A/N: Alright, chapter 12! Im on fire! Lol, Im just excited to get this story done so I can get to KH2! Now in our last chapter, Kari loses her heart. So let's all see what happens! Review and tell me what you think!
"Kari, no!" Kairi ran towards Kari, seeing a red orb leave her body. Kairi caught Kari in her arms, shards of gold light floating around them and disappearing. Kari's head hung back, her eyes now opening. They were empty and lifeless. No sense of Kari inside.
"Kari!" Riku stood before Kairi, shock and dismay clear on his face. Kairi gently laid Kari down, running up to Riku.
"Riku!?" Kairi hugged him, her body trembling in fear. "Where are we? What's going on? Where's Sora? What happened to Kari?"
"We are in Neverland." Riku replied, gently pushing Kairi away, not once looking at her. He walked towards Kari and soothed her bangs. "Sora is outside and it seems that Kari freed her heart to free you." Riku explained, holding Kari in his arms and just as he stood, black antlike creatures formed around Kairi. Kairi instantly recognized them. They were from the islands! Kairi looked at Riku, seeing him a new light.
"Riku..." Kairi reached for Riku, but she was suddenly grabbed by the creatures and dragged out of the room. "Riku!" Kairi tried to pull away, trying to reach for him, desperate that he'll help her, but he just stared down at Kari's lifeless form.
"Take her to the other girl." He said and left with Kari.
"Riku!?" She cried out, hot tears running down her face. "This is all you, isn't it!?" She yelled, angry now. "Traitor!" She yelled as she dragged away into a dark hallway. Why? Why didn't see the evil in him? The darkness. Why!?
Riku stood infront of Kari as he watched the Heartless drag Sora into the opening."I didn't think you'd come, Sora." Riku smirked, enjoying to see Sora now falling to the Heartless. Sora gasped and looked up at him, anger in his eyes. "Good to see you again."
"Where are Donald and Goofy?" Sora asked, geting angry. Riku frowned, disgusted to how Sora didn't mention Kairi OR Kari. He knew it. Sora was only deceiving Kari. He never loved her, he just wanted to beat Riku at everything. He tricked Kari into loving him and she did just that. Maleficent was right. "Are they that important to you? More important than old friends? Instead of worrying about them, you should be asking...about her." He stepped aside for Sora to see Kari. She sat there on her knees, staring at her hands that laid in her lap. Sora gasped and tried to get to her.
"Kari!" Sora yelled in distress while the Heartless held him back. Sora got their grip off him and ran at Riku, but something got in his way.
"Not so fast. No shenanigans aboard my vessel, boy." A man with curly black hair, wearing a red hat with a feather, and a hooked hand growled at Sora.
"Riku, why are you siding with the Heartless?" Sora asked, ignoring the man.
"The Heartless obey me now, Sora. Now I have nothing to fear." Riku said.
"You're stupid. Sooner or later they'll swallow your heart." Sora said, pain in his eyes. He couldn't risk losing his best friend.
"Not a chance. My heart's too strong." Riku gloated. Kari's fingers started to twich. He looked down at her.
"No..." She wispered in a bad, soar voice. His eyes widened and then he glared back at Sora.
Kari watched in her blurred vision, seeing Sora's red form before her. Riku stood infront of her, seemingly trying to keep her away from Sora. Sora...Kari tried to move, but her body wouldn't listen. Riku replied to Sora. Something about his heart. Kari tried to move once more, successfully managing to move her fingers. "No..." Kari managed to say, wishing she can say more. Riku raised his hand out, summoning a black figure from the floor. It was Sora. It was completely black with yellow eyes. Sora's eyes widened as he backed away from the shocking identical creature. Sora! Kari tried to call her keyblade, but it wouldn't come. It was no use. Her heart was gone. Without her heart, she's just an empty shell. How though? How can she think? How come she didn't turn into a Heartless?
