Falling. Sora felt like he was falling through the sky and into a vast ocean. But he wasn't drowning. Weird, he thought. Suddenly, he felt his feet touch the bottom. However, it felt hard like a floor; instead of loose, like sand. Sora's eyes were then assaulted by a bright blue light that was revealed by flocks of birds flying away. Sora watched them and then turned his attention to what was revealed. It was a platform made of stained glass, like the church around where Sora lived, but the design on it was nothing he'd ever seen before.
It depicted a black-haired, muscular man wearing some sort of costume, a red cape and blue tights, with a symbol that looked like the letter 'S' on his chest. He looked like he was flying in the air. Sora then heard a voice all around him say, So much to do… Startled by the voice, Sora called out, "W-Who's there?" As if to answer him, a floating apparition appeared in front of the boy. It had a large bald head and was wearing a white toga and blue cape. ...so little time, it continued.
To say this being made Sora uncomfortable would be an understatement. It was like those white eyes were staring into his soul. Take your time, it said, Don't be afraid. The door is still shut. Sora was still confused. "W-What door?", he asked, "What are you talking about?" But the being only answered with, Now, step forward. Can you do it? Sora couldn't help be feel a little insulted by that remark. Of course he could step forward!
To show up the figure, the boy took a big step forward. As soon as he did, however, several large stone pedestals rose from the platform in a shower of light and magic. Above each of them, a weapon materialized. The first was a circular shield that was painted red, white, and blue and had a white star in the center. The second was a golden staff with a scoop shaped spearhead. The third was a green, black, and gold dagger that looked like it had elements of a flute as well.
Power sleeps within you…, the spectre continued, If you give it form… It will give you strength. Choose well. Sora tell that the figure wanted him to choose one of the weapons, so he decided to walk up to each of the weapons and examine them. As soon as he touched the shield, the figure explained, The power of the guardian. Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel all. Is this the power you seek?
"O-Okay", Sora answered. Your path is set, the figure confirmed, Now, what will you give up in exchange? Sora walked over to the staff on the pedestal and examined it. The power of the mystic, the figure said, Inner strength. A staff of wonder andruin. You give up this power? Sora let out a frustrated sigh. He didn't want to pick weapons right now. He wanted to know why all this was happening. What was the point of it all? Nevertheless, Sora indulged the apparition by responding, "Yeah, sure."
All of a sudden, without warning, the three pedestals sunk into the floor, knocking Sora back onto the platform. Then, the ground rumbled and Sora looked around in fear. The stained glass of the platform shattered and Sora fell through darkness. He screamed as he fell, but no sound could be heard from his lips. However, his fall was soon broken by his feet touching another platform. This one depicted a man wearing a full body red and blue costume with a web pattern and a black spider on the chest. They were positioned as if they were hanging upside down from a line of spider webbing. Before Sora could ask what was going on, the shield appeared in his hand.
You gained the power to fight, the figure said as it materialized again, Use this power to protect yourself and others. Sora was about to ask what the shield was supposed to protect him from, but several black insectoid creatures with glowing yellow eyes appeared before he could. There will be times you have to fight, the apparition continued, Keep your light burning strong. The creatures then launched themselves at the boy, but Sora reacted instictively and raised his shield. The creatures slammed into and disappered instantly. A few more appeared, but they too were destroyed by Sora swinging the shield at them. One tried to get him from behind, but the youth removed the shield from his arm and threw it at the dark beast causing it to fly through it and return to Sora's hand.
The boy defeated all of the shadow creatures. Before Sora could brag about his victory, however, a black void appeared in the center of the platform and soon spread all over. Sora could feel himself being swallowed by the darkness. Now he found himself on a multicolored platform that depicted three men on it. One was wearing a suit of crimson and gold armor. Another wore a warrior's armor with a red cape and also held a hammer that crackled with lightning. The last was wearing a red, white, and blue uniform...the same colors as Sora's shield!
It couldn't be a coincidence. One thing that Sora noticed was that there was a door on this platform. Instantly the boy ran to it and tried to open it. Before he could, however, the figure materialized through the door and said, Hold. The door will not open just yet. First, tell me more about yourself. Sora crossed his arms and glared at the figure. "You first", he shot back. Very well, the apparition agreed, My universe knows me as the Watcher. But you may come to know me as Uatu. For centuries, my kind have taken it upon ourselves to watch over the universe in all its many forms.
"All its many forms?", Sora asked, "You mean there ARE other worlds? I knew it! Riku owes me six munny!" Uatu adopted a stern gaze directed at the boy and said, Now is not the time for childish pettiness. Something is coming. Something that will destroy not only your world, but infinite others. I have scoured the multiverse in search of someone to resist the calamity and my search has led me to you. Are you the one, Sora? Will it be you that conquers the darkness?
This whole ordeal had emotionally overwhelmed Sora and he promptly fainted. Letting out a sigh, Uatu held out his hand and surronded the boy in cosmic energy. An understandable response, he said, One so young should not have to carry this burden. But there is so little time. I cannot say your road will be easy, but, rest assured, a rising sun awaits your journey's end. Take comfort in this, young Sora. The day you will open the door is both far off and very near.
Next Time: Heartless on Infinite Earths!