I was trying to decide which story to post first, then I decided to go ahead with this one for lirica-chan… since she seems to love it so much… I don't quite think I own NEone, in this one… but we'll see once I rule the world (or at least when I'm the secretary in charge of punishment, when my Ni-Chan rules the world) It's still Riku by the way.

--

Tifa was looking over me, prodding my ribs. "Well, at least they're not broken. Severely bruised, maybe, but not broken. Then again, there may be a small fracture or crack, I can't tell. You did hit fairly hard."

I dropped my head back on the table I was on.

"Does it hurt?"

"Only when I breathe."

She laughed, moving up to my shoulder. "Are you sure you've never met Cloud before. I swear, you sound just like him." Tifa moved some kinda ice pack off my shoulder, and started cleaning it. "Congratulations, Riku. You, officially, have your first battle scar."

"I already have a mark, on my leg, from Roxas."

"Ok, second then… and third." She threaded a needle, and inserted it into my shoulder.

I turned my head away.

Truthfully, my shoulder was so numb, from pain and ice, that I hardly felt it. Only stinging when the thick thread slid though my skin.

I just really hated needles.

I watched Kairi, who was sitting against the wall, in the corner. She stared at the ceiling, fidgeting with something in her hands.

The king came in. "How ya holdin up, Riku?"

"He'll live." Tifa snipped the thread. "Ok, sit up." She looped an arm around my back, helping me up. I cringed, from the pain in my ribs shooting through every nerve of my body. When I was sitting, and finally able to breathe, she started on the back of my shoulder.

"You're not a doctor, are you?"

"HA HA no. I'm just used to rambunctious men. Cloud mainly. But I've wrapped up Cid before, even Leon. I actually got a chance to stitch up Sephiroth once."

"Sephiroth?"

"Yea. That was a loooooooong time ago though. Back when he and Cloud were still friends."

My breath jolted, at that. "They were… friends?"

"They were. That was back when Cloud looked up to him. He used to idolize Sephiroth. Said he wanted to be just like him."

I stared at the ground, remembering a time when Sora said those exact words to me, and vice versa. "What happened?"

"What?"

"What happened? Why do they hate each other so much now?"

She fell silent. "Well… we don't like to talk about it, but Sephiroth just lost it one day, and destroyed mine and Cloud's hometown. Something about his 'mother'." She put down the blood soaked rag, and inserted the needle again.

"Ow!"

"Sorry."

I glanced over at Kairi. Her eyes were fixed on me, and she seemed to read my thought. Proving so, when she spoke. "You and Sora just had a small tiff. That's not gonna happen to you."

"Oh, definitely not. Sephiroth was waked out to begin with, I'd say. He had so many holes, in his past. Neither of you are like that."

Her saying that sparked up my memory. I turned to the king whom, until just now, I had forgotten was in here. "I overheard you talking about me earlier."

He flinched, seemingly a bit in shock that I'd actually heard.

"What's this about angels?"

"Angels?… Oh heh heh… right."

It was as I figured… he had intended to lie to me. That much was obvious. That's one of the main reasons I felt I should mention it. That way I'd I know the truth.

The king explained everything to me. About my parents, the siege, my guardian. What really threw me off was, not really that I was one of these angels, but actually that I was a prince? "How? It's not possible."

The king didn't seem surprised by my reaction at all. "I'm afraid, it is."

"No, it can't be. Demon, I'll buy… but angel. There's no way."

Tifa traced her fingers along my shoulder blades, which were unexplainably sore. "Then how do you explain these nifty little bushes you got forming back here?"

"What?" I stretched my arm around my back to fell some kind of soft cloud of, what seemed like, short silken hairs. Kairi stood, rushing over. She gasped when she saw, what I could only feel. Her hand gently brushed near mine. "My God, Riku… they're-they're feathers."

I slowly turned back to the king. The face of that girl flashed in my head as I glanced down at the dove on my hand. "She must've been my guardian."

Those round little ears perked up. "She? She who?"

Kairi sat next to me, facing the opposite way.

"When I was out earlier, I had a dream. At least I think it was a dream. She told me 'not to be afraid of what's to come', and that she'd never leave me. I think she gave me this."

Kairi ran a thumb over the dove's wing. "It's pretty. Do you think that, maybe, she doesn't want you to fear the darkness?"

"I don't know. Maybe she meant the energy inside me, or something else is going to happen."

"… Could she've known about Sora?"