A door was opened from behind Sora and he was pushed in. Sora! Kari's mind panicked as she watched. Kari felt so much anger swell inside her for Riku. Why would he do this to all of them!? She felt Riku pick her up in his arms. Heard him give an order to the man beside him. Kari hung her head back, staring at the star filled sky. She watched as a star disappeared.
"You don't say?" Goofy asked.
"Yeah, it was definently Kari. She looks different. Sick maybe. But it was her! So she's safe. But I don't trust Riku around her anymore. I hope Kairi is safe. Riku said that she's here." Sora said, a bright smile on his face.
"All right! Then let's go up and talk to her and save Kari from Riku's clutches." Goofy smiled.
"Yeah!" Sora nodded.
"Sounds great. Okay, but first...how about getting off!" Donald yelled, glaring at his two friends. Sora and Goofy were both sprawled out ontop of Donald. They apologized and climbed off of him. Sora gave his signature grin, rubbing the back of his head.
"Sorry, Donald." Sora laughed.
"Ahem! How ya doin' there? Looking for a way out?" Sora and his friends looked back, surprised that they were not alone.
"I hate him!" Kairi yelled. Wendy, a girl she just met, just sat there, staring at her.
"Who?" She asked, confused. Wendy has light brown hair put up in a ponytail, sky blue eyes and a blue night dress.
"Who else? The guy who put us in here!" Kairi replied, waving her hands around the small room. "Riku! I know you can hear me!" She yelled, stomping her face. "You're so dead when I find a way out of here!" She made a fist and threw it into the wall next to her, making Wendy jump in surprise. Suddenly, the door opened and the black creatures came in, placing Kari onto the floor against the wall, then left.
"Kari!" Kairi ran to her and shook her."Kari! Kari, are you okay?" She didn't respond. "Kari?" She just stared at her lap.
"Is she dead?" Wendy asked, worried. Kairi saw her breathing. "This is all Riku's fault. He's no longer the Riku I know!" Kairi replied, sitting against the wall next to Kari.
"Who are you?" Goofy asked. The red head guy smiled.
"I'm the answer to your prayers." He said. Donald crossed his arms and tapped his foot."Okay, then. Fine. Have it your way." He huffed, crossing his arms as well.
"But you're stuck in here, too, aren't you?" Sora asked. He shook his head.
"No. I'm just waiting for someone." He said.
"Who?" Sora asked. Suddenly, a glowing ord flew in and lands on the guys hands.
"Tinker Bell, what took you so long?" Tinker Bell was very small, who had green short dress and blonde hair pulled in a bun. She had green shoes with cotton balls on them. She replied, but her voice was of bells. "Great job. So you found Wendy?" Tinker Bell replied. "Hold on. There are two other girls there, too?" He asked. Tinker Bell nodded. Then she spoke some one made him angry."Are you crazy? There is no way I'm gonna leave Wendy there!" He said.
"Aha. She must be pretty jealous." Donald grinned. Tinker Bell turns red and flew up to Donald, kicking him in the beak. "Ow!" He yelled and held his beak. Tinker Bell blew a rasphberry at him and flew off.
"Come on, Tink! Open up the door!"The guy said, rolling his eyes.
"Ahem!" Sora crossed his arms. The guy looked at him with a raised eyebrow, then got his meaning. He grinned.
"I'm Peter Pan." He said.
"I'm Sora." Sora replied.
"Okay, we're in this together, but only 'til we find Wendy." He said. Sora nodded.
"Got it."
"So, uh, how come you can fly?" Goofy asked after a while of walking.
"Anyone can fly. You wanna try?" Peter asked. He criss crossed his legs and grinned. Peter whistled and Tinker Bell came up. She was still angry."Aw, haven't you cooled off yet, Tink?" He asked. He grabbed Tinker Bell by the wings and patted her. Dust floated down and covered them."Just a little bit of pixie dust. There. Now you can fly." He grinned.
Donald jumped up and tried to flap his arms, but instead of flying, he fell to the ground. Tinker Bell laughs as Donald taps each finger on the ground.
"You're a duck and you can't fly?" Sora asked, grinning slightly. Goofy and him laughed along with Tinker Bell.
