I'm...falling…

Sora felt the pull of the darkness drag him deeper into an abyss, all he could recall was being unable to fight against a familiar monster. One that rang an air of familiarity, of fear as he stood in a memory of his home. When he opened his mouth to breath his body felt heavy, getting heavier. Instead of bubbles floating up from his mouth he saw shards of light escaping from his heart; Each light shining up and then fading away right before his eyes as he tried to each out towards them.

He had no light to guide him towards home, no strength to fight back against the depths, there was only the exhaustion and pain of every step forward. In the silence, he felt tired, beginning to close his eyes, lulled into sleep..

"Are you even trying?"

Huh?

Sora's eyes opened as his heart began to race, hearing a voice echo in his ears.

"C'mon Sora, I thought you were stronger than that."

He winced slightly as he could see a light form before him, a hand reaching out through the darkness. Instinctively, he reached out towards it, feeling a hand grasp his, pulling him out of the darkness...

Sora gasped as he was met with a white ceiling, feeling his heart beat rapidly as he couldn't grasp where exactly he was.

"Sora!" On his chest stood Jiminy, his eyes watered as he took off his hat, smiling in relief. "Thank goodness you're alright. I thought we both were goners back there."

"Jiminy?" Sora questioned as he sat up, the cricket now standing on the palm of the boy's hands. "What happened to me?" To which the cricket frowned angrily.

"It was a nasty trick by those folks in black coats. If you stayed in that world any longer then you would have forgotten who you were. Luckily, someone pulled you out of there-"

But, what about Naminé?" Sora asked immediately as he lifted his head, noticing the girl standing before him, grasping her hands together.

"Naminé! You're okay!" Sora smiled in relief as he stood, approaching her.

"Hold on Sora!" Jiminy immediately called out, making Sora stop in his tracks as he stared down at his friend. "That girl was the reason you fell into the trap. I know you think that she's your friend, but there's something not right about her." He warned.

Sora looked down a this friend in confusion as he glanced back at Naminé who held her head, he face obstructed from view. "Jiminy what are you talking about? She's my best friend."

The cricket winced slightly, as he worried expression drew on his face. "Sora...Who was the person that you were chasing after in this castle, your best friend back home?

"Huh?" The boy tilted his head in confusion, "That's easy, it was Naminé. We grew up together, played together, and once we were separated we looked for each other." Sora answered easily, but all of a sudden he felt a pain in his heart as he saw Jiminy flinch at his response. He held his head down as he suddenly turned around standing between her and Sora.

"Naminé." Jiminy called out, walking towards the girl. "You've been messing with Sora's memories haven't you?" He asked as Sora stared at Jiminy in shock.

"Jiminy what're you saying? Naminé wouldn't-"

"Yes, I have." Sora's voiced faltered as Naminé lifted her head, holding no resolution on her face. "Ever since he came to this castle it was my task to reform who he was, and erase everything that didn't matter."

"Naminé, that's not...that's not true. " Sora gasped in disbelief. " We're best friends, I know it! The person in the memories I have, these feelings in my heart, there's no way that the're-"

"But it's not me, isn't it?" Naminé said, cutting Sora off. "The people that are special to you, there's no way that it could be me right? Because, I'm just a shadow of her, and a forged reflection of him."

Sora just stared at her as he clawed his chest, the pain in his heart growing. "But we made that promise didn't we?" He pulled out the star charm from his pocket. "A promise to always protect each other!"

Naminé just shook her head, "That was never a memory that we shared Sora. It was something that I made up in order to bring you here."

"But those memories, if they're not real, then why..." Sora clawed his heart, shaking his head in denial as he fell to his knees. "Why does it hurt when I remember them?

"Let ME explain that."

Sora raised his head as someone stood beside him, he lifted his head to see that familiar silver haired boy from before, this time though he was wearing a dark armor and carried a look of anger on his face.

"Those memories you have of Naminé, they're really from two other people. Plain and simple. Naminé did a flawless job, sealing away your connection to them." He remarked.

"My...connection?" Sora glanced down at the charm in his hand. "But, this good luck charm...it was hers." he remarked, remembering that night under the meteor shower.

"Then why do I have an exact copy?"

"Huh?" Sora lifted his head as he saw an exact copy of the charm dangling before his eyes, shaking him to his core. Behind that, he saw that Naminé held a look of anger within her eyes.

"We were both tricked, one person to become the warped pawn of the witch," The silver haired boy gritted his teeth together angrily as he explained. "all to help her turn the other into a mindless puppet so the Organization can pull the strings."

