After Sora, the Keyblade wielder, returned home, they all thought his story was done. Only when a letter from King Mickey arrived that they realized that only this chapter ended. Many more still lay ahead of the heroic boy.
Kingdom Hearts 3: The True Keyblade Master
He laid there, looking at the stars that lit up the dark sky. He had been back home for a week, and he was enjoying it. After two years of fighting against dark forces, rest and relaxation were nice. He and his two best friends, Riku and Kairi, were finally together again. Even though they were only separated for a year, they had changed. Riku was taller and more muscular, having fought a fierce battle with his inner darkness. Kairi had grown taller, grown her auburn hair out to her shoulders, and was growing quite independent, learning how to effectively defend herself.
This boy, Sora, had changed, physically, only in height and clothing. The boy who wielded a Keyblade had changed much since he had come to have the ancient weapon. Still, despite these changes much had remained the same. Since they had gotten back home, routine had settled in again. Riku and Sora still competed over pretty much everything. Kairi still managed to drag Sora and Riku on scavenger hunts and shopping trips. And at the end of the day, the three hung out by their favorite paopu tree, looking out at the sunset.
Sora looked up at the paopu fruit tree that he was lying beneath. The sun shone, but the air carried a cool ocean breeze with it. He relished in how much he had truly missed this feeling. Fighting the Heartless, defeating Xemnas, and the struggle against darkness was finally over. Sora felt sleepiness come over him. He preferred not to fall asleep on the beach, but his body disagreed with him. Slowly, his eyes closed.
He opened his eyes looking up at the sky again. The stars were still out. Sora jumped up in relief seeing it was still night. He didn't want to wake up in the morning on the beach. He then pulled out his phone, seeing that the time was 9:30 P.M. Oddly enough, he had laid down on the beach at about the same time. "Water must have broken my phone," he muttered to himself.
He started to head back to his house. As he walked up the trail, the wind was calm and nice, blowing through the spikes in his hair, bringing a small smile to his face as he enjoyed the little luxuries. But then he noticed something over the hill. The trail leading onward gave way to lights and loud noises. He walked to the top of the hill and saw something.
Sora gasped, rubbing his eyes to check if he was hallucinated. What he saw was a huge city. The buildings weren't collosal, but they were quite big. Each one was lined with many different colors of light. All the billboards were lit up to and there were shopping centers and stores everywhere.
"What's happening?" Sora looked back, then jumped when he realized that his home was no longer in sight. "What happened to the islands?" He looked around, seeing no island. Instead, the bright lights of the buildings lit up the night. "Where am I? Japan?"
He stopped on the side of the street, looking in blankly at a television on sale as people walked past him through the busy street. Suddenly, the TV became fuzzy, displaying static. and then it shut off. Sora turned to see people screaming and running in the streets. Sora ran into the middle of the road. As he went one direction, everyone else ran the opposite way. Sora grabbed a man the was running "What's happening!" The man looked at him for a moment "Well? Come on, you've got to tell me!"
The man didn't say anything. With a horrified look on his face, he just pointed and Sora saw what they were running from. It looked to be a dark black and purple fog. It was practically hovering on the ground. The man broke free of Sora's grip and ran once agan. Sora looked around to see he was the only one standing there in the street. The fog began to approach him, Sora summoned his Keyblade as the fog started to circle around him.
The fog started to disperse and created humanoid-looking figures. Their hands were claws with yellow eyes. They looked like Heartless but Sora could tell that these were a different variety of creatures. Sora then ran to one and slashed one, but it was usless. His weapon just went threw fog creature. The creature then slashed Sora, who fell on the ground. Blood lead from his arm the he blocked the attack with. He stood up and looked at the creatures upon which his weapon had no effect. "What's happening?"
Right then one of the creatures tried to slash Sora, but he was quicker this time. He jumped up, hit the building side and jumped away from the fog. Once he hit the ground he began to run as the fog quickly followed after him. Sora then turned looking at the creature. Breaking his thoughts down to figure out how to beat it, Sora remembered that fog was, in essence, water. Water had a weakness. Turning around, he pointed his Keyblade at the fog. "Thunder!" The electricity flowed through the air and struck the fog. A loud shriek was heard before it slowly parted, fading from the air.
