"So, Kairi's home is out there somewhere right?"
"Could be. We'll never know by staying right here."
"So how far could a raft take us?"
"Who knows. If we have to, we'll think of something else."
"So suppose you go to another world. What would you do there?"
Riku opened his eyes and got up in cold sweat. He was having dreams again. Dreams of what had happened two years prior. When he was just an islander boy living with his family and friends in the paradise like world of Destiny Islands.
"Couldn't sleep?" asked Denahi, who was in his own sleeping bag.
"It was dream." replied Riku.
"What kind of dream?" asked Denahi.
"It was a really bad one." said Riku.
"Why don't you drink some water? That would help you." said Denahi.
Riku got up and stretched. The boys were now in a new world. A world that is strangely growing in negativity. Just the day before, when they arrived, they were greeted by shadows.
But not the same bug creatures. In fact, what they encountered were not Heartless at all. They were large purple like shadows that turned people into stone. Riku and Denahi watched in horror as innocent people were frozen in place, with their hands up front. This was a phenomenon that no one could explain. Not even Denahi. This was the first world he ever stepped in. They found refuge in a secluded wood, far from the negative clouds that were roaming the world.
"We should be safe here as long as those things don't come." said Riku.
"I don't know. There is something very spiritual about them. My totem was glowing whenever they were around." said Denahi.
"Your totem?" asked Riku.
"In our world, people are gifted totems for a journey into man hood and woman hood. Sitka and Kenai were both given an eagle and bear totem. I was given the wolf of wisdom." said Denahi.
"That sounds very traditional." said Riku.
"Do you have any traditions in your islands?" asked Denahi.
"Back home, there is a star shaped fruit called the Paopu Fruit. It's said that when two people share one, their destinies become intertwined. They remain a part of each other's lives no matter what. Despite its romantic legend, the Paopu fruit is very popular. It's made into Ice Creams, Sugar Scrubs, and even juice." said Riku.
"It sounds nice. We have only berries growing where I live. We tried to grow corn and tomatoes before, but they are seasonal." said Denahi.
Riku sat down and started to chat more with Denahi. As they were both enjoying each other's company, they were watched. Not by a Heartless though. A human being. He thought he was being careful. He thought he could appear before them, but he watched them from afar.
Denahi noticed the young man hiding and smiled. "We are going to expect some company." he said in a low voice.
Riku smiled and summoned his Keyblade. He closed his eyes and felt something jump from behind him. Denahi pulled out his spear and Riku quickly jumped into the air and pointed his wing like Keyblade to the intruder.
To the surprise of Riku and Denahi, the young man was defending himself. With a Keyblade! Riku parried the young man's attack and stood in position.
"Who are you and why do you have a Keyblade?" asked Riku.
The young man in question didn't look like a resident of this world. He looked very off world, yet he had warm facial features of Filipino heritage. He had two Kukris around the back of his waist, wearing a long sleeve tactical black jacket with dark green survival pants and black boots. His kukris were looking particularly sharp, yet the young man used his Keyblade, which was one that Riku quickly recognized.
"The Sleeping Lion Keyblade? You've got good taste." said Riku.
"Give it up Organization 13. It's over." said the young man.
Riku quickly made his Keyblade vanish.
"I'm a friend. Don't worry. I'm not with the organization. I am Riku and this is Denahi." said Riku.
"Are you talking about Ansem? I admit the hair looks similar, but he's not Ansem. Believe me." said Denahi.
Riku chuckled and the young man breathed in deeply.
"I'm Ajay. Forgive me, I thought you were one of them." said the young man.
"Ajay huh? Well then, what world do you come from?" asked Riku.
Ajay turned around to see the landscape behind him.
"I come from Twilight Town. I have been training in secret with my Keyblade there, while the worlds were vanishing one by one." said Ajay.
"That was two years ago." said Riku.
"I traveled this world using this little star here. It actually takes me where I please." said Ajay, holding a small trinket in his hands.
"Like my wayfinder. Interesting. I've seen this star before. I had a friend who had one similar to this." said Riku.
"So how is it that you have the same weapon Riku has?" asked Denahi.
"The Sleeping Lion Keyblade has been in my family for generations. There are many versions of this Keyblade, but the one I have is the true incarnation. My family has been into hiding because of Organization 13. I set out on my own to fight them after we learned that the chosen one to open the door to light was gone." said Ajay.
"You mean Sora." said Riku.
"If that is his name, then yes. When we felt that he was nowhere in the worlds, I set out to stop Organization 13 and traveled through a few worlds with my star. But in all honesty, the search for Organization 13 was a folly. I searched in countless places but I have found nothing. That is until I heard that Organization 13 has changed with new members and a new leader." said Ajay.
"You are caught up to speed. Yes. Organization 13 is regrouping." said Riku.
"Then what news is there? Please. These worlds here have no idea of the larger fight that is going on." said Ajay.
"I'm just as confused myself friend. I just met Riku and I'm his traveling companion." said Denahi.
