Authors Note: I know this is a very rare pairing, but it came to me when I saw how upset Riku got knowing that the King had kept Aqua's location a secret from everyone for 3 years. The way he shouted that they could have gone and rescued her, that was it for me. My ship was born. Riku is 18 in my fanfiction, even though their ages haven't been confirmed since KH2, but I just assumed that after the way these events transpired in the KH universe, theres no way Riku is still 16, let alone 17. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this story!
CH. 1
"You and me! We're going to go save Aqua!" the King exclaimed proudly.
It came after I heard the story of what happened to the other Keyblade Masters, the ones who visited the islands when Sora and I were just kids. The first one, I remember that his name was Terra. I knew he wasn't from our world, because I had never seen him before, and the only way to get to that island was by boat. He came up to me, and kneeled, smiling, and asked if I could keep a secret. That's when I first laid eyes on the keyblade. Terra had performed the "ritual", and I was given the power to wield the keyblade one day, should my heart be worthy.
Once he left, he set fire ablaze within my heart. I wanted to visit other worlds too, I wanted to get off the islands and see what was out there. It was only hours later, that another other worlder found her way to our little island, and introduced herself as Aqua. She had asked Sora to keep me safe and on the right path…Sora agreed, happily saying that I was his best friend, and that he'd always be there for me… If I had only remembered Sora's promise, I never would have given in to the darkness, and I would have never betrayed him.
"Count me in!" I nodded in excitement.
I learned that Aqua had sacrificed herself not once, but twice. Her first sacrifice came was when she had to save Terra. Both she and he were falling into the darkness, and she managed to set Terra free, letting herself be imprisoned. The second time…was to save me. I had to admit, I was pretty upset with King Mickey; How he kept her location and sacrifice a secret from us for so long. I was 15 when we closed the door to Kingdom Hearts, and I'm now 18. How long had she been trapped in the darkness, wandering those dark pathways, all alone without a single soul to talk to? It irritated me, knowing that a person got hurt trying to help me, and if only I would have known she was there, I would have searched for her… I would have tried my best to help her.
I may not have been strong enough back then, but I could have at least tried to pay back the debt I owed her. But now, I'm stronger than I was when I was 15, I can go and save her. I've developed an immunity to darkness, and I have earned the title of Master, so I know that I won't be a burden on her. I can't remember her too well, other than the fact that she had blue hair and was also a Master of the Keyblade.
"Before you leave, the Three Good Fairies ask that you both be given new garments to help combat the darkness." Yen Sid summoned two cases and handed them over to the King and I.
"Thank you Master!" I bowed. I was anxious to leave. I wanted to hurry and save the woman who saved me. I couldn't wait around for Sora to show up, I figured he was probably napping somewhere again," Give Sora my farewell."
"Of course. Do be safe Riku…Mickey."
We both nodded, and walked out of the large doorway, and down the many flights of stairs. "So how are we getting there?" I asked as we left the tower.
Mickey looked towards the edge of the tower, as a train appeared and came to a stop just ahead of us, "We'll need to head to Twilight Town first. I can sense a strong darkness growing there."
I stayed quiet, and I focused with my heart, a sour smell came into my nostrils, "You're right…" That horrible smell, is one that I can never forget. That sour stench of darkness… it made my stomach churn.
"Once we find the problem, we can open a portal that should lead us into the realm of darkness, and put us one step closer to saving Aqua." Mickey confidently stepped inside the train, as I followed close behind.
"So, what kind of garments to you think these are?" I opened the clasps, once I found a seat.
"Well, it might be a good idea to change now, since we don't know what we can expect in Twilight Town" Mickey smiled as he opened his own.
I nodded, and excused myself as I went to find somewhere to change. I found a small bathroom and opened my case. I pulled out a pair of pants that looked like the ones I wore now, but they were less baggy and fit much better. I could sense a strong magic coming off them. The top I was given, was a white muscle tank, and a black short sleeved hoodie was at the bottom. As I changed, I noticed the sour stench that waded in the air, suddenly disappeared, even though I could still sense it. I returned to my seat, as I waited for the King.
"These clothes sure are something!" He smiled, as he zipped his own jacket shut. His clothes were practically the same design and color, but they also contained a strong magic.
We arrived in Twilight Town a few moments later, the station empty and quiet. I had a feeling of uneasiness wash over me, and I looked towards the King, "Something seems off…" and the first face I saw was that of a brunette girl, looking panicked.
"Excuse me, is something wrong?" I asked.
"Oh!" she exclaimed," You've got to help me! My friends were attacked by some weird creatures near the woods!"
I looked at Mickey, who nodded in agreement, "Heartless! Which way?"
"Follow me!" she ran ahead.
I could smell the darkness just ahead of us, but it wasn't as strong as the first whiff I got back at the Tower. The girl suddenly stopped, and shook her head, as more heartless popped up in front of us, stopping us in our tracks.
"Oh no! There are more of them!" she began to back away, her body shivering in fear. Just beyond the shadows, two bodies lay motionless, the heartless beginning to move towards us.
I ran in front of her, "Stay back!" I summoned my keyblade, as the king summoned his, "We'll take care of them!"
The heartless, though dying with ease, were strong in numbers. I must have killed at least 40 by now, but there didn't seem to be an end. With every slain shadow, arose a new one, which became stronger than the last. I grunted as one of its claws sliced my arm. The cut was deep, and I could feel the blood trickling down.
"Riku!" Mickey shouted as his cure magic flowed over me, the bleeding coming to a halt.
"Thanks!" I shouted over my shoulder, "There's got to be a way to stop them!"
