Chapter 7: Monstrous Monstro

Walking out of the darkness…I could hear the squishing noises coming from under our feet. I looked down-hoping to find out why our feet were making noises. I then looked down and saw that the ground had this weird texture to it, and that it had a thin layer of water over it. "Where are we? Some weird beach world?" I asked, curious as we continued walking. "Well, that wouldn't make sense, beaches have sunshine, and it's way too dark here to be a beach," I added, thinking. "Monstro," Riku said, as he looked down. He had his hood back up and the blindfold over his eyes again. I made a mental note to ask him about the cloak and blindfold one day. "Monstro? That's a weird name for a place," I said, frowning. "It's not a place, it's a thing," Riku said, as I turned and faced him. I then wobbled a bit and realized that we were moving. "A thing?" I asked, worried. "Monstro is a whale," Riku said, as I instantly looked down. "Then that's not water?" I asked, grossed out. "Some of it is, most of it I'd say. The rest is saliva," Riku said, as I covered my mouth. "That is gross!" I said, looking down at my sandals. "And here I thought we were friends! And you stick my inside a whale while I'm wearing sandals? It's on my toes!" I said, frowning as Riku laughed. "What?" I asked, still mad. "It's water, don't worry, I don't like being here either," Riku said, as he walked on and as I began to follow him, I saw and opening with light and I gasped-in front of us was a huge boat surrounded by water. The boat was crashed and I could see a lantern on the boat. "What the-" I said, looking around. "Monstro is a whale…that consumes things. Including Geppetto's boat, along with Geppetto is Pinocchio," Riku said, looking down. "Why the long face?" I asked, as Riku shook his head. "Nothing- bad memories," Riku said, as he jumped down and landed on what looked to be Monstro's stomach. I then jumped and landed beside Riku, where we then began to walk towards Geppetto's boat.

The minute we got up on the abandoned boat, Pinocchio-who looked like a little puppet- got up and ran while Geppetto grabbed a torch and tried knocking Riku off the boat. "I remember you! I know what you did to Pinocchio and Sora! No hood can hide you!" Geppetto said, angrily. "Stop!" I said, trying to get between Geppetto and Riku, but it was too late. Riku ran past Geppetto and jumped over the side of the boat-and down a dark passage way. "Riku!" I yelled, but he didn't stop. "He's not a bad guy! Whatever he did he's sorry for it," I said, grabbing a torch from the wall. "Where are you going?" Geppetto asked, as I looked down. "I have to find Riku," I said, clutching the torch-my only weapon. Pinocchio then crawled out of his hiding place and handed me a wooden sword. "Thank you," I said, before climbing down the side of the ship. I then took a deep breath and went down the dark passage way Riku had took.

The passage way was a lot scarier than I thought, and as hard as I yelled I couldn't get a response out of Riku. What made him run? What is with this Monstro? Does it bother him that much to be here? Why? I thought, as I dragged the wooden sword beside me. Then, out of nowhere, I saw black spots forming on the ground. "Heartless!" I said, getting ready to fight them off. As they appeared- I dashed around one and hit it-hard, I then jumped and hit the other three around me. I had to give Riku credit-he made it look a lot easier than it really was. After defeating the first wave-I took off running- not wanting to fight the second wave. As I ran, I saw a weird, pink-spongy looking thing. So, being the kid-at-heart I am, I ran and jumped on it- and it sent me soaring into the air. I then saw a ledge-so I let myself fall and be shot up again-this time, I reached for the ledge, and once I grabbed it, I pulled myself up. I then saw, to my shock- a couple of barrels and a treasure chest. I hit the first barrel- and giggled as it smashed to pieces. I then opened the treasure chest-and pulled out a few potion bottles and I smiled-I would no doubt be needing them. After tucking them into my bag, I hit the remaining barrels for fun. One of the barrels-once hit- grew legs and eyes. I then gasped-barrel-spiders! As I attacked it- I realized this one was a lot tougher than the one on Captain Hook's ship. I hit it-hard, before it shot me to the wall. I then kicked it over the ledge, but in the process of kicking it, I too fell from the ledge, hitting the pink-sponge before slamming into the ground- I then let my eyes close- as I passed out.

The sun shined brightly as the palm trees swayed in the wind. Two boys- a younger Sora- in a white tee-shirt with blue trim and red shorts, his brown spiky hair still spiky-just shorter; and a younger Riku- in a yellow vest with blue trim and black shorts, his silver hair was shorter- above his shoulders, and spiked out on the ends like Sora's-walked down a spiraling wooden path around a tree. 'It's true! I saw it with my own eyes!' Sora said, trying to convince Riku of something. 'Are you sure you didn't just hear it this time?' Riku asked, walking beside Sora. 'What difference does it make?' Sora asked, getting defensive. "There's a huge monster in there, I tell you!' Sora added, placing his hands behind his head as he walked slowly down the path. 'Alright, suppose there really is a monster…" Riku said, after thinking. "Think we could beat it by ourselves, Sora?" Riku asked his best friend, as the two walked down the last part of the trail, and into some bushes behind a tree- leading to the secret cave. They then stopped outside of where the cave entrance was and Sora smiled. 'No problem. Let's do it!"' Sora said, smiling. Riku then faced Sora for a moment, before Sora turned and looked at the cave. 'Listen! There! Can you hear it growling?' Sora asked, as the boys stared at the entrance to the cave. 'Shh, quiet,' Riku said, leaning forward. 'We've gotta be careful,' Riku added, as they both leaned in and listened.

