The dream— no, the nightmare had been plaguing Sora far too much of late. He began sleeping more often in the sand of their island getaway and also during classes. Riku and Kari were starting to get worried. Sora knew the nightmare would come again tonight like it had the past several nights. But he still couldn't remember what it was, and that was the infuriating part.
Sora looked out to the beautiful crystal clear sea that always seemed to sparkle. The mainland wasn't to far away from the island and that was where they all went to school. Twilight Town High, or TTH for short, was the school they went to now.
It's so weird … Sora thought as he sat down beneath one of the many palm trees that dotted the beach. They used to be separate worlds, but now their one …
It seemed that things had connected while he and Riku were gone.
Lots of things have changed, Riku's changed, Kairi's changed, my world has changed … but have I changed? Sora picked up a small twig and began to draw in the sand. Riku and Kairi were at the library today studying, and Sora was left to himself. I shouldn't just sit here, I should at least study for tomorrow's finals.
Sora got up to go home and do just that. But as he began walking he began to day dream.
I wonder how Donald and Goofy are doing … and the King should be happy to be home with Queen Minnie again. I wonder if Daisy got mad at Donald for taking so long to find the King …I hope Pluto's doing ok too—wait, why did I go here? Sora found himself in front of the cave he and his childhood friend's 'Secret Place'. Sora was about to turn around and go home when he heard a sound from inside. It wouldn't have registered to most people as important. In fact most wouldn't have even heard it, but Sora did. It was the soft click of a door being unlocked.
In an instant the Kingdom Keyblade was in his had and he raced down the tunnel into the small cave he and his friends called their 'Secret Place.' His eyes adjusted to the dark quickly and he arrived just in time to see the old wooden door open, but he didn't arrive quickly enough to prevent it from happening. The door slowly began to swing open, creaking from neglect and protesting being moved after such a long period of stillness.
A boy tumbled out of the door and the door snapped shut. Sora watched as the boy tripped and gripped the wall for support, his breathing seemed ragged. But then the boy locked eyes with Sora and his breathing stopped and Sora tensed, gripping his Keyblade.
"Who are you?" Sora asked through the silence that gripped them both.
"Kado." The boy whispered, his voice was scratchy and his dilated eye's seemed to glow with fear in the darkness.
Sora felt himself relaxing. What did you expect? He asked himself. Heartless? Nobodies? A monster? He could have laughed at himself, and he would have if Kado hadn't slid to the floor taking deep ragged breaths.
"Hey, are you OK?" Sora asked worriedly. "I didn't mean to scare you." Kado scrambled away from Sora like he was infected with the black plague and his ragged breathing echoed throughout the small chamber once more. Then Sora noticed the kids eyes were locked not on him but on what he was holding, his Keyblade. As it disappeared in a small shimmer of light Sora heard Kado's breathing steady somewhat. "Sorry," Sora said. "Why are you scared of my Keyblade?"
Kado looked up into the cerulean eyes and felt somewhat comforted. Sora's eye's were kind and warm, unlike the yellow eyes of the heartless he had seen for so long. "Because," Kado began to explain for what felt like the tenth time, "I'm a door. And—,"He added, just for the kind blue eyes that stared at him through the darkness, "Key's unlock doors."
Sora felt like he could laugh at the poor kid in front of him. A door! Sora thought, a door is a solid object between inside and outside, not a person! But still …
"How did you get here? Where are you from?"
Kado was beginning to hate questions and he was getting deja-vu. "I walked through the door," He waved at the old plank of wood off to the side, "And I'm from the Dark." Kado felt like saying 'There! Are you happy now?' but the question never got past his lips.
The Keyblade was back in Sora's hands and Kado couldn't breathe. It seemed to burn his eyes but he couldn't pull then away from its beauty, it seemed to pulse with a heart beat, and it illuminated the cavern slightly. Then he could see Sora fully. Tearing his eyes from the hypnotic blade he got a good look at Sora.
