Changing Hands

I sprinted from the castle towards the Rising Falls. Sora would be arriving very soon, I could feel it! Of course that could have just been the searing pain from my gut messing with my head. I made it to the archway, leaning on the cold stone to steady myself where I spotted Aleri hopping from one rock to another.

"A-Al..." My voice came out quiet and hoarse, my throat sore from the suffocation Ansem had put me through. "Aleri!" I called down to him, a little louder. He heard me and rushed over to me, worry plastered on his face.

"Hey, are you okay!? What happened?" I swallowed before explaining.

"I had a run in with Maleficent... She blocked the effects of the pain killer. The injury isn't any worse but I feel it now. It's slowing me down quite a bit." I decided it was best not to tell him about Ansem's little visit. We had bigger fish to fry than my problems.

"She's onto you? This isn't good... We might just have to resort to force now." He concluded.

"She's been onto me for months. First she tried threatening me with Riku's safety. Now that Riku's almost given in, she can do pretty much anything to me and say it was for my own good." I paused, taking a moment to even my breathing. "He didn't listen to me. Maleficent's got him believing Sora has manipulated me." I sighed and continued breathing steadily.

"That clinches it then. Even if Rex tried to warn Riku, it probably wouldn't work. We'll have to destroy Maleficent and try to take out Ansem before anything else can happen!" He declared. Hearing him mention his travelling companion got me thinking.

"Where is Rex anyway?"

"We split up to check the layout of this reality's Hollow Bastion. It's mostly the same, but some parts are still either not repaired, or not torn down yet, judging by what I saw of the aqueducts and... well... this place. Rex is either back in the library by now or he's still looking around." Al elaborated for me.

"Well, I'm glad you're here. I left a navigation Gummi block with Sora leading him straight here. Needless to say Riku was not happy." I remembered him bitterly calling me traitor and could only put it down to my involvement with Sora on the Jolly Roger. Al broke me from my thoughts.

"They don't get along or something? I mean, I doubt you'd give something like that to a definite enemy..."

"Hm? Oh right, I guess Sora isn't a big part on your side. Well, Sora's the Key Bearer on this side. Riku was his best friend along with Kairi. I don't know the details but their world was consumed and the three of them were scattered. Riku ended up here and struck a deal with Maleficent to find Kairi, By the time she was found, she had no heart and Riku felt like Sora betrayed him because he's travelling with a duck and a dog." After saying it out loud, I realised how absurd it all sounded. However, Al seemed to recognise the name, 'Sora'.

"Sora, Sora... a Sora who knows both a Riku and a Kairi, from Destiny Islands? I know him, but not all that well. Yeah, he's just an islander on the other side. So he's the hero here? Huh, and here I thought Riku had the most potential. Maybe he just got arrogant." I secretly confirmed that the last comment was an understatement.

"Well, Sora might need some help, but it'd be better to help from the shadows. This is his story."

"Hrm, alright but can we not be literal about that? Like Rex said before, I glow in the dark. I would be less visible in broad daylight than in the shadows." He reminded me. I chuckled at the image of Aleri glowing like a firefly in the night.

"Sure thing." I took my weight off of the archway and stood up straight. Bad move. I got dizzy and, unfortunately, fell into the pool below the rocks. Thankfully I didn't fall far and Al was there.

"Ah- you okay?" He reached a hand down to me as he leaned over the edge of the rock. "Is the painkiller still in your system? I might be able to get it working normally again. If Maleficent could block it with magic, maybe magic can unblock it?" I shook my head.

"It would've stopped working by now anyway." I grabbed his hand and started pulling myself up, painfully. But alas, my free hand slipped on the wet rock and I fell right back in, bringing Al tumbling in with me. The poor guy went in head first and smacked his head. In his surprise and pain, he managed to thrash his way underneath another rock, further away where he surfaced and gasped for air.

"I was not... Expecting that..."

"You okay?" I asked when suddenly, the rock above Aleri started trembling and releasing a little loose sediment as a ground breaking roar shook the Rising Falls!

"Ack... I'm fine, just startled, wet, and in pain. Guess it's Thursday again. What was that roar?" I recognised it from earlier, then realised what it entailed.