'See that? It was just the wind making that noise,' Riku said, as he looked up at the ceiling of the cave. 'Aw, man. I wish it was a monster!' Sora said, stretching as he too looked up. 'Hold on! What's that over there?' Sora asked, as Riku followed Sora's gaze. In front of the two boys was a giant wooden door. 'A window, or maybe a door? It won't open,' Riku said, searching the door for a way to open it; while Sora stood a few feet back, looking at the cave walls. 'Geez, is that really all that's in here?' Sora said, as Riku walked over towards him. 'What do you expect in a boring place like this?' Riku asked, looking at his friend. 'Hey Sora,' Riku said, as Sora turned and face him. 'Hm?' Sora said, looking at Riku. 'When we grow up, let's get off this island,' Riku said, his eyes wide with thoughts and excitement. 'We'll go on real adventures, not just this kid stuff!' Riku added, smiling. 'Sure, but isn't there anything fun to do now?' Sora asked, as the two boys began to leave the cave. 'Hey, you know that new girl at the mayor's house?' Riku asked, as Sora put his hands behind his head again as they left the cave…

As I sat up, I rubbed my hand through my now messed up blonde hair. "Ow," I said, as I rubbed the back of my head. As I stood up, I kept thinking about the dream, or memory, of Sora and Riku's. They were such good friends- what happened between them. As I got up, I looked around and grabbed my wooden sword- shocked no Heartless had attacked me while I was down. I then looked over beside me and saw that I had drew a picture- of Sora and Riku standing in front of the cave. Confused, I just put the picture up before walking off-hoping to find Riku before the Heartless found me again.

As I continued to walk and fight off Heartless, I came to a small room with one way in-and one way out. Standing there- staring at the weird, round cell-looking door; was Riku. "This is where it happened," Riku said, as I looked at him. His hood was down, and his blindfold off. "What are you doing? Come on, let's go back," I said, not taking my eyes off Riku. I watched as his hands turned into fists- I didn't know what I had said-but whatever it was-it caused a lot of thoughts and emotions to run through Riku. "Come on Riku, quit fooling around. This is no time for games," I said, taking a step towards him.

After taking the step, Riku turned and faced me. His eyes looked sunken in, as if he hadn't slept for days. He then took a breath, and looked down at the ground.

'Pinocchio had followed me, and Sora, Donald, and Goofy came after him. "What are you doing? Come on, let's go back," Sora said, as Donald and Goofy took a step towards Sora. "You know, Geppetto's awfully worried about you," Goofy said, looking at Pinocchio. Pinocchio didn't blink, he just stood there and stared at the three of them. "Pinocchio, stop fooling around. This is no time for games!" Sora said, being his usual self. Sora, Donald and Goofy then turned and began to leave the room-the same place where you entered. "But Sora, I thought you liked games. Or are you too cool to play them now that you have the Keyblade?" I said, being my usual self., thinking of how Sora had changed. "Riku! Wh-What are you doing here?" Sora asked, shocked that I was there. "Just playing with Pinocchio," I said, standing slightly behind Pinocchio."

"You know what I mean! What about Kairi? Did you find her?" Sora asked, worried about Kairi. "Maybe. Catch us and maybe I'll tell you what I know," I said, still in my defense mode. "Come on!" Sora said, getting mad. I then grabbed Pinocchio and I took off with him. Making him a pawn," Riku explained, looking down. It was then I realized that Riku still cared for Sora, and really did regret everything-and blame everything on himself. I just took a step closer, worried about Riku. "Riku-" I started, but he cut me off-still telling his story.

"As I left, that's when Maleficent showed up. "Why do you still care for that boy? He has all but deserted you for the Keyblade and his new companions, after all," Maleficent said, feeding me more lies-lies that at the time- I believed. "I don't care about him. I was just messing with him a little," I replied, turning to face Maleficent. "Oh, really? Of course you were," Maleficent said, being her usual self. "Beware the darkness in your heart. The Heartless prey upon it," she said, moving closer. "Mind your own business!" I shouted as she opened a dark portal up. She then walked into it, leaving me alone again with Pinocchio," Riku said, he still hadn't looked up. "You and Sora had a stand off," I said, realizing where his story was going. Riku then turned and looked at the ground again. He then sighed, and continued recalling the events that had happened when he was here before.

