Twilight of the Heart
Another level of stairs and another hallway
Sora just wanted to scream.
This was becoming even more infuriating now. Riku in his stupidity or selfishness had pretty much turned on him...AGAIN! Why was this all happening? He had done everything to stop this and now it felt like everything he had done was slowly being peeled away one thing after the other. Worse, all the hurt and bad memories of his past were flooding through him again.
It hurt, it really did and he just wanted the pain to go away. He wanted Namine, and then he could finally have some peace again. But sadly it seemed as if the fates were just against him in him ever having a nice day.
"Riku come out!" Sora shouted, his voice echoing around but no response, "Get out here you coward! Face me!"
Donald and Goofy caught up to him now, he didn't even notice them though instead he focused on finding Riku.
"Garsh, guess he got away fast" Goofy said.
Donald panted, his web feets barley being able to carry him by the looks of things "Maybe, maybe it's for the best"
Sora just ignored him as he kept looking for Riku through the halls. He couldn't heave just lost him again. His last adventure made him work so hard just to get to him. Not just him but to Namine. The two of them side by side, going on a great adventure just like they promised one another. That had been their dream when they left Destiny Island what felt like so long ago.
Maybe Bill was right though, maybe Riku was his Villain. Someone who he couldn't be friends with, but enemies, who needed to be stopped. If he was going to get in the way of him saving Namine, then maybe he should just finish it.
Sora paused as a tinge of guilt came over him, give that all up just for that. Still, he was preventing him from seeing Namine. The back and forth in his mind and heart made everything feel like it was going to explode and he was going to scream. But he kept it to himself for now, that wouldn't get him anywhere at the moment.
This one was a tall gangly looking man, with long blond hair and green eyes that looked as if they were bugging out from their sockets. He had a snickering look as he just stood there. Sora already could tell that this was another enemy that needed to be taken down. Already upset, he was ready to take out his anger on something and here was the perfect opportunity to let loose.
"Another guy in a black coat," Goofy said, pointing at him.
The man sneered, "Rude little bunch aren't you, I have a name".
"Oh sorry," Goofy replied, "What's your name?"
"Vexen, wait...Why am I telling you!" Vexen yelled looked vexed, "You have been nothing but a mere little pest for the last few hours now, why Marluxia has any interest in you is beyond me"
Sora raised an eyebrow, "Marluxia?"
"Yes? Our leader...Well the leader of the castle anyway..Ugh, again, why am I telling you that!" Vexen sneered at him before calming down, "Here, I will tell you this, if you go any further in this castle you'll wind up like your little friend did...Under our control"
Sora gasped taking his Keyblade now, "You're controlling Riku"
"You're one to talk, after all, you once became a puppet of the darkness yourself did you not. Losing your heart, all in the name of some heroic sacrifice and in the end really to no avail"
Sora just readied for an attack
Vexen merely rolled his eyes, "Whatever? Here I'll show you" he summoned a blue card and threw it to Sora.
"Here, take it, a better demonstration perhaps of what is going on"
Before Sora could do anything else, he vanished darkness letting Sora look at the picture on the card. It seemed to be some sort of town.
Perhaps it would hold the answers he seeked.
-000-
Twilight Town.
Apparently that was the name of the place given to this new Town Sora found himself in. It was so strange, but also really quaint. A large area of mostly shops and apartment homes all squished together around a road. A little tram going around the street. The only thing that would make this place easier to stomach would be if there were people around. Otherwise this place was completely abandoned and there wasn't a single soul to be found.
Sora didn't recognize the place at all, he had never been to this world in his previous travels and if he had he certainly didn't remember it. Perhaps this was the castle doing. He didn't know, right now his mind was fixated on Namine...and Riku.
"Ugh, what an idiot!" Sora muttered as he began to walk around the town, "Doesn't he know were on the same side, why does he always have to be my enemy!"
In anger Sora found a nearby trash can and kicked it.
Jiminy hoped on Sora's shoulder, "Now, Sora, don't take your anger out on the garbage!"
"So what if I'm mad!" Sora snapped, "Riku and I were enemies...Again! It was bad enough to first time...Of course that's the one thing I remember. Ugh! I thought we patched things up at the end!"
Goofy took Sora shoulder and calm him down, "Sora...You sure do get upset when it comes to Riku, are you sure there isn't something...You know...More going on here than just being worried about your best friend"
Immediately Sora felt his cheeks turn red as an apple. This wasn't something he wanted to talk about let alone with Goofy
"I thought Sora liked Namine" Donald asked, sounding confused.
