If This is The End
Author's Note: So I figure I should give a little warning to readers who may not have played the game. The plot can get a little confusing, KH has a complicated plotline as it is but DDD took it another step by adding clones, multiple universes, time travel, etc, so bear with me as I do my best to explain it as succinctly as I can.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Traverse Town
Sora swayed on her feet and blinked her eyes open. She no longer felt the cold wet of the ocean on her skin, or the weightlessness of dropping into a dream. She shifted some feeling solid ground on her feet and snapped completely awake.
"Huh? Where…" She looked around and stepped to the edge of the balcony she stood on. "This is… Traverse Town?"
Traverse Town was one of the sleeping worlds? Well she supposed it made sense… it had been one of the worlds largely affected when Vincent had sought after the princesses of heart.
"Huh… weird." She raised a hand to grip her hair charm, and that's when she noticed the gloves on her hands, as well as the rest of her attire had changed. "Whoa! What's with my clothes? Is this more of Master Yen Sid's magic?"
She admired it, tapping her toes in the shoes that resembled the ones she'd worn when first starting her journey.
"Alright looks like I'm good to go.. But where'd Riku go?" She glanced around and jumped on the railing taking a look around. "RIKU! RIKU WHERE ARE YOU!? HELLO!"
"Shut it… Talk about noisy" A voice from above startled her and she yelped stumbling off the railing and to the ground.
"Ow! That hurt…" She rubbed her backside and glanced up at the figure that jumped in front of her. "Huh?"
"Sora, right?" Neku narrowed his eyes on the girl. Average looking, and an obvious ditz, he thought with a scowl. What was so special about her he wondered.
"Yeah… do I know you?" She slowly got to her feet and let out a small gasp when he snagged her hand to look at her palm. "Hey, what are you-"
"Looks like you're not a player."
"A player?"
"Come on, keep up, in the game." He showed her his timer and Sora blinked in confusion. "Players are marked with a time limit."
The Game? What game? She didn't remember anyone from Traverse Town mentioning a game before. Just what was going on in this world?
"In this game I can't afford to lose," Neku to continue to explain keeping her hand firmly in his. He wanted to make sure she wouldn't try and run from him. "I need my game partner."
"Oh… I see… well I don't know about any game..." She put her free hand on her hip smiling. "...but can I help?"
Surprise lit his face. Most girls he knew were testy about strange guys asking them to do stuff, and yet this girl just up and offers to help him. Who the hell was this chick?
"Do you trust every complete stranger that comes up to you?" When she just smiled cheekily at him he let go of her hand sighing heavily. She really was a ditz. "Sorry, but you're no good. You're not a player and my pact is with somebody else."
"Okay, so we can't be partners." Once her hand was released she set it on her opposite hip remaining friendly. "Why don't I just help you out as your friend?"
"So we're friends now?" he rolled his eyes and turned his back on her. "It's not that easy."
"Not saying it is," She pat his shoulder making him tense up. "Still, you could make it easier." She giggled.
"Yeah sure, sounds great, whatever." He grumbled and shrugged her hand off his shoulder. Sora smiled, his attitude reminded her of a young Riku, abrasive, cocky, and just a little bit shy.
"Good, then lead the way." She gasped when he suddenly dashed forward, spun around a pole and glided up the rail. "Whoa… let me try that!" She bounced her toes and leapt. She let out a squeal as she spun around and around the pole and nearly collided into the next when she let go. She saved herself by grabbing the second pole and swung again before leaping and felt herself floating.
"Wow… physics in the dream world are so different. This is awesome!" She quickly got the hang of it, feeling the kinetic energy in her limbs and letting her athleticism and imagination do the rest. She bounced off walls, leapt on buildings and laughed even as she moved around.
Neku shook his head at her antics and gave a heavy sigh. Why did he get the feeling he was in over his head with this girl?
Still… a deal was a deal. If he wanted Shiki back, and to return home he needed to hand over Sora to the man in the black coat. It didn't matter to him what a creepy dude like him wanted with a sweet face girl like her…
He glanced back at Sora as she landed behind him giggling, her entire face lit up with excitement and wonder.
It didn't matter to him at all.
~Riku~
Riku groaned as he woke up feeling disoriented. He opened his eyes, blinked a few times and immediately recognized the world.