Suddenly, the brunette we had been protecting screamed, "Over there! She pointed to the roof of a building, "They're coming from that portal!"
I quickly fixed my gaze, to where she pointed and saw the dark portal spewing out the heartless. She was very observant because even I didn't notice it, "Mickey we've got to close it!" I swung my blade, slicing a heartless in half as it charged for the girl.
"Right! Stay here with Olette, I'll close it!" Mickey shouted as he leapt up ledges to reach the portal, bashing heartless' heads in along the way.
Olette… I hesitated as I pondered the girls name. It sounded so familiar, but I couldn't focus too long as Neo Shadows began to manifest alongside the shadows. "Mickey, how's it going?!" I began to worry, as these heartless were relentless with their attacks, and they were beginning to push me and the girl back against the wall. She grabbed hold of my jacket, and looked up at me, her green eyes glistening with tears. I smiled a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, I won't let them hurt you or your friends."
"Just a second Riku! I've almost got it shut!" The king pointed his key at the portal, a bright shining beam shot out from it, piercing the darkness. It began to shrink as less heartless crawled out, and with a small puff of black smoke, it was gone. All that was left were a few neo shadows, scrambling around in a panic, their source of power gone. With ease, I managed to destroy the last few that were remaining, as I wiped the sweat from my brow.
"Hayner! Pence!" the girl shouted as she ran over to her friends.
That's when their names hit me, they were the ones that Ansem the Wise digitally copied for a fake world, meant to tame Roxas. A tinge of guilt washed over me, but I shook my head and ran over to her and her friends.
"Oh please you two, wake up!" she shook them hard.
I kneeled down beside her, and I sighed, "They're going to be alright. I think they just fainted, but their hearts are still there."
Olette looked at me, and smiled, "Thank goodness. I don't know what I would have done if you and the King hadn't shown up when you did."
She knew Mickey? I pondered for a second, but my thoughts were interrupted by the two boys who were now just beginning to stir.
"Ugh… what happened" the boy with green camo pants asked, his head in his hands.
"All I know is…my head is killing me" the one with a red jersey groaned.
"I'm so glad that you're both okay! If it hadn't been for King Mickey and his friend, you'd both be goners." Olette joked as she threw her arms around them both, giving them a group hug.
"It's good to see you again, your majesty." The camo pants smiled, as he stood up. He looked over at me, and raised a brow. He then smiled, "Hey, nice to meet you. My name is Hayner."
"My name is Pence. Sorry we met under these circumstances… I should practice on becoming stronger." He chuckled.
"And my name is Olette. Thank you so much for saving my friends and I."
I smiled, glad to have met the real persons, "It's nice to meet you all too. My name is Riku."
"What brought you here Mickey?" asked Olette.
"Well, we could sense a strong darkness radiating from here… but whatever it was, it's gone now."
"We were actually on our way to check out some strange noises coming from that house in the woods… that's when those things attacked us." Hayner glanced over his shoulder.
"I think its best if Riku and I check things out from here… You three should go back home until everything is safe." The King furrowed his brows.
"No way your majesty!" Pence shook his head, "We took Sora there once before, so we'll be happy to escort you there too."
"That's right. Plus, that was the first time that anything weird has shown up in our town… there haven't been any of those weird white creatures here either in 2 years." Hayner agreed.
"Well…" Mickey hesitated, "Okay, just stay close."
We made our way to the house, the two boys leading up ahead, as Olette stayed beside me. "So, I take it your friends with Sora?" she asked.
I nodded, "Yep, he's my best friend."
"Oh, so then you must know Kairi!" she grinned, "How is she doing? I really miss her."
"Kairi is doing really good. She's in training now to become a keyblade wielder, like Mickey, Sora and myself."
"Wow… I always knew she was strong. I hope I can see her again one day."
"After we finish our mission, I'll be sure to tell Kairi to come and visit you." I smiled, as her eyes lit up.
"Here we are!" Hayner announced.
The house was very dilapidated, the grass surrounding the area was tall, yellow and dry. Bottles of alcohol were tossed alongside the broken gate, and the windows were all shattered. "This place still gives me the creeps." Pence shuddered.
"I think its best if Riku and I go in alone. We don't know what we can expect in there." Mickey offered out his hand.
"Right. It was nice seeing you again your majesty, and it was nice meeting you Riku." Hayner shook the kings hand.
They waved goodbye, as Mickey and I stepped inside the mansion. The inside wasn't any better than its outside appearance. But right in the middle of the room, was a portal that was slowly rotating, the darkness that was emitting from it seemed to be rushing back in," That must be it!" I shouted.
"It looks like we got here just in time Riku! It's getting ready to close, you ready?" he glanced up at me, the determination in his eyes were shining bright, and I nodded," Yeah, let's go!"
We stepped into the portal and into the realm of darkness, the light behind us faded into the abyss, and my nostrils were filled with that awful stench once more. It was quiet, empty and lonely, there was no direct path to take. I turned towards Mickey," Do you know where we need to go?"
Mickey shook his head, a look of hesitation flashed upon his face," Not exactly, but the last time I met Aqua here… I just felt a strong light. I followed it, and that's when I found her. I know that we'll find her!" He summoned his keyblade, as he proudly walked ahead.
I sighed and smiled," Yeah. We will…" I closed my eyes and looked upwards towards a dark never ending sky," May your heart be your guiding key…" I muttered the words Yen Sid taught us and followed the King into the unknown realm...
Authors note: Soo that was chapter one! I hope it was decent 0.0 I may change writing formats from first to third depending on the characters POV. When the story is told through Rikus eyes, it will be in first person. If this becomes or sounds confusing, let me know in your reviews and I'll change it up! Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for chapter 2!
