The Invaders

The next day, Kairi walked up and down the island's sandy beach, frowning. She was holding a box of supplies that Sora had to help sort out. She frowned as he was late meeting her. The beach was pretty full with family and friends relaxing. However, Kairi couldn't see Sora or Riku anywhere.

"Sora, where are you?" Kairi shouted down the beach. She frowned and mumbled, "Geez, we still have to get ready for the departure tomorrow too." Kairi decided to take another stroll down the beach, in search for her friend.

In a cave, by a small fountain on the beach, Sora was admiring some of the artwork scrawled on the walls. A smile curled up on his face as he came across a picture of him and Kairi. It was obvious who drew which picture, as the image that was supposed to be him was about ten times better than the one of Kairi. Sora sat crossed legged and stared at the image. This was mine and Riku's secret hideout, Sora reminisced. He thought back to the day he introduced Kairi to the secret hideout. They were only little. It was the second week he had known her. They were stood outside the cave, Sora told her about the hideout and how it was special to him and Riku.

"No one is actually allowed to go in," a ten year old Sora announced.

"Really, awesome!" a young Kairi replied.

"But you can come in," Sora added, "Because you're special."

Sora pulled back some vines that covered the entrance and guided Kairi inside. Sora told Kairi about the adventures he and Riku shared in this place and why it was so special. As they were about to leave Kairi sat on the floor and picked up a sharp rock. She started carving a picture into the wall. Intrigued, Sora knelt down to the ground and picked up his own rock and carved away.

In the present day, Sora was on his knees looking at the image in front of him. He sighed and picked up a chalk rock. He wanted to add something to the image. It was something he had been hiding away for a while, and this was the only way to express his feelings.

Sora was too enticed in his drawing that he didn't notice a man in a black coat enter the cave.

"This world has been connected," the figure announced with a deep, mysterious voice.

Sora jumped up, in shock, and dropped his chalk rock. He turned and faced the cloaked figure. His heart started pounding. He felt embarrassed and scared all at the same time. He stood in front of his chalk drawing and screamed.

"Who's there?" Sora shouted in anger.

"Connect to the darkness which we walk will too lose its fight. It is the same with all the worlds that have vanished," the dark figured explained.

"Hey, what's with you?" Sora asked angrily. "I don't get what you're saying…wait…where the heck did you come from?"

Sora now realised that the man couldn't have come through the cave's entrance. He would've heard footsteps come from behind him. Had he been so quiet that it would've been impossible, even for a bat, to hear?

"You do not yet know what lies behind the door. There is so very much to learn. You understand so little," the figure said.

Sora stared at the strange man intently. There was only silence in the cave. Sora heard footsteps approach behind him, but he didn't bother turning around to confront them. The dark figure was too important to him right now.

"Sora," Kairi's gentle voice echoed through the cave. Sora still didn't turn around. His eyes were fixed on one thing. Kairi approached Sora and pushed him over. "What are you doing in here?" The fury in Kairi's voice was enough to scare him.

"Erm, nothing in particular Kairi, let's get out of here!" Sora said quickly.

"Hmm, what is it?" Kairi asked. Sora started pushing Kairi out of the cave, barely paying attention to her. "We're leaving the island tomorrow and I was going to get you to help me prepare some stuff…" Kairi explained.

"Yeah, I know. I went and mushrooms for you and all," Sora replied. He took a quick glimpse behind him. The mysterious figure wasn't there anymore. Only the wooden, locked door at the back of the cave.

It's not there anymore! Did Sora imagine the man? No, he really was there!

Sora pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the day's mission, preparing for the journey. Sora and Kairi met up with Riku and gathered needed supplies for the trip, such as food, water and wood. At the end of the day, Sora, Kairi and Riku made their way to their boats to sail back to the main land. Sora couldn't stop thinking about what had happened earlier.

"That was so freaky," Sora announced, pulling out his oars.

"Whatever. Remember not to sleep in tomorrow you two," Kairi announced, directing Riku and Sora.

"Yeah," Sora replied.

"Night," Riku said.

Together, the three sailed back to the mainland, for a good night's rest.

That night, Sora was packing his rucksack for the trip. Clothes and other personal belongings were screwed up across his bedroom floor. He screwed up items into a ball and squashed them into a ball. He inserted essential belongings such as his lifesaver and an umbrella. Then he packed luxuries such as a beach ball and his bathing suit. A loud crash of thunder caused Sora to look outside the window. To his horror, the night sky was an ugly purple colour and grey bolts of lightning struck down onto the islands. Sora yelled out and ran outside. He ran to the harbour and untied his boat. Panicky, Sora swam to the islands.

He tied to boat to the dock and examined the area. "Riku and Kairi's boats are here too. I wonder if they're around," Sora thought aloud. "It'd be the end of it if the Raft drifts away!"

Sora sprinted down the dock. However, he slid to a stop as a dark black created floated above the ground. The creature had a round head with yellow eyes and crooked antennae's. Around Sora, these creatures kept popping out of the ground, moving towards him like a spider. Sora began to panic and ran in the opposite direction that the creatures were heading. More popped up from the ground, following Sora.

Sora had nowhere to run. He was stuck. That's when he noticed Riku, standing by the lopsided palm tree that they usually chill out on. Riku was staring out into the ocean. Sora called his name and came to a sudden halt behind his friend. Sora examined the situation. There was only Riku, but no Kairi.

"Kairi isn't with you?" Sora asked. "Ri…"

Riku turned around with a devilish smile smudge across his face. His bright eyes were now pale with coldness. With a sudden zap, a fog of blackness erupted from Riku's feet, smothering him. Unlike Sora, who was shaking with fright, Riku showed no signs that he was scared.

"Riku!" Sora shouted, as the black smoke engulfed his friend.