Sora sighed in relief that the creature was gone. What was that thing? Sora thought to himself. It was tough to beat and unlike most other creatures he had ever faced before.
"You're thinking of what they are and where they come from, aren't you?"
Sora quickly turned to see someone. He was tall with long, black, wavy hair, wore a long red cape with a black shirt and pants. He wore a cold expression on his face and held his arms to his sides. One was covered in brass, displaying a large, claw-like hand. The other was a normal-sized hand, holding a long, triple-barreled gun.
"Who are you?" Sora asked, stepping forward. "What's going on here?"
The man remained firm, keeping a stern face. "My name is Vincent Valentine. You're Sora, wielder of the Keyblade. It's pretty hard for one such as myself not to know about you."
Sora nodded "Vincent," he repeated, echoing the man's name. The man's voice was very deep and solemn, much like the voices of his friends Cloud and Leon. Was it possible that this man knew Sora's friends? Sora couldn't ponder these thoughts right now, for he had business to discover. "Look, what's happening here?"
Before Vincent could answer they both heard a loud whooshing coming from the sky. They both looked to the sky as the clouds were turning purple and black. "Time's almost up."
"Whats almost up?" Sora asked frantically. "Is there anything we can do to stop it? Is it bad, is it-?"
Vincent held up his clawed, brass hand. "You ask way too many questions, kid." Sora grumbled softly, hating it when he was referred to as 'kid'. Vincent stepped away from Sora, heading off in another direction. "I suggest you don't follow me Sora, but you'll find your way back home sooner or later." Vincent looked back up to the sky. "Better hurry up, though." Vincent disappeared into the darkness of an alley way before Sora could say anything.
The Keybearer took little note of it and rushed back another way. He could see and hear people run away in the unorganized chaos. They had no idea where to go or what to do. Despite the mystery of the situation, Sora did know one thing well enough: the world was in danger and it was his duty to stop it. He summoned his Keyblade, but had no idea what he was up against.
BOOM! Sora looked up to see a tall building explode, toppling over and catching fire. People started to scream and panic. Sora barely had the time to look at one building before the destruction continued. More buildings toppled and followed suit of the first building. Crashes and explosions raged everywhere. Sora then looked up, seeing that, from the sky, what appeared to be hundreds of black figures rained down upon the world.
Sora began to run from it, he knew he couldn't beat all of them alone. He began to run like everyone else in the city. The screaming of people falling behind into the darkness wasn't a pretty sight. They screamed and when the darkness got them, their scream just stopped and they were gone. Sora was horrified . He started to run across a twenty-foot bridge, but he heard crackling as the bridge started to collapse underneath him. Sora jumped as it fell apart and his hands barely reached the other side. Determined, he lifted his hand to get a better hold, only for that grip to fail him and send him off of the broken bridge. That would've been his end if a hadn't reached down to pull him back up.
Sora felt a tug on his arm as he was caught by something cold and very stiff. He looked up to see the identity of his savior only to see his arm clasped by a large, brass hand. "Vincent!"
Vincent wordlessly brought Sora back up to solid ground. Sora looked back to his surroundings to see the dark energy swirling everywhere, promising a grim fate of the world if something wasn't done. The smoky darkness was coming at them, ready to swallow anything in its path. Sora spotted a particular man, the one who he had seen before, running as the smoke gained on him. Sora rushed forward, watching as the man was tripped up and beginning to get pulled in by tendrils that sprang from the smoke. "NO!" Sora grabbed the man's hands and pulled with as much force as he could, but the darkness held too strong a grip. Sora fell backward as the screaming man was tugged into the darkness, lost.