So that's why he could make the 'door of light' in the Darkness, he was a key bearer!—
"Do you have a heart?"
Kado shook his head in a vain attempt to clear it. His limbs felt like lead, and everything was beginning to blur. With one last deep breath he answered with, "Yeah, and you don't mind I'm going to pass out now." Then he let his body go limp, Keyblade in his face or not.
Sora watched a red-haired boy pass out and held himself back from going to his aide. It could be a trap. He slowly counted to twenty. The boy stayed slumped on the cave floor, his chest rising and falling, his fingers twitching slightly now and again. Then Sora slowly went to the red haired boy's side.
But first—
Keyblade raised, Sora locked the door with a satisfying clink.
No more unannounced arrivals.
Sora then sat down on the ground by the sleeping Kado. Just when I think things were settling down to a normal tempo a 'door' comes out of the Dark. The Dark.
Whatever feeling of fear that was beginning to build was lost as a yawn racked his body. He leaned back and forgot about the other boy sleeping on the floor close by.
Just a minute, he thought to the world. Just a bit of sleep…
Then many sleepless, nightmare filled nights and troublesome, foggy days caught up to him and Sora fell into oblivion.
The Twilight Town Library was a quiet place to study, catch up on school work, read, and have private discussions when you wanted to. Kairi had been pestering Riku to go there with her to 'talk' about what had been happening with Sora recently.
"Riku, I'm really worried about Sora," Kairi said, trying to get her point across. "He's been so out of it lately, I mean, you know he would always day dream and snooze on the beach, but this is different—,"
"Shhh," the librarian hissed.
"—he's been disappearing," Kairi whispered, "and falling asleep wherever he drops, and that's not healthy Riku!"
"I know Kairi," Riku said gently, trying to calm down his worked up friend. "But he'll work this out on his own. We have all been though a lot these past few years and Sora had the weight of the worlds dumped on his shoulders. He's had to face monsters and kill them all, or be killed. If we just give him some time to work himself out—,"
"Riku," Kairi interrupted. "I don't think Sora can work himself out—,"
Ring-ring-ring, Kairi's cell phone rang.
"Shhh!" The librarian hissed again.
Riku leaned back in his chair and waited for Kari to finish her call.
"Hello?," Kairi answered. "Oh hi— … no? What? No don't worry, we'll find him. Yeah, bye!" Kairi hung up with a worried look.
"Sora's missing."
"What?" Riku sat up straighter.
"His mom said that he went out to the island on his boat but didn't come back. She's worried that something may have happened—,"
"How long has he been missing?"
"His mom said that he'd been gone since this morning."
Riku would have smiled at the mother's and Kairi's overreaction, but he didn't want to get Kairi any more freaked out that she already was. So instead he said, "Kairi, maybe Sora just fell asleep on the beach again, lost track of time, and is on his way back now."
Kairi knew from those words that Riku wasn't going to help her. "Fine, "She said as she stood and turned away. "I'll just go by myself."
"Wait Kairi—," But she was already gone. Out of the library and on her way to the docks. "Oh Kairi …" Riku sighed. Why did girls have to be so dramatic about everything they did?
Kairi, on the other hand, was wondering why guys like Riku had to be so 'he should do this on his own.' But as she walked her anger decreased and her uneasiness only grew. Something was going to happen; she felt it with every step she took. The sun was setting and the sky seemed alight with vibrant colors but she couldn't appreciate the beauty tonight. She had a friend to find.
"Excuse me?" Someone asked. She ignored the person and kept on walking.
"Excuse me?" The boy asked again, and again Kairi ignored him. She had more important things to think about than blue-haired boys.
What's her problem? Blaine thought to himself. When someone asks you something your supposed to answer …
'Blaine forget her and get the door!' He heard the growling voice of Cull'ark in his head. 'My Lord will then be satisfied and we can go back to the Dark.'
'Hush Cull'ark.' Blaine dared to Mindspeak back. 'If we get your Lord back his door along with information on the Keyblade Bearers he will surely be pleased with that!'
