When Ari, the Wiseman's daughter, found out that her father had disappeared, she went on a search for him. Determined to find him no matter the cost to herself, Ari began an investigation into his disappearance, gathering all the information that she could. Her research soon lead her to a group called Organization XII and a world called The World that Never Was. Ari realized that if she had any chance of finding her father, she must travel to this world. But without a gummi ship she was forced to resort to magic. Being one who knew little of magic, she studied hard to find a way to get to the world. Finally she found a spell of light that would take her there. Ari tried it and succeed, but the exertion proved to be too strenuous on her. Once arriving safely int the world, Ari blacked out.
When Ari awoke, she couldn't remember anything. She found that she couldn't even remember her name. Disoriented and scared she began to wander the streets, in search of an answer or somebody to help her.
A member of the very organization she had come to question, the one called Roxas, was walking through the streets when he saw Ari roaming about. He assumed that she was a nobody and walked calmly over to her, asking for her name. Ari said nothing, scared, wet, cold, and confused. Roxas became irritated at her non-cooperation, he inquired again.
"What's your name?" Again Ari said nothing and Roxas mistook her reluctance as a personal offense. Angry, he grabbed her by the throat and pinned her to the wall of a building, her legs dangling off the ground.

"Roxas," She said, the name popping into her mind like it was her own. Do I know him, she thought, though she was sure she didn't. She stared at him wide-eyed.
"How do you know me? Who are you?" When she didn't answer again he tightened his grip and Ari began to choke.
"Put her down," An unidentified voice called out. Roxas and Ari both turned their heads to see a boy with silver hair in a black, organization cloak and a blindfold.
"Not until she tells me who she is." Roxas replied.
"How can she speak when she can't breathe? Can't you see she's frightened?." The new-comer retorted.
"Nobodies can't be frightened. They all put on this show at first, try to be clever." Roxas turned his gaze back to Ari.
"She's not a nobody, put her down." The one with the blindfolded insisted.
"Who are you?" Roxas asked suddenly aware that this boy isn't from the organization.
"A servant of the dark." The silver-haired boy answers cryptically. Roxas released Ari and she crumpled to the ground. Roxas walked past the boy and contemplated if he is friend or foe. As Ari coughed and breathed grateful breaths, her memories flowed slowly back to her. The silver-haired boy turned his gaze to Ari and moves help her to her feet. He asked if she was alright and still out of breath, Ari replied with a quick nod. The stranger patted her shoulder once and then left her side. Walking over to Roxas, the two draw their weapons and begin to fight. An overwhelming urge to assist the silver-hair boy came over Ari but she resisted it, knowing that this wasn't her fight.
Suddenly heartless appeared all around Ari and she pulled out her two swords which were strapped to her back. She grinned, itching for combat. With all her memories intact, Ari fought with the agility and grace of one who's trained for years.
After beating back seemingly endless waves, Ari defeated the last heartless and noticed that it was quiet. She looked around and saw the silver-haired boy, lying a only a few yards away. The rush of battle still coursing through her veins, Ari rushed to his side. She noticed that he was injured and bleeding from several minor wound. He was conscious, and she gave a sigh of relief. Perhaps now she could pay him back.
"Who are you?" He groaned, shaking her from her thoughts.
"I'm Ari." She said tearing off a piece of her shirt to wrap around a cut on his arm. He flinched slightly at her touch, as if he was afraid she would harm him. "It's alright, I'm trying to help. I want to thank you for saving me back there." She continued to wrap his arm, after he relaxed slightly.
"It was no problem." He said humbly. She tightened the makeshift bandage and he cried out. Ari wondered what his name was. She had always had the gift of telling what a person's name was by their features. That was how she had been able to identify Roxas when she couldn't even remember her own name. But since he was blindfolded, she could not tell. Tentatively, she started to take the blindfold off but he stopped her with one hand on hers.
"Please," He said with sadness in his voice. She respectively drew her hands back into her lap. Impulsively, and without really knowing why she did it, Ari leaned down and kissed him.
"I'm sorry," She said abruptly breaking the kiss and flushing.
"It's . . . alright."

A faint smile plaid upon Ari's lips but she quickly hid it. Somehow she sensed that despite the blindfold, this stranger could see.
"We should get somewhere indoors. Can you walk?" She inquired, briskly changing the subject and breaking the awkward silence.
"Yeah."
So Ari helped him into an old building, where she cleaned the rest of his wounds. The boy assumed a brooding silence while she did, and said nothing. Ari wanted to know more about him but was unwilling to press him for further information. She felt guilty because she thought that she was the reason he and that other boy started a fight. To her surprise, the silver-haired stranger broke the silence.
"So what brings you, Ari, to this desolate world?" He asked. Ari nearly started from the suddenness of his question.
"I'm looking for my father, who disappeared from my world a couple years ago. Perhaps you know of him, his name is Ansem, Ansem the Wise." The boy propped himself onto his elbows and furrowed his brow. "What? So you do know him?" She asked in earnest. Perhaps this boy finally put an end to her search.
"Ari your father is dead. He - or rather his heartless was destroyed by a friend of mine. He was going to hand the world over to darkness. I am . . . sorry." Ari shook her head in disbelief.
"No . . . no, no! He was a good man! He only wanted to protect his people. He'd never-" she couldn't finish; she buried her face in her hands and cried. Ari was only partly aware of arms encircling her tentatively.
"I'm sorry," He whispered in her ear and then left her alone. Ari cried herself to sleep.

Ari was asleep when she felt something soft brush against her cheek. Lips? She sleepily opened her eyes and saw a cloaked figure heading out the door. Was he taller?
"Wait!" He stopped and turned around to look at her, his hood clouding his face. "Where are you going?"
"I have to go . . . complete a mission." He replied tightly, trying to shield his emotions.
"It's just I don't know your name. I haven't even seen your eyes and eyes play a big role in telling someone's name." Perhaps she could delay him
"You tell what someone's name is just by looking at them? How?" She had captured his curiosity, if only for a moment. Ari would take what she could get.
"Let's just say I'm good with names." She smirked.
"I have to go; I've tarried here to long." He began to leave again.
"If I knew your name I could find you again and tell you more about names." Ari took a shot in the dark.
"Riku." And then he was gone, disappeared in a portal of darkness.
"Then until we meet again, Riku." She grinned.