A terror-stricken Sora turned to Vincent. "What the heck is happening?" When Vincent didn't answer, Sora's irritation grew. He grabbed the collar on Vincent's shirt in anger "I know you know, Vincent! Why aren't you telling me!" Vincent stayed quiet as he looked over his shoulder at the looming cloud. Sora looked back nervously as well. He closed his eyes tightly to prepare for the impact, but instead felt Vincent pulling Sora's arm away form his shoulder and leaning forward, whispering to Sora.
"Sora, you were brought here for this reason: To witness the destruction that is happening in the worlds. It's up to you to rescue these innocent lives, and protect any more from being taken." He looked up into the dark sky with affirmation. "Sora, only you and the Elements can stop him."
Him? Sora wondered. "Wait, who's him? What are you talking about?"
"We will meet again, Sora, and we will fight alongside each other. But for now, you must go home." They both looked up to see a bright light shine. Sora covered his eyes while the darkness washed over him. But just as soon as that happened, the light returned to illuminate the area, bringing Sora to unconsciousness once again.
Sora shot up breathing hard with sweat coming down his face as he looked around. He was back on Destiny Island, exactly where he had fallen asleep. He looked around to see the crystal blue ocean with the moon's reflection shining on the water. He looked at his almost-dead fire. As he stood up and turned around to see the paopu fruit tree and he walked past it to head back home. He didn't want his mom coming into his room seeing he's no there. After all he got back his mom was always so protective over him, after all he was gone for a year with death on the line that can do things to a parent.
Sora began to walk back to his house, he begin to think. His dream seemed so real, and this Vincent what did he mean by "the Elements"... Sora shook his head. Maybe my mind is messing with me after all I went through. I'm surprised I'm not crazy. Sora continued to walked home until he got there and crawled through his open window and got into bed. In deep need of rest, he closed his eyes and instantly let sleep take him.
Sora opened his eye's and sat up after his sleep. He got up and looked out the window. The weather was beautiful, the sun was bright and he relished a cool breeze entering through his window. He smiled as another good day back home started.
"Hey, idiot!"
Hearing the call behind him, Sora didn't have to turn around to know who had come to call. "Good morning to you too, Riku," Sora said with a sarcastic smile.
"I just called you an idiot and you respond like that?" Riku shook his head, chuckling as he did so. "What a sap!"
Sora only chuckled. "Get out so I can get dressed." With a slight shrug, Riku departed as Sora closed the door and got dressed. Sora dressed a little bit different than he had been for a long time. He put on a dark blue t-shirt and wore jeans with normal sized white and gray shoes. Sora opened his door and headed down the stairs to see Riku sitting at the table talking to his mother.
"So Riku, how's school?" Sora's mom asked.
Riku raised his eyebrow with little regret. "It's school. Put the rest together yourself."
Sora's mom chuckled. Riku clothing has changed a bit. He wore torn jeans and black shoes with a black t-shirt with what looked to be red waves on his shirt.
"Hey Mom, Riku and I are gonna hang, alright?"
Sora's mother started to shuffle nervously "Oh..uh, are you sure, sweetie?"
Sora nodded. "I'll be fine, Mom."
"He's right," Riku replied, putting his arm around Sora. "He's got me, a big strong man, to watch his back."
"Egotistical much?" Sora shot back with a sarcastic glare.
"Very well," Sora's mom finally allowed. "But don't stay out very late, okay?"
"It's the morning, Mom," Sora reminded. "Just relax! I'll be fine." With a final nod to her, Sora and Riku stepped out the door, waiting until they had walked along the path a ways to begin the discussion.
"So I see you haven't told her yet," Riku said as he walked to side of Sora. He nodded
"Yeah, I don't know how to. She's been so worried about me ever since I got back. If I told her I was leaving again, it would crush her." Riku stopped walking and turned to Sora slowly. Sora noticed this a moment later and turned to look at his friend. "Riku?"
"I didn't mean your mom," Riku answered. "Regardless of what happens, she'll know you'll be able to handle it." He sighed solemnly. "I'm talking about Kairi."