Blaine heard Cull'ark growl a small affirmative and pull out of his mind. Blaine knew from the descriptions that this girl had been with the two that had destroyed the Organization, and if she had been with them she could be useful in … many ways. So he followed her as she walked and kept his eyes peeled for any that had been with her in the World that Never Was.
When she reached the docks he watched at a distance as she began to untie her boat. He decided now would be the time to approach. The search for the Lords 'door' could wait, he wanted to work on his abilities of gaining another's trust …
I'll just row there myself and make sure Sora's alright. Kairi told herself as she prepared to cast off. But as she undid the last knot someone walked up behind her. She tried to ignore the blue-haired boy that had been bothering her before.
"Excuse me?" He said again. Kairi suppressed a sigh and turned around to face the interloper. He had blue hair that hung limply down to his chin and a harp strapped to his back. His ice-blue eyes seemed masked as he spoke to her. "I was wondering if I could go with you to the island."
Kairi was surprised he would be so forward about it. Then she grew suspicious. "Why do you want to go?"
"I'm … looking for someone." Well that's true enough, "He's my brother, and he's a bit feeble minded—," Might as well through that in, "His name is Kado and he's always running off to the most remote places." Well, he lives in a very remote place, "I think he may have hitched a ride to the island this morning." And if I played my cards right she'll be pitying enough to take me there with her …
"Well … I'm looking for someone too," Kairi thought a moment. "If you row I'll help you look for your brother. Me and my friends used to play on the island all the time."
Perfect. "Thank-you! I was beginning to think I would have to swim there!"
"I'm sure someone would have given you a lift. Hop in, we need to get going or we won't make it there before dark."
Blaine got into the boat, helped Kairi in, and began to row.
'Blaine, I know you like the girls but we need to find the door!' Cull'ark was back in Blaine's head.
'Easy Cull, the Lord needs a key too right?' Blaine reminded Cull'ark and gave a kind smile to Kairi as he rowed.
'Yes, he has been interested in keys lately …'
'Then why not give him the Keyblade Master! The best possible key in all the worlds we can give him!'
'You've been looking into the girls thoughts …?'
'Yes, and the Keyblade Master has been … falling into dark of late.'
'Oh?'Now Cull'ark sounded interested.
'The girl may not know the signs, but I do. Spend enough time fighting the dark and—,'
'And you become it. But what about the door? We must not forget our mission Blaine.'
'Easy Cull'ark, the door and key are always connected. Once we find the key, I bet you we'll find the door.'
'Yes, but remember Blaine I cannot come to your aide until darkness descends. You have around a half-hour until I can freely move about.'
'And I'll be glad not to see your ugly face.'
'Oh? Well, good luck music maker.'
'See-ya soon you ugly snake-hound.'
'Hahaha …' And Cull'ark's voice faded from Blaine's mind. Blaine rowed with powerful confident strokes and he was sure he could get himself to the island before dark. After all, Cull'ark would just get in the way of his plans.
I'll get the Keyblade Master and force him to open the door, He smiled again at the girl sharing the boat. She was looking out at the island they were approaching and not paying attention to Blaine's actions. He let his smile change into a grin, revealing his white, pointed canines. But I could have some fun with her first …
Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump.
A heartbeat? Its not my heartbeat … Wait, where am I? Kado slowly moved his stiff limbs and stretched. He felt the sand under him and his feet touch a stone wall. Then he opened his eyes and saw the sleeping figure close by. Oh, the Keyblade Barer … why would he just go and, wait … Kado listened to Sora's deep even breathing, the way his body was completely relaxed as he laid there.
Kado guessed he had to be very worn-out to just collapse on the spot like that.
Just as worn out as me—
But then Kado heard something besides there heartbeats in the cave, he 'heard' a Mindspeak conversation going on close by. And getting closer. He couldn't make out the words but he got the 'feel' of who was talking.
Cull'ark and … who? Not S'kullar or Him … then who …? No time to ponder, Kado scolded himself. Just time to run.
