This fic is not only inspired by a conversation between a friend and myself, but also a gift for my friend: ElectroNerd. She and I are both big fans of certain characters and I wondered how it would turn out if these two teamed up? Hope you all enjoy, especially you ElectroNerd. I shall try to fully describe every aspect of Riku's koolness. ;)

Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and all related characters belong to Disney and Square Enix.

Silver Lining

Prologue

The streets of Traverse Town were empty in the second district. A storm was raging overhead as rain poured down on the single person standing in front of the fountain. He was soaked, raining dripping from his silver hair and running down his face. Drops of rain pattered against his sword. The keyblade known as Way-to-Dawn, was at the ready. The teen had stood there for almost twenty minutes. Waiting.

The falling rain drowned out all other sounds, it would be impossible to tell which way his target would come from. The sheets of rain falling made seeing difficult. It forced him to rely on his inner senses. The pressure around him, the rush of an opponent, the vibrations of on-coming footsteps. Everything he had learned over the past few weeks was put into this performance test.

Riku had poured his blood sweat and tears in preparing for this moment. He had trained tirelessly. Long nights, painful days; at times he came close to breaking. Only the thought of his friends kept him going. they were the reason he begged for this training. He mentor had refused him time and again, only when Riku managed to actually land a hit did his mentor finally agree to train him.

Now that very man was laying in wait, somewhere. Waiting for the right moment to strike, to catch his pupil off-guard. Riku however, would not let his opponent surprise him so easily.

There! Riku thought he had sensed a change in pressure to his right. It was gone as quickly as it came. He secretly wondered if his opponent was trying to find the best way to come at him. If Riku could just follow the pressure he'd be able to pin-point him and get the first shot.

A flash of lightning lit up the dark streets for a moment. Riku thought he saw a blur on the ledge of the building just across from the Dalmatian's house and a small flash from a sword, but it was gone as quick as it came. Concealed again by the darkness of the storm. Still, Riku didn't move.

A few more minutes passed. Still nothing. Riku tried to scan the area around him once more as the rain began to ease up a little. that was the moment his mentor chose to strike.

From the ledge above the fountain he jumped from into the open and came down on the teen, sword prepared to strike. Riku sensed it in the knick of time, he dodged to the right, the large missing him by such a small margin that Riku could see his reflection in the sword. In the same moment, Riku swung his keyblade and struck at his attacker. The man easily dodged it and tripped Riku.

The silverette landed on his back and rolled as the sword came down on him once again. Taking his keyblade, Riku jumped up and aimed to strike. His opponent easily dodged it and grabbed Riku's wrist in the same motion.

He spun and threw Riku towards the fountain. Riku turned as his feet landed on the wall as water from the fountain parted from the blast of wind the attack had created in slow motion. Riku launched himself from the wall and came at his opponent. Again, Riku missed and his teacher decided it was time to end the battle.

Taking his sword in both hands he rushed towards Riku the same moment as Riku swung. There was a flash as the two fighters passed by each other. Both landed a mere ten feet from the other. They stood motionless for a moment. Finally Riku stumbled and fell to his knees. His keyblade vanished.

The victor relaxed and reconnected his two swords which he had separated during the final attack. He approached the teen who was taking this defeat pretty hard.

"Come on," his mentor called as he headed for the stairs.

"I'm never going to get this!" Riku called as he punched the ground in anger.

"Not with that attitude you won't. Now come on, let's get something to eat."

"Yes, Master Strife." Riku reluctantly replied as he stood up and began to follow.

The blonde-haired soldier turned to glare at his pupil. "I told you not to call me that."

"How else should a student address his mentor?"

"Just address me as you would anyone else." With that he began walking off, not waiting for a reply.

Riku followed after him, Cloud Strife: The only one who could fully prepare Riku for his ultimate battle.

I promise, this is not a one-shot.