"Sora, the chosen one to open the door to light has awoken and he is fighting the Organization." said Riku.
"That's wonderful news." exclaimed Ajay.
"However, to fight the organization, we needed to pass the Mark of Mastery Exam." said Riku.
"And did you two pass it?" asked Ajay.
"Only I did. Sora didn't. He's taking a break for himself." said Riku.
"A break? The worlds are in danger and he's taking a break? Can't he take the exam again?" asked Ajay.
"He will. But in the meantime, we are just regrouping ourselves. In fact, I'm on a personal journey myself. I'm looking for a Keyblade Wielder. I'm using this wayfinder in my pocket to find him, but it's taking me to these different worlds." said Riku.
"Riku is here to take a break too. In a matter of speaking." said Denahi.
Riku glared at Denahi, but he simply smiled sheepishly. Ajay on the other hand shook his head.
"You passed the test. You are now a Master. And you are taking baby steps to more learning? Friend, with all due respect, time is a luxury no one has. As we speak, Organization 13 will spread even more Heartless and Nobodies in the worlds. Things are looking very grim." said Ajay.
"I know that. But in the meantime, I need this journey. You see….. I did something terrible in the past. And I want to find…. Closure. No, not closure. I want to find…. " Riku paused.
Denahi quickly stepped in. "Riku was a Heartless commander in the past, and he feels bad about it. He's on a healing journey and I get to go with him for the time being!" said Denahi, winking at Riku.
Ajay folded his arms. "So in other words, your on this world wide journey to find yourself?" asked Ajay.
"Not that, more like… a second chance." said Riku.
Ajay let out a sigh. "Look, I respect that you want to repent from being a Heartless commander. But… if I were you, I'd better hurry. The Heartless, the Nobodies and the newly reincarnated Unversed are going to be on the prowl." said Ajay.
"Wait, there are more monsters?" asked Denahi.
"Unversed?" asked Riku.
"They are monsters that feed on negative emotions. They existed ten years ago, until they vanished without a trace. And now, ever since the organization regrouped, they have finally come out of hiding." said Ajay.
"Then those large cloud like monsters… are they the Unversed you speak of?" asked Denahi.
"Oh no. They are not. The monsters you see here in this world are called Druun. Like the Unversed, they too feed on negativity." said Ajay.
"You know this world better than us. What's it called?" asked Riku.
"We are in Kumandra. And also, we happen to be in the lands of the Spine village." said Ajay.
"Wow, then maybe that's why the Wayfinder pointed here in this world." said Denahi.
Riku pulled out his Wayfinder and it was starting to blink. "It's telling us that we should move on to the next world." he said.
"What? But we just got here!" said Denahi.
"It was telling us to come here, not it's telling us to go someplace else." said Riku.
Ajay's star also began to blink. "Well, it appears fate as allowed us to meet."
"Are you saying this signal was for us to cross paths?" asked Riku.
Denahi patted Riku's back. "This makes sense! You are on a path of redemption. And I get to tag along to protect you. Well, looks like Ajay here is also chosen to protect you. In other words, we came to Kumandra to meet you and take you with us!" said Denahi.
"That would make sense, given that the Wayfinder is urging us to move." said Riku.
"Before I leave with you two, I must know. Riku…. Are taking the road to dawn?" asked Ajay.
Riku looked at Ajay with a firm look and nodded. Ajay in return smiled. "This may sound a little coincidental, but I'm also taking a road to dawn." said Ajay.
"Why? You have the Keyblade. Surely you were raised in a healthy and safe environment filled with light." said Riku.
Ajay shook his head. "You forget that my homeworld is Twilight Town. A world caught between light and dark. And since it's in between, I can channel both light and darkness." said Ajay.
"Like me." said Riku.
"Correct." replied Ajay.
"Well, looks like we got a bigger team!" cried Denahi.
"Bigger?" asked Riku.
"Including me, that makes the three of us for now." said Ajay.
The Wayfinder then opened a portal and Denahi went in. "Last one to the new world is a rotten egg." he cried as he ran in.
"Is your friend always like this?" asked Ajay curiously.
"He was serious back in his homeworld. But believe it or not, he too is on a road like us." said Riku.
"Really? Why is that?" asked Ajay.
"He tried to kill his brother." replied Riku.
Ajay's eyes widened and turned to see Denahi. "It's a long story. We'll tell you on the way." said Riku as Ajay followed him.
As they vanished, another portal appeared. A dark corridor of course. Stepping out of the portal, Ansem stood watch. He was very angry that Riku found a new ally. And one caught between light and darkness no less. Just then, a Druun appeared and it tried to swallow Ansem. He turned around and smiled. He then raised his hand, and within seconds, the Drunn itself turned to stone.
(Author's Note)
I would like to thank SniperWolf61 for the use of his OC, Ajay. Thank you for the character and input. Also, I would like to thank you all for reading this story. More chapters are on the way. In the words of the Original Disney Channel, "Stay Tooned."