I stared down at the ring, not sure whether I hoped she did or not.

Tifa went back to wrapping my shoulder. "Well, if she is your guardian, then she sucks at her job."

Kairi glanced up at me, tears hidden behind her eyes. "Yea. Where was she when that thing attacked you?"

I shook my head. "Who knows? Perhaps… she didn't know."

The king's silence and focus on my ring was unnerving. He was staring at it as if it'd jump off my hand and attack him at any moment. I pulled my hand away, startling him to look at me.

"What's with you?"

He dropped his gaze down to the ring, then back to me. "Oh, nothing. I should probably tell the other you're ok." He jumped from the table and started for the door when Tifa announced she was finished.

I stood, sliding my shirt on. "Well, I guess I'll go after Sora."

"NO!!" All three shouted, in unison.

"Riku, you're still hurt."

"I left your arm out of the sling, cuz I figured it'd get in the way, but if you brake those stitches I'll see to it that you need more."

Course it seemed odd that she didn't think of that when she jerked me back, by my arm.

The king leapt back on the table. "Didn't you hear me say for you not to leave the castle?"

"I can't just leave Sora out there."

"We'll handle it. You just focus on getting better."

"I'm fine."

"I said, 'we'll handle it'."

"AND I SAID I'M GOING!!"

Even Kairi jumped back. She'd never heard me raise my voice before. In fact, Sora was the only one to ever see me angry. Even then, it was rare. I took a deep breath, to calm down. Never liking to lose my temper. "Look, Sora's mad at me, right now. What's he gonna think if I just sit here and do nothing?"

No one said anything. Probably still caught off guard by my current outburst. Kairi gently touched my arm. "Sora'll understand, Riku. He wouldn't want you to get hurt, anymore than you already are, for him."

"That thing said it was coming back for me. I'm not just gonna sit back and wait for it."

She just stared back, trying to think of something to add. It was obvious that what happened to Sora only heightened her concern for me. She was scared of losing up both. I put my hand over her's. "I'll be careful, and I won't go alone. That much is clear."

"But-but the Cornerstone can't protect you, unless you're in the castle."

"I'll just have to risk it." I slid off the table, not wanting to hear anymore argument, and headed out the door.

"Riku, wait!" Kairi ran out after me. I stopped, to let her catch up. "Here… you'll need this." She handed me the small golden orb, which belonged to Sora. The small map blinked to show the path of mine. I smiled. "Thanks Kairi."

"Just be careful." She slid her arms around me, pulling me tight. I wasn't too sure if it was sincere, or if she was still trying to convince me she cared. Either way, it was appreciated. It actually frightened me how lost I felt, without Sora. Though I did feel rather awkward, when she didn't want to let go.

"Kairi. I gotta head them off, at the Gummi ship, or they'll leave me behind."

"Good." She pulled tighter. "I don't want you to go. I'm tired of losing you two."

"You won't lose us. I'll see to it that Sora's safe, even if I don't come back."

"DON'T SAY THAT!!" She stared up at me, in desperation, tears threatening her eyes. "Riku, it's not funny! You shouldn't say thing's like that!"

Honestly, if I wasn't so worried about being left behind, I might've cried just from the look on her face. I didn't think Kairi took me that seriously. I managed to pry her arms off, backing her off a bit. "I swear to you, I'll come back. With Sora. Just wait for us."

Her eyes fell to the ground. "Ok."

"Alright, Riku." We turned to see the king coming from the throne room. He held something, glinting, in his gloved hands. (Beats me when he actually managed to sneak in there.) "If you insist on going, take this," He handed me Sora's necklace, gleaming with an odd light. "I infused a small piece of the Cornerstone in it. This should keep your energy at bay, until you get back."

I took the pendant. It was a good idea, but why didn't he tell me he could do this before?

"I still don't think you should be going, but hurry before Donald and Goofy leave you behind."

I nodded, slinging the chain around m neck, and took off towards the Gummi Hanger.

I couldn't stop thinking about Kairi though. Her actions made me think that maybe she was actually falling for me. I was probably just being paranoid, but I hoped she wasn't. It's not that I didn't like Kairi. I just never wanted her like that. Guess you could say there was someone else, but I never had the heart to tell her the truth.

I managed to slide in through the bay doors of the ship, before they closed, making my way up to the cockpit.

"Slide over, Donald. I'm driving."

"NO WAY!" Donald shot up, in his seat. "You're not even supposed to leave the castle."

