Author's Note: Hello, dear readers. Welcome to Kingdom Hearts Retold! For those of you who read the original fic, welcome back. I suggest that you stay on and read this one, because it is way different and much better. I feel that the original fic had many problems, including grammar, pacing, dialogue, and the fact that Feng was a little Sue-ish. I feel that this version is much better and more worthy of reading. The plot will be much different, as will several characters and the connections between them.
I sincerely hope you all enjoy Kingdom Hearts Retold!
It was dark and I was falling.
There were bubbles swirling all around me, like I had dived into deep water. I began to panic at the thought that I might be drowning. I must have finally fell from the tree house, just like Shadi always warned me I would.
But I wasn't drowning: I could breathe. I was just falling. Falling into the darkness.
There was something there in the dark. A small light that got larger as I fell. I closed my eyes against the blinding brilliance as I descended toward the light.
I landed on a circular stained glass platform that had a strange design on it. There were seven circles in a ring around the center, and each one contained a girl's silhouette. In the center, there was a large heart-shaped moon, and standing in front of it was a lone figure.
It was me.
So much to do, so little time... Take your time. Don't be afraid. The door is still shut. Now, step forward. Can you do it?
I took a few slow steps forward. A light shone down from above me like a spotlight as a large stone pedestal rose from the platform in a shower of light and magic. As I stared at it, a sword appeared on it. I turned to see a second pedestal rise, and upon this one appeared a different sword. This one was shaped like a bat's wing.
Power sleeps within you. If you give it form, it will give you strength.
I looked between the two swords for a moment. I guessed that I had to choose one.
Choose well.
I walked over to the normal sword and chose it without hesitation.
Do you choose the power of the light? The light within you is strengthened by the light of another. Do you choose to wield its power?
"Yes," I said. The sword vanished from my hand in a flash of light. I wondered what the voice meant by "the light of another".
Your path is set. Do you accept the power of the light?
"Yes," I repeated. The pedestals sank into the platform, and the sword reappeared in my hand.
You gained the power to fight.
I slashed at the air a few times, getting used to the sword. It was almost as light as the wooden swords we fought with on the islands.
All right! You've got it. Use this power to protect yourself and others.
Several shadows appeared on the ground. They moved around, then rose from the ground into impish creatures that seemed to be made of darkness.
There will be times you have to fight. Keep your light burning strong.
One of the creatures ran toward me, claws bared. I swung the sword at it, and it burst into darkness and disappeared. Another of the creatures sank into the ground and surged toward me. It rose out of the ground and scratched me from behind. I stumbled but managed to keep my balance, and I jabbed at the creature, and it exploded into darkness as well. There was a third creature, and it was moving around me in twitchy little motions. I slashed at it, but it moved to the right. I brought the blade around the opposite direction in a wide arc, and the last creature was gone.
Behind you!
Another creature had risen while I was distracted. I turned and slashed it before it could even do anything. However, rather than vanishing, the creature sank into the ground. The shadow it created began to expand until the whole platform was dark. I closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, I was on a different platform. There were four circles in the center, each one with a female silhouette surrounded by thorns. Along the outer edge were three more circles, each with a female silhouette in it. The outer three were connected by a chain of heart symbols. Across from me, there was a large white door. I walked over to it and pulled experimentally.
"I can't open it...," I said. No response from the magical voice now, I suppose. I turned around and found a treasure chest. I opened it and found a Potion inside. I drank it, and the scratches that the creatures had inflicted began to feel better.
I turned back to the door and decided to try it again. I pulled, and this time the door opened. Blinding light spilled out of it, and I averted my eyes as I walked through the door.
I was back on the first platform. Suddenly, bunch of the creatures rose up from the ground. I summoned the sword again and slashed at a large group of them. All but one vanished, but a few more took their place. I slashed and slashed, but the creatures' numbers never seemed to decrease. I hacked at the creatures anyway, and then a dazzling light erupted from the tip of the sword, destroying all of the creatures.
