kairi gave him. The letter's code read:

HELP WE ARE IN DANGER

Sora stood dumbfounded for a few seconds, as many thoughts ran through his head. Why didn't I see that earlier? Danger? Are Leon and the others in danger too?

He looked up to see his two friends in a heated argument. Kairi was obviously becoming flustered at whatever her older friend was saying, and Riku just stood there smirking, seemingly winning the argument. As he looked over at them, he knew he couldn't bear the thought of losing them again. He made his decision, and, with as much stealth as he could muster, attempted to leave.

However, Sora's strong point had never been stealth, and Kairi spotted him instantly. "Sora? Where are you going?" she asked, worry lacing her voice.

Sora sighed, "I can't lose you again."

Riku scoffed, "So, you thought you'd go it on your own?" and, to Sora's silence continued, "The letter was addressed to all of us, hero. We're all in this together."

Sora refused to turn around, and Kairi spoke up. "You can't protect us forever, Sora. We're as involved in this as you are. I'm a Princess of Heart, Riku's a Keyblade Master. You don't have to do this without our-"

"Do you two have any idea how hard it was for me, not knowing where you were, if you were okay?" Sora snapped, his eyes now focused on Kairi's, blazing. "Searching world after world, and hardly finding a damn trace? Do you know what it's like to lose the two people you care the most about in the world, and not know if you'll ever see them again? I had to live it every day! This-" Sora yelled, summoning his Keyblade, "is a constant reminder of how I failed you- both of you! I see it, and I hate myself. I had all the power I needed, and I couldn't protect you. I see myself grovelling at Saix's feet, and seeing how weak I am. I see you fading away just as I was about to catch you, Kairi. This Keyblade shows others my power, but shows me my weakness. I'm not strong enough to protect you two. I'm not... Strong..." he almost whispered, breaking down in the sand, crying loudly. Kairi and Riku both rushed to his side, Kairi hugging him while Riku just put his hand on his shoulder.

"Sora..." Kairi whispered, faint tears rolling down her eyes.

After about a minute, Sora had calmed down, but still refused to stand. Riku spoke up. "Sora, it wasn't your fault. We weren't hurt because of you're weaknesses, it was because of ours," he said softly, and Kairi looked up, Sora still refusing to move. "Kairi was targeted because she was a Princess of Heart. She was a simple target, because she didn't know this. As for me," he spoke solemnly, looking into the distance, "I was too weak. I let Maleficent use me, and let the darkness take control. I was so weak I lost myself. However, we were mainly used- the both of us- to exploit you, particularly this side of you. They want you to feel weak, to separate yourself from us. Then you'll be an easy target."

Sora suddenly sat up, his eyes red. "Who's they?"

"Who knows?" Riku shrugged, "Whoever is endangering the King?"
Sora nodded, then, with a renewed sense of passion, jumped up, frightening Kairi, and summoned his Keyblade. "This... I was born for this. I was destined to save the universe. I can't be weak. I just can't," he nodded to Kairi and Riku, "and I can't be strong without you two." All three smiled, then, simultaneously, they turned and walked towards the Secret Place.

At Disney Castle
King Mickey looked up into the sky, worry and dread etched on his little face. The protective magical shield that surrounded the world was enough to hold them off, but they would only last another day or two. He hoped desperately that Sora would arrive soon, so they could all escape. He made sure that the people who set up the shield allowed for entry for Riku's ship he had leant the young Keyblader. He only hoped they'd get there in time, and not get obliterated by the monstrosities in the space. He felt another's presence near him, and turned as he summoned his Keyblade. He sighed in relief as he saw the boy, and turned back to the skies, looking up again. "How are ya tonight, Davvyd?"

The boy, named Davvyd, smirked, and looked to the sky too. "Better. Needed some time to rest. Merlin and Yen Sid still resting, bloody slackers." He lowered the hood on his dark blue jacket, revealing his face for the first time in the King's presence. The King instantly turned to get a good look. The boy had a slightly large nose which immediately stood out, but it seemed to suit him. His short, dark brown hair swayed slightly in the night's wind, and his piercing brown eyes stared upwards, not wavering. He had a full face, and the smirk seemed as natural as his nose. Suddenly he turned to Mickey, a serious look on his face. "Are you sure they will come? I need to get going."

Mickey nodded. "Ayah. They'll be here. They'd never leave us out to dry. Trust me."

Davvyd nodded, "I'm gonna have to."

Changing the subject, Mickey looked back upwards. "How did you get here out anyway? No one knows how to get in to my study but me and Minnie."
Smirking once again, Davvyd laughed. "Mickey, I've learnt a lot more than just magic since we last met," and, with a pat on the small King's shoulder, he seemed to disappear into thin air.

Mickey looked down at the ground, and whispered, "Get here soon Sora. We need you," as he looked back up at the two monstrous ships, one purple and insect-like, one black and spherical.

On Destiny Islands
Riku had told them before that he had borrowed a Gummi Ship from the King, but Sora and Kairi were both very impressed by the ship. It seemed to be a luxury edition of the standard one that Sora used, and was still just as fast, if not faster, than the originals. Riku was also a somewhat experienced pilot, having cruised the ship into the cave in the first place, so Sora and Kairi decided to relax in the rather large lounge area. Sora was in the process of apologizing for his actions on the beach. "You know I don't usually snap like that. I'm really sorry, Kairi, I shouldn't have-"

"Sora," Kairi interrupted, "It's okay, it's fine. Don't apologize. It's just..." she trailed off, looking forlorn.

"What?" Sora questioned. Kairi looked up, tears welling in her eyes.

"I've never seen you cry before."

Sora looked deep into her eyes, before standing up from his recliner, and walking over to her. As soon as his arms began to open, Kairi flew into them, crying openly now. "You've always been the strong one, Sora. Even including Riku," she said, as the pilot scoffed sliently from the next room, "and when I saw you on the ground like that, broken I..." she began crying so hard she couldn't speak, and Sora just held her, surprising himself with the care he was showing. He was comforting his best friend like he was her... her... boyfriend. He thought about this, and still didn't stop. He realized, right then, he wanted to be with Kairi. It felt right, holding her comforting her. He loved it.

He loved her.