"Shut up!" He yelled.
"What? So Wendy's not one of the chosen ones?" The man in the red hat asked angrily. His name was captain Hook.
"There are seven, supposedly, and Maleficent says she's not one of them. Hoist anchor as soon as possible. Leave all the dead weight behind, including her." Riku said with a monotone voice, turning away from the man.
"After the trouble of capturing her? And why those seven? What is Maleficent planning, anyway?" Hook asked.
"Who knows? As long as it means getting Kari's heart back, I couldn't care less." First Kairi lost her heart, but it was in Kari's and now her heart is gone. Where is it? Is it in someone else's. If it is, he'll rip it out of them.
"Hmph. You're wasting your time! The Heartless must have devoured that girl's heart. I'll stake me other hand it's lost forever." Hook said.
"I will find it no matter what." Riku said, adding a little attitude in his voice.
"Uh, Captain..." It was talking through the pipe tubes.
"What?" He asked.
"The prisoners have escaped. What's more, Peter Pan is with them." said.
"Blast that Peter Pan! All right, then! Bring the hostage to me cabin, Smee! Hop to it!" He yelled.
Kairi paced back and forth, trying to get the steam out of her. Kari has no heart. Riku betrayed her. Sora is no where to be seen. What else is next? Where are the islands!? She looked at Kari, seeing her look up at her."Kari!?" She and Wendy kneeled by her. Kari stared up at Kairi and said in a weak voice before her head dropped."Sora..." She said. Sora?
"What is it, Tink?" A voice asked. There was a sound of bells.
"Peter? Peter Pan?" Kairi looked at Wendy, seeing her look through the floor, a hopeful smile on her face.
"Wendy!" A voice replied.
"Please hurry! The pirates are coming!" Wendly said, hearing foot steps out side. Kairi sat next to Kari on the floor, placing a hand on her cheek.
"What! I'll be right up there! Just hold on!" Peter said.
"Wendy?" Sora!?
"Yes?" She asked.
"Are there two girls with you?" He asked.
"Oh, why, yes. Kairi and a girl named Kari. She seems to be in bad shape." She said, shaking her head. Kairi crawled to the small screen, seeing Sora with a duck, dog and a guy with red hair.
"Sora!" She grinned.
"Kairi!" He grinned back. He looked at where Kari is sitting and he reached for her."Kari!?" Kairi looked at her. She noticed that her hand fell to the floor, in the direction Sora was in.
"She moved! Sora! She can hear you!" She smiled. He smiled back. Suddenly the door opened and the pirates came in and pushed Kairi and Wendy away and took Kari out of the room."No!" Kairi ran after them, but they pushed her back. She fell to her side and blackness over took her.
Sora watched as Kari was dragged away. He heard Kairi yell "No!", then all was quiet.
"Wendy! Hey, let's get up there!" Peter said. They all head up to the second floor to the room the girls were in. Sora tried to open the door, but it was locked."Wendy, are you in there?" No reply. Sora called out his keyblade and unlocked the door. It opened, making a creaking noise. Sora and his friends ran in, seeing Riku holding Kari. He backed up, a black portal forming behind him.
"Riku! Wait!" Sora called out, reaching out to them. Kari stared at the ceiling, not bothering to move or get out of Riku's grip. Suddenly, Sora's shadow appeared.
Kari opened her eyes, hearing the sound of wind echoing around her. She gasped as she found herself in the one place she'd never expect to be in. The secret place. "Why am I here?" She wondered aloud. Kari looked all over the area, finding the drawings she and Sora made when they were small. Kari reached for the rough wall, feelings its texture. Her hand slid down to the drawing on the star that Sora was giving to her. She smiled a bit, a tear sliding down her cheek.
"Sora..." Suddenly, the whole area disappeared. into blackness. Kari gasped and backed away. "What just-" Kari stopped, feeling the air around her turn cold. She slowly looked back, seeing a girl around her age. Her hair was short and black, her eyes a icy blue. She wore a black sundress with black sandals, holding a doll replica of her self. Her face showed no hint of emotion as she placed a hand over her chest.