After the creatures were gone, a light shone down on me, and I felt my wounds heal and my exhaustion fade. The light faded and I looked down, watching as my shadow began to elongate.
The closer you get to the light, the greater your shadow becomes.
My shadow rose from the ground and became a much longer version of the impish creatures from before. It towered over me, with long shadowy tendrils that resembled hair, and it had a heart-shaped hole in the middle of his chest.
But don't be afraid. And don't forget...
I ran to the edge of the platform, but I almost fell. I was stuck there with the creature; didn't have anywhere to go. I summoned the sword, deciding that I had to fight the thing if I had to. I faced the creature and ran forward, trying to analyze the situation. If I could reach the hands or the head, I could defeat it… maybe.
The thing summoned a ball of energy and punched the floor. A dark void appeared in the ground and several of the smaller creatures rose up from it. I slashed and jabbed at them, dispatching them. I turned back to the big guy. As it punched the ground again, I saw my opportunity and went for it, striking at its wrist. That worked for a moment, then the thing noticed me and struck out with its other hand. I was knocked back, and my sword flew into the abyss. I was doomed.
A dark void appeared below me and began to swallow me up.
But don't be afraid.
I fell further into the darkness.
You hold the mightiest weapon of all.
I tried to escape, but I was too deep.
So don't forget...
The darkness completely consumed me.
You are the one who will open the door.
KHR
I sat up on the sleeping bag in the treehouse where me and my friends hung out on the smaller of the two main islands. I looked around and saw my friends.
Shadi was one of the smartest people I knew. He had golden blond hair and eyes that matched. He was sitting in a chair in the corner, his nose buried in a book. Next to him, staring out of the window, was his twin sister Shui. She had very pale blue hair and blue eyes like mine.
I looked down at myself. My clothes were a little dirty, but otherwise normal. A light purple tee beneath a white vest with light purple trim. My shorts and sneakers matched my vest, and the shorts had their hems cuffed and large pockets.
I got up and looked in the small mirror on the bookshelf. My hair looked like it always did: slightly messy and spiky and pale blonde. I patted it down, then turned to my friends.
"Glad to see you're awake," said Shadi. He was looking at me, but his intelligent glare made it seem like he was looking into me.
"They're going again," said Shui. She turned to her brother. "Are you sure you heard them right?"
"Yes. They're up to something," said Shadi.
"Who?" I asked. "Are you guys talking about Riku and his friends?"
"Of course you'd think it was Riku," said Shui, smirking. She knew about the crush I had on him, ever since we were kids. I tried not to blush.
"Well, is it?" I asked. I looked out the window and saw Riku and his friends, Sora and Kairi, running across the beach. Riku was tied with Sora, and Kairi was way behind. She appeared to be having fun, at least.
"Shadi thinks they're trying to find other worlds," said Shui.
"That's what they were talking about," said Shadi. He had gone back to his book.
"What are we gonna do about it?" I asked.
"We're going to ask them," explained Shadi. "I'm going to ask Kairi, Shui will ask Sora, and you— "
"No!" I said. "I will not talk to Riku. I'll screw up and embarrass myself!"
"I thought you liked him. The best way to get the ball rolling is to just suck it up and talk to him. Just don't forget to figure out what he's up to," said Shadi.
"Fine," I grumbled, making my way toward the door. "But I'll get you back for this."
I found Riku on the small island with the paopu tree on it.
"Um, Riku?" I asked. He turned and looked at me.
"Hey, Feng," he said. We'd known each other since we were kids, because we were neighbors.
"Um, hi," I mumbled. "So, what have you been up to?"
"I don't know if I can tell you," he said.
"Aw, c'mon!" I said. "I'll keep it a secret."
"Okay, how about this? We'll spar. You win, and I'll tell you," he said, hefting his wooden sword. I drew my own sword and nodded.
Riku charged at me, but I moved to the side and slashed at him. He parried, then slashed, hitting me head on. I shook of the daze and retaliated. He blocked the attack, but I kicked him while he was distracted. I backed up and slashed again, which caused him to fall on his back. He immediately sprang back up feet first, his heels connecting with my face. I went down.