"Pinocchio had took off and brought Sora and the others to me, where he ran past me into another cell doorway-and I just watched him go. "Riku! What's the matter with you? What are you thinking? Don't you realize what you're doing?" Sora yelled, obviously mad at me. It was then that I turned and faced Sora, Donald and Goofy. "I was about to ask you the same thing Sora," I said, firing back at him. "You only seem interested in running around and showing off that Keyblade these days. Do you even want to save Kairi?" I said, aiming to hurt Sora. "I do," Sora said, looking down. I knew I was hurting Sora, but I didn't care. At that moment- I believed Maleficent. I thought Sora had just…deserted me. We then heard Pinocchio scream, and we all turned to see what has happening. We then walked into a room and saw a Heartless- Parasite Cage- had Pinocchio. "You up for this?" I asked Sora, as his Keyblade appeared. "No problem, let's do it!" he said, being his always happy-optimistic self. The Parasite Cage, after hitting it a few times, opening a hole in the ground and dropped Pinocchio in it. I quickly ran and jumped in after him."

"After Sora defeated the Parasite Cage, he landed on the boat, beside Geppetto, and I was on a ledge, and I had Pinocchio under my arm. "Please! Give me back my son!" Geppetto yelled, wanting Pinocchio back. "Sorry, old man. I have some unfinished business with this puppet," I said, not caring that I was taking Pinocchio from him. "He's no puppet! Pinocchio is my little boy!" Geppetto said, and I could tell by his shaking voice he was about to lose it. "He is unusual. Not many puppets have hearts. I'm not sure, but maybe, he can help someone who's lost theirs" I said, still not caring about Geppetto, but thinking more about Kairi. "Wait a minute, are you talking about Kairi?" Sora asked, looking up at me. "What do you care about her?" I asked, before taking Pinocchio with me."

"I had taken Pinocchio to another part of Monstro, and of course, Sora followed me. "Hey, let Pinocchio go, Riku," Sora said, sounding angry. "A puppet that's lost it's heart to the Heartless…maybe it holds the key to helping Kairi," I replied, as I turned to face Sora. "How about it, Sora? Let's join forces to help save her," I said, wanting him to help me. "We can do it together," I said, walking over towards Sora. He then pulled out his Keyblade, and got into a fighting stance. "What? You'd rather fight me? Over a puppet that has no heart?" I asked, half-way shocked. "Heart or no heart, at least he still has a conscience," Sora replied, sounding confident. "Conscience?" I repeated. "You might not hear it, but right now it's loud and clear. And it's telling me you're on the wrong side!" Sora said, as I just stood there. "Then you leave me no choice," I said, as I saw from the corner of my eye that Jiminy Cricket-Sora's friend and Pinocchio's friend- was beside Pinocchio-shouting his name. "Jiminy…I'm not gonna make it," Pinocchio said, dropping his head. Donald then cured Pinocchio, who's head instantly rose and he smiled. "Oh! I guess I'm gonna be okay!" he said, as Jiminy Cricket jumped with joy. The Parasite Cage then dropped from the ceiling, blocking me and Sora, and I walked into a cloud, returning to the darkness. After that, I returned to Captain Hook's ship where Maleficent was, and Kairi. Maleficent then told me that if the Seven Princess's of the purest heart were gathered, we could open a door to untold wisdom, and that it would be there that I could find a way to save Kairi, she then gave me the gift to control the Heartless, and I was off," Riku said, he still hadn't took his eyes off the floor.

I just stood there, unsure of what to say or do. Riku remembered the events inside Monstro with great detail, and I knew that was the first time he had said anything about it to anyone. As shocked as I was that he opened up…a lot more than before. I knew that to him-Monstro is where everything went bad between him and Sora. He was brainwashed by Maleficent to think that all the bad things he was doing- was helping this girl, Kairi. "I'm…sorry, Riku," I said, knowing that when I said to him 'What are you doing? Come on, let's go back,' and "Come on Riku, quit fooling around. This is no time for games,' I had repeated exactly what Sora had said to Pinocchio that day. "I didn't care if what I was doing was wrong-I just knew-or thought-at the time, that if I did those things, I could save her," Riku said, looking up. To my shock-his aqua eyes were red, and I could tell that during the story, he had actually teared up. "Riku-," I started, but he cut me off. "I don't wanna talk about it, not now, please Naminé," Riku said, and at that- I simply nodded my head. We had been awake for a long time, and with Riku's emotional rollercoaster of a day, I knew we both needed sleep. "Let's just go," I said, looking over at him. "Don't you want to go back and see Pinocchio?" Riku asked, as I shook my head. "Forget it, we need to just go somewhere else-anywhere else," I said, as Riku nodded and opened a dark cloud. We then walked through the cloud- and I for once, grabbed his hand as we walked through-together.

A/N: Zomg..i FINALLY got internet back. Yay! Sorry if this isn't the best Chapter...i was in a mood to just have Riku [finally] open up some more to Namine'... and what better place than the inside of a whale. Even though the chapter isn't as exciting as the others-it was fun to write. And now Namine' is starting to understand Riku's...Rikuness.
** Thank you to LarkaSpirit && archsage328 for reviewing! Much love! 3