Hearing the sound of roaring water and seagulls crying out, woke up two pair of brown eyes. The brown eyes belonged too a boy with short black hair a red and white hat. He got up from his back and looked out into the wide open sea. He appeared to be on some kind of beach.
?: Ugh, my head. Where am I?
He laid back on the floor, no strength to get on his feet. When he fell back to the floor, he saw a girl with short red hair. Standing over him.
?: Whoa!
The girl just laughed at his reaction and him.
?: Come on, that's not funny.
?: Poor, poor, Ash Ketchum. Your as much of a lazy bum as Sora.
Ash: Sorry, I was taking a short break but then, I guess I must've fallen back to sleep.
?: Did your little "break" help you remember anything?
Ash: No, I still don't remember anything.
?: Well, it'll come back eventually, they always do.
Ash: Hey, Kairi, what was your hometown like, the place where you grew up.
Kairi: I tell you the same thing I tell Sora, when he asks, I don't remember.
Ash: You don't remember anything...nothing at all?
Kairi: Nothing.
Ash: Have you ever wanted to go back?
Kairi: Hrm...well, I'm happy here.
Ash: Well, that's good.
Kairi: But what about you? Don't you wanna go back to where you belong?
Ash: Well...yeah, of course I do...but...
Kairi: But you need to find your friends, right?
Ash: Yeah, that's right.
Kairi: You'll find them, we'll even help you.
Ash: We'll?
Kairi: Me, Sora and Riku.
Ash: Right, of course. And who knows, maybe we'll even find your hometown!
Kairi: Don't count on it, Ash.
Ash: Awe, too bad...
Kairi: But you know...I wouldn't mind going to see it.
Ash: I'd like to see it too, along with any other worlds out there. I wanna see them all!
Kairi: So what are we waiting for?
The two began to run off, looking for Sora and Riku. Luckily, they found them, in a flash.
?: There you two are, we've been looking for you.
Kairi: Sorry, I found Ash sleeping on the sand.
Ash was simply embarrassed, covering his face, with his hat.
Sora: We gotta keep working on the raft, otherwise, or never see the outside world.
Riku: Yeah, and we'll never find your friends.
Ash: Right, then let's get to work.
Sora: Hey!
Kairi: Don't forget about us!
Riku: Slow down!
The three began to run, chasing after Ash. 10 minutes go by and Ash and his friends gather everything needed for the raft. By the time they were done, it was already noon and the sun was starting to set.
Sora: So...Kairi's home is out there somewhere, right?
Ash: Along with my friends?
Riku: Could be, we'll never know by staying here.
Sora: But how far could a raft take us?
Riku: Who knows. If we have to, we'll think of something else.
Kairi: So, suppose you get to another world, what would you do there?
Riku: Hrm...well, I...I haven't really thought about it.
Ash: Why not?
Riku: I guess...it's just I've always wondered why were here on this island. If there are any other worlds out there, well, why did we end up on this one? And suppose there are other worlds...then ours is just a little piece of something much greater.
Ash: Meaning?
Riku: So...we could've just as easily ended up somewhere else...right?
Sora: I don't know.
Riku: Exactly, that's why we need to go out there and find out. Just sitting here won't change a thing. It's the same old stuff.
Ash: You have been thinking a lot on this, haven't you?
Riku: Thanks to you and Kairi. If you two never came here, I probably would've never thought of any of this. So...thanks, you know?
Ash: Eh, no problem.
After gazing at the sparkling, sunset, ocean sea, the group decided to head on home.
Riku: Sora!
Sora turned back and caught something, in his hands. It was a star shaped fruit.
Riku: You wanted one, didn't you?
Sora: A Paopu Fruit?
Ash: What does it do?
Riku: If two people share one, there destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives, no matter what.
Ash: Wow, sounds powerful!
Riku: Come on, I know you wanna try it.
Sora: What are you talking...
Riku just laughed and ran off. Sora handed the fruit to Ash and ran after Riku. Ash placed it in his pocket and took off with them. Ash seemed to be enjoying himself with Sora, Riku and Kairi but he couldn't help but worry about his friends and what had become of them, since getting separated. However, in a different destination, in a bright, large, shining castle, a yellow mouse with a lightning bolt shaped tail and red cheeks began running through the castle halls, passing by anyone it came across. In the castle chambers, a duck wearing a magician like outfit was walking to the end.
?: Good morning, your majesty. It's nice to see you, this mor...
He wasn't talking to anyone...there was nobody in the chamber.
?: What?!