I could feel tears welling in my eyes. I tried to hold them back but they still fell.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Don't cry," said Riku, holding out a hand. "I went too far. You're really good, though." I took his hand and he helped me up, handing me a Potion. I used it to heal my wounds.
"Thanks," I told him. I turned to walk away.
"Wait. I'll tell you," Riku said. "We want to go to other worlds. We're building a raft."
"Do you think it'll work?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. We may have to come up with something else," he said. "Do… Do you want to come with us?"
"Really?" I asked, blushing. "I—Can my friends come?"
"I don't know if there will be enough space," Riku admitted.
"Then… I can't leave them, I'm sorry," I said, bowing my head.
"Okay," he said dejectedly. He turned and looked out over the sea. I made my way back to the tree house. Shadi and Shui were waiting there for me.
"They are," said Shadi. "Going to other worlds. Kairi told me."
"Same for Sora," said Shui.
"Riku too," I said quietly.
"What's wrong?" asked Shui. She came and patted me on the shoulder.
"Nothing," I said, trying to perk up a bit.
"Well, it's getting dark," said Shadi, looking awkward. "We should get back home." The three of us made our way to the boats on the dock. I saw Sora and Riku standing on the bridge to the paopu island. Riku was holding a paopu fruit, which he tossed to Sora. He walked past Sora, who tossed the fruit aside and followed Riku. When the two got to the dock, Riku looked at me and beckoned me over.
"Have you ever tasted one of these?" asked Riku. He held up a second fruit.
"No," I said, blushing deeply.
"Well, here. Keep it," he said. "And if you can't come with us, maybe we can share it," he said. "Then we'll always be connected."
"Maybe," I said. I took the fruit and put it in my pocket.
"Come on, Feng," said Shui. I looked at Riku, and he winked at me, heading over to his boat. I sighed and got into my own boat.
KHR
Donald Duck, the Court Wizard of Disney Castle, walked proudly through the Colonnade, passing a group of brooms carrying buckets. He stopped in front of two enormous double doors, and he cleared his throat, knocking three times. A smaller door just his size opened, and he walked inside.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," said Donald. He walked toward the King's golden throne. "It's nice to see you this morn— "
He stopped talking when he realized the throne was empty.
"What!"
Pluto, the King's dog, walked out from behind the throne, carrying an envelope in his mouth. Donald opened it and read the letter. He blinked at the letter, then sped back out into the Colonnade. He zoomed across the courtyard to where Goofy, Captain of the Royal Knights, was sleeping.
"Wake up, Goofy, wake up! This is serious!" said Donald, though Goofy continued to sleep. Donald's temper finally got the better of him. He pointed his finger into the air, yelled, and summoned a lightning bolt. It swooped down and hit Goofy in the side, jolting him awake. He sat up sleepily and looked around.
"Hey there, Donald. G'morning," said Goofy.
"We've got a problem, Goofy! But don't tell anyone...," began Donald.
"Queen Minnie?" asked Goofy.
"Not even the queen."
"Daisy?"
"No, it's top secret!" said Donald, shaking his head furiously.
"G'morning, ladies," called Goofy over Donald's shoulder.
"What?" asked Donald. He turned to see his girlfriend Daisy, hands on her hips, and Queen Minnie. Daisy cleared her throat and Donald laughed sheepishly.
KHR
When we returned to the island the next day, I was surprised to see Kairi waiting for us.
"Hi, Kairi," I said. She smiled at us.
"Okay, since you guys are so interested in the raft, you're going to help. We're going to need some logs if you want to come with us, so hustle up and find some, okay?" she said.
"Wait, we get to go too?" asked Shui.
"Yeah!" said Kairi. "It was Riku's idea, actually." I blushed and looked down to hide it.
"We'll split up," said Shadi. "I'll look on the beach, Shui can look over on the paopu island, and Feng can take the back beach." I went over to the back beach and found Sora and Riku in a conversation.