Sora's eyes darted around, "Well I did-Uh do ...I do!"
Donald and Goofy looked at each other.
"I mean Sora, your life is your life, but you seem a little conflicted," Goofy asked, "Sure you don't wanna talk it out"
Sora sighed, rubbing his head, "Look guys, you know Riku and I are like brothers practically…
"You get worried about him the most" Donald pointed out, "I might not remember most, but I do remember how you were more worried about Riku"
"Well I uh…
"Yeah, you always talk about Riku, heck it was the reason we came here in the first place right?" Goofy added.
"Yeah, so…" Sora felt his head spinning, "So what...I worry about my friends okay, I like them, I mean isn't that friends do like one another"
"Yes, but...Is there more"
Sora didn't want to deal with this right now. Yeah he liked Riku just as much as he likes Namine. Maybe equally he didn't know. All that mattered now was just finding her, that was it. Erasing the memories and getting back at those bad guys for hurting her once.
"Is this heroism we're thinking Sora or good old fashioned payback?"
"What Bill...How are you?"
"Like I said master of the mind kid, I can hear and do many things...Still, the great hero of the Keyblade thinking these thoughts...Not very heroic if you ask me".
"Well, I uh...Shut up!"
Sora scowled
"You okay Sora?" Goofy asked.
"'I'm fine!" Sora snapped back, taking a deep breath, "Again, just...Lets keep going"
Eventually the trio found themselves standing in the middle of the woods. The forest was peaceful, had Sora not felt a stench coming from the distance near an old rickety mansion. Standing by the gate he saw there Vexen, standing there, smug face, waiting for them.
Sora scowled, "I knew this was a trap"
"Indeed" Vexen chuckled darkly, "Your heart is already a slave to your memories, you are bound by it's chains, and slowly...ever so slowly, you are letting them consume you.
"More riddles great," Sora groaned, "What is this place? I don't remember it, or is this more...Find what I lost or whatever".
Vexen made a dramatic pose before speaking again, "THIS PLACE! Is a memory from the depths of your heart, only it knows were it is"
"Well that's not helpful" Donald muttered.
Goofy scratched his head, "So...Uh, how do we ask Sora's heart, do we open him up or something"
"Hey!" Sora covered his chest.
"Ugh, symptioltons," Vexen rolled his eyes, "Do you not understand any of this? It seems the hero wielding the Keyblade's own heart is completely emotionless, ironic given who we are. Still...I knew Marluxia was overestimating you. You are nothing more than a puppet...someone manipulated by the memory of Namine"
Sora felt something inside him pop, "I am not being manipulated" He got his Key ready for a fight. "What's so strange about saving a friend! Bet you wouldn't know since you don't have any"
"Oh uncalled for" Vexen pretends to be insulted. "Purity is a dreadful thing. You should learn that there are two sides to every story. No one has the full picture and no one is above everything".
"I like the way this guy thinks," Bill said inside Sora's head.
"Neither are you ...And neither is my Riku!"
Sora eyes widened looking at Donald and Goofy before turning back to Vexen, "Your Riku? W-What does that mean your Riku? U-Unless….You did something to Riku...Did you? DID YOU! You did something to Riku"
"Maybe…" Vexen smirked, "I'll never tell ...Except that my Riku is one of the most greatest…."
Vexen stopped before he could say anything else, SPIKES piercing his coat, as from out of the blue Axel appeared behind them. He stood behind him before a few seconds before the other nobody vanished in an explosion of darkness. Now it was just Sora, Donald and Goofy standing before Axel again.
"Sorry for interrupting the juicy part, but orders are orders" Axel smirked.
Sora just looked in shock, "W-What, why? Why did you do that? H-He was your friend or colleague or evil friend? W-Why!"
Axel shrugged, "Again, orders are orders...I gotta obey orders. I don't enjoy doing all the messy stuff, but I do have to do what I have to do and right now you need to get ready for the big one. The grand finale, for you are close...Oh so close to finding Namine".
Sora's eyes widened.
"But will you be happy when you do" Axel smirked, going into the pocket of his coat and throwing him another card, "Here is the card...Hope you can figure out what we plan to do to Namine...Mr. Hero".