"Bravo."

A familiar voice echoed as a dark void formed behind Naminé. Walking out was a familiar face, the mean woman with a sadistic smile, clapping her hands with an air of condensation as she stood before them.

"Larxene!" Sora called out as she smirked at the silver haired boy who drew a weapon of darkness, standing in front of him defensively.

"For a copy, you're pretty sharp. But at the end of the day that's all you are isn't it? Just a imperfect copy of a better person." She mocked as the boy standing before him gripped his weapon tighter, even so, he smirked as he dropped his guard.

"Big talk coming from a shadow of a former person. I was created from two sets of memories, made to either destroy Sora or make him stronger, it's no wonder I'm a mess. You on the other hand, I guess it just comes naturally for a Nobody like you."

In a moment, the air of condensation turned to rage as lightning cracked in the air. Larxene's smile turned into a snarl of annoyance as an aura of rage radiated around her.

"You little TWERP!" Larxene snapped as she summoned her knives, eyes trained on the silver haired boy before her gaze shifted to another target, smirking evilly. "First things first." She remarked as she disappeared for a second.

Sora was confused for a second until he suddenly charged forward past the silver haired boy.

"JIMINY!"

The cricket was scooped into his hands and pressed against his chest as Sora was barraged with a series of sharp knives- having no time to erect a barrier. Knocking him back to the ground; a few still stabbed into his body as he curled up in pain.

"Sora!"

He saw the silver haired boy shield against Larxene, his sword staving back her knives. The electrically charged woman sneered at the silver haired boy with an air of confusion.

"It's like you said, you were made to be a pawn of the witch," She remarked, "What's with the sudden change of heart?"

The silver haired boy pushed back with a smirk on his face. "It was thanks to the other me actually." He remarked as Larxene narrowed her eyes in confusion. "He make me realize who was really was the person from my most important memories." Riku pushed forwards, knocking Larxene back as he slashed at her again, but she evaded, jumping back towards Naminé.

"Hm," Larxene mused for a moment. "Then I guess there's not much use for her anymore." She remarked as swiftly she turned to kick Naminé into the wall mercilessly. All eyes were on the two of them as Naminé looked towards the taller woman in fear as her magic began to spark around her, brandishing her knives towards the trembling girl. "So long, little girl." She sneered in amusement as Naminé shut her eyes, covering her head as Larxene slashed down.

However, the woman was taken aback as her attack was knocked back by a barrier. Immediately she turned to see that Sora held out his hand, even though he was still heavily wounded, a look of defiance etched on his face.

"Alright, let's play a little game." Larxene remarked playfully as her voice turned more serious. "Why not finish what you started and save the witch from the bad guys." She held out her arm as a void began to form around her's and Naminé's feet. The light blonde haired girl's eyes widened as the darkness consumed her.

"Naminé!" Sora cried out as the silver haired boy vanished, clashing against Larxene again, this time, the woman kept her composure.

"Stop this Larxene! Haven't you already done enough?!" He remarked as the woman knocked him back with a powerful lightning attack. His sword disappearing as electricity sparked around him.

"Let me think," Larxene thought for a moment with a smile on her face. "Nope." She popped the past syllable with a smirk that warped into a demented laugh. "I'm really interested on who'll break first; Marluxia's pet project, or the failed replica. Let's find out together shall we?" Larxene remarked as she stepped back into the void of darkness.

"Larxene!" The silver haired boy called out as he lifted himself onto his feet, too late as the void of darkness disappeared before his eyes. His aggression towards the nobody faltered as he then remembered. "Sora!" he turned towards him as Sora nodded.

"I'm fine," Sora remarked as he sat on his knees, glancing down towards his small friend. "Are you okay Jiminy? She didn't hurt you right?"

The cricket looked over his friend in concern, "I'm more worried about you Sora."

The silver haired boy knelt down next to him, noticing that Larxene's knives had disappeared along with her. He held out his hand, casting a spell and almost immediately, energy began to energize him.

"Ah-" Sora lifted his head as his wounds, while not fully healed, no longer pained him. Then turning towards the silver haired boy, with a grateful smile on his face. "Thanks, you really saved us back there."

The silver haired boy scanned his face, as though he were looking for something, a reaction. "Do...Do you recognize my face?" he asked as his expression grew more concerned, more mournful as he retained his gaze on the boy.

Sora felt sad as he shook his head, "No, I'm sorry. I remember that we fought together in this castle, but...I can't remember why. Was it something I did?" He asked, seeing the silver haired boy glance away shamefully.