"Am I in Traverse Town?" He glanced down at his attire having felt the weight difference. "My clothes have changed…" He glanced around looking for his girlfriend. "Sora! Where are you?"
He got no response and immediately worried. Where was she?
"I remember fighting Ursula and falling overboard...then I think we opened a keyhole. So this must be one of the sleeping worlds."
He glanced down at his hand remembering the feel of his keyboards when it appeared.
"My keyblade… it just popped into my hand when I needed it most." He smiled softly. It would seem his heart knew more than he did.
"Wow… where's your portal?"
The sudden voice startled Riku from his thoughts and his eyes cast upward in the direction of it. He spotted a boy with blonde hair smiling down at him looking calm as you please while sitting casually on the side of the building.
"It takes something pretty special to jump between grounds without one." The boy praised his lips softly curved.
"Who are you?" Immediately suspicious, Riku braced for a fight.
"My name is Joshua." He flicked back a piece of his blonde hair. This boy, Joshua thought, was something special. He was omniscient, and his awareness allowed him to sense the presence of everyone in his dream. And to suddenly have two new souls pop in so suddenly both startled and intrigued him.
"What do you mean portal?"
"Are we just going to skip the part where you tell me your name?" Joshua raised a brow, his interest increasing. This guy had a story to tell.
Riku didn't like the way this kid was looking or talking with him… but much like the way his keyblade appeared in hand on a whim… his mouth started to move on its own.
"Riku."
"Well, Riku, portals are like gateways that link up our worlds. The world we're standing in right now… well there are two copies of it. It's been sort of split in half." Joshua went on explaining. "Portals allow people like us cross between them."
"Huh? There can be two of a world?"
Curious guy wasn't he? Joshua mused and went on to explain the concept of multiple worlds and realities. As he talked his senses kept track of movement in the other world. Since this world and the people in it were his dream he had the inside knowledge of all that was happening… or at least he was supposed to.
In his mind's eye he sensed the dark presence of the rogue in black. He had no idea how this figure came into his dream, but It would seem he was causing trouble in both versions of the world, making him feel uneasy. He'd already warned his friends about this figure, but that didn't seem to stop them from acting on their own in hopes to somehow escape the dream and return to their own world.
Now this Riku, and the girl named Sora, were new elements in the equation. They didn't seem to be foes, an could very well prove useful to not only lure out the rogue, but also play key roles in his own plan.
"I'll tell you what Riku… I've got a little errand for you." Joshua put on a charming smile and had RIku instantly tensing up.
"Sorry, I don't trust you." Riku turned his back to him and had Joshua laughing.
"Aww come on, at least hear me out." He persuaded with a friendly tone. "I'm looking for a girl named Rhyme. She's the key to the portal. On the other side, who knows what we may find. Maybe even your girlfriend, Sora."
Riku gasped and whirled back around, one look at Riku's face had Joshua thinking "Bingo."
"You know Sora!?"
"Heh, heh, now I have your attention." He floated down to him. At Riku's anxious face the first twinge of guilt twisted inside and his eyes saddened. "Unfortunately I don't know where she is. If she's not in this world, I can only surmise she's in the other. Simple logic."
Not in this version of the world, huh? Riku rubbed his chin and sighed. If portals were needed to cross into different worlds, then he needed to find one in order to locate Sora. While he didn't quite trust this Joshua character, he was his only lead to finding her, and locating the keyhole.
"Alright, you wanna find Rhyme, then let's go." Riku agreed and Joshua smiled.
"Good to hear…" he strolled beside Riku as they wandered district three thoroughly. As they did Riku discovered the use of his movement and abilities had changed and tested it out. "It would appear this is your first time in a world like this. Any questions?"
"A few, but-" Riku bounced and ricocheted off a wall. He tucked his body into a quick spin before landing smoothly back on his feet. "I'm not sure where to start."
"How about we start with the basics…" Joshua trailed off as nightmares appeared and he sighed heavily. "Starting with them."
~Sora~
"KYA!" Sora crouched down nuzzling the soft cheeks of a plump dog like creature as it whined and cuddled against her. "It's so cute!"
"Good grief…" Neku slapped a hand to his face. "You're such a girl."
"Hmmm?" Sora lifted the adorable dream eater up letting it lick her face as she giggled. "You just now noticed?"
"Never mind…" he waved her off.