Sora just looked at the card and recognized the picture instantly, his face turning cold, eyes determined "Namine ...I'm coming"
-000-
"Ugh...Vexen! Sometimes I wonder what the point of him was" Larxene yelled leaning in so close to Namine that she could see her nostrils snarl, "And as for you...These memories aren't having the desired effect anymore"
Namine just sat on her chair as Larxene held a few of her sharp talons close to her neck. She didn't flinch, she didn't move, she didn't scream. All she did was remain empty, like her emotions at the moment. There was nothing inside of her, nothing at all. The plans were slowly down to pieces it seemed. Sora wasn't breaking fast enough, and while he was turning it wasn't at the pace her superiors had hoped for. Vexen's demise had been a blow back for sure, his science was a much needed asset to the Organization and it's works. However Marluxia did not seem to take too much concern, for all they needed was Sora, and so long as he was still intact that's all they could go upon. However that still didn't mean things were running smoothly.
Why didn't her memories seem to stick. Every time she would try something nothing would work. It was if something, deep down in Sora's mind, or maybe even his heart, prevented the spell from working.
She tried everything and yet it seemed like her powers were always being held back. It just made her heart sink knowing just how useless she really was. A pawn to the Organization and not even a useful one at that.
Larxene just continued to pace around her and sneer, like an animal ready to jump on it's pretty. "He's breaking, but not fast enough, we need him to break now! Otherwise all of this would be for not!"
Poor Namine was petrified beyond reason at this point. All her memories had backfired in some way as Sora kept finding ways to break free of the illusion. Something never stuck, worse, he was ready to break, but if he wasn't able to stick to the illusion completely then all of this would be for nothing and she would not be able to feel his love and they wouldn't have a functioning Keyblade Master. A lose-lose for everyone in this situation.
The Organization members were furious and she could sense it. Despite not having feelings it seemed that rage was something that easily came to them. Sadly Namine was the one who bore the brunt of the abuse felt by them. Worse still though, the emptiness in her soul was continuing to grow. More and more the need for Sora's affection grew, as they got closer it seemed, the feeling still felt so very far away.
"I-I'm sorry, he has a strong heart" Namine said stuttering, "I mean the Keyblade choose him for that right?"
Larxene glared at her, "I don't care about his heart, I just want his mind and we just want his body-"
"Larxene enough!" Marluxia said sternly as they marched into the room, they took a moment to regain composure before speaking again, a small smirk this time appearing on there face, "Calm please, I'm sure all will work out in the end. Most of the plan is coming nicely into focus".
Larxene quickly got up, she was loyal enough to Marluxia to know when to quit. Though she had cold eyes on her. One wrong move and Namine knew she would be in for a world of hurt. There was a brief moment of silence though as the two of them just stood in silence.
Suddenly Axel arrived through a portal of darkness smirking as he brandished his weapons with a confident glare. It caused the others to flinch, his arrival must have been more unexpected. However Marluxia beamed either way, clapping with delight once he fully entered.
"Ah, Axel wonderful" Marluxia declared, "I was so thrilled that you showed your loyalty to us and our plan"
"What can I say I enjoy a good coup" Axel chuckled, putting away his weapons, he seemed rather confident in himself.
Larxene smirked, "Didn't think you had it in you"
"I have a lot in me...Except a heart" Axel smirked back, causing Larxene to sneer.
"Don't we all" Marlxuia muttered, keeping that stoic demeanor befitting a leader. "But Vexen is rid of, he was a nuisance anyway. Most of his research we could probably figure out ourselves, or find others who will be willing for us. There are plenty of scientists out there who we could sway to our side".
"So, what exactly will be the endgame here?" Axel asked bluntly.
Marluxia and Larxene exchanged sly looks at one another before speaking.
"Easy," Marluxia spoke first, "Sora will be so loyal to Namine he'll have to do anything she says, that includes helping us take over from the superior".
Axel smirked, "Sounds fun"
"It will be...Oh it will be…." Marluxia then went over to Namine again, "So long as we don't have further delays"
"No, of course not" Namine said, feeling the chill of fear down her spine, "It will be ready, I promise"
"Wonderful!"
Marluxia clapped his hands together with excitement as he turned to the others and nodded, "Send the Replica out again...One more engagement with Sora should be enough to trigger something"
"Oh, I have an idea" Larxene said with a wicked smile appearing on her face.
"What?" Namine asked, looking nervous.
Slowly Larxene whispered something in her ear, Namine's eyes widened as she heard the words.
"What?"
Larxene nodded, "Yep...Perfect way to twist the memory enough for him to snap"
Namine looked at Larxene, her talons out in case she refused.
"Very well," She sighed.
