Author's Note: I am so. so. so. sorry. Yes, I died. But I promise I'll be picking this up more. It got a really good reaction, and I'm kinda proud of it.
To fill in the gap, I have played Kingdom Hearts 2 all the way through. Some information from there will be added, but I'll mainly be taking from Chain of Memories. Also, in reply to your questions, Roxas, Zexion, and Kairi will NOT be making appearences. But, I can assure you Axel and Riku and maybe some of the other Organization members will be showing up sooner or later.
Short chapter, I'm sorry. But it's an update.
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Donald's breath remained hoarse, even after moments of stopping. He leaned against the nearest wall, dropping his mage staff as he tried to grasp reality. Nearby Goofy simply collapsed on the floor, nursing his injured arm. They had run; ran as fast as they could before they had gotten themselves killed, leaving Sora behind. Donald begrudgingly remembered Sora's eyes before he fell – empty and unfamiliar. He cringed at that point, catching hold of his breath and standing up straight.
"What are we going to do, Donald?" He heard Goofy ask behind him. Donald didn't reply. He only ran his feathered hands over his face. They didn't have a chance anymore, not without the keyblade. Heartless were vulnerable to their attacks as much as they were to Sora, but now they would have no fear. The only thing keeping them at bay was the keyblade, and now they were sitting ducks.
Donald let out a groan at his accidental joke.
"Donald?"
"I don't know, Goofy!" Donald snapped. Goofy jumped at the sudden change in tone, and seemed to sink back into himself, hurt. Donald took a deep breath, and replied in a calmer voice. "I just… don't know."
"Well we have to go get Sora!"
"The Sora back there isn't the same Sora we know! That witch did something to him. She did something to all of us. I can't remember why we're here, or what purpose we have."
"I can't either." Goofy said, shaking his head. After a moment, he asked. "Did she do the same thing to Sora?" Donald slowly nodded, not entirely sure if he was right. He bent down and picked up his staff, sighing at the weight. If it was any constellation prize, he still kept his memories of Daisy in his mind. It was as if, as his memories began to slip away, only she remained untouched. Inwardly, he smiled, giving some sort of comfort to their situation.
'I'll come back.' He remembered telling her before they left. 'Promise.'
Footsteps echoed through the hall, racing across the tile. Donald and Goofy looked up, and readied their weapons. Even in their weak state, they had to defend themselves. The footsteps drew closer, and Goofy stepped in front of Donald on impulse. Donald caught himself looking up next to himself, ready to smile and nod at Sora, when he realized that he wouldn't be there. He looked back out in front of him.
Donald swore this would be the last place he would see him.
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He smiled.
He was beyond pleased with himself. With Naminé. With the good luck that had suddenly graced them. He was almost giddy, but kept his feelings to himself as he stood across the room. The boy was pale, unexplained dark circles forming under his eyes. Most of all, he was calm. He gaped at the keyblade master, who for once was not attacking impetuously. Marluxia had witnessed moments earlier the very same boy greeting him with a bow. He was almost too dumbfounded to return the bow, before he waved Naminé away and moved across the room.
"What?" Sora said, raising an eyebrow. It was quickly getting awkward, at least for him. Marluxia simply shook his head.
"It's just nice to see you feeling better."
"Oh." Sora replied. Marluxia sighed rather dramatically, playing his part.
"It's just, you've been ill for so long. We were afraid we'd never see you on your feet again." Sora glanced away, obviously struggling to find his words out of his memories. He furrowed his brows.
"Naminé helped." Marluxia held back another smile at the boy's words. He had no idea.
"Indeed."
"Sooo…Why did you want to see me?" Sora asked, quietly shoving his false recollections away. Marluxia put his hands together, and walked across the room. He refrained from getting too close, allowing Sora enough room to feel comfortable.
"Well, it seems we're having some problems with security." He started out slow, watching as Sora's expression went from bored to intrigue. "Three delinquents have somehow found their way into the castle. We're not sure why, but they're causing trouble."
"Why can't you get rid of them?" Sora asked with composure, his emotions not hitting the right place yet. Marluxia smiled once again, throwing out the kicker.
"I believe they're after Naminé and her powers." At once, Sora's hands clenched up into fists, his one eye twitching slightly in anger. "Plus, I thought you'd like the practice. They shouldn't be too hard to be rid of." Sora's gaze met Marluxia's, the once calm sea of blue turning into a raging storm. The fake memories were working wonders, especially to Marluxia's advantage. With Axel out of the way for now, there would be nothing to stop him.
Sora's teeth clenched and he asked with a scowl.
"Where are they?"