"My name is Corazone`." She said. Her voice echoed in the darkness. Kari and Corazone both just stared at each other.
"Corazone`," Kari started. She nodded. "My name's-" She raised her hand to silence Kari.
"Kari. I know who you are...no need to tell me." She said. Kari tilted her head, confused but nodded. "I'm a ghost with a certain power and I can see the events that haven't yet happened. My power is to determine a persons fate and change the memories of those dear to them and themselves. I'm the extracted darkness from your heart," She explained.
"Extracted?" Kari was even more confused now.
"Long ago, your heart was forcefully unlocked. Since your heart was so pure of light, you barely had any darkness. I'm that very darkness, but I am also the light."
"So...you're my dark side..." Kari resolved, though it sounded more of a question than a statement. Corazone` didn't reply as she held her doll out to Kari.
"Take it..." Kari took the doll in her hands, examining its intricate details. There was a bright light. Kari gasped and closed her eyes.
"Father! Master Eraqus is here!" A girl with short brown hair that hugged the sides of her face came into a study where a man with long blonde hair and gold eyes girl wore a sleeveless black shirt with jean compris and black shoes with black leg warmers. Her eyes shoned bright blue green with worry. A kid with red spikey hair came in with her. He had green eyes, a yellow and brown stripped scarf, a white muscle shirt with a red vest over it and khaki pants with red sneakers and black socks. He carried a plate with a face that was on fire.
"Thank you, children. Let him in," The girl nodded and her and her friend left. Kari's eyes widened when she saw who entered the room.
He black hair that was put up in a ponytail, he wore a white, red lined haori that seems to have a hood, along with slightly shorter than normal, light-colored hakama. Underneath his haori, he wears a navy blue shirt with a large white X pattern on the front. Under his haori, he had a piece of armor covering his abdonem. He bowed to the man.
"I am here to take your request. Your daughter shall be my apprentice along with Terra and Aqua. She'll be safe and in the future become a hero of the keyblade." He said. Keyblade!?
Kari and Corazone` were now standing in a garden, outside of a castle. "I don't get it. Why are you showing me all this?" Kari asked, looking down at her feet.
"You need to know who you really are." Corazone` explained.
"I know what I am...I'm Kari..." Kari replied, her back facing Corazone`.
"You are...but you don't know what you are..." Corazone` replied, clutching her doll tighter.
"Than what am I?" Kari asked as she watched children play.
"A vessel," She claimed.
"What!?" Kari looked back at Corazone`, confused.
"You are a vessel. caring for a wounded heart. You were never supposed to be here..." She said. "I'm never supposed to be here as well." Kari stared at Corazone`, eyes wide with hurt.
"How can you say such a thing? 'I'm not supposed to be here'?" Kari clenched her fists, angry. She can tell Corazone` was telling the truth, but it can't be true. She is meant to be here! Right?
"..." Corazone` looked down. "I'm sorry," Was all she can say.
Kairi watched as Sora locked the keyhole with his keyblade. She has no idea to what is going on, but she guess she'll just have to go with it. She took out her lucky charm and smiled at it, her fingers lightly tracing over watched Sora lock the 'keyhole' with his 'keyblade'. She has no idea what's going on, but she'll just go on with it. She took out her lucky charm and smiled at it.
"Kairi! Time to go!" Donald yelled. She looked up at her friends. She nodded.
"Coming..." She jumped off the clock tower and stayed in mid air and flew to her friends. A red and yellow ship waited behind them. Sora grabbed her wrist and helped her in.
"We're going back to Traverse Town..." Donald said, setting in the coordinates.
"What!? Why? We need to find Kari!" Sora yelled, gripping the arms of his chair.
"We need more items! And Kairi isn't safe with all the Heartless wondering about!" Donald said, raising his voice.
"Hey!" Kairi glared at him, her eye brow twitching in annoyance. "I can protect myself!" Donald glared back.
"Too bad..." He said. "We can't lose another of Sora's friends..." He whispered to himself.