Part One
By Jive Maxwell
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
(Kingdom Hearts: Destiny Island)
Soon.
"What?" Sora sat up. He was on the familiar, sandy, island
beach, but was staring at a sea so black that there was no difference
between it and the starless night sky; it was impossible to tell where
the two met.
"What is it?" Sora tried again.
Perpetual darkness.
The voice speaking to him was loud and clear, yet it made no
sound. Sora was familiar with it; he knew how to listen to his
heart.
Unless every world is united, they will all be hunted down, one
by one, and covered in an immortal shroud of evil.
"What can I do to help?" Sora demanded instantly.
Gather the hearts.
"The...hearts? Whose hearts? Where do I find them, and what
do I do with them?"
So many questions, Sora. The answers will come to you in
time, but first you must...wake up...
"Wake up!"
"Huh?" Sora mumbled groggily.
"Hey! What's your problem?" Riku laughed softly.
Sora glanced around. He was on the pier with Riku, and it was
noon. The sun was bright and warm, and the water lapping onshore
was familiar, comforting. There was no evil here.
"What happened?" Sora wondered in a daze.
"You fell asleep, Sora," Riku explained, smiling curiously.
"What's the matter with you? How could you just doze off like that?"
Riku ran a gloved hand through his silky, white hair, moving it out of
his clear, piercing, bright blue eyes as he waited for Sora's reply.
"I-I dunno..." Sora scratched his head, which was covered in a
random mess of brown spikes. He had blue eyes as well, but unlike
Riku's, they were full of warmth and kindness. "I had this dream," he
continued. "It was like...eternal darkness was coming, and I had to
gather these hearts-"
"Hey, come on!" Riku said, putting his hands on Sora's
shoulders and giving his friend a shake that made his eyes roll and
head spin. "It was just a dream; you're alright now."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Sora chuckled.
Riku was like a big brother to him; they had grown up together,
looked out for each other and loved to compete against one another,
even if Riku, at 16, was a year older than Sora was.
A while ago, however, something had happened that had put
their friendship through its greatest test. Luckily, their bond had held
and they were able to save their world and others against evil
creatures called Heartless.
"Hey, you guys!" Kairi called from the beach.
"Hi, Kairi!" Both boys called back, identical smiles plastered
onto their faces.
Kairi was a pretty girl, about Sora and Riku's age, and they both
liked her a lot; most of their rivalry centered around competing for
her attention.
"Wanna come to my house?" Kairi asked. "Mom's making
lemonade, and we can have cookies, too!"
"Alright!" Sora cheered, his appetite getting the better of him.
"Ha ha! I'll race you there!" Riku laughed, shoving Sora off the
wharf and into the water before running away.
"Rikuuuu!" Sora yelled. "I'll get you for that!" Riku laughed
some more as Sora watched him go.
And Sora smiled; some things never changed.
(The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule, Kokori Village)
Link slept 'til 10, and kept on sleeping. Between his many
adventures, it was nice to get some rest.
It was nearly 11 before someone shaking him gently awakened
him.
"Epona..." Link mumbled reproachfully.
"It's me, sleepy head," Saria scolded, dragging Link out of bed
by an arm.
Link was a quiet, blond haired, elfish boy, and was loved by
many for his bravery and helpfulness.
He sat back to hear what his friend Saria had to say.
"The young Deku tree has asked to see you; it sounds really
important; I think you should hurry."
Link nodded, reached out to his bedside table for his belt,
sheath, and sword, and went outside.
Epona was waiting for him at the bottom of the tree house. She
nudged his hand happily when he got off the ladder, and was still
chewing a mouthful of grass.
He gave her a pat and got on her back, and they rode swiftly to
the place where the newest Deku tree was flourishing, leaping the
stepping-stones over the small pond and through the small canyon.
Then Link hopped off his young mare and rushed forward to
meet the Deku tree.
"Hello, Link!" the young plant said cheerfully. "Sleep well?"
Link shook his head: too many nightmares.
"Sorry to hear it. But I guess you're wondering why I called you here, huh?"
Link nodded.
"Well, I called you here because I got a message from
princess Zelda a while ago."
Link straightened up instantly; he liked princess Zelda; she was
really nice to him, and always had something fun for him to do: some
new adventure.
"What is it?" Link asked anxiously.
"She wants to see you," the Deku tree explained. She's waiting
in Hyrule Castletown. You're to leave as soon as you're ready,
understand?"
Link nodded.
(Later that evening.)
Link stared up at Hyrule castle from the back of his faithful
horse. Leaving her at the drawbridge, Link entered the peaceful little
town.
Once inside, he was overcome by the many voices and
bustling activity of the marketplace. But he was glad, too: a while
ago- no: in the future- the town had been destroyed by the evil
sorcerer, Ganon, and had become empty and hollow with despair,
like a world that had lost its heart. Link had traveled back and forth
through time to save Hyrule, and then gone on to rescue a strange,
secret world called Clocktown from an evil mask called Majora, using
the same methods.
Still, Link knew that there was always one place he could return
to when he was in trouble: the Temple of Time.