"I heard that roar when Maleficent was confronting me. She sent Riku to... Oh crap, Riku's up there! And Sora's almost here!"

"That's... not good. What do we do?"

"I kinda feel like letting that thin tear Riku apart..." I surprised myself with that solution. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "Okay the Darkness is affecting me. We should try to get up there, but we should get up somewhere that's not between them. Like the lowest level."

"There's a floating rock near it... It's in Riku's blind spot right now, I think. We can cling to the far side and watch things from there." I gave a single, firm nod.

"Okay then." I started swimming to the lowest rock to get out. Then remembered what happened the last time I tried to get out of the water and dull ache in my gut was a constant hindrance. "You mind helping me out when we get there?"

"No problem."

"This water is actually really soothing. Is it just me feeling it?" I commented, noticing my wound hurt a lot less when it was submerged in the cool water.

"Maybe? I mean, it feels pretty cold to me. Refreshing but..." He trailed off. As we reached the platform. Al pulled himself up first and took a stronger stance before helping me up too. Clearly he didn't want a repeat of the previous attempt either. I winced as I left the water, the pain coming back rapidly.

"Right, which rock is in his blind spot?" I asked. Aleri pointed to one rock which was bobbing up and down.

"That one. Actually, we're so badly soaked that it'll make clinging to the side too hard. Let's just lay flat on top of it."

"Probably a smart move." I wasn't confident I could cling to the side for long anyway.

"Let's move, but quietly." The two of us hopped from rock to rock, making our way closer to our desired spot. When we got close enough, we made the leap and caught the side of the rock, pulling ourselves up and onto our stomachs to observe Riku's fight with a giant bear-like beast with horns. The rock was cool and soothing on my gash.

"Okay, this is gonna be harder than I thought without pain killer." I stated in a whisper as I was struggling to stay focused on anything except the pain in my abdomen.

"Yeah. Pain makes everything worse." Al agreed. "We'll have to get you some more of that pain killer ASAP." He whispered back.

"Slight problem with that. Maleficent was the one supplying it."

"Thievery it is then."

"Great thief you'll make when you glow." I scoffed. Our chat was interrupted by the arrival of Sora, Donald and Goofy. They didn't seem to notice either of us as they proceeded up towards the archway where Riku and the Beast were finishing their fight. "They're here already? The one with the spiky hair is Sora." I informed Al.

"Huh... Yeah I can feel his Keyblade. That's Kingdom Key, the same as on my side. But something's not right..."

"I can feel it too... The Keyblade is growing fainter in Sora's heart. This can't be good." For it was true. The Keyblade was barely in Sora's possession at all! I watched as the trio of heroes joined the Beast and Riku, who had come out the victor. "Let's get closer. I have a bad feeling and it isn't to do with the water." Al perched onto his knees and dropped onto the same ledge as the trio, who were so focused on Riku and the Beast, that they didn't even notice him.

"Psst, Al. I hate to be a nuisance but could you be on standby to catch me? I'm not very balanced at the moment."

"Gotcha." He extended a hand again, to be sure. I slid to the edge, lowered myself and dropped, landing with a stagger, but staying upright. Aleri gave me a thumbs up. "Ten outta ten."

"Hey, it hurts okay."

"I didn't mean it like that, sorry." I shook my head.

"No, don't apologise. The darkness is impairing a lot of things." I explained. He nodded and turned to watch the events unfold.

"So you finally made it. About time, I've been waiting for you. We've always been rivals, haven't we? You've always pushed me, as I've always pushed you."

"Riku." Sora breathed, confused.

"Riku... what are you doing?" I muttered to myself.

"But it all ends here." Riku continued. "There can't be two Keyblade Masters."

"What are you talking about?" Sora voiced everyone's thoughts.

"Let the Keyblade decide, it's true master." There was a bright light from both of their hearts I knew only I could see as the Keyblade was being battled for internally. I squinted against the two bright lights and held my head as there was a loud ringing in my ears. Then the light's faded and Riku held the Keyblade in his hand, staring in awe and triumph. "Maleficent was right. You don't have what it takes to save Kairi. It's up to me. Only the Keyblade master can open the secret door and change the world."

"S-Secret door?" I muttered, recovering from the ringing. Aleri was dumbfounded by the events.