"Good"
Namine stood there alone, unsure of what to do, all she knew was that everything seemed helpless. Though the final memory was ready to be transported and activated by Sora, she didn't know what it was all for at this point. Tears flew down her cheeks as she could feel her hands shaking. Everything inside her was bubbling, various emotions she didn't understand. The only one that was recognizable was the sheer emptiness.
Besides emptiness though she just felt invisible.
"You know you're all he's about to have left" Namine looked to see Axel approach, this was definitely a first for her. Throughout this entire time he hadn't even bothered to speak to her let alone acknowledge her. Still it didn't matter now.
"I know" She said in a hushed whisper.
Axel shrugged, "Funny, you could end this if you wanted" he folded his arms, "Don't want too"
"I want-I want-" Namine sighed, "I want this feeling to go away"
"Lucky, I can't feel so I wouldn't know"
"Lucky"
"No…" Axel sighs, "It's really not"
With those parting words Axel vanished leaving her alone once again. He was always a strange one that was for sure. Sometimes Namine didn't know whose side he really was on, only that he would say one thing, do another and then talk a lot. Not that any of it mattered right now. Everything was going according to Marluxia's plan and there was nothing she could do to stop it anymore.
All was hopeless now.
There was nothing.
"Aw...Don't be sad" A high pitched voice echoed in the ether.
Namine looked up quickly, eyes darting around the room, there was no one there. She began to feel a chill, something was wrong. "Who's there" She squeaked, voice cracking in fear
"Turn around" It said playfully, a slight chuckle echoing behind her.
Slowly Namine turned hesitant to find out what was standing behind her. As she moved through
Waving they spoke in a very blunt tone Howdy!"
Namine gasped getting up from her chair and going to the wall. There floating in front of her was a small looking triangle, with one eye and top hat. How did he get in here? Where did he come from, what was he or her or them or whoever? Her mind started having a million different questions all float to her at once
Regaining her composure she slowly stood up and spoke. Her voice began to shake as she talked, "W-Who are you?' she managed to squeak out
The triangle tipped his hat, giving them a very sly voice "Names Bill...Bill Cipher"
"What do you want?" Namine asked, a bit hesitant.
Bill laughed, "To help"
"Help?"
"Yes there is an echo in here or what, I wanna help you kid. I've been watching you...NOT IN A CREEPY WAY" He said almost frantically, as if afraid of something, or being accused of something "...Not in a creepy …" They breathed, calming themselves befores speaking again "But yeah, I've been watching you break Sora's memory down and hollow out his heart until it's nothing but you in it...And i gotta say I'm impressed, but I want to ...meddle ...with the Organizations plans"
Namine looked down in shame, "It's-it's not like I enjoy it, it's just" she paused for a moment, unable to complete the phrase, forcing herself to continue " ...It just I feel so empty and...And I feel that if I can experience this love that Sora has for...Then maybe...Maybe I'll be able to finally feel whole." Her voice started shaking as she hugged herself tightly, "I've felt this way ever since I could remember, and I hate it...I hate this feeling"
"Ah young lamore" Bill summoned himself a violin and began to play, continuing to tease but with a certain amount of genuinesses in his voice. "How can I not wanna help that...Well I can think of some reasons, but for the most part I wanna help you here".
"H-How can you help me?" Namine said, sounding surprised. Why would this creature want to help her, they've only known each other for a few minutes.
"Well...I'm a bit of a master of the mind, and that includes memories and I know far too well what it's like to be stuck in isolation…." Bill replied summoning a marteene and drink, speaking in a very business-like tone "I might be able to help crack the code in what makes our little keyboy tick and we can all get what we want".
"Okay" Namine took a step back from him, she was still uncertain about all of this, "B-But why do you want to help me?"
Bill sighed, rubbing the tip of his temple "Oh boy….So many questions, look let me cut to the chase...I'm weird...You're weird...Sora is weird"
Namine just remained silent, what did weirdness have to do with any of this.
Bill got straight to the point now, tired of mincing words "Look kid, all I'm saying is, we have a lot in common. We both missed out on an awesome adventure and we want in this one!"
Namine again looked confused "We do?"
"Yes...See, you and I want one thing...To be part of the story, to be included in the epic quest, that has been going on...without us" Bill replied leaning back, his words becoming inticing for they were exactly how she felt at that moment. To belong, to part of this epic quest that was unfolding right before her eyes
It took a moment as she thought it over, she really wanted to be part of Sora's story. To be part of whatever great feet he took on next. He was the Keyblade Hero after all, someone who was destined now to do great things because of it. If this was her chance to be part of something epic, something grander, then she had to take it.