Just then, he heard someone running, behind him. It was the small little yellow mouse. It had something, in its mouth. The duck grabbed it and began to read it. Once it finished, he started to scream, out of control and took off, with the little mouse following behind. The duck ran off into a garden, where he came across a dog, wearing knights armor and was sleeping.
?: Wake up, Goofy, wake up! This is serious!
However, his voice did not go through Goofy's ear and he was still fast asleep. Impatient, the duck summoned a simple lightning strike on Goofy, waking him, from his sleep. He got up from his back, rubbing his eyes and turned to see the duck and the little mouse by his side.
Goofy: Hey there, Donald. G'morning.
Donald: We've got a problem, Goofy. But don't tell anyone...
Goofy: Queen Minnie?
Donald: Not even the queen.
Goofy: Daisy?
Donald: No, it's top secret.
Goofy: G'morning, ladies.
Donald: What?
He turned back and saw Minnie and Daisy standing behind him. Apparently, they heard all about Donald talking about a "top secret" problem and weren't leaving, without answers. Back on the islands, it was day 2 and Ash, Sora, Riku and Kairi were going to gather the final remaining supplies for there raft so they can set off. Sora and Ash took off, looking for everything they needed.
Sora: Okay, now Kairi gave us a list of what we need for the raft, think you can get what we need?
Ash: No, problem.
Sora: Man, he's even more energetic than I am.
He took off to gather the supplies needed for Kairi. Ash headed into this shady place, covered by a small tree. The ducked down and headed in. He walked through the dark tunnel and found himself in a dark cave. There were drawings all over the rocks. There was even a strange door, at the end of the cave. There was no doorknob, no keyhole...nothing. But Ash saw what he needed. A mushroom, near one of the drawing. Ash grabbed it and took off. He made it out of the cave and headed for the water, grabbing three little fish. He came back to shore and checked what was last on his list.
Ash: Let's see...so far, I found one mushroom, need two more. I have three fish and...that outa be it. Better go hand these over to Kairi.
Ash went through a door and ended up in another part of the island. He met up with Kairi and gave her everything he could fine, also finding the remaining mushrooms, on his list.
Kairi: Nice job, Ash.
Ash: What are all these?
Kairi: Those are the supplies from Sora.
Ash: Awe, he beat me already? Where is he now?
Kairi: Must be with Riku, come on!
She and Ash made there way to the boys who were talking by the shore.
Sora: Hey, Kairi, were ready for the race!
Ash: Race?
Sora: Okay, Riku. If I win, uhm...I'm captain. And if you win...
Riku: I get to share the paopu with Kairi.
Sora: Huh?!
Riku: Deal? The winner gets to share a paopu with Kairi.
Sora: But...wait a minute.
Ash just stood there, with Kairi, waiting for the race to begin.
Kairi: Okay, on my count...3...2...1...GO!"
The two rushed off, trying to beat one another, running as fast they can.
Ash: This paopu thing must be a big deal, not exactly sure why...
He pulled the fruit for. His pocket and examined it.
Ash: A bond that keeps two people together forever...incredible.
By the time he put it away, Sora and Riku came back, it was Sora who won the race. He jumped in the air, shouting that he won the race, over and over again.
Riku: Man, lighten up. It's just a name, after all.
Sora looked at him and frowned. The day was done and they gathered everything they needed for the raft.
Kairi: Alright, tomorrow's the big day, wanna call it a day?
Sora: Sure...just hold on, I'll be right back.
He made it back to the other side of the island and headed I to the secret place. He stumbled across a drawing of what looked like to be him and Kairi. Sora couldn't help but to smile at the drawing. He grabbed a small rock and began carving something onto the drawing. When he was done, it was him sharing a paopu fruit with Kairi. All of a sudden, there was a sudden sound, behind Sora.
Sora: Wha...who's there?
?: I've come to seek the door to this world.
Sora: Huh?
?: This world has been connected.
Sora: What..what are you talking about?
?: Tied to the darkness. Soon to be completely eclipsed.
Sora: Well, whoever you are, stop freaking me out like this. Huh? Wh...Where did you come from?
?: You do not yet know, what lies beyond the door.
Sora: So your from another world.
?: There is so very much to learn...you understand so little.
Sora: Oh yeah, well you'll see, I'm gonna get out and learn what's out there.
?: A meaningless effort. One who knows nothing can understand nothing.