"I... Didn't even know that was possible..."

"But that's impossible! How did this happen!? I'm the one who fought my way here with the Keyblade!" Sora panicked, understandably.

"You were just the delivery boy. Sorry, your part's over now. Here, go play hero with this." Riku said callously tossing Sora a wooden sparring sword as he turned to leave. Sora started to go after him, but Riku turned back around and startled Sora into falling down. "Then I guess I have to prove to you that the Keyblade is and always has been mine." At this, I immediately sensed the aggressive intent behind Riku's words and ignored all pain to sprint between the two of them just as Riku swung the Keyblade. My sudden appearance shocked him and he stopped the motion of his arms as the Keyblade pointed directly at my heart. I leant into the weapon slightly, testing him, daring him.

"Back off." I hissed with venom in my tone and daggers in my eyes. We held the deadly glare for a few seconds before he lowered the Keyblade and turned to leave. I glared after him, but then Donald and Goofy began to follow him.

"Goofy, let's go. We have to remember our mission." Donald quacked sadly but dutifully.

"Oh, well I know the King told us to follow the Key and all, but..." Reluctantly the dog follows his feathered friend, who mutters a pitied apology to the boy who had become his friend.

"You're gonna just leave him!?" I raged. "Just like that!? Hey!" After they left, the adrenaline rush faded and I remembered the three inch long hole in my stomach and the pain with it, causing me to stagger and lean against the archway.

"Are you alright, Raven?" Sora asked, getting to his feet.

"Yeah, just a scratch. You should help that guy." I nodded to the Beats who was laid on the stone, exhausted and defeated. "Hey, Al are you still there? Come help." I said, breaking Aleri from his shock. He shook his head to clear his mind and nodded to me as he started casting Cura on the Beast's wounds.

"Right."

"I'm sorry I lead you here, Sora. You'd still have the Keyblade if I'd just left it alone." I apologised, feeling somewhat responsible for the events that transpired.

"Don't be sorry! I needed to come here to rescue Kairi and Riku. Besides what you did was totally awesome! Thanks to you I can keep going." Sora reassured me a smile back on his face, even though in his heart he was torn up.

"I think he'd have ended up here sooner or later. There are a lot of feelings surrounding this place that I don't understand." Aleri put in.

"Yeah, well... I want him back just as much as you do." I said to Sora before turning towards Aleri. "How's the big guy doing? Hey! You're injured, Mister! Stay still while we patch you up!" I ordered the Beast who was trying to stand up and walk away.

"Don't worry, he'll be just fine. I've healed his wounds and restored some of his stamina, so he's in no danger of dying any time soon." Al explained. Then to my surprise, the Beast spoke! His voice was low and gravelly like a growl but it was weak.

"Why did you... You come here? I came here, to fight for Belle. And I will fight. I won't leave without her." I smothered a smile as Aleri awkwardly pointed to himself then to Sora with a confused expression as he realised Beast wasn't talking directly to him. I leant down and whispered to him,

"I think he meant it for all of us." Reassuringly. Sora hadn't heard us so continued his conversation with Beast.

"Me too. I'm not gonna give up now. I came here to find someone very important to me." Sora answered, picking up the wooden sparring sword Riku had so graciously left him with.

"I came to save a dear friend of mine and call him back from the dark path he's strayed down." Once I'd finished, the three of us looked at Al for his answer.

"I'm... Just trying to figure some stuff out. My reasons for being here aren't the same as yours, but I can't turn a blind eye to this." I looked at the wooden sword and knew that Sora couldn't possibly protect himself with it.

"Hey, Sora. Give me that wooden sword for a minute."

"Huh? Oh, sure." He seemed baffled as I took out one of my sais and began sharpening the toy so it was at least useful for keeping Heartless at bay. I gave it back to him, nice and sharp.

"There. That should defend you a little better than before."

"The Heartless I'm sensing up ahead will barely get scratches from that." Aleri commented, shattering my attempt to boost Sora's confidence.

"Well at least it's sharp now. He can poke their eyes out."

"I guess that's fair. Mind getting me up to speed while we make our way up there?" Al asked as we all started making our way up to the lift that would take us to the Great Crest.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After dragging Aleri by his shirt collar through the front door, he collapsed onto the floor of the entrance hall as soon as I let go.