"Okay?" Namine said taking a step back, a bit confidence rushing through her "But I still don't understand"
Bill merely groaned rubbing his eyeball, "Okay clearly you aren't getting any of this so...Song time"
Bill snapped his fingers and at that moment the room began to change, it looked more colorful and dark. Music began to play drums and horns, as Bill stood in the center of it all looking quite pleased with himself. Namine didn't know what was about to happen, but it was definitely going to be strange, that she could tell already.
Bill Cipher
Ready!
Okay
Hi!
I'll be your guide.
I'll be your G-U-I-D-E to the weird side.
Don't go to the dark world.
"Darkworld!"
Bill Cipher
Did I say dark world
Oh nevermind
I'm the B to the I to the double L L EGL and lordy I can't spell!
Minions
Hi! He'll be your guide
He'll be your G-U-I-D-E
To the weird side
Bill
Let's all get naked
"NO!"
Bill
Eh worth a try
I'm the B to the I to the double L C-I-P-H-E-R
YES!
Bill took a breather for a moment noticing Namine's concern, "I understand it's a lot to process but!"
Bill
The good news
Is that you are in this strange house
That gives you clout
You have the power to stick around.
Lucky for you I dropped by
Because I am a nice guy
Not a little on the pottery barn
Pale clear white side.
As for me
I've been weirding for millenia
I'm a weird triangleness
Giving demons
Animois
Push out all the breathers
You can pray at ease
Just stick with me
I'm like a ghost-demon Jesus
GHOST DEMON JESUS
Bill
And I do it for the love of it
Money? Ah, who gives a shit
I think we're a perfect fit
Come on, let's make out a bit
It's the perfect day to lie
'Cause this guy happened to be passing by
To give you control of your soul
For the whole "being weird" thing
The whole "being weird" thing!
Oh yeah!
When the bizarreness subsided and things returned to normal Namine felt a bit of a rush. This creature, well...Person, Bill...He was definitely something. She could sense it in him. He felt powerful and maybe, just maybe, this what she needed in order to get the empty feeling to go away. Someone this powerful, maybe even more powerful than the Organization, then Marluxia, to help.
"I know-I know, I'm amazing" Bill laughed as he floated and leaned on his side, "So whaddya say, want me to be your fairy-god triangle and help yuh out...Make those wishes come true and what not"
Namine just remained silent, looking at the Replica lying on the floor, feeling the guilt, only for that empty feeling to once again come back in full force. Anger festered inside, the Organization had done nothing to really help her with this whole plan, putting all the weight on her. She had been given nothing in return for her assistance, just empty promises of being with Sora, and even that she had to think was starting to become a lie.
"I-I don't know?"
"Wait what!" Bill gasped stepping back, "Come on! I did a song and everything"
Namine bit her lip, "Well, it's just, how can I trust you"
Bill just seemed taken aback, he floated around rubbing his forehead, "Look kid….Do you really think you have any luck with these bozo's"
Rising and becoming a bit large his eyes showed Larxene and Marluxia talking to one another.
"Can we get rid of her soon" Larxene sneered, looking annoyed as usual.
Larxene just nodded, "Soon my friend, once she is done with the boy, will have no more need for her.
Namine felt her heart sink, her worst fears were justified. The Organization had no use for her once this was all over. All of it, her reasons for doing this, was a lie, she would never meet Sora, she would never have those feelings, those empty feelings be filled by something worth while. She would remain invisible.
"I know, I know" Bill sighed, giving her a desperate look, "But Sora is about to head to his last big hurrah, if we intercept now...We'll, I mean you'll have just where he wants him"
"I-I still don't know0-"
She looked back at Bill who just stared at her with his big eye, it was hard to tell just what was going on in his head. Though something told her, he might be a better option right now than Organization. However, how could she be certain.
"Look they say that moving, getting a new job, and starting a relationship is the hardest thing anyone could do through" Bill replied getting Namine's attention again, he was becoming more and more excited "This plan is sorta all three...BUT! If you stick with me, I can show you things...I could show the world...Weird... ...Bizzare...Madness! Your powers are unique Namine, they just need to be used in a way that can truly be special".
"Doesn't sound very appealing" Namine snickered.
Bill shrugged, "Point is you want to be part of the story right...You want the empty feeling in you gone or not".
