Yay! More Supernova! :D Luckily we have a little relief from the usual depressingness of the story XD enjoy!

I shifted my feet, finding a firm grounding to push off of. I looked heavenward, a determined fire burning in the pit of my stomach. I had no doubts. I was going to fly. I unfurled my wings. Even though it wasn't windy out, I could feel the air's smooth power rippling under them. My wyvern instincts took over my body completely. I coiled up, the anticipation threatening to tear me apart, and then I jumped.

I beat my wings downward forcefully and launched myself straight upward. Sora yelled and gripped my neck tightly to avoid falling off. I roared triumphantly and whipped around in a tight loop-de-loop, leveling out to a smooth horizontal flight. Sora's hold relaxed. I glided gracefully over the town, staring at the buildings below. Twilight Town was so different at night. It was beautiful. I glanced back. Sora was looking down in awe. I smiled at the sensation of the air crawling across my skin and suspending me in the sky.

But then I got bored.

Tucking my wings in close to my body, I swooped steeply downward toward the village. Corkscrewing as I fell, I whipped my wings back out and caught us just before we hit the ground. Sora was screaming in fright the whole time. Flapping rapidly, I shot along ground level, soaring skyward again before we could hit any buildings. Slowly, Sora's terrified yells became joyous shouts.

"Woohoo! This is awesome!" He thrust his hands up in the air like a roller coaster. As I slowed to a more bearable speed, he cautiously stood up on my back and balanced as if on a skateboard. He let the wind current rush across him as he screamed, "YES! YEE-HAW!"

It was the first time I had seen him smile since I disappeared. For once, as a Heartless, I felt truly, genuinely happy. I hoped Sora did too. He was standing peacefully now, smiling up at the sky. Smirking, I slanted my wings and once again began a rapid dive. I laughed as Sora's eyes bulged and he literally dove to grab hold of me again. I skyrocketed toward the ground, gaining more and more speed. I didn't pull up.

"AAAH! Ricky, slow down! YOU'RE HEADED RIGHT FOR THE ROAD!" he screamed in terror.

No, not quite… I grinned, eying the crack in the wall. I arced at the last second, my belly mere inches from scraping the brick tracks, and shot through the hole that led to the woods. My instinct had complete control over me as I flapped and weaved around the thick, massive trees of the forest. I looked back at Sora. "Yes, I did it!" I roared.

Sora gulped as he looked straight ahead. I followed his gaze. I was headed right for the trunk of a giant tree. I yelled but was unable to stop in time.

SMACK!

I dizzily slid to the ground and toppled over. Sora flopped down onto the ground next to me, breathing quickly and heavily. We lay there for a few seconds, reorienting ourselves, until Sora began to chuckle. I looked over at him in disbelief as the sound quickly grew into loud laughter. Then I took into account everything that just happened and how stupid we must have looked. I burst into laughter with him. We lay there, in pain and in a fit of hilarity at the same time. Eventually, our laughter died down and Sora got up and brushed himself off.

"Well, we should probably head back."

I crouched over to let him get on my back again. As he jumped up, he glared jokingly. "Slowly this time."

Alright, alright, I chuckled. I silently ascended into the night once again, gliding softly and realizing I had no idea where the inn was. I slowly flew upward to scope out the area. I noticed that everyone was walking around outside. Frowning in confusion, I swooped down and landed by Riku and Kaden.

"Woah! Oh geez, there you are," Riku jumped in shock. "You said you were leaving but then Ricky was gone too and I just thought…I was just worried."

"No, I'm fine," Sora got down and slowly walked over.

Katie, you flew! You really flew! Kaden cheered enthusiastically.

Yeah, I grinned. I guess I just needed to give it a try.

You'll have to give me a lift sometime, he laughed.

Sure thing.

"Hey, you OK, buddy?" Riku placed a hand on Sora's shoulder.

Sora shrugged away from it. "Yeah. Really, I'm fine."

Riku still looked concerned, but he let it drop. "Well, we should head back. All the others are out looking for you too."

Sora scratched his head. "It's not a big deal…"

"I know. Just better to be safe than sorry."

We arrived back at the inn at the same time as Roxas. He went to go fetch everyone else while Sora ordered rooms and got settled for the night. Riku flopped out on the rocky ground, resting his head in his hands. Roxas came back with the group and they all filed into the hotel. Kairi stopped before entering.

"You sure you wanna just sleep on the ground out here?" she asked.

"Eh, I'm fine. Gotta keep an eye on these two. Someone's gotta do it," he shrugged.

"You want me to get you a pillow or something?"

"Naw, I'm fine."

"OK…good night." She followed the others inside. That was the first time I realized it.

Oh my gosh…they totally dig each other!

Uh, duh! You just figured this out? Kaden laughed. And how long have you known them?

I couldn't sit down now. Wha-? No! Riku and Kairi? What?

Riku saw me flailing around like a distressed fish. He picked up a small stone from the ground and tossed it. It bounced off my head. "Go to sleep, Ricky," he grumbled, closing his eyes. I tried to calm down as I curled up and laid my head down.

Man, if you figured those two out that quickly, me and Sora must be pretty obvious…

Kaden shot up. Woah! You and Sora?

I froze. You didn't know that? Oh man, and now I just told you too! Ugh, I'm so stupid…

He broke into a huge grin. I'm just kidding, Katie. You two are as obvious as the 'less' in 'Heartless'.

I glared jokingly at his banter and closed my eyes. He laid back and began to drift off to sleep too. I opened my eyes again. Hey, Kaden?

Hmm? he managed tiredly.

Did you ever have someone special?

He paused for quite awhile until I thought he wasn't going to answer. But finally, he spoke softly. Yeah, I did. A long time ago. Well, not that long really, but…it feels like forever. I can't say she loved me back but…I cared about her with all my heart.