Sora's face turned sad. When they got the letter from the king saying he need help again, Riku and Sora decided together that Kairi shouldn't come. They didn't want her to get injured. Sora was really scared for her safety. In a way, it was his fault, his role as Keyblade Master, that got her into messes like this, and he could do nothing to stop it. Sora never wanted her hurt again.
"You can't hide this from her, Sora," Riku chided.
Sora sighed. "She'll probably take this worse than my mom will."
Riku frowned in agreemnt. "It'll be hard on a lot of people," Riku reminded. "We vanish, then we reappear over a year later only to leave again. That can't be easy on our friends, but it's necessary." He patted a solemn Sora on the shoulder before stepping away. "C'mon. Kairi's waiting for us."
A girl waited patiently on the beach for her friends. This girl was quite beautiful, and looked even more so with the sunset's light cast upon her. She wore a violet tank top with blue jeans that cut off just below her knees.
This girl, Kairi, was happy, and for good reason: she and her friends had come back home.
Riku had faced much in the past year or so. His heart struggled against the darkness within him, a battle that was not easy for the silver-haired teenager. But, as always, Riku came out on top of his demons and managed to safely return home.
Sora was a slightly different case. Her spiky-headed friend had been off saving the world, even her on a couple of occasions. Having once sacrificed his own heart in order to rescue her, he owed him so much, and would do nearly anything. She lo-
Before the thought could form in her head, she felt two sources come up behind her and lift her up. They each took hold of one of Kairi's legs, hoisting her up to their shoulders as they did so.
Sora chuckled at Kairi's surprised gaze. "Good day, Princess," Sora said to his friend.
"Where to, Your Majesty?" Riku asked, half-sarcastically.
Kairi giggled at her friends' antics. "Why, to go shopping, loyal servants!" The smiles vanished as Sora and Rku looked at each other. With little hesitation, they quickly hoisted Kairi off of their shoulders and onto the ground before taking off in a run. "Hey, get back here!" Kairi yelled in protest, taking off after them.
Sora was contemplating the fact that he and Riku always won the races against Kairi, and he took a moment to look back at her progress. "Whoa!" To his great surprise, Kairi was nearly upon him, already leaping forward. Sora's surprise overtook his chance to escape and Kairi arrived, tackling him to the ground at the same moment.
Riku walked up and started to laugh "Break it up, love birds!
"Huh?" Sora and Kairi made brief eye contact with each other. "Oh!" They both got up quickly to escape this awkward moment, both of their faces flushing red a little bit. Riku bowed his head in laughter and Kairi saw an opportunity. When Riku raised his head again, he was too late to prevent Kairi from tackling him to the sand as well.
"Whoo!" She cheered, high-fiving Sora as she got up from the sand and did a little victory dance.
"Congratulations, Kairi," Sora applauded. "You conquered me and Riku todoay."
"Why, thank you!" Kairi replied, bowing proudly.
"This is why we don't let her win, Sora." Riku rose from the sand, brushing himself off. "Because it ends with both of us losing." Sora shrugged in a passive manner.
Kairi, in the meantime, stuck her tongue out at Riku. "At least his ego isn't so inflated that he can let me win."
Riku huffed softly. "Bite me, Kairi."
"Riku!" Sora chuckled. "Going a little far, aren't you?"
Riku responded to his friend with a smack upside the back of his head. "Shut up, Sora."
"Come on, guys!" Kairi started to tug at their arms, pulling them along. "I won, so let's go!"
Sora and Riku's frowns deepened at the inevitable trip they were about to go on."You know Riku," Sora muttered, "I don't think I'm going to let her win again."
"Way to go, Sora," Riku replied. "You finally started thinking like men should think."
After a long, long, long, long, torturous day at the mall, the trio of friends decided to head to the usual hang out spot by the paopu fruit tree. Kairi sat on the tree trunk as Riku leaned against the tree. Sora stood at the head of the group, looking out into the sunset happily.
Some time passed, and Riku stood up from leaning on the tree. "I'd better head back. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
Kairi jumped off the tree and nodded and hugged him. "Bye, Riku." Riku smiled softly and returned the gesture.
"Do I get a hug good-bye?" Sora joked.