Namine sighed, "Yes"
"So it's a deal then?" With an outstretched hand a small blue flame appeared inside of it as his eye glowed blue as well,
Namine looked hesitant at the hand, and nodded, "Deal!"
"Oh man! Yes! We are gonna have...SO ...MUCH ...FUN!
Bill Cipher
Great choice
You won't regret it
You want the feeling gone.
So let's get it!
Victory is in your reach
You've just been waiting
For the perfect teacher
Being weird has its perks
Will take care of the jerks!
Let's do some improve, so you don't feel the quirks
On the whooooooooooole
Beeeeeeeeing
Weird Thing!
LET'S DO THIS!
Namine now found herself standing in the middle of a black empty canvas. She had always made the memories ahead of time but this, this was the exception. Bill had said they planned to tinker a bit with Sora's memories, a way to make them completely different and not just an extraction of something he or his friends had endured. This though, this was mind manipulation on a grand scale, however, because of Marluxia and his schemes some of the pieces have already been put into place.
She started to have some second thoughts. Was this really
"He should be coming soon" Bill said, still floating next to her, and just like that Sora appeared, however this time, completely asleep, unconscious, just floating next to her.
Namine felt something inside her skip a beat as she saw him, so, so helpless, and asleep.
"What should I do?" Namien asked, looking nervous.
Bill chuckled, "Like I said kid, we create the memories that will give you the life you want and we make it permanent"
Again Namine just looked at Sora, sleeping, waiting to wake up.
"Most of the work has been done for us" Bill continued to fly around him, "All we need is to add a few extra bits of info, just a bit that's it"
"Like what?'
Bill expression looked like one of someone grinning, "Well for one...I wanna give this kid a new best friend"
-000-
Free from Traverse Town at last. Thank heavens. Sora couldn't take another one of these fake worlds or whatever they were. However it was only made worse by the fact that he was just back in another white hall. He hated them, he hated them all. It just meant he wasn't making any progress, not even close to saving Namine from these horrible people. Just thinking about it made his blood boil.
This castle was doing things to his mind and heart. Sora just wanted to burst out screaming. It was like feeling a chronic pain that wasn't getting any better.
Once free from that place, Sora pushed through the door and could see Riku again walking up the stairs to what he had to guess where Namine was. Perhaps he could get him to see reason one more time. Just try, at least once. After that...he wasn't sure what he was going to do, though right now, he had to have some sort of hope, even just a little.
"Riku!" Sora shouted.
Riku paused and just stood there, not even bothering to face him. The pain in Sora's heart increased, it was like being stabbed. Why was he acting this way, was it something he did.
"Still getting in my way I see" Riku sneered.
Sora gasped, "Riku-I, why are you doing this? Come on, were friends...Best friends. Is it...Is it those coat people, did they do something to you"
"Yeah-they did" Riku said.
Sora gasped, "I knew it!"
"They opened my eyes...Maybe me will realize you'll hurt Namine if you go any further"
"Hurt?" Sora blinked, "Riku, I don't wanna hurt namine I want to protect her like you!"
"No, you don't, I'm the only one who wants to protect Namine" Riku glared at him, "I remember...It was during a meteor shower, she was scared, I told her, I would keep her safe".
Sora gasped, "Riku...I don't know what your talking about...Because I was the one who made that promise"
Now it was Riku turn to look confused.
"That's a lie! I was there I made that promise. You weren't even there, you were probably being a idiot running around".
"No! I WAS THERE That's when she gave the good luck charm to ME!" Sora went into his pocket and pulled out the good luck charm.
In a rage Riku charged towards him striking Sora with his Soul Eater, the Keyblade managed to block it causing the two blades to clash.
"Oy vey it's like watching kittens fight with their claws" Sora could hear Bill's taunt in his head, but he didn't have time for that right now.
Sora thrusted him back was weakened.
Riku just looked at it, his eyes narrowing, but slowly a small smile appeared on his face as he laughed,
"Heh...Nice try...That one's obviously a fake...Because I have the real one" He went into his own pocket and pulled out an exact copy of the charm.
Sora was now far more confused.
How was that even possible.
"No..I-I remember that charm" Sora said, his voice shaking, "Because, because...That's around the time...mom...mom…
"Mom what?" Riku asked glaring.
"Mom died"
Riku smirked, "Oh yeah...I remember you crying about something"
Something sent Sora into a rage, jumping into the air he unleashed his keyblade and knocked Riku right back against the wall knocking the charm out of his hand. Nothing mattered at that point as that particular hard memory came back flooding to him. The pain, the loss, the loss of the person so important to him. If it weren't for Namine then he would have nothing left in this world that mattered.