"Ugh... I'm still seeing spots from that." Aleri had decided to clear a path for everyone to escape after he unlocked the front door with his Keyblade. But that would've meant leaving him behind and with Sora in such a helpless condition, we needed all the help we could get. So ignoring my pain, I pulled him with us after the spell had cleared a path.

"Don't do something so reckless here! It could get you killed!" I scolded. He shrugged it off.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine with a little rest. Are Sora and Beast okay?"

"I think so. Sora, how are you holding out?" I asked the brunette.

"Tired." He replied. "But otherwise unharmed, thanks to you, Aleri and Beast. Thanks guys."

"Beast?" I asked the tall animal.

"They're close, I can feel it. Be on your guard..." Suddenly he looked around and saw a beautiful woman with brown hair and eyes in a yellow ball gown. But I could see she was a fake. "Belle!?"

"Hey, wait!" I tried to warn him but I was too late.

"That's an illusion-" Al began as 'Belle' shrank into a Shadow Heartless, enraging Beast and causing him to chase after the creature, getting locked out. Then a familiar, smug voice sounded from behind us.

"Why don't you quit?" Riku mocked.

"Sora... Riku..." This was a deciding battle, I could feel it.

"I'm not leaving without Kairi!" Sora insisted.

"The Darkness will destroy you!" Riku said, his clothes melting into the muscle-like suit he'd worn in my dream and Ansem's illusion! This immediately set me on edge, and I was about to push Sora aside to protect him when he spoke.

"You're wrong, Riku. The Darkness may destroy my body, but it can't touch my heart! My heart will stay with my friends, it'll never die!" I stepped forward a little as a reinforcing gesture.

"Really?" His aquamarine eyes glared at me for my 'betrayal'. "Well we'll just see about that!" Riku launched a ball of black fire at the two of us. I could dodge, but Sora was defenceless. I ran to push him out of the way but there was no way I was gonna make it! Then Goofy was there with his shield!

"Sora ain't gonna go anywhere!"

"You'd betray your king?" Riku challenged.

"Not on your life! But I'm not gonna betray Sora either 'cause he's become one of my best buddies after all we've been through together!" Aleri and I both had a smile on our faces of relief and I suppose pride. "See ya later, Donald! Could ya tell the king I'm really sorry?"

"Hold on, Goofy! We'll tell him together!" The duck quacked from across the room, waddling in a sort of run towards his two best friends. "Well, you know... All for one and one for all."

"I guess you're stuck with us, Sora." Goofy chuckled.

"Thanks, Donald, Goofy." I stepped closer and put my hand on Sora's shoulder, glaring at Riku, who refused to back down.

"Give up, Riku. You've lost. No one's fighting with you now."

"How will you fight without a weapon?" He asked Sora, ignoring me.

"I know now I don't need the Keyblade! I've got a better weapon! My heart!" Riku just scoffed at Sora's determination and passion.

"You're heart? What good will that weak little thing do for you?"

"Although my heart may be weak, it's not alone. It's grown with each new experience. And it's found a home with all the friends I've made." I could see the ties between all of our hearts. Even Riku's and Sora's, albeit weaker than the rest. "I've become a part of their heart just as they have become a part of mine. And if they think of me now and then, if they don't forget me... Then our hearts will be one! I don't need a weapon, my friends are my power!" I had to squint as I was the only one who could see the strong light in Sora's chest grow even brighter as the Keyblade returned to him! The trio of heroes got into their fighting stances and formation, but I knew this wasn't their fight. If anyone was to bring Riku around, it had to be me, who knew his pain.

"What's wrong?" Sora asked.

"He's mine this time. I need to settle this."

"Gawrsh, don't ya want some help?"

"No. Not right now. Let me do this alone. Please." I requested, my eyes never leaving Riku's.

"Alright. But we're here to help if you need it." Sora reluctantly agreed. I nodded.

"Of course." I stepped forward. "Riku. You don't have to fight us. You're on the wrong side. Can't you see that?"

"Why should I believe the words of a traitor?" His stubbornness had forced my hand. I sighed and shifted into my battle stance, drawing my sais from their sheathes.