"The king said I could."

"Fine, but what makes you think you should drive?"

"Cause I have the map."

"HA! That means you're the navigator, and the navigator doesn't drive."

"Hmm you're right. Could you hold this for me?"

"Sure."

"See, now you're the navigator."

"Huh?" Donald looked down at the orb, now in his hand… wing? "WAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

"He's got ya there Donald, A-hyuck."

"Yea Donald. Move it." I waved him off the seat, and sat down. Donald took the other seat, grumbling. "Do you even know how to fly the Gummi ship?"

"How hard could it be?"

xXx

The actual flying was the easy part. Getting out of the hanger was a bit tricky. Donald didn't help. That insufferable bird would not shut up.

What was really bizarre is that the signal didn't seem to be getting any closer.

"No matter how far we go, it's always the same distance." Goofy had taken the map from Donald.

"That can't be right." I reached my hand back for it. "Let me see it."

"HA! The driver can't have the map!"

"Oh, put a bag clip on it." I examined the blip that marked our location, and the one pinpointing the creature that had Sora's heart. "Hmm… I wonder."

The Gummi ship slowed down, starting a reversal… so did the creature.

I switched the ship to hover, to stop it in place, watching the other dot do the same. "Thought so."

Donald didn't seem to like this. "What are you doing? We're gonna lose it."

"I don't think so." I handed the map back to him. "It seems to be doing whatever we are."

Goofy leaned over, for a better look. "What does it mean?"

"Maybe it knows we're following it."

"Or it wants us to follow it."

"WAH!! Well whatever it was doing, it's coming for us now."

"AND FAST!"

Some kinda red meteor appeared in the distance, right where the map indicated the creature was. I tried to swerve away, but the tail of it swung around, snagging our wing. Trying to pull free proved futile as this strange meteor engulfed the Gummi Ship, blinding us with darkness. A deafening wind filled the cockpit turning the tiny ship over and over again, in the twister. Donald and Goofy's screams were barely audible.

The wind slowly died down and everything gradually came to a crashing halt. I could barely see anything, through the darkness, briefly wondering why my arms were over my head. Goofy was heard, undoing his seatbelt, and falling to the ceiling overhead.

I managed to bring my hands to my harness, and undid the buckle. Letting myself flip on over and, realizing my shoulder still hurt, released, dropping to the ceiling. I brought a hand to my ribs, somehow forgetting how much they hurt. "Everyone alright?"

"Yyyyea. Little dizzy… but- ok." Goofy answered, sounding like he was still spinning."

"Where's Donald?"

"Dunno, DONALD!"

We soon heard a muffled quacking as Donald's feet flung out, colliding with Goofy's head. "Found him." Goofy caught Donald's failing legs, pulling as hard as he could. He pulled free, of wherever he was stuck at, flinging both of them into me. Donald was hopping mad, quite literally. "See, that's what happens when we let someone like you drive!!"

"Hey, us being here has nothing to do with my driving."

"IF YOU HADN'T STOPPED-!!"

"With as fast as that thing was going we had no chance of outrunning it!!"

"Come on, boys, don't fight. Let's just figure out where we are."

"Goofy's right. If we find out where we are then we can find a way outta here."

"Hmph fine."

"But first… GET OFFA ME!!"

Donald and Goofy jumped back, to get off, and I stood, dusting my cloths off.

We climbed out of the broken windshield, trying to see where we were. Everything was dark, except a red-violet haze illuminating our surroundings. From the perspective, I'd say, we were fairly high up, standing on the cracked dome of some kind of cathedral. I climbed down the outside of the oculus, onto the lower roof below, walking along the peak to see over the edge.

The landscape was like something from the middle ages. Small rural houses, surrounded by woods, and a long path leading all the way to a huge structure, at the edge of the village. I jumped to the ground and started down the path. Goofy and Donald followed. "Where ya goin, Riku?"

I stopped to let Goofy catch up to me. "Maybe there's something in there that can help."

Donald looked to where I was pointing. "What makes you say that?"

I lowered my arm, uncertain. "I dunno. Just a hunch."

We started down the path, Donald and Goofy trailing behind. Donald mentioned something about splitting up, but I was too lost in my own thoughts to pay attention.

It bothered me how familiar all of this seemed. I could vaguely remember going down this path before. I don't think I was actually going myself, but there were others with me. By the footsteps, it seemed like three. With six others surrounding.