For Riku to open that scare, that was probably the cruelest act he could possibly due.
"See kid...He's the villain, should finish him off now and be done with it" Bill again echoed in his head.
For a brief moment Sora considered it but held back, "Riku….Go…"
Riku slowly got up, scowling at him, but knowing that Sora was dangerous enough with his Keyblade to handle, and thus he scattered away.
"Sora…" Goofy called out to him, "You never told us about your mom"
"I don't wanna talk about it"
"Sora" Donald looked concerned.
"I said I don't wanna talk about it!" He yelled, marching off.
"Like I said kid...Your villain"
If Sora could lose his temper he would. In fact he was just about too. Once again another world down the drain all ending up in another hallway. He wanted to just take his keyblade and wing it at someone. To bad there wasn't anyone around, he really wanted to hit something right now. He wants to take down those hooded guys, he wanted to save Namine, he wanted smack Riku in the head for being an idiot like usual.
"Well, isn't this great" Sora muttered under his breath, pausing in the middle of the hall, "Another hall, surprise, surprise...Let me guess, more staircases, more halls...More staircases more halls!"
"Sora take it easy" Goofy said.
Sora glared at him, "Take it easy, take it easy! We aren't even making progress at this point! So NO I'm taking going to TAKE IT EASY"
"Okay Sora now your just being silly" Goofy said, far more sternly than anyone was used too, "Just calm down and think for a minute"
"Again? Why should I...My best friend is against me...He's gone completely insane, it looks like he's helping those hooded guys for all I care ...and now I have you two questioning me! So why should I calm down, I have the right to be angry!"
"Sora we get, you do!" Donald stepped in, "No one knows what it's like to be angry more than me, but it never helps unless channelled properly"
Goofy nodded, "Donald's right"
"I don't care!" Sora snapped at them arms folded.
Jiminy Cricket hopped onto Sora's shoulder, looking worried yet stern, "Sora...I know things look bad…
"Oh not you too" Sora rubbed his head in frustration, turning to the wall he started slamming his hand on the wall, "Why don't you guys get it, Namine...My Namine is in trouble, she's here, we are...Who knows were ...Riku has lost it ...Mom is…..Mom is…..."
"That Vexen guy said you were being manipulated by the memory of Namine" Goofy spoke again, "What if he's right"
Sora turned around scowling, "Manipulated! Again what's wrong with wanting to save a friend! Namine is in trouble, don't you care! Nothing else matters...Don't you see that, only Namine ...Only namine!"
"Sora…
"Don't Sora me!" Sora yelled, he took another deep breath, "Look, I've said it before now...Namine...is...the...only...thing...that matters, she's the only thing that makes me happy ...Do I have anyone who understands me!"
"I do kid...If you wanna talk"
"Shut up!"
Donald and Goofy looked confused.
"Who are you talking too now?" Goofy asked.
Sora turned to them scowling, breathing heavily, "I-I…..I gotta be alone"
He took Jiminy off his shoulder and handed him to Donald before running off.
"Sora wait!"
"Wait! Sora!"
Sora just ignored them as he kept running. He needed distance. Lots of distance right now. He didn't want to have to deal with those two. One reason was he felt that if he said anything else, he might say something he'd regret, the other was that he didn't want to have to deal with any questions or talk, he just wanted to find Namine. Find Namine and save her, it didn't matter who or what got in his way now, not those hooded guys, not even Riku.
Namine was all that mattered, there was no one else. No one else is important.
As he ran though his emotions got the best of him for he wanted to just clobar Donald and Goofy
How dare they consider something other than Namine to not be important it was absurd unthinkable and just plain rude.. The anger in him was boiling, he was glad he was finally rid of those two blockheads and Jiminy, if he was going to do this he was going to do this on his own. To Sora, all of this was for Namine, that was the only person who mattered, no one else.
Riku, well he was something else. Sora knew about his constant need for control and perhaps protecting Namie on his own was definitely something he do. Though the extremes he was going too, the embrace of darkness. His maddening need to oppose him. Why was his best friend doing this. The more Sora thought the more he worried that Riku would take protecting her too far, and do anything. Perhaps go as far to when Soras as Keyblade Master would have to do something ...No, no he wouldn't think it.
Never!
Sora stopped himself and with a fist smashed his fist to the wall hard. "Namine...Only Nanime….."