Sora was still insulted by looked at the mysterious door. He tried to understand what the voice was talking about...but nothing clicked to Sora. When he turned his attention back to the voice, nothing was said...the voice was gone. With that, Sora left the cave and made his way back to the group. During another sunset, Sora and Kairi sat on the pier and watched the sunset.
Kairi: You know, Riku has changed.
Sora: What do you mean?
Kairi: Well...hrm...
Sora: You okay?
Kairi: Sora, let's take the raft and go, just the two of us.
Sora: Huh?
Kairi: Just kidding.
Sora: What's gotten into you? You're the one that's changed, Kairi.
Kairi: Maybe. You know, I was a little afraid at first but now I'm ready. No matter where I go or what I see, I know I can always come back here...right?
Sora: Yeah, of course.
Kairi: That's good. Sora, don't ever change.
Sora: Huh?"
She stood up and stared off into the sea.
Kairi: I just can't wait, once we set sail. It'll be great.
Sora chose not to reply and looked off I to the sea with her. Ash stood near the shack and saw Sora and Kairi together.
Ash: Those two do seem happy together. I wonder...will I be happy, like they are?
Back at the castle, Minnie and Daisy just got done reading the letter.
Daisy: Oh, dear. What could this mean?
Queen Minnie: It means, we'll just have to trust the king.
Goofy: Gwarsh, I sure hope he's alright.
Donald: Your highness, don't worry, we'll find the king and this key.
Queen Minnie: Thank you. Both of you.
Donald: Daisy, can you take care of the...
Daisy: Of course. You be careful now, both of you.
Queen Minnie: Oh and to chronicle your travels, he will accompany you.
Donald tried looking but couldn't see anyone. It was a cricket jumping up and down to show his location.
?: Over here! Crickets the name. Jimminy Cricket at your service.
Queen Minnie: We all hope for your safe return, please help the king.
With that, Donald and Goofy set out on there quest, accompanied by Pluto and Jimminy. They made there way to the room, where there was a spaceship made out of red and yellow blocks.
Donald: Hello up there, Donald Duck to launch crew. Anytime your ready!
The machines started to go off. Grabbing Donald and Goofy and placing them into the ship. They fired up the ship and blasted off to wherever there orders sent them. Back on the islands, things turned to a nightmare. There was an awful storm, unlike anything they've ever seen. When Sora arrived, Ash was already there.
Sora: Ash, where's Riku and Kairi?
Ash: Huh? I thought they were with you.
Sora: Wait, there's Riku!
Just then, strange creatures with black bodies and yellow eyes appeared out of nowhere. Sora pulled out his wooden sword but it was no use, it didn't seem to have affect.
Ash: Sora, it's not working, let's get to Riku!
Sora followed behind, making there way to Riku's location.
Sora: Where's Kairi? I thought she was with you.
Riku: The door has opened.
Sora: What?
Riku: The door is opened. Sora, Ash, now we can go to the outside world!
Ash: Hold on, just a minute. What about Kairi?
Riku: Kairi is coming with us.
He looked up to the sky, at the giant black hole.
Riku: Once we step through, we might not be able to come back...we may never see our parents again, there's no turning back. But this maybe our only chance, we can't let fear stop us! I'M NOT AFRAID OF THE DARKNESS!
He stuck his hand out to Sora and Ash.
Ash: Riku, what are you...?
Just then, the ground, beneath Riku turned black, it began to cover his body, pulling him in. Sora rushed into the action, but he was caught in as well.
Ash: RIKU, SORA!
Sora: Go find Kairi, I got Riku!
Ash nodded and took off. Sora tried grabbing Riku's hand but he was too far to reach. He was nearly there but disappeared into the darkness, taking Sora with him. Ash rushed through the horde of monsters that tried attacking him. He saw that secret place was covered by a mysterious door.
Ash: When did that get there?! Maybe Kairi is in there!
The door began to open and Ash rushed in. He made it all the way to the end, seeing Kairi standing in front of the door.
Ash: Kairi!
All of a sudden Ash heard footsteps behind him. It was Sora, holding some kind of strange weapon. It looked like a key, in the shape of a sword.
Sora: Kairi!
She turned around and looked dizzy.
Kairi: So...ra...
She reached out for them but the door opened. A gust of wind pushed Kairi towards Sora, he tried to grab her but it was not use, she disappeared, in front of him. Eventually both Sora and Ash were pushed back and were sent flying into the black hole, above them. There was nothing but darkness, not a sound was made or a single sight. Riku and Kairi were lost and it was only Ash and Sora left...just what was the black hole, above the islands and where was it going to sent them?
TO BE CONTINUED...