"Hey, how about...," began Riku.
"The usual?" said Sora.
"Let's do it!" said Riku.
Kairi came over to where they were standing. "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."
"If I win, I'm captain! And if you win— "
"I get to share a paopu with someone," he said cryptically. Did he mean me? Or maybe Kairi? They did spend a lot of time together. Thinking about it made the green monster in me come out.
"Huh?" asked Sora.
"Deal? The winner gets to share a paopu with whoever they want," said Riku.
"Wha... Wait a minute...," said Sora, but Kairi was already talking.
"Okay! On my count: Three! Two! One! Go!"
I watched the two race. Riku wasn't doing too well: he fell through a broken board on the bridge and had to take the long way after Sora beat him to the zip line. Sora eventually won the race, and I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Man, lighten up. It's just a name, after all," said Riku coolly. Then he noticed me, and looked away. I marched past him, and began to look for logs.
"Good job, Sora," I said as I passed Sora.
"Thanks?" said a bamboozled Sora. I continued walking. I scanned the beach until I had four logs, then I brought then over to Kairi.
"Riku's going to help you attach them," said Kairi. Riku came over and began to add the logs onto the raft.
"Thanks for helping us," I told him. "I didn't want to go without my friends."
"No problem," he said. He wiped sweat from his forehead.
"And… I have a question," I said.
"Yeah?" he said, looking up at me.
"Hey!" said Shui. She and Shadi were walking toward us, dragging logs with them.
"Good, we should have enough now," said Riku. He looked back at me, then went back to work. I sighed as Sora and Kairi walked up to us with some eggs, mushrooms, coconuts, fish, and a few bottles of water.
"We have provisions!" said Kairi happily. She and Sora packed the stuff into some baskets, and the six of us got to work on the raft. Eventually, Riku turned to Sora.
"Sora, where's that cloth that I brought to reinforce the sail?" he asked.
"I… I think I left it somewhere. Maybe the secret place?" Sora replied.
"Well, I need you to go and get it," said Riku. Sora stood up and began to walk away.
"Wait," I said. Everyone stopped to look at me. "I want to go too."
"Huh?" asked Sora. "Why?"
"If we're going to go out into the unknown on a raft together, I want to know everyone," I said. That wasn't really the truth, but I didn't want anyone, least of all Riku, to know that.
"Okay," said Sora. Everyone else looked suspicious, but I quickly went off after Sora. We walked in silence for a few seconds before I spoke.
"Sora, you and Riku are best friends, right?" I asked.
"Yeah. Why?" he asked.
"Does… does he like Kairi?" I asked.
"Yeah, they're friends," he said.
"But does he like her?"
"Oh. I don't know," said Sora, blushing. "Sometimes it seems like it, but..."
"Okay. I was just— "
"Do you like him?" Sora asked me.
"I— No!" I said, but my hesitation gave it away.
"You do!" he said.
"Don't tell anyone!" I said. "Please."
"I won't, I promise. I know how you feel."
"Kairi?" I asked. He nodded.
We reached the secret place. It was a cave, which was lit by a small hole in the roof. There were chalk drawings all over the walls from years and years past, and at the opposite end of the small cave was a door. The only reason I even knew about it was because Riku had shown me years before. He only did that because Sora had shown Kairi, and he only thought it was fair.
The folded white cloth was on the ground, and next to it stood a hooded man.
"Wh-who are you?" asked Sora.
"I've come to see the door to this world," said the mystery man.
"Huh?" Sora and I said in unison.
"This world has been connected," said the man.
"Wh-What are you talking about?" asked Sora.
"Tied to the darkness... Soon to be completely eclipsed."
"Well, whoever you are, stop freaking us out like this," I said, drawing my wooden sword.
"Wh-Where did you come from?" asked Sora. He looked freaked out.
"You do not yet know what lies beyond the door."
"So, you're from another world!" asked Sora. How he got to that conclusion, I'll never know, but I knew the man wasn't from around there.
"There is so very much to learn. You understand so little," said the figure.