Now it was as peaceful and as impressive as usual, welcoming
Link with open doors. It always seemed so far away from the rest of
the world, and Link felt relaxed, racing up its familiar steps. He had
once slept in this temple for seven years.
Inside, he knew what he would find. The ever constant,
soothing, mystical melody echoed with magic power. The Door of
Time was now closed, but the three mythical stones remained,
turning majestically on the ancient pedestal.
Zelda was there as well; she jumped a bit when Link tapped
her on the shoulder.
"You're here!" she exclaimed, giving Link a hug. "It's so good
to see you again!"
The boy's eyes widened and he blushed.
"Hi, princess," he said shyly.
"Link," she gasped, finally letting him go. "Do you still have the
Ocarina of time?"
Link nodded proudly and showed her.
"That's good," Zelda sighed with relief. "Link, a new evil is
threatening to destroy Hyrule- no! The entire universe! I have seen
it!"
"How can we stop it?" Link asked.
"No world can stand against it alone," Zelda told him. "They
must be warned of the danger, and brought together to fight as one.
Do you understand?"
Link shook his head.
"How?" he wondered.
"Link, every world has a heart. Did you know that?"
Link had never really thought about it. To him, a world always
seemed like an old friend that you could help and revisit again and
again. He shrugged.
"Well, anyway, if you can find where the world keeps its heart,
unlock it's secret, and bring all the hearts together, then all the worlds
will become one, see?"
"And then they'll be safe?"
"Not exactly," Zelda sighed. "But at least they'll have a chance."
(Kingdom Hearts: the Secret Place)
Like a giant wave.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked. He had been led somehow
to the Secret Place beside the waterfall on Destiny Island, a place
that held many memories for him. It was where, nearly a year ago,
his journey had begun, and where he had returned.
Like a giant wave, the voice said within him softly, warningly,
the evil approaches, threatening to wash over this world.
"I won't let it be destroyed again!" Sora said quickly, taking out
his Keyblade.
So you have not forgotten.
Sora shook his head.
"Just, please, tell me what to do."
Heartstone.
"What's that?"
You once sealed away the heart of all worlds, Sora. Did you
never wonder what it was? What it looked like?
"I just wanted them to be safe."
And you did save them, the voice admitted. But now they
are in danger once again, and you cannot save them on your own.
"But then how-"
Patience. You will not be alone.
"Then who--"
You will work with a new partner now, Sora- one who has seen
many strange places and just as many strange times--
"Sora? Are you in here?" It was Riku.
"Riku-" Sora called.
Riku cannot come now. His heart is still sore, even with guilt.
"There you are, Sora. Who are you talking to?" Riku asked.
Are you ready to go, Sora?
"Riku! I have to leave!" Sora said quickly.
"Where are you going?"
"I really don't know, but I need you to promise me something."
"Is this a game?"
"No! I want you to look after Kairi- and yourself- no matter what
happens, okay?"
"Sure, Sora."
A light began to glow from inside Sora, and he knew it was
time.
"Sora? Sora, what's happening to you?!"
"It's okay! I'll come back for you," Sora assured him. Riku held
out his hand. Sora reached for it, but before he could grab it, he
disappeared in a deep glow and was gone.
"Sora!...I...I'll protect her."
(The Legend of Zelda: Temple of Time)
"Link," Zelda said sadly. "A sword, horse, and ocarina will not
be enough to face the evil in store."
Link stared at the magical instrument in his hand uncertainly.
"You need not worry; you have other powers you can rely on,
and you have used the one you will need most now before: it is the
power of friendship. Can you use that for me, Link?"
Link nodded loyally.
"Yes, well, I'm going to stay here," Zelda added, and Link
looked disappointed. "Your partner this time..." the princess closed
her eyes for a moment, "...is on his way."
A bright light filled the room suddenly, and, when the display
faded, a boy was there where the light had been. His back was to
them.
"Riku," he sighed.
Link was eager to meet him.
"Hi," he said quickly. "I'm-"
But the boy Sora turned suddenly, startled, and drew his
weapon. In defense, Link drew his Kokori sword.
The two of them began dueling immediately.
Link rolled forwards and made a slash at his foe, but Sora
laughed.
"Ha! I can do that, too!" he cried.
He showed Link by doing a dodge roll, then doubled back with
a high jump and tested Link with a down slash.
Link blocked the threatening blow with his own sword, and then
cart wheeled away.
The two circled warily, studying each other and getting a feel
for their opponent's abilities.
"Come on!" Sora demanded suddenly, charging forwards.
"Ho!" Link yelled, back flipping onto the pedestal.
"Ha hah!" The brown haired boy followed.
"Oh no!" Zelda cried. "Link, please! Stop this at once! This is
Sora!"
Link paused uncertainly.
"Oh, are you Link?"
Link nodded proudly.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Sora- like she said." Sora sheathed
his weapon and scratched the back of his neck. "I guess we're
partners now, huh?"
Link didn't look too happy about that all of a sudden.
"Well, I hope you two learn to get along soon," Zelda scolded.
"You have a long journey ahead of you."
To be continued...
JM: It gets better, I swear.
Link: I wanna new partner.
Sora: Quit complaining, the both of you.
JM: Please review.