Hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. I've been sooooooooo busy. That and this chapter was hard to get into. Anyway just to clear up any confusion this is a flashback chapter. enjoy

Chapter 6

I opened my eyes as the morning sun streamed through the windows of my room. I breathed deeply as a big smile broke out across my face. Today was the day! I had been waiting for this day for weeks. It was not often I got a day all to myself. Usually Father had me hard at work with one of my many teachers.

"No daughter of mine is going to ascend to the throne ignorant and unprepared," He'd say every time I complained.

Yup, you guessed it! I am a princess. And man oh man is it a pain! Hardly ever a moment to myself, always being pulled in five different directions and the worst part is having to dress up. My father, the king, thinks a princess must dress like a princess. That means layers upon layers of petticoats, shoes that pinch, a deathtrap called a corset, and loads of itchy ruffles. My pants and shirts, or "men's wear" as my father calls it, are strictly forbidden except for when I practice fighting with a keyblade, which all royalty had.

Today, however, was my day to do what I wanted. I grabbed my white pants, sky blue shirt, and stuck my feet in my brown moccasins. I ran down the stairs as I pulled on my vest, my princess braid swung about with the rest of my hair. A single braid behind the left ear was the mark of royalty in this world. I had just turned the corner when – WHAM!

"OW! What the crap Mae?!" I looked across my knees at my cousin who I had just knocked to the ground.

"Sorry Joe!" I apologized, "I guess I got over excited."

Joe was my twin cousin. I say that because we were born on the same day. Our dads were brothers and had Joe's dad not been killed in the war that had also claimed our grandfather's life, Joe would be the heir to the throne instead of me. To be honest I wish that had been the case. I'm not exactly leader material. Joe, on the other hand, is captain of the guard at only sixteen! He's a born leader, and a rootin-tootin good one! I've tried to talk my father into letting the throne pass from me to Joe but he wouldn't hear of it.

"Where are you going?"

I looked into those gray-blue eyes of my best friend in this whole world. I glanced around.

"Promise not to tell?" I whispered. He gave me that this-sounds-like-a-bad-idea look. "I'm going to explore another world!" I said trying to keep my excitement on the down low. If Father found out my butt's in big trouble.

Joe's eyes got wide, "Are you insane?! The king-"

"Won't find out," I interrupted. "Please Joe! I've been trapped here. Father doesn't think it is a princess' place to travel outside of her own world. Especially after mom died," we shared a solemn silence at that. My mother had died when I was ten due to an illness she contracted from another world. Joe's mom had died not long after his dad had died. The grief was just too much for her.

"Mae," Joe hesitated. I knew the leader in him would do the right thing. It was his responsibility as he felt it. Even a rebel like me would obey his command. "Just remember the rule: the worlds must stay a secret."

I threw my arms around him, "Thanks Joe!" With that we parted.

I made my way to the rim, a hill that encircled the kingdom, to the many doorways that I would find there. Unlike the rest of the universe we knew the truth that there are more worlds than our own. Our world however, was secret from even those who knew.

As I approached the top of the hill I could see the many keyholes on the other side, each leading to its own world. I summoned my keyblade, more sword than key the metal of the blade mirrored the scenery. I raised the blade at a keyhole and unlocked it. And my adventure began.

Radiant Gardens. It was even better than I thought. I had a tutor who taught me about all the other worlds and Radiant Gardens has always been one of my favorite.

I was walking down the streets, my moccasins barely making a sound on the stone road. This world had a beautiful, peaceful atmosphere. Well it did till I heard a ruckus from one of the alleys.

I peeked around the corner and saw two boys about my age, one with red spikey hair and the other had blue hair that was straight except for the top where he had it spiked to the back of his head. The redhead had two things that looked like some kind of pan with flames on it. The one with blue hair had a large stick and was holding it as a sword. They were surrounded by four large boys, each holding something like a sock-em'-bopper in a threatening way. Seemed like they could use a hand, and I smiled as I stepped into what was bound to be a fight.

"Hey!" I yelled at the two underdogs, "You two need a hand?"

They all turned around to face me. The older boy, who seemed to be the leader, looked me over and an unpleasant smile crossed his lips.

"Stay out of this doll. Soon as we settle this I'll come over there and we can get to know each other better."

I raised one eyebrow and twisted the small braid next to my left ear around my finger, "Is that so?" I said innocently.

The boy smiled and blew a kiss my way. His green eyes full of meanness.

"No thanks." And with that I summoned my keyblade and the fight began.

The boy with blue hair was busy with a blond and doing a good job holding his own, the silver haired leader was whooping the redhead's butt, while I was taking care of two brunettes. I ducked a swing from the brunette with blue eyes and kicked him hard. He slammed against the wall and decided he'd had enough. The other attacked with renewed aggressiveness. I found myself backing up till I found myself back to back with the redhead. I got an idea, something Joe had taught me in training.

"Hold still," and with that I grabbed the redhead's shoulders and flipped myself over his head and kicked the leader full in the face.

My keyblade disappeared and I used my fists to box the stunned boy. I landed a blow to his stomach just below the ribs and he was down for good.

The blond came to help the silver haired bully to his feet. He shoved him away and glared at me. I just smirked triumphantly. He spat at my feet before walking off, his gang following him in defeat.

Suddenly the redhead ran past me, "Yea! We'll teach you! Next time you won't mess with us!"

"Uuuhhhh…" I glanced at his friend who was shaking his head. He looked up at me and held out his hand.