Riku shook his head at his naive friend, and he motioned for Sora to come forward. Sora held out his hand, and Riku reflected this gesture. As they shook, Riku leaned forward and patted Sora on the back, taking a chance to whisper to Sora.
"Tell her."
Sora gulped softly. He knew it was inevitable, but he wished it didn't have to come now. But as Riku made his way home, Sora found his way back, hopping up to the tree trunk to sit beside Kairi. It was an awkward silence for a bit. Sora didn't want to be the one to break the silence, but if it continued longer, he could go crazy. But as he opened his mouth, Kairi spoke.
"I really missed you, Sora."
Sora looked at her. She was looking out at the sunset. The sun glowed a pretty shade of orange, lighting up Kairi's already beautiful features. "I missed you too, Kairi. A whole lot." Sora chuckled to keep the mood light, and Kairi smiled a bit as well. Sora knew that he needed to get down to business now or never. Taking a deep breath, he began. "Kairi, we need to talk-"
"Sora?" Kairi cut him off again. "Are you excited to head off to another adventure?" Sora nodded slowly in response.
I'd be happier, he thought, if you could go with me.
Kairi smiled eagerly. "I'm so excited to go on one. I'm sick of being the damsel in distress. I want my 'warrior-princess' days to begin!" The excitement in her voice was astounding.
"It's about that, Kairi," Sora replied softly. "Me and Riku have talked about it. We don't want you to be in danger, so..." He winced before he let the words leave his mouth, though it was with great difficult that he allowed them to. "We think you shouldn't come."
It was silent again, and Sora reluctantly turned to face his friend. He didn't like to be the messenger of bad news, and this was no exception. Kairi's mouth hung open, and her blue eyes were wide with confusion and sadness.
"Why, Sora?" she asked.
Sora sighed "We want you to be safe Kairi. We-"
"I don't care about that!" Kairi interjected, inducing a noticable flinch from Sora. "I just want to be with you and Riku." She looked into his eyes, trembling with hope that he would reconsider. "Sora...I spent a whole year waiting and worrying for you and him to come home. I know I wouldn't be able to do it again." She took his hand, her eyes threatening to yield tears. "It kills me waiting for you guys."
Sora frowned and wrapped his arms around her for a hug, running his fingers through her red hair trying to make her feel better. "Kairi...you can come."
"You mean it?" Sora gasped softly at his slight moment of weakness which had yielded the opposite result he was intending to go for. It was too late, though, and Kairi hugged Sora tightly with excitement. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she squealed with excitement.
Sora was hesitant. In less than a second, his whole plan had been upset by Kairi. Now she was so excited that he couldn't deny her a chance to go on the journey with them. She was a very energetic, determined girl. Sora liked this about her. By this point, it didn't seem like a big deal that she would come along with them. He hugged her back and smiled. "No problem."
They stayed out there and spoke to each other until the sun had set on the horizon before they started to go home. They both stepped into a rowboat, each taking an oar and rowing back to the main island, where all the residents usually stayed. Once ashore, Sora decided to walk Kairi home. When they finally reached Kairi's home, they both stopped at the front door. "Thanks for the great day Sora, and letting me tackle you."
Sora smiled and nodded. "No worries."
"And thanks for letting me come with you," Kairi added sweetly.
Sora put both of his hands behind his head. "I saw how worried you were about me and Riku. I don't want you going through that again." He removed his hands from his head and his smile shrank a little bit. "I'm just worried about you."
She smiled and walked up to him and hugged him, Sora hugged her back. "Good night, Kairi."
"Good night, Sora." The two ended their hug and Kairi walked into her house. Satisifed, Sora walked away. He passed a few more houses before he stepped up to his own house, heading for his door, where Riku stood in waiting.
Wait a second! "Riku?" Sora gasped in surprise. For a few seconds, he endured a serious stare from his best friend.
"You let her come didn't you?" Riku accused.
Sora was absolutely speechless. How did he know? he thought to himself.
"I knew you would."