A strong soothing heartbeat filled my head, and a woman nearby spoke. "This is Mortis' first time out of the kingdom. He was so excited, and now look at him. The poor dear can't even keep his eyes open."

The deep voice, of a man, responded. "We can just let him sleep, for now. That way, he's sure to be rested to meet Lord Xemnero."

I wished I could see them. I just kept feeling like I should know who these people were, but no name, or face came to mind. Who were they? Could I possibly be remembering my real parents? And what kind of name was Mortis?

I was so absorbed, in my thoughts, that I hadn't even realized I'd stopped, until Donald slammed into the back of my legs, almost toppling me over. "What're you stopped for!?"

I looked up at the structure, almost directly in front of us. It was a castle, more modern than every thing else, in the village.

Goofy placed a hand on my shoulder, to get my attention. "Something wrong?"

I glanced around. "Why haven't we seen any other people? You'd figured there'd be someone living here with all these houses around."

"Maybe they're all asleep. It might actually be nighttime, we just can't tell."

"Maybe. But wouldn't our crash wake them up?"

"Who knows, come on." Donald stomped ahead of us, and right up to the castle. "WE ARE WARRIORS OF KING MICKEY AND DEMAND TO BE LET IN, IMMEDIATELY!!"

Goofy chuckled. "Well, no one's asleep now."

I laughed in return.

Much to our surprise, the huge arched doors swung open to let us enter, but no one was inside. (Cue twilight zone music.)

We walked in, Donald leading the way. The doors slammed shut, behind us, revealing that there really was someone there. He had short cut, black hair. Wearing black, suit-like, clothing with armor plates on his shoulders. A lantern, at the end of a long pole, was the only light in the room, held firmly in his hand. He stepped closer, looking over me.

Only when Donald and Goofy drew their weapons did he speak. "My Lord has been expecting you."

He walked past us, to a large doorway, opening it to reveal a long staircase. Long red feathers caught my eye, when he turned, hanging from his shoulders. "Follow me." Without so much as a glance back, he swept up the stairs, for us to follow.
Donald and Goofy exchanged looks. "Should we follow him?

"It might be a trap."

I however, didn't hesitate. If Sora was up there, then that's where I'd go.

xXx

We went up three flights, long hallways in between each, until we reached the final hall. At the end of which, our guide opened the door, bowing us inside. He followed, closing the door.

It was a large Circular room with a huge crystal, suspended between the floor and ceiling, glowing a chilling green color. The tiles, on the floor, indicated a path to the crystal from three huge doors, guards at each, and a hidden forth area concealed behind it.

An unnaturally tall man, with long jet-black hair, stepped out from behind the gem, smiling at us. "It sure did take you long enough to get here." He held up a small silver orb, which had stopped blinking. "You're quite clever, now aren't you?

I hardly noticed what he meant, becoming too entranced by the glorious long wings held over his head with pride. Slim black feathers layered over them, each delicately tipped with a deep red. "Honestly, I'm glad you thought of this. I was unsure of how you would find me." He smashed the orb, in his hand, snapping my attention to him "There. I enjoy it more when I have your attention."

I was still a bit dazed by the situation, but acknowledged him.

Donald held his wand straight out to him. "Who are you?"

His head titled, questioningly. "Now that's insulting. I could've sworn I was better known than that." He shook his head. "Times really have changed, haven't they? If you must know, my name is Lord Xemnero. Ruler of the Krutian territory."

His smile broadened from my reaction to hearing his name. "So you remember me?"

Both of my allies' eyes fell on me.

"Wha? Remember? … Sh-should I?"

He laughed, dropping the crushed contraption in his hand. "Not necessarily." Xemnero held up his hand, deep red lightning crackling around it. "But I do believe this is what you came for." The lightning stretched to the crystal, pulling out a glowing red heart, hovering it above his hand. I raised my sword, at the sight of Sora's heart. "Release that heart, or I'll remove yours', by force." He wasn't even phased by my threat. "Does this boy mean so much to you?"

My eyes narrowed on that smug smirk that never wanted to leave his face.

His long fingers began to close around the heart, forcing it to glow dangerously. A fierce anger exploded through my body, to where I felt like my arm was on fire.

His smile just broadened, loosening his grip. "There you go."

The black fire, surrounding my Keyblade, caught my eye. What the? I could never do that before.

