Chapter I: Back were it began
Sora was falling; falling in the all too familiar dream. At last he opened his eyes as his feet landed on nothingness and the only light came from the pinnacle above. Almost instinctively Sora stepped forward and no more had his foot lifted from the ground was he startled by once non-existent doves and a blinding light below.
Once his vision returned he took in a mural, however it was not in the likeness he had once beheld. Within the center was a gold knight, bowed with a great keyblade within his grip. The background was a barren wasteland of red stone and sand. There were two other knights in the mural however they were blurry and unable to make out.
Sora woke; the sun blindingly bright. The sound of the ocean pounded against the shore. "It's about time sleepy head." A female voice teased as he sat up. "Give me a break Kairi." Sora replied laughing. "Have you had the same dream again?" Kairi inquired concerned. "Yeah" Sora replied softly. "It's good to be home." Kairi smiled a smile he hadn't seen since before this ordeal began. It had only been a week since Xehanort had been defeated. "Have you seen Riku?" Sora asked as the shadows grew longer. "Yeah, he's in your secret place"
Riku sat on the cool earth, gazing at the cave's drawings within the silent solitude. You can never defeat me. I am you darkness. I am you. Riku shut the voice out. Since returning he could hear Xehanort's heartless's voice within his mind. Was it just his mind playing tricks on him, or was it… nah. Riku knew 'Ansem' was eradicated from his heart when the real Ansem's machine exploded. Riku felt it; It was like rubber bands finally breaking that had once constricting his heart. "Hey Riku!" He could hear Sora's voice echo in down the cave. "Hey," Riku called back. "I was wondering when you were going to try to find me."
"I had another dream," Sora stated almost to himself. "I've been having dreams too." Riku replied. "Well I had better start off to the main land. It going to get dark soon." Riku added as he stood. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah in a minute," Sora replied gazing at the walls. One particular drawing caught his eye. It was the one were Kairi had made a picture of Sora and Sora drew her when they were younger. Before the journey had begun he had drew a paopu fruit that had shot from his picture to Kairi's. Now however one shot from Kairi to Sora as well.
"Why do you stay here when you power is beyond that of most?" A female voice asked from behind. Startled, Sora whipped around to confront a woman. Her hair was golden and tied up, her skin was as white as snow, and her dress also seemed to be made of snow. A crown of icicles protruded from her blond hair. However her least appealing feature was not her height bur her eyes; black pits as cold as ice. "Who are you?!" Sora exclaimed. "One who lurks in the shadows. But now let us get down to business." Before Sora knew it the woman thrust toward him, impaling with a wand made of ice. Pain erupted from Sora's heart and he began to remember things that should have been lost; A man in a black cloak and pink hair, a figure that resembled Riku but wasn't, three knights with massive keyblades stood in the middle of a plain surrounded by keyblades. Then the memories stopped and the pain ceased.
When Sora regained his balance he found himself facing thin air, as if nothing had happened. After a moment's worth of perplexing thought he turned to exit. The only thought in his mind was, Something really bad is going to happen.
"Sora you slow poke! Hurry up!" Kairi exclaimed in futility as she waited, with Riku by the boats, for Sora. "What do you think-AHH!" Riku began but was stopped by an excruciating pain in his chest. His vision blacked until he saw him- Ansem. 'You can never defeat me. I am your darkness. I am you.'
'NO!' Riku cried. 'You won't use me, not again.' Ansem let out a mocking laugh. 'Give in to the dark.' "Riku. Riku! Wake up" Riku woke up lying on the sand, a cold sweat on his face. He gazed up to see Sora and Kairi's concerned faces. "I'm fine. Lets get home." Riku replied a bit shaky. Ansem's words were still stuck in his head, 'I am you.'
Disclaimer: I do not own Disney or Squire Enix. Everything belongs to them (except for select characters created by the author himself).