Sora raised his eyebrow, surprised even more. "What are you-?"
Riku smiled. "Sora, I knew you would let her come. I knew you'd feel too bad to say 'no'. So that's why I made you tell her."
"Wait a minute!" Sora realized suddenly, becoming a bit irritated. "You mean you lied to me? I was all worried about how Kairi would react, and you were planning to let her come all along?"
"That pretty much sums it up," Riku confirmed, smirking. "But it was funny, right?"
Sora glared at Riku. Riku knew this glare, its the glare when Sora is so mad, your pretty much screwed. Riku then began to run, Sora Started running after him. " Come back here ass!" Sora started chasing Riku down the street.
After about an hour of chasing Sora finally caught Riku and hit him the side of the head
"Ow! Sora!" Riku rubbed his head a little bit, then shrugged. "Eh...I deserve this."
Sora nodded while breathing heavily. "Yes, you do."
Riku chuckled. "At least your not a total sap anymore, you will actually hit me, and it will hurt." Sora chuckled and they both started walking back home. "Hey Sora can I spend the night?"
Sora shrugged. "Sure, as long if you will help me tell my mom about us leaving."
Riku groaned. "Fine, I will."
Sora and Riku walked in the house and sat down at the table. Sora then saw his mom walk in, she wasn't happy. "Sora! Do you know what time it is?"
Sora looked at Riku for assistance, and Riku quickly summoned a smart remark. "Uh...is it party time?" he asked with an innocent smile.
Sora's mom just glared at Riku, who followed by keeping his mouth closed.
"It's only 8:30," Sora replied
"Exactly!" she replied in a huff. "I wish you wouldn't stay out so late."
Sora sighed. This routine had become normal ever since he had returned home. "Mom, nothing happened to me. Nothing will. I promise!"
His mother calmed herself a bit, letting out a deep sigh. "Look, I know I may seem a little over-protective, but you try having your child disappear inexplicably for a year and stay sane. You must understand why I'm so worried." She bowed her head softly. "What if you have to leave again? And what if you don't come back?"
Sora knew this would be coming. "Mom, I understand why you worry for me, but you've got to let that go. I have saved the worlds twice. I can handle myself just fine." He thought carefully of his next words. "I didn't ask for that journey to happen. Our world was swallowed by darkness, and there was nothing left to do except follow where the Keyblade took me."
His mother could not deny such accomplishments. "You are right, of course. I'm sorry I was a little ov-" She was cut off by the faces Riku and Sora were giving her, to which she rolls her eyes at. "Fine, way over-dramatic, but can't you admit my heart is in the right place?"
"Of course it is," Riku agreed. "You're a mother who cares about her son's safety. Oh, and speaking of him leaving again-" Riku flinched at Sora's mom, who froze instantly once the words had left his lips. Without another word, he handed her the letter they had received from the king. She took it quickly, before her mind could reject it. She opened it quickly and read over it. In contrast to her receiving of the letter, she read it quite slowly, increasing the nerves of the two boys in her vicinity. But when she finally reached the end of it, she let out a small sigh.
Sora broke the uncomfortable silence. "Mom?" he said. "Are you okay?"
She had a small chuckle. "Not really, no. But I know you have to go Sora"
Sora smiled. "Thanks, Mom." He walked over, kissing her on the cheek.
"Don't worry we'll keep in touch" Riku said trying to make her happier.
Sora's mom smiled. "You better or I'll make sure you both get grounded."
They both chuckled at the mock-threat. "Hey Mom, can Riku stay the night?" She nodded casually, and they nodded to her in thanks before heading to Sora's room.
That night in front of the television is when Sora brought up Riku's clearance to save the universe once again. "How are you gonna tell your parents?"
Riku shrugged. "Shouldn't be too hard. They're more calm then your mom."
Sora nodded. "I wonder what Kairi is going though with her parents?"
"I don't know," Riku admitted.
Kairi sat upon her bed. Her mom...or rather, her adoptive mother, sat in silence. Such a reaction could be induced by many different things. In this case, it was her response to the news Kairi had given her about her impending departure.