"Okay… so Neku Sakuraba, that's your name right?" She set the dream eater down but it stuck close by to her brushing up on her leg affectionately.
"Yeah…" he scratched his cheek.
"I really feel like I'm getting the hang of this world now. I appreciate you answering my questions and giving me a few pointers, it really helped in battle just now."
"Oh uh… it was no big deal." He turned his back to her to hide the blush.
"There's probably going to be a few other things I'm not gonna understand, but now that I've got the basics down, it shouldn't be too hard." She pat his shoulder. "So thanks, Neku, I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome… I guess." His head lowered a fraction. Damn it… damn it, damn it, damn it! Neku thought as he looked ahead at the door to district three. He couldn't just feed her to the sharks. He had to know what this guy was planning for her.
"Wait here a sec, I'll be right back." He walked ahead leaving Sora blinking a little confused behind him.
"Oh… okay." She heard her dream eater whine and walk ahead of her after Neku. "Hey, it's okay little guy. He's not going far." She knelt down petting him. When the pup continued to whine she looked after Neku and wondered why she suddenly got a bad feeling.
Neku walked into the plaza and immediately spotted the rogue in black. His eyes narrowed and he shouted up.
"Hey you!"
"Hmmm?" The silver haired boy in the black robes looked down, his gold eyes showing no signs of emotion or recognition. "Well? Where is she?"
"She's just outside the door, she'll be coming in any minute but I gotta have your word that you won't hurt her. I don't care what you have planned, but if you hurt Sora-"
"I have no intention of damaging her. She plays a key role in the organization's plans." He dismissed Neku's offensive tone with a wave of his arm. "Now bring her to me."
"Grrr… fine." Neku clenched his fists. Sora wouldn't be hurt, Neku told himself as he turned back to fetch Sora. Shiki would be returned to him and everything would go back to normal. A deal was a deal.
"Sora…" he opened the door and motioned her in.
"Hey, what kept you?" She walked beside him. Neku said nothing, but escorted her to the cente rof the district and stare back up at the hooded figure.
"I brought you Sora… we had a bargain!"
"Huh? Bargain? What's the matter, Neku?" She looked at him confused then followed his gaze up to the landing… and saw him. Her heart shuddered, her eyes widened and breath choked out. "No Way! The Organization!?"
Finally… he smiled from behind his hood and leapt at her.
"Hey! That wasn't the deal, you said you wouldn't hurt her!" Neku jumped in front of Sora ready to protect his new friend.
"Neku don't!" Sora leapt forward, her dream eater panicking at her side and barking erratically. "They're too dangerous!"
Neku and the Organization member tangled and Sora unleashed her keyblade preparing for battle. She was unaware of the shadow behind her, its hands reaching out and sending out dark energy. Sora immediately felt sleepy and her eyes drooped and body slouched.
"What… why am I so… sleepy?" She collapsed forward her keyblade and dream eater vanishing.
"Sora!" Neku looked back eyes wide. "What did you do to her!?"
"That's none of your concern…" He stepped towards his companion, the second hooded figure had glowing red eyes, and nightmare symbols etched in its robe. His aura snaked around Sora and fed into her heart. "She's safe and unharmed as promised, but as for your game partner, you're out of luck."
"What!?" Neku glared. "You said-"
"Did you really think it would be that simple?" He turned around to face Neku. "Even if I could bring your friend to you it would change nothing. You and the others like you, are trapped in this dream. There's nothing you or your guardian angel can do that will change your fate."
"My fate… what the hell are you talking about? No… I don't care… just give her back to me! Give me back Shiki like you promised!"
"If you really want your partner back, then I suggest you find your other friend who trapped you in this dream to begin with." He knelt beside Sora brushing hair from her face. "Aside from me, he's the only one with connections to both this world, and its counterpart."
He scowled and paused a moment. The shadow's aura pulsed and he saw inside Sora's dream, Riku facing against the boy known as Beat whom he'd also exchanged words with.
"What's HE doing here?"
"He who? Hey!" Neku reached out as both hooded figured became surrounded in the shadow's aura and slipped into Sora's dream. "Damn it…" He looked down at Sora, guilt rising up and making him back away. "Sora… I'm sorry."
~Riku~
"Ahhh! You know what? Forget it!" Beat, a tough talking boy with a skull beanie and rapper style ambience flopped onto the stone rail and pouted at his defeat. "This is stale, yo."