"Oh, yeah? Well, you'll see. I'm gonna get out and learn what's out there!" said Sora, glaring at the man.
"A meaningless effort. One who knows nothing can understand nothing."
"Oh, so I know nothing?" I said, gritting my teeth and holding up my sword. The man just chuckled softy.
Sora and I looked toward the door in the wall: it had no lock or doorknob, but it was distinctly door-shaped. We turned back to the figure in the shadows, but he had disappeared.
"Do you know who that was?" Sora asked me.
"No," I said. "But I don't think he was friendly. Let's go back to the raft." We walked back in silence, and when we got back, Riku was gone, Shadi and Shui were hunched over a book on nautical navigation, and Kairi was leaning against the raft's mast, making something out of shells.
"What's that?" asked Sora.
"This? I'm making a necklace of Thalassa shells. In the old days, sailors always wore Wayfinder charms made of Thalassa shells. They were supposed to ensure a safe voyage. See this?" she said, holding the unfinished star-shaped charm up so we could see it. "It's a charm to help us find each other if we ever get separated. The three of us will always be together. And you three too, now, Feng." She put the Wayfinder in her pocket.
"Tired? Want to call it a day?" she asked us.
"Yeah, let's go home," said Sora, and I nodded in agreement.
"Okay, tomorrow's the big day. We should rest up!" said Kairi.
KHR
Later, I went into the secret place. I ran my hand over the drawings and thought about what it would be like in other worlds. I wondered if how many of the drawings Riku had made, and If it would be okay if I drew something.
I picked up a rock and etched a picture of us all, with me and Riku holding a paopu in the center. I heard a cough behind me and I spun around.
It was Riku. He looked over my drawing for a second, then turned to me. "You're not good at drawing," he said.
"I know," I said. "I just wanted to leave my mark here too. I'm a little scared."
"It'll work. I'm sure of it. Especially with Shadi on board. He's a genius, right?" said Riku.
"Well, that's not— "
"We'll make it. We'll leave this island behind. It feels like a prison sometimes. I know there's more out there." I could hear the conviction in his voice.
"I'm sure there is," I said. "Riku, do you…"
"What?" he asked when I went silent.
"Oh, it's nothing," I said. He eyed me suspiciously, but let it drop. He went over to a picture on the wall, and stared hard at it for a few moments. Then he went up to the door and pressed his hand against it. His eyes were closed.
"I always wanted to know what was behind this door. But I could never get it to open. It's the reason I even showed this place too Sora. I thought that, no matter how much it would tick me off, maybe he could open it. But he couldn't either. I kept trying everything I could think of to open it. Then I thought that I might not be strong enough to open it yet. And so I have to get out there, to gain the strength that I need to open it. I need to be stronger." His hand dropped to his side, and he clenched it into a fist. He turned back to me.
"You're really strong already. You always beat me and Sora and everyone in fights. You— "
"That's not the kind of strength I mean," he said. He turned and walked to the cave's exit. "And Feng?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Everything." And then he left.
KHR
"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 finished the letter and looked at the queen and Daisy.
"Oh, dear! What could this mean?" asked Daisy.
"It means we'll just have to trust the king," said Minnie.
"Gawrsh, I sure hope he's all right," said Goofy.
"Your Highness. Don't worry. We'll find the king and this 'key.'" said Donald.
"Thank you, both of you," said Minnie.
"Daisy, can you take care of the— "
"Of course, Donald. You be careful, now, both of you," said Daisy.
"Oh, and to chronicle your travels, he will accompany you," said Minnie, pointing to a small bug jumping up and down on the desk.
"Over here!" the bug said. Donald looked at him. "Cricket's the name. Jiminy Cricket, at your service." He bowed with his tiny top hat in his hand.
"We hope for your safe return. Please help the king," said Minnie. Donald stood at attention, and Goofy saluted him.
"You're coming, too!" said Donald. They made their way to the courtyard, the began to climb the stairs down to the Gummi Control Center, guided by the dim, mouse-shaped lights that lined the hallway. Jiminy was sitting on Goofy's helmet, and Donald walked ahead of them.
