Chapter 1:

"So, what you're saying is that this whole thing is...just a video game?" Aqua asked in a somewhat small voice.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Sounds about right."

She furrowed her brows. "And you're a guy from the real world chasing a deranged...writer and stop him from messing up this world?"

"Universe," I corrected. "There are different worlds in this game."

I had explained everything in detail to her over the past half hour. I was blunt and straight to the point. It's just my way of explaining.

"Do you have any proof?" she asks.

I nod. "Yep." I reach into my pocket and take out my new PSP and turn it on. "And...select...Birth By Sleep..."

She watched the device with wonderment and stared at the small screen. The opening movie/intro had begun to play. She was there, along with Terra, and Ven.

"That's...me," she said in a whispered tone.

I nod. "Yep."

"And...there's Ven..."

"Uh huh."

"...and Terra," she finishes.

"That's right." I look up at her. "Do you believe me now."

She looks at me as I put the PSP away. "Yeah..." She nods. "Yeah, I believe ya."

There. Now she knows. This was a really difficult thing for me to do.

Usually when I tell characters about what their universe really is, they would either flip out or break down into tears. I was really surprised she did neither. She's taking this awfully we--

THUD!

...and she fainted.

"Crap," I mutter.

I picked her up and lay her carefully on the sand. I rubbed my temples and sighed. This was gonna be a really busy day...


Half an hour later...

I couldn't find any wood to burn. It's too damn dark so I was attempting to make a fire. I guess there's just no signs of ways to make light.

With the exception of the moon. That provides the only source of light. Not really helpful.

I look over to Aqua. She's still sleeping. I feel really guilty by just looking at her.

I shake my head. "Man, this is messed up."

Suddenly, my PDA began to ring. I took it out and answered it. I have an idea who it is.

"Director," I greeted.

"Mister Fabian," a voice in the other line greeted back. He was displayed in the little screen of my PDA. "I have been informed that our newest member, Ralph Salgado, had entered the Kingdom Hearts world without permission. Why did you not report to me about this?"

"Sorry, sir," I apologized. "But as I chased him through the portal, I ended up in another location different from where he ended up."

"Where?" I held up the PDA and showed him my location. After a few seconds I brought it back down. "I see...you're in the ROD."

"...pardon?"

"The Realm of Darkness."

So that's what it's called. "Anyway, sir, I had to take care of something here that I could not avoid."

"And that is?"

"You are familiar with Birth By Sleep, are you not?"

"Of course! I finished it! A hundred percent!"

Bragger, much? "Then you must know who was the very character trapped in this very realm, right?"

"...Aqua." He crossed his arms. "And let me guess...you stumbled upon her?"

"She attacked me, sir." I scratched my head. "She wanted an explanation and I gave her one."

"Where is she now?" I faced the PDA at her sleeping body and brought it back. "She died?"

I frowned. "I would be really saddened if she did." I shook my head. "No, she just fainted."

"That's a first. She didn't cry or anything, right?"

"She seems to be one of the most calm and collected characters of the KH series." I look at her with a smile. "It took this to finally break her."

"She's been through a lot, ten years ago." He wore a sympathized expression. "I actually feel sorry for her."

"She had been here alone for a long time." I stuff my free hand in my pocket. "Anyway, what do I do?"

"It's vital that you stop Salgado before he does anything drastic. You must capture him."

I look back at Aqua. "And her?"

"Bring her along."

I swing my head back. "Sir?"

"She may prove useful in capturing him. She has unique powers that would surely be of big help on your mission."

I rolled my eyes. "I have stronger powers than her."

He chuckled. "Oh, Owen. You must never question the powers of a Keyblade wielder."

I manage to twitch a smile. "You're right. It ain't in my place to judge someone."

"You should know. You played KH. And she has yet to unlock even stronger powers. Give her a chance to...level up."

I laugh. "I got it."

"Plus..."

I quirked a brow. "Plus...?"

"This could be a chance for you to...ya know..."

"What?"

"You know what. You should see other people now, Owen."

I grunted. "Director, not this again."

"This is an opportunity for you! Ever since Kelsey broke it off with you, your freedom to date other people had been regained!"

"Broke it off? What...sir...no." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "We were never even going out. We are friends. Bestfriends!"

"But you loved her, did you not?"

I shrugged. "I did."

"But now that she's with someone else, there's nothing you can do about it! And what better luck for you to stumble upon a beauty like Aqua?!"

"Sir, we just met!"

