A/N: Soooo…wow. I'm back. Been quite a while. Back to writing Kingdom Hearts for a while. Thank you, Birth by Sleep for renewing my interest. From FFVII to Avatar to KH. Geez, my inspiration patterns need to start making more sense O.O Anywho, this is pretty much my entire theory on what's to come in future games in story form, including whatever sequel there is to BBS, as well as…drumroll…Kingdom Hearts 3! Can't wait for…what year are they saying now? 2015? Sigh. I'm addicted enough to wait.
Yes, I know this is the bijillionith KH3 story on the site, but a lot of them are outdated now and I'm on a crazy mission to make it the best you've seen. And I mean it. Because I'm a perfectionist like that. I spent lots of time working out the logistics of this fic and such, so it should be as canon/accurate as possible with the info that's out there now. So of course, bearing that in mind, one should be wary of KH3D SPOILERS! But of course, since this is KH3 we're talking about ;)
So all that aside, hope you guys like it! Oh, and don't forget to review! It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside :D
P.S. For the first few chapters or so, the different POVs presented WILL NOT take place at the same time. Just thought I should clarify that now. It's fully intentional, done to demonstrate the discrepancies of time in different (ahem) places…you'll see what I mean. If they start to coincide after a few chapters, I may or may not note it...I might leave it to you guys to discern that ;) Also, I recommend listening to the BBS version of Dearly Beloved while reading this chapter. I wrote it whilst listening to it and it was awesome :D Yes, it's clichéd. No, I don't care.
I promise the rest of the A/N for this fic won't be this long -_-
Disclaimer: (For this chapter and all to follow) Kingdom Hearts is owned primarily by a man who sits on a throne of belts and zippers. And Square Enix/Disney too, I guess. But definitely not me.
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~Prelude: Those Who Hurt~
Thinking of you, wherever you are,
We pray for our sorrows to end…
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The sky gleamed a brilliant shade of pink, the water meeting it seamlessly, glistening under the dying rays of the sun. A rustle picked up every now and again, disturbing giant palm leaves and a mess of spiky brown hair. Everything was silent, save for the occasional seagull cry or the gentle splash of waves. He sat in his usual place atop a certain wayward tree, the bottle gripped tight between his hands, the parchment balanced on top.
You're the only one that can end their sadness…
His eyes glanced down at the paper, rereading the message but only half-registering it. He would have to leave as soon as possible. It was an odd feeling, knowing that somewhere in the worlds there were people who were waiting for him, waiting for his help. Flattering, but a bit intimidating. The only reassurance he had was that at least Riku wasn't exempt from it, either.
Destiny had an odd way of toying with him. It was only natural that he would be summoned for another important, potentially life-threatening task.
Now the door to your next journey is ready to be opened…
He thought inherently of the old wooden door on the island that housed the Heart of the World, the first door of many- how it had caused everything from the start, and how it had changed their lives forever. How it had once brought about an apocalyptic end to their peaceful island. How little he once knew, and how much he had changed since that fateful day. Looking around their world, watching the tide draw closer and closer to the shore, he couldn't help but wonder…would it ever truly be quiet again?
"Sora!"
His head whipped around at the sound of his name, seeing a familiar figure crossing the bridge behind him. Said figure wore a stoical, yet thoughtful expression, his thoughts probably along the same lines as his own. "Riku," he answered in turn, watching as his friend came to a stop on the sandy ground next to him.
"Your mind's made up?"
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Where they wait for him…
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A world all its own, swallowed by the darkness. An abyss stretching out in all directions, above and below and around every corner. A single path wound its way through the strange land, disappearing in the distance, but never truly ending.
A tired heart wanders down the path, waiting, searching, but never finding. In a world rejected by the light, it is a troubled existence. Sinister hands reach out, drawing the heart closer, beckoning it to give in.
But no. There was a promise. There would always be a promise.
One day…there would be light.