Jiminy stood between the two boys concern on his face. "But Sora, this is-"

"Don't." The silver haired boy abruptly said as he stood up, looking towards the stairs to the next floor.

"But-" Jiminy tried to reason but was cut off again.

"He has to remember on his own, Jiminy. It's the only real way we'll know if his memories return."

"Sora, what are you going to do?" The silver haired boy asked, looking down at him. "If you keep going there's a change you'll lose everything, not just the people you care about, but yourself as well. Naminé isn't even part of your memories, she messed with both of us.

Sora placed a hand over his heart, lowering his head for a moment as he tried to recall those people most important to him. For a moment he thought that he felt two silhouettes standing next to him;one nearby, his entire body engulfed in darkness, but even so he could feel the strength of the light that radiated from his heart, fighting back; the other, far away in a place that was out of reach, but he even so, he could feel her light, a smile that made him feel warm.

But he couldn't remember who they were.

" I'm really not happy about her messing with my memories. But... they still feel right, like they're part of me. Even if those promises weren't real, I said I would always protect Naminé, and right now, she's the one who needs help the most."

"But your memories-" The silver haired boy reasoned.

"It's okay." Sora reassured with a smile on his face. "I can feel them, the people important to me, the ones what my heart remembers." Sora lifted his head towards the silver haired boy. "But, I know that you and Naminé are important as well, after all, you saved me back there didn't you?"

The silver haired boy looked away, an aura of confliction surrounding him. "I'm...a failed experiment, created to further the Organization's goals. Some of my memories were copies of yours, the others- the strength my power derives- came from one of the people your heart is connected to. It's how Naminé could effect my memories, because she has the power to warp the memories of the people connected to yours. Which means my memories of her were actually…" His voice wavered off as he glanced back at Sora.

Sora mulled over this for a moment, then looking down at Jiminy who placed a hand on his knee.

"We could leave too, ya'know." Jiminy said. "Leave the castle and try and find our way back to the people we care about. I know if we put our minds together then we could find a way!" he insisted, to which, Sora just smiled; grateful to his friend.

"I can't do that. She needs us."

Jiminy sighed, adjusting his hat as he jumped on Sora's shoulder. " I know, I just didn't want you to think that you didn't have an option. But if you feel like you need to do this, then I won't stop you."

"But Jiminy...what if I start to forget you as well?" Sora questioned as the Cricket just smiled at him, resting his hand over Sora's.

"It'll be okay Sora, after all, even if I forget you, or if you forget me; all of our promises and friendship be archived within my journal. I won't leave you, after all, we made a promise way back when we first met, you remember that don't you?" He reasoned as Sora smiled warmly.

"Yeah, to always look out for each other." Sora recalled as fondness grew in his heart.

"Thanks, Jiminy." The Cricket rested his hand on his friend's shoulder as he jumped back into his hood.

Sora sighed, placing his hand over his heart as he noticed the silver haired boy reaching his hand towards him with a small smile on his face. "We both made a promise to her didn't we?"

To which Sora smiled brightly, grasping his friend's hand, being lifted to his feet. "Yeah, we'll go together."

Omake:

"UGGHHH, Where's the last one?!" Sora questioned, annoyed as he combed the island over and over but couldn't find the dang thing. He walked out of the shack that led towards the Paopu tree hoping that if he checked there for a third time not noticed something that made his heart sink a little; Seeing his two friends sitting together, then concern rose as he saw Kairi yelling at Riku so he just backed away not wanting to get caught in the mix.

"Huh?" Sora lifted his head as he thought he heard something, looking towards the secret area.

"AH-HA!" Sora cheered as he placed the mushroom in the basket with the rest of the ingredients. All collected just as they had to leave. He glanced at the carving he and Kairi made as kids, feeling a sense of longing in his heart, remembering Riku's words.

It wasn't as though anyone came here much anymore anyway…

He carved a star being given to Kairi, a smile guilty smile drawing on his face as he half hoped she would never see something so embarrassing.

"Huh?" Sora widened his eyes could feel a presence nearby, he turned seeing a hooded figure standing nearby. "Who are you?!" He exclaimed suddenly standing up defensively.

"This world has been connected."

"Wh-What are you talking about?" Sora stammered over his words taking a step back, feeling an all too familiar sense of fear, one that reminded him of his childhood nightmares.

"Tied to the darkness...soon to be completely eclipsed."

Sora furrowed his brow angrily, "Well, whoever you are, stop freaking me out like this." He then realized something as he couldn't recall any sound of footsteps entering the cave alongside him. "Huh? Wait a sec, where did you come from? You're not from the islands!"