"Thanks for the help. I'm Isa."

I smiled and firmly grasped his hand, "Mae."

"Hey!" The redhead had run back to us. "You fight pretty good," he said with a wink.

"Thanks."

"Name's Lea. Got it memorized?" he said as he pointed one finger at his temple.

"Yea. Sure." I shot Isa a questioning glance.

"Don't ask," he said shaking his head.

"It was the best day ever!" I was in my room with Joe telling him about my adventure. After the fight Lea, Isa, and I had gotten ice cream and they had showed me the town.

"Easy Mae," Joe said concerned. "If the king finds out about this you will be in big trouble."

"It would be great if I could go back," I was so lost in the wonder of the day that Joe's warning barely meant anything to me.

"Woh! Wait! Time out! You aren't planning to go back?!"

"Of course I am."

He shook his head as it fell into his hands. There was a sudden knock on the door causing both of us to jump. One of the maids poked her head into the room.

"Excuse me your majesties," she said quietly, "dinner is ready." With that she left the room.

Dinner was as usual; Father talked of business in the kingdom, Joe and I tried to entertain ourselves, and Keith flirted with me and played suck-up to my father.

Keith is a young man, the son of a duke, and who my father is dead set on being my husband one day. He's your typical blond haired, blue eyed beauty complete with the I'm-so-handsome-you-can't-resist-me look. He only wants the power of the throne. I hate his guts. He's so creepy… like stalker creepy.

"So Mae," Keith turned to me, "your father says he's given you tomorrow to be a free day as well."

I glared at him, "And?"

"I was wondering if you would care to spend it with me?" he wiggled his eyebrows as if to hint at something. Why does he feel he needs to pretend to care about me?

"No thanks."

*Joe*

We were sneaking up the hill that surrounded the kingdom. The sun wasn't even up yet. Mae had thought this the best way to avoid Keith. I usually made a point to obey my king but when it came to arranging a marriage and choosing a future king my uncle was not the best.

We reached the crest of the hill and she turned to me, "I'm going to radiant gardens. If you need me come find me."

I smiled and nodded. I knew the king would be very unhappy with this but Mae had been cooped up for her whole life.

"Be safe," I whispered as I hugged her tightly. As much as she felt I was all she had, she was all I had.

She flashed her beautiful smile, "Of course."

And with that she left.

*Mae*

I had found Lea and Isa again. I was sure glad to see them. They were so much fun. I had spent the whole day with them again.

When the sun began to set they made their way home. Isa went on home but Lea lingered behind with me. I hoped he wasn't going to insist on walking me home.

"Can I show you something?" he said smiling. He was a nice looking kid. I could just picture the looker he'd be when he got older.

"Ok," and with that he lead the way out of town. We came to a steep hill that was bare on the side facing the town and covered by a blanket of trees that stretched to the crest.

When we got to the top of the hill I saw what he meant. It looked like a chunk had been cut out of the hill and a small waterfall cascaded peacefully into a pool of water large enough to swim in that trickled of to the side the hill.

"It's so beautiful," I sighed.

Lea took my hand in his, sending tingles up my arm, "I come here when I need to get away and relax."

I turned to him and smiled. I had never noticed how amazing his eyes are.

I didn't get a chance to see what happened next. Because just then the worst possible thing happened.

My father showed up.

Back at the castle I was getting the lecture of a life time. What happened was Keith. That pretty faced creep had followed Joe and me this morning and ratted us out. The worst part was I got Joe in trouble.

"You are prohibited from ever leaving this world again!" the king's voice boomed through the castle. He slapped a handcuff like bracelet on my right hand. It was a magic bracelet meant to keep me from summoning my keyblade.

I could feel the watery burn in my eyes as tears began to roll down my cheeks. A lump formed in my throat as the king continued to lecture me. Finally I had had enough.

"I hate you!" I interrupted as my voice began to break, "You try to control me! You try to make me fit into your idea of who I should be! Try to make me marry who you want me to marry! I'll marry whoever I darn well please! I don't want to be a princess! I wasn't meant to be! Any idiot could see that Joe is meant to rule the kingdom not me!" With that I ran off to my room.

When I reached my room I locked the door and windows and pulled every curtain shut. I scrounged around in my dresser for a hair pin. Once found I picked the lock. I packed some things in a bag. I would run away. Maybe with no other heir the king would finally put Joe in his rightful place.

I sat on my bed with a sheet of paper and a pen. A farewell to my dear cousin. I heard a knock on the door.

"Mae?" the only voice that I cared about in this world came from the other side of the door. "Mae please talk to me. Don't shut me out!" The voice broke as it was filled with sorrow. I said nothing.

Eventually he left. The sun was long gone over the horizon and I was ready to make my move. I opened my window just enough to sneak out. I climbed down the vines that hung on the castle wall. Once on the ground I snuck through the alleys and made my way to the keyholes over the hill.

This was my chance at freedom. I thought of Joe. How I hated leaving him, but I knew he'd be the king this world needed. I raised my keyblade and left my home world.

When I arrived in Radiant Gardens I ran straight for the waterfall. I hoped to find Lea there. I didn't really know where he lived.

When I got there all I found was the soft sound of water gently falling. I sat down and looked at the stars, thinking of all I was leaving behind. I was lost in memories when I heard a rustling movement in the woods behind me.

I jumped up, keryblade in hand. It was too dark for me to see anything. Suddenly an attack came from behind and I was overpowered. I let out a scream from pain and fear.

And then… nothing…