Kado slowly stood, testing his body. He felt refreshed and relaxed as he slowly stretched to wake his body up. But before he explored the cavern for an exit he took a closer look at the Keyblader laid before him.
He looks tired and strained. I wonder why he would look that way … Kado wondered to himself. But there is no doubt about it; he is one of the two I saw in the Dark. I can't just leave him here for Cull'ark and whoever is with him to find … I know! Kado smiled at the plan unfolding in his mind. It could work … but it'll be risky for me.
Kado again looked at the helpless figure in front of him. Plan A, wake him up.
Kado knew he shouldn't even touch a Keybearer, but he was indebted to the teen so he bend down and shook Sora's shoulder gently. The Keyblade master remained oblivious. Kado shook a bit harder.
No reaction.
Oh great …
"Hey!" Kado yelled. The one word echoed and then the cave resumed its silence, but Sora still remained dead to the world. Kado was beginning to think he would have to use Plan B. He was about to rise and walk to the small exit he saw when he felt something, no, heard something strange. He lowered his head to Sora's chest and listened intently on the beating heart within.
And his eyes widened in horror with what he heard.
Blaine slowly eased the boat to the dock Kairi had pointed out to him and she jumped off and began to tie the boat down with an obviously trained hand.
Blaine was agitated at himself for not getting to the island before dark, but tried to keep the expression off of his face.
"You seem to know what you're doing," Blaine commented as he put the oars down and began to climb out of the small boat.
"Well, I've had to learn." He said over her shoulder as she walked along the dock she had walked along a thousand times. "The guys can't always come to my rescue now can they?"
Well no they can't … "So, where should we start looking?" Blaine asked Kairi as he surveyed the island. Night had just fallen and from what he could see in the darkness there wasn't much to comment on, just sand, wood, trees, green stuff, and rocks.
"There's one place they might be, I'll check it out and you can look along the shoreline." Kairi had already started of in a direction of the small clear water spring. "If there not in the cave I'll help you on the shoreline."
Man is she bossy, "Kay," Blaine had just began walking when he heard a shout of surprise. "Sora—?"
A small spiky haired figure took of running from the direction Kairi had just gone. It was heading right for Blaine. Jackpot!
Blaine moved to intercept the figure but it expertly dogged and ran right past him. After a second of staring at his empty hands Blaine took of running after the ghost-like figure as it ran through the dark.
Damn he's fast—
'Do you require assistance?'Cull'ark asked.
'I don't need the help of a stinking mutt like you.'
'Oh, a bit agitated are we?'
'Shove off.' His prey kept eluding his hands by mere millimeters.
'I could just trip him for you.'
'And I could just shove one of you scaly tails up your—,'
'Now, now. No need to be testy music maker. Why not just use your harp?'
'My music would work but then I'd be drained to the point of collapsing you brainless mongrel.' How the hell did this guy run so fast?
'Oh yes, you had to use quiet a lot of your power just getting to this world didn't you?'
'Damn—' Blaine took a leaping jump at the elusive figure and missed, getting a face full of sand. '— Straight …'
'I would love to watch you struggle some more but it is in my best interests if I just stop this game now.' Blaine watched from the ground as the darkness below the runners feet turn murky and purple. A long tendril rapped around his feet and Blaine heard him call out as his feet were swept from under him and he took a painful spill.
"You shouldn't have interfered." Blaine said aloud, knowing Cull'ark was hidden somewhere within the shadows of night.
'And let you have all the fun of falling on your face?'
"Shut up and let me take a look at the so called Keyblade Mas—," Blaine turned the struggling boy over and met with a surprise. "—ter?" It was not a blue-eyed and brown haired Keyblade Master he held pined, but a gray-eyed and red haired Door.
"Kado?" He said in surprise. He hadn't expected to really find the Door here of all places.
I should of recognized Blaine's tone of Mindspeak, Kado silently cursed himself. "Hi Blaine.
Aw look, they know eachouther...