Oh…I'm sorry…

There was another moment of silence.

That's how it happened.

I looked over at him, confused. How what happened?

How I became a Heartless.

My blood ran cold. Kaden…

I saved her. We were surrounded. I knew only one of us could get away.

I looked away, ashamed for all the times I had yelled at him or ignored him.

I was alone when it happened, he continued. She ran and then they closed in. I've never felt so alone in my life…Sorry, I guess I figured telling someone would make it seem a little less lonely. He rolled over onto his side so his back was facing me. I swallowed hard.

I know how you feel…I've almost died twice. It's the scariest thing in the world.

…How did you survive?

Well, the first time, Sora saved me. I shuddered at the memory of Vanitas glowering down at me with his spine-tingling smile, Keyblade trained at my throat. The second time…Sora tried to save me again but… I didn't finish the sentence, but Kaden understood. That's how it happened to me.

Kaden thought for a moment. Well, I'm glad I was able to save Risa. I'd rather be a monster than let her become one. After another minute of neither of us saying anything, Kaden's breathing slowed and I could tell he had fallen asleep. I smiled and laid my head back down, closing my eyes peacefully.

You're not a monster, Kaden. You're a good guy, even as a Heartless. The sun had sunk far below the horizon and the sky was dark as the ocean. I started to slip off into the land of dreams. Maybe the darkness isn't so bad after all…

Katie…Katie!

"Huh?" I blinked my eyes open wearily, trying to focus my vision. When I finally did, I found Kaden standing in front of me.

Here, take this. He held one "arm" out towards me. He was holding a heart.

What? I shot up.

Shh! Hurry, before anyone else wakes up! I was going to protest, but he cut me off. If anyone sees, we're in big trouble!

I was hesitant, but I took it. I grimaced and looked away. I hated that this was how I had to survive.

Sorry, Kaden gulped. I know you hate this, but I knew you wouldn't get any on your own so I had to do it.

I know, there's not much that can be done, I sighed. Thanks, Kaden.

Riku stirred at that point. He yawned and sat up, stretching. It wasn't long before Roxas came out of the inn. "Morning, Riku! Hey, Slasher and Ricky."

"Hey," Riku greeted. "Are the others up yet?"

"Yeah, I'm about to go get them," Roxas replied.

"What's our game plan for today?" asked Riku.

Roxas sighed. "I don't know. Everyone turns to me as the leader, but…"

"Roxas, you're a good leader. Everyone here trusts you with their life."

"But I have as little clue about what's going on as everyone else!"

"We know what's going on!" Cid cried from down the street.

"Cid?" Riku stood up, confused.

Yuffie and Cid ran down the street, heading over to our little group. Cid looked excited. "Whooo, it feels good to be free again! I haven't driven a gummi ship in months and man, I missed it!"

"Yeah," Yuffie chimed in cheerfully. "Leon suggested that Cid come this time since he kinda needs to get out more."

"Hey! I was doing all the putzy work! It was a worthy cause! I would've gotten out of there if I could."

"So, you guys figured out what's up with the Heartless?" Roxas pondered.

"Uh, yeah…it seems there aren't enough of them," Cid scratched his head.

"What?" Riku gaped. "There are more of them than we know what to do with!"

"Really?" Yuffie chirped. "Cid's computer showed extremely low readings across the whole galaxy."

"Well, they're spread out," explained Roxas. "But they were all concentrated here just a day ago."

"Well, that seemed to be the only group of them left," shrugged Cid. There was a stunned silence.

"In the whole universe?" Roxas confirmed. Cid nodded.

"Then…then we've almost won, right?" Roxas, Riku, and I started to get excited. Kaden just shook his head. Yuffie and Cid looked down awkwardly.

"What's wrong?" asked Roxas confusedly.

Cid exhaled sharply. "It's not that simple."

"What do you mean?"

"Light and darkness make up everything. If the darkness is wiped out for good, the worlds will become unbalanced and unstable."

"What would happen then?"

"Well, it may not affect anything for awhile, but eventually, the worlds could collapse in on themselves…"

"What?"

We were all shocked. Kaden remained calm. I told you things were bad…It's a war that neither side can win.

Then a thought struck me that had never crossed my mind before. Kaden…would the same concept work for hearts? I mean, if you only have the light or dark side of your heart, not both, would your heart collapse or implode or whatever…?

Um, unfortunately, it probably would…I wouldn't worry too much. You haven't been a Heartless very long.

It's not me I'm worried about. I closed my eyes in despair. Sora has been missing half of his heart for years.

Kaden went cold. Is…is there a way to get it back?

I shook my head. After I got through with Vanitas, there was nothing left. Literally. I don't think so…It was kinda obliterated…

Yikes, Kaden gulped. Well, don't worry. We'll think of something. I promise.

He didn't sound too sure of himself. I didn't blame him. What could we do anyway? At that moment, Kairi and Melissa walked out of the hotel.

"Oh, hi there!" Melissa waved.

"Who's this?" wondered Yuffie.

"This is Melissa. She's a Keybearer, too. She's helping us out," Kairi introduced her. "Melissa, this is Cid and Yuffie. They're friends of ours."

"Hey there!" exclaimed Yuffie.

"Howdy!" Cid waved.

"So what's up?" wondered Kairi.

"Um…we need everyone here," Roxas answered.

"We got some more info on the Heartless," Riku told her.

Melissa became interested. "What kind of info?"

"Bad info," Riku crossed his arms. "We all need to talk about our next course of action."

"There will be some tough decisions ahead," Roxas added. "Let's go round the others up."

Top secret meeting time! I chuckled dryly.

Please tell me what you thought :) predictions are always fun too ;D