"Gawrsh, Jiminy, your world disappeared, too?" asked Goofy.
"It was terrible. We were scattered. And as far as I can see, I'm the only one who made it to this castle," said Jiminy, hanging his head.
"Goofy?" asked Donald sternly.
"Oh, right... I gotcha. Ya mean, while we're in other worlds, we can't let on where we're from. We've gotta protect the world border," said Goofy, scratching his head. The movement made his helmet move, and Jiminy hung on for dear life.
"Order," Donald corrected.
"Right. World order," said Goofy. He laughed and Donald sighed. They walked through a crown-shaped doorway. "I guess we'll need new duds when we get there."
They entered the Gummi Ship Control Room. The whirring of machines filled the air, and giant gears spun all along the walls. Mechanical arms hung down from the ceiling around a small orange spaceship. Inside the dome of the cockpit were three seats. Donald walked toward a large yellow tube and put a hand to his mouth.
"Hello up there? Donald Duck to launch crew! Anytime you're ready," he said.
Up in the control booth, Donald's voice echoed out of the other end of the tube into the ears of a black-nosed chipmunk wearing an apron. Chip saluted, and a second chipmunk, this one with a red nose, ran toward a control panel. Dale jumped up and turned a blue lever. Steam billowed out of pipes in the ceiling as more gears spun on the walls. Dale jumped to the window and the two chipmunks watched one of the mechanical hands move across the room. The hand picked up Goofy, carrying him upside down with his arms outstretched while Jiminy hung on tight. Donald crossed his arms and frowned when he was picked up the same way. As the cockpit opened, Pluto ran into the room and jumped into the Gummi Ship. A light spun on the wall as a runway opened, with lights blinking along the path. A lift moved the ship, aiming it at the tunnel, as Daisy and Queen Minnie entered the room to see the departure. Donald gave Daisy a thumbs-up and a wink as the rocket's engines started up with a shower of flames. Donald pointed forward toward the tunnel.
"Blast off!" he shouted.
In the tunnel, a large neon arrow blinked on. The shaft below the Gummi Ship opened, and the ship fell through it, and Donald and Goofy screamed. The ship dropped out of the world and the engine burst on, sending them out into space.
KHR
I sat in my bed, thinking about setting sail. I was excited, especially at the prospect of finding new worlds and meeting new people.
I need to be stronger.
And then there was Riku. I wondered what kind of strength he meant. I thought about him in the secret place, and I got nervous. He reminded me of the man in the robe that me and Sora met. Both of them seemed to be fixed on the door. I wondered what was behind it.
Maybe it was a door to another world. Maybe that was why the mysterious man said the world was connected. If I could just open that door, we could go to another world.
I jumped up out of bed, pulling on my vest. I had to try and open the door.
I ran down to the beach, where I noticed that everyone's boat was missing except mine and Sora's. I wondered what was going on, and I hoped that everyone was okay as I got in my boat and rowed to the island at full speed.
When I arrived on the island, three boats were at the dock. I spotted Riku on the paopu island, and I made my way toward him.
Suddenly, several of the creatures from my dream fell from the sky, where a strange floating orb had appeared. I tried to fight off the creatures with my wooden sword, but it passed harmlessly through them. After several failed attempts to fight the things, I was sweating and panting.
"Feng!" shouted a voice, and I turned to find Sora running toward me.
"Sora!" I said. "What are you doing?"
"There's a storm going on. I came to save the raft," he said. The creatures had swarmed us, but we ran away quickly.
"Sora, Riku's up there!" I said, pointing to the paopu island. We ran for the island, and found that Riku had not moved. He turned to face us, but he was still, almost like he was in a trance.
Where's Kairi? I thought she was with you!
"The door has opened...," he said.
"What?" Sora asked. I looked at him.
"You opened it?" I asked.
"The door has opened, Sora! Feng! Now we can go to the outside world!" he said.