"Are you gonna talk at all, Mom?" Kairi asked hopefully.
Her mom sighed. "Sorry, honey. My sanity wasn't fully prepared for this kind of news..."
Kairi scooted closer. "Don't worry, Mom." She smiled proudly. "I'm a girl capable of holding her own. I've got Sora and Riku, too!"
"That's true," her mother said with a small smile. "I trust those boys will keep you safe. They've been competing for your attention their whole lives, after all."
"Mom!" Kairi protested.
"I'm only concerned for your safety, Kairi," her mother assured. "Keep in contact, alright?" She turned to face Kairi, as if about to look at her for the last time, and then wrapped her arms tightly around her. "Bring me back some souvenirs from your travels."
Kairi returned the hug to her mother. "Sure thing, Mom. I'll make it's a good one!"
Kairi's mother stands up. "I've discussed this with your father. He has accepted your departure for one reason: he trusts Sora. Riku is a okay in his book, but he only truly trusts Sora with your well-being."
"Oh..." Kairi's face grew warm, and she stood up before the redness could become visible to her mother. "Well, whatever gets him to be okay with me leaving." She nodded to her mom briefly before she stepped out of the room. She needed to make a phone call...
Sora and Riku's important business was interrupted when the phone rang. Well, at least one could say that if watching television could be considered important business. Immediately, Sora flipped open his phone, pressing a speaker button on it.
"Hey, Kairi," Sora greeted. "You're on speaker. Riku's here too."
Riku leaned over by the phone, next to Sora. "Hey, Kairi!"
"Hey guys!" she replied happily. "My mom and dad said I could come!"
Riku smirked and leaned over to Sora, whispering in his ear. "Congratulations, kiss-up."
Sora just shoved him to the side. "That's great, Kairi! Glad to hear you can come. But you know, Riku and I will have to train you to fight properly with the Keyblade.
A groan was easily heard on the other end of the phone. "Come on guys. I can fight a bit already. I can learn on the job, can't I?"
Before Sora could let another word out, Riku interjected, covering Sora's mouth. "Kairi, you have to do this. It's dangerous out there and we can't afford to having anything holding us back in battle. Yes, that does include you, no offense. You need proper training, and we're going to give it to you."
"But..." Beaten in the argument, Kairi sighed deeply. "Fine, I'll train," she accepted. "But for now, I need to sleep. I'll talk to you guys later. Good night Sora. Good night Riku."
Sora let loose a yawn when Kairi mentioned the word 'sleep'. "Good night, Kairi." They both said at the same time. The sound of Kairi hanging up was heard just before Sora hung up his own phone. He looked over at Riku, slighty irritated. "Riku, why did you stop me from talking when Kairi complained about training?"
Riku smirked. "Because I knew you'd suck up to her again.
Sora glared at him. "That is not true!"
Riku laughed. "Sora, you letting her come when you thought we were going to make her stay home already proves my point: you can't say no to her."
Sora tried to retaliate, but had no explanation. He seemed to say whatever it took to make sure Kairi was happy. He was just too nice for his own good sometimes. "I just want her to be happy," he said.
Riku laid next to where Sora was sitting and sighed. "I know you do," he answered. "But in worlds that are full of danger, you need to draw a line. At some point, keeping her safe is going to become more important than making sure she is totally happy with everything." He turned over, beginning to close his eyes. "Just remember that, Sora. But in the meantime, get some sleep. It's gonna be a long day tomorrow."
Sora got up and saw that Riku fell asleep on his bed. Sora shook his head and chuckled No way I'm sleeping in the same bed as him, Sora thought to himself. He walked out of his room and turned off the light and then shut the door. Sora walked downstairs, entering his living room. He grabbed the blanket and jumped on the couch, covering himself with the blanket. As he closed his eyes, he could only imagine what awaited him on this new journey. Would the Heartless and Nobodies return in more powerful droves or would there be a new, much more powerful threat in their midst?
These questions would need to be answered later. Tomorrow, Kairi's training began.