"Playing the tough guy 24/7? I'd be exhausted too." Joshua pat his back companionably.
Riku chuckled a little, feeling a bit refreshed and relaxed at the friendly atmosphere. For the first time since he'd arrived he felt a small connection with the people of this world and it calmed his erratic thoughts and panicked energy.
"I just…" he heard Beat spoke with obvious affection. "I just want to protect the one person who matters."
Riku let out a small sound at those words. It made him feel reminiscent of his journey… of his desire to gain strength to protect what mattered most to him… to protect Sora.
"I know the feeling…" he said sympathetically. He took a step forward and it suddenly hit him. The sleepiness, the dark, and the weight of his body just collapsing to the ground.
"Riku?" Joshua jumped down and Beat right behind him. "Riku are you alright?" Joshua shook him and sighed. "No good… he's out like a light."
"What happened to him? Was it from our fight?"
"No… I get the feeling our cloaked friend who's been causing mischief is behind all this." Joshua stood upright and closed his eyes trying to sense Sora's presence in the other world… but couldn't. "There's a disconnect… I may have to find Rhyme myself after all."
"Huh? You know where Rhyme is!?" Beat raised his fists. "Damn it why didn't you say so?"
"Calm down, Beat, I don't know if I can find her on my own." He had hoped the connection he felt with Sora would help him cover ground. "Let's keep looking here… hopefully she's somewhere within close reach."
"What about him?" Beat jerked a thumb at Riku. "Are we just going to leave him like that?"
"The nightmares won't go after him when he's in that state. He's strong enough on his own that he won't need our help." Joshua explained. "Come on, let's split up again and cover more ground. Shiki is somewhere around here as well, and she's not as strong as her partner in battle, she'll need protection."
"Leave it to me. You find Rhyme, I'll find Shiki!" Beat ran off and Joshua sighed shaking his head.
"You make it sound so easy…" He shrugged and his eyes closed still trying to sense Sora out… and smiled when he felt her stirring and waking up. "Maybe, it just is."
~Sora's Heart~
Venus gasped, her head shooting out towards the horizon and blue eyes wide with fear.
"It's happening."
"Huh?" Xion stopped her casual walk to glance back a Venus. "What is?"
"The organization… look…" she pointed out and up towards the sky. Xion frowned and followed the gaze her eyes narrowing on a small patch of clouds swirling in the distance.
"Is that a storm?"
"It's darkness… damn it even with the time I thought we had more than enough time to figure out a plan. " She raced back in the direction they came.
"Hey, hold on! Venus!" Xion raced after her. The two of them found Roxas in the secret place, staring at the depictions on the cavern walls and running her fingers over them.
"Roxas!" Venus panted narrowing her eyes on the girl that shared her face. "Have you made your decision?"
"In a hurry are you?" Roxas scowled, rubbing a fingertip over the shape of a paopu fruit. "Well oo bad for you, but I haven't. You'll just have to wait."
"Damn it, there's no time to wait." Venus grabbed her by the arm. "Darkness is already appearing. If we let it grow it'll-"
"Let go of me!" Roxas flicked her off glaring. "I don't know who you think you are, but don't give me orders. I had enough of that with the organization!"
"You idiot, the organization is exactly why I'm here trying to knock some sense into you!" Venus shouted. "Do you want to be trapped in the void again?! Do you want Sora to lose her heart? We share her fate, Roxas, and if we don't do something to protect her she'll be lost to the darkness!"
"Is that really what'll happen?" Roxas narrowed her eyes. "If I recall what Diz told me, the last time Sora's heart fell to darkness she was able to come back within moments. She's got a heart stronger than any darkness. Don't mistake Sora's heart for yours. She's not as weak as you!"
Venus flinched at that and even Xion hunched at the harshness.
"Roxas…" she whispered but Roxas turned her back to them. She stare at the door, resting a and on it and could feel something pulse on the other side waiting to get out.
"Sora won't fall to the darkness… not without a fight."
"For her sake, and for ours…" Venus finally said after a moment. "I hope you're right."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: Only 16 days until KH3… I AM PUMPED! I can't wait to see what kind of twist and turns they toss our way. Even if it messes with the set up I have for this story, at least I'll have some kind of basis to work with. Push comes to shove I'll just go off canon and make it my own. Hope you like the chapter.
Next Chapter: Prison Heart