"What are you talking about? We've gotta find Kairi!" said Sora.
"Shadi and Shui are here too!" I added.
"They're coming with us!" said Riku. Sora looked shocked.
"What are you talking about, Riku" I asked.
"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!" He held out his hand.
"Riku...," Sora said. I stepped toward Riku, meaning to take his hand. A pool of darkness formed at our feet, its tendrils licking at where we stood, wrapping around our bodies. Sora rushed forward to grab both me and Riku, and the darkness grabbed at him as well. He tried to reach toward us, but the weight of the darkness pulled him down.
Riku's face remained unchanged as Sora failed to grab his hand. The darkness started to get to me, and I blacked out for a moment before a light twinkled in the darkness behind my eyelids. It started out small, but soon it grew into an incredible brightness. It filled my vision, and when I opened my eyes, I was lying on the ground.
I stared at the large object in my hand. Its purple handle and silver blade shined like a sword, but the tip of the blade was in the shape of a star, making the thing look like a key. A keychain hung from the pommel of the weapon.
Keyblade... Keyblade...
I looked back and saw that Sora had a weapon that was almost identical to mine, but with a slightly different shape and colors.
Several of the creatures, which I decided to call Shadows, appeared around us and I swung at them with the Keyblade. A Shadow, unable to dodge, was knocked backward in a flurry of stars. We could hit them with the Keyblade!
"Sora! Use the Keyblade!" I said. He struck one of the creatures with the Keyblade. With a few more swings, the darkness of the Shadows was driven away by me and Sora. Even so, more and more kept coming.
"We'll split up!" I told him. "You look for Kairi and I'll find the twins!" He nodded and ran off, and I ran to the back beach.
I arrived to a strange sight: the hooded man from the secret place had appeared, and he was holding out his hands to Shadi and Shui, who were both about to shake them.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"He's right!" Shadi shouted. "I need to get out there! A raft would never work!"
"I'm going with him!" Shui said. "Come on, Feng!"
"No, you can't!" I said. "It's a trap!"
"No, it's okay! It's— "
But I didn't get to hear what it was, because the hooded man erupted in an explosion of darkness. The darkness blinded me, and I felt myself being blown back through the nothingness.
I came to on the beach, the purple sky stretching around the island. Sora was next to me, kneeling in the sand and looking around at the island below him. Large chunks of the island had broken off and risen into the sky towards the dark orb. It loomed above us, lightning crackling in its dark depths as the
wind swirled rocks and wood wildly around us.
"What's happening?" Sora asked me.
"I don't know!" I answered. "But I don't like it!"
I looked up to see the large creature from my dream, which I called the Darkside, towering above us. Sora and I summoned our Keyblades as the Darkside knelt on the ground. Energy pulsed in the heart-shaped hole in its torso, and it released orbs of light that targeted us. Sora and I each picked an arm and began attacking, while trying our best to dodge the beams of energy. The Darkside stood, and we could no longer reach it. It paused for a moment, peering at us through its glowing yellow eyes.
"Sora, I've got an Idea!" I shouted. "When it brings its arms down again, climb them up to its shoulder! We can hit it in the face!"
Sora looked up at the Darkside and shouted, "Hey, ugly! Your face is wide open!"
The creature leaned forward and clenched its hand into a fist, gathering strength, before slamming its fist into the ground. It spawned a pool of darkness along the sandy floor, and Shadows emerged from it. Sora and I ran past them to the Darkside's wrist, running along its arm to its shoulder. I jumped through the air and slashed at the creature's face as Sora hit it over the head.
The wind howled louder and blew faster as the island moved closer to the orb of energy. Sora dropped to the ground as the Darkside was pulled into the air. I rolled as I hit the ground, and jumped to my feet. The wind whipped at us, and Sora was holding on to a nearby board for dear life. Every muscle in his body tensed as the wind pulled him upward. As his fingers lost their grip, and I reached up to grab his hand. As our hands connected, Sora's momentum yanked me into the air as well. I could feel my consciousness slipping as I was yanked into the void.