The hooded figure gave no indication that he heard him. "You do not yet know what lies beyond the door."

Sora was taken aback as he realized, "You're from another world!"

"There is so very much to learn. You understand so little."

"Oh, yeah? Well, you'll see. I'm gonna get out and learn what's out there!"

The Hooded man seemed to almost smirk. "A meaningless effort. One who knows nothing can understand nothing. Fated to fall to the darkness just like all the rest."

"Hey- I don't know what your problem is, but quit freaking me out!" Sora retorted as he could feel a chill go up his spine. For a second he glanced towards the exit, feeling fear creep into his heart, but when he glanced back as the Hooded figure, he was gone.

Sora just stared at the spot where the other-worlder stood, feeling a terrible sense of uneasiness as he glanced towards the door with no entrance, recalling the nightmares that always seemed to be locked behind it whenever he fell asleep.

...

...

The sun began to set in the distance, a golden glow reaching across the sky as Sora walked towards Kairi sitting on the pier. He glanced down towards her hands, seeing that she was sewing something together.

"What'cha got there Kairi?" Sora asked as he sat down next to her.

Kairi smiled as she could see him out of the corner of her eye. "This? I'm making a necklace of thalassa shells. In the old days, sailors always wore thalassa shells. They were supposed to ensure a safe voyage."

"Really? But that's just an old Sailor's tale." Sora recalled.

Kairi just shrugged her shoulders, biting off the thread as she finished her charm, holding it up to the charm towards the setting sun with a proud smile on her face. "You know, Riku has changed."

"Huh?" Sora side glanced her. " What do you mean?"

"Well…" Kairi rested her head back, looking up towards the sky, deep in thought as her smile faded.

"Kairi, you okay?" Sora questioned, reaching out as Kairi then smiled at him brightly.

"Sora, let's take the raft and go-just the two of us!"

"Huh?!" He was taken aback by her words, flinching back.

"Yup, just us all alone on the open sea looking for new worlds together. Don't you think that'd be fun?" she questioned, holding back her laughter as Sora's face immediately flushed with embarrassment.

"Just kidding."

Sora had to calm down his heart from exploding out of his chest. Giving an exasperated look at his friend. "What's gotten into you? You're the one that's really changed Kairi." Sora smiled, "Remember? You wouldn't even talk to me when we first met."

You only talked to Riku…

"Maybe…" Kairi murmured to herself, standing up on the pier, she flattening out the wrinkles on her skirt. "You know, I was a little afraid at first, but now I'm ready. No matter where we go or what we see, we can always come back here. Right?"

"Yeah," Sora nodded feeling reassurance in his heart. "Of course we can!"

"That's good." Kairi bit her lip as she spoke up again. "Sora?"

"Hm?"

"Don't ever change."

He widened his eyes looking up at her, hearing the sincerity in her voice, but was couldn't find the words to respond as the night began to set in.

...

"We should probably go now, right?" Sora asked as he stood next to her on the pier.

Kairi lowered her head, folding her hands together. "Riku still hasn't left yet."

"Oh, where is he?" Sora asked glancing around. He couldn't see his silver haired friend anywhere in his line of sight. He glancing back at Kairi who was looking towards the direction of their secret place. But before he could ask, Kairi spoke up.

"I think I'm gonna wait for him here, drag him back before it gets too dark."

"Really? But you hate chasing him around, you just make me do it-

"Since when have you been so punctual?" Sora remarked as Kairi punched his arm playfully.

She giggled, "We're his friends Sora, we can't ever leave each other behind. Even if Riku can be tricky to deal with sometimes." Kairi admitted. "But you should go home, one of us has to be rested for tomorrow."

"Yeah. Okay, see you tomorrow then?"

"Yup." Kairi nodded as the two hugged each other good-bye. But as she pulled back Sora felt something being placed into his hand. "It's my lucky charm, be sure to bring it back to me."

Sora smiled at his best friend, feeling a warmth in his heart. "I know. I'll see you two tomorrow, right?" To which she nodded.

"Yup, tomorrow we set sail!"

The two smiled at each other brightly, keeping their eyes trained on the either until they were out of sight.

/Notes/

- The Replica of Riku saves Sora from Oblivion...well, what's left anyway. :3c

- Jiminy gets peeved, he's a good dad

- Riku Replica has joined that party!

(Also if it wasn't clear enough already, it will be, I shall be picking up Riku's side of castle Oblivion as well.)