Xemnero stomped the ground, sending a dark red stream, from his foot, straight towards me. I managed to see it in time, and jumped up and away, only to have the stream shoot up, after me, grabbing my calves and dragged me down, literally into the ground. Burying me up to my knees.

I lost balance, dropping my sword, and tried to pull free. The rest of the stream spun around the puddle, already surrounding my legs, pulling me in deeper.

Goofy and Donald grabbed my arms, trying to pull me out, only succeeding in reminding me of my wounds.

They let go, when I told them to stop. The darkness was so tight, around my legs, that it felt like the stone floors had morphed around me, and they'd pull my legs off, if they kept trying.

Xemnero held his hand up, allowing Sora's heart to float up and out of one of the small windows, near the ceiling. "Your friend will awaken, when his heart has returned." He stepped closer.

I just stared up at him, in confusion. "Why?"

He sighed, looking over me. "I sent my assistant after the Keybearer in order to get you here unharmed. Unfortunately, that doesn't look like the case. You just had to get in the way. Didn't you?"

I scowled. "Sorry I'm so loyal."

Xemnero mearly laughed, turning his attention to Donald and Goofy. "You two. Your part is complete. You may leave, now."

Goofy raised his shield. "We ain't leavin without Riku."

"YEA!"

He groaned, snapping his fingers. The guards stood at attention. "See to it these two return to the castle safely."

"Yes, milord." All three flew over and seized Donald and Goofy, flying them away and out the windows. Both fighting the whole way.

I pulled, futilely, at my legs, then looked up at Xemnero. "What do you want with me?"

"Why, my dear boy. Riku, is it? I mearly want to help."

"Help? Help with what?"

He knelt down before me. "Surely you can feel the darkness, in your heart. The power welling up within you. I can feel it from here, it's almost overwhelming. I mearly wish to help you learn to harness this power." His voice seemed calm, and soothing, but I didn't like it. Something in that mellow tone seemed to hold an underlying anxiety, that just seemed off. "It's not easy keeping such power contained, is it? May I ask, why you feel the need to? Is it because King Mickey said for you to?"

"Every time I give in to the darkness, horrible things happen. I'm forced to hurt the people I love. I don't ever want that again!"

"You weren't doing it right."

"What?"

"You still use darkness to protect those same people, correct?"

I averted my eyes downward. "Only a small amount."

"Well, think if you could learn to control all the power within you. You have great potential, Riku. I could help you to reach it, if you'd just be willing to trust me."

I… I dunno."

He sat back, on his feet, in an attempt to be more level with me. "Darkness is nothing to be afraid of, no matter what those light dwellers seem to think. It's just complex, and people tend to fear things they don't understand. Whether you want it or not, that darkness is growing inside of you. It's only a matter of time before it emerges. Unless you learn to control it, this power will overtake you. You don't want that, do you?"

"Of course not!!"

"Then, let me help you."

I just stared at him, unsure if I should or not. Everything he said made sense. I wasn't really afraid of darkness, I just don't like being overwhelmed. Still, I didn't know this guy. He'd sent a huge creature after Sora. Why should I trust him?

"My guardian said she'd come. I'll wait for her?"

"Didn't they tell you? Your guardian is dead. She was killed after sending you away."

"What? No! You're lying! I saw her. She's already contacted me."

His face gave a slight twitch. "Has she now? Then why isn't she with you now?"

"I-uh… I don't know, but I do know she's alive! Now, let me go!!"

He stood sharply, a sternly annoyed expression on his face. "No! I want your power, Mortis, and if you won't join me willingly, I'll just have to take you by force. Like I failed to so many years ago."

"What did you call me!?"

He grinned, completely ignoring my question. "First of all, I must test how much your power has grown, these past years."

Another wave of energy flowed from his foot, coming toward me. "You may want to grab your weapon."

I glanced down, at the Keyblade still resting next to me, and grabbed hold of it just as the stream swirled around, pulling me fully into the ground.

--

AN: HOLY COW THAT WAS A LONG CHAPT!! Oh yea one thing, I know it took me a while to mention this, but that's because I kept forgetting. The whole 'angel tribe' thing… is a lie. It's more of a monarchy, I dunno why they call them tribes. No I don't have control over my characters, I just give em a plot, and let em go.

(I would just like to apologize for the random incorrect/OOC moment with Tifa a little while ago… like I said, written a long time ago. Before I really had a handle of Tifa's character, and the story behind Sephy… it was a lot worse before I edited it, but I couldn't really take out too much of it.)