He laughed. "That can never stop people from falling in love!"

I groaned. "Listen, I'll bring her along. As a companion and as a friend. But that's it. Nothing will happen between us."

"You're right. I'm sorry. Anyway, proceed with the mission. Salgado couldn't have gone far."

I look around. "I don't think he even came by here."

"Try to find your way around. Ask Aqua. She's been there for a decade."

"You're making me feel bad by just saying that." I pause. "I wanna get her out of here. She doesn't deserve to be here like this in the first place. She had sacrificed so much to save everyone. She failed one of her friends, so I wanna at least give her a chance to make amends."

"There you go! Alright, it's best that you tend to Aqua. Report to me after every three hours."

"Will do." I smiled. "Take it easy, Director."

He nodded. "You as well, Fabian."

I turned the PDA off and stuffed it down my pocket. "Okay, time to--" But as I turned around, I came face to face with Aqua. I froze as her own blue eyes locked with my own brown ones. We were but mere centimeters away from touching each others noses. "Gah!"

I jumped back and fall on my ass. She quickly hurries over to me and kneels next to me.

Man, this hurts...

"Are you alright?" she asks worriedly.

I nod. "Yeah. I'm fine." I look at her. "I should be asking you the same thing."

She giggled. "I'm alright."

I took a deep breath and shifted my position. "How long have you been awake?"

She sat beside me. "Long enough."

I looked away, my cheeks getting warmer for some reason. "How much did ya hear?"

"I heard enough."

I chuckle and turn back to her. "Be specific."

She began to ponder. "Hmmm...forgive me if this sounds incorrect but...I believe it was when your friend was talking about you 'seeing other people'. Yeah, I think that was it."

I bury my face in my hands. "You weren't supposed to hear that." I sighed and pounded the ground with my fist. "Okay. Since you've heard that much, I suspect that you know what I'm about to ask of you?"

I saw her cheeks go beet red. "What?" She looked away. "No! I...um...I don't think I can go on a date with--"

"No!" I quickly said, my own cheeks growing more heat. "Totally not what I meant."

She looked at me and blinked. "What?"

I cleared my throat. "What I meant to say was I was gonna ask if you wanted to join me. I could really use your help in capturing Ralph."

A few more blinks. "Oh..." She smiled sheepishly. "My bad."

I gulped. Just right now, right there, she looked really...cute.

The Director's getting to me. "No prob. Anyway, I know this is so much to ask. But I really need your help. You know the worlds a lot better than I do. I need a guide. Plus, you've got amazing powers so I think we can finish this in no time."

"Oh no, it's fine! I'd love to help!"

I was taken aback. "Really?"

She nodded. "Yeah!"

"Why?"

She put on a playful frown. "What do you mean, 'why?' I wanna help you. That's all."

"So, wait..." I raise a brow. "You believe me?"

"I do. I said so earlier. It was just too much for me to take in all at once after living alone for ten years." She smiled. "But now...after finally registering it...I guess nothing's really impossible."

I return her smile. "You're right. Nothing's impossible." I stare out into the sea ahead. "Before I even became a writer, I always thought that reality was only limited to a certain extent. But..." My smile broadens as I look back at her. "...now that I've been doing this stuff for years, I can finally believe in just about anything."

"That's your heart talking," she said softly.

"It is?"

She moves in front of me and points at my chest. "The heart is always different from the mind. Some follow their minds for rationality. But others follow their hearts to make their dreams a reality. To make the impossible...possible."

I touch my chest and nod. "I would choose heart over logic any day."

"So do I."

I look up at her with my widest smile. "Guess we're a lot alike."

"Which is why..." She stands up and offers me her hand. "...finishing your mission would be cake if I were to come with."

I laugh and take her hand. "Right." I stand up and put my hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, Aqua."

She then frowns as she looks around. "But...how are we gonna get outta here?"

I hold my arm out pointing towards the sea. "Leave it to me."

"Huh?"

I did a one-handed sign. "Chi."

Another. "Mi."

And another. "Ran."

And the last one. "Ka!"

Out of thin air, a bright open door had opened up in front of us. There was a light breeze coming from the door. Rays of light were shining upon us from the other side of the door.

I look at my new friend. "Ya ready?"

She nodded excitedly. "Yes!"

I look at the door and smile. "You're finally free from this prison, Aqua. You never deserved to be trapped in here." My smile turned into a wide grin. "So I'm getting you out."

I take her hand and run towards the door...


To be continued...