"Amazing kid, you really are going all out aren't yuh" Bill said causing Sora to jump back, he was floating right behind him now, "And all for this one person too, how chivarous, how brave...how...heroic"
"I'm not in the mood to talk". Sora huffed as he kept moving
"Clearly" Bill said smugly, floating in front of Sora's face now. The poor boy wished he'd just go away but it seemed it was just not to be at the moment. "But you are getting closer, I can tell, just one more door and you'll have your precious Namine in the palm of your hand...But it might come at a cost"
"Oh not you too" Sora groaned, clenching his fist in anger "I'm tired of all these riddles, just-just give it to me straight for once!"
Bill just laughed, "Look at you kid, the great hero who defeated Xehanort slowly losing it...It be hilarious it wasn't sad, I mean, I think it's funny but others might not"
"ENOUGH!" Sora yelled almost slashing Bill with his Keyblade, thankfully it just went right through him.
"Okay, okay...Calm down…." Bill said, getting on Sora's last nerve, he had his Keyblade at the ready, but the demon triangle just seemed chill, "Just hear me out...You are a lucky kid. How many people do you know come from a boring dull Island only to then be swept off and see the universe and all its facets. To interact with others, learn from them, influence their lives and vice versa ..."
"Yeah, so…." Sora said still sounding upset, "Sometimes, sometimes I wish I didn't have that life, that I could just be back home with Namine"
Bill raised his eye, "You know some people would leap at the chance to be able to interact with the worlds...see it all, escape the boredom and the mundane that society has put on them ...Didn't you think that? What you do...It's a privilege...a gift...don't squander it".
"I thought that way once" Sora sighed, defeat overtaking him for a moment as he just sagged "But knowing where it's gotten me now...I...I just wanna go back home".
"Would you trade with someone else if to go back to a somewhat normal life" Bill asked, his expression inquisitive
"I….." Sora paused unsure, "Maybe, I don't know...That's a big question"
He wanted the hurt right now to go away so badly, all these memories in his head. Some of them more conflicting than others. Images going through his head one way or another. It was like he had lived two lives but only one of them was real, not knowing what to believe anymore. It hurt, so much of it hurt.
"I know, I know kid...I have these moments too" Bill said continuing to float around Sora, putting a tender hand on his shoulder, his eye giving a sympathetic look "As an all seeing being of pure energy, I see the infinite, so I know stuff from areas that have been, will be, might not be, etc etc...You get used to it over the millenia though and learn to make sense of it...Or more no sense...Ha!"
"Just make it stop" Sora said, now clutching his head and heart, "Just...I wanna know one thing"
"Give me the card kid" Bill held out his arm, for some reason it sorta reminded him of the time Riku did it with him, a signal of trust.
"Huh?"
Bill twiddled his fingers excitedly, "The card, the one blondie gave yuh...Give it to me, and when you go through the door this time, things will become far more clear than they ever have been before"
"I-I can do that?" Sora asked, holding out the card in his hand, recognizing the image of his home.
Bill just nodded.
Sora handed Bill the card slowly, though he still was entirely sure if everything would work out as he hopped.
"You know kid...We're a lot alike, I too used to love seeing the universe , getting to know all the little ins and out of it all, even my own family said I probably shouldn't because of rules and what not. But I wanted to see i all and learn it all so badly" When Bill spoke it was almost nostalgic like discussing a life that had long since passed him as he continued to just look at the card, he sighed, "Boy those earlier centuries were fun, just seeing it all, learning it all, not for any real reason, i just wanted to ...you know"
"Yeah, I-I get that" Sora sighed, feeling sorry for Bill now, "So...what happened"
Bill shrugged, "Guess i got bored of it that's all, being in the same dimension and only being able to see but not really touch...you know. I did all the seeing, never did a lot of touching like you".
Sora eyes widened as he suddenly realized just what he was saying for the first time since they met, "Bill? Are you, are you stuck?"
"We're all stuck kid" Bill said, his voice almost bitter, "But yeah, in some ways, I honestly have more interactivity here because of how this castle sorta is a bridge between the real world and the mindscape"
Sora frowned, feeling guilty now that he's calmed himself "Oh, I wish I could help"
"You just may kid ...you just may…" Bill then summoned a card in his hand and held it to Sora, "If you need help, here's my card"
"Will I remember"
Bill chuckled, "So long as you have it with you...I think you'll be fine"
Sora put it in his pocket and rushed off.
"Don't worry kid...I'll be watching", The last thing Bill said sounding a little to ominous though, almost, almost threating "I'll be watching you"