Chapter 18

This place was completely dark, with dark walls, dark curvy pillars and small cracks of light blue light on the curvy pillars. This place was known as the Dark Realm, also known as the Realm of Darkness. There are three realms in this universe: The Realm of Light were everyone resides, The Realm of Darkness were time does not exist and only darkness and the Heartless exist, and The Realm Between were both the Light Realm and the Dark Realm meet.

There were two people in the Dark Realm: Riku, a Keyblade Master and Sora's childhood friend, and Mickey Mouse, another Keyblade Master and King of Disney Castle. They are both on a quest to find Master Aqua, who has been trap in the Dark Realm for almost ten years, and bring her back to the Realm of Light to fight Master Xehanort.

As they were walking, Riku stop and observed his surroundings. Mickey also stop and ask, "What's wrong, Riku? Are you tired? Do you need a break? We can stop."

Riku shook his head. "No, just…I've been here. I should know this place. But that all seems like another life."

"Well, gee. Think of all you've seen! All the feelings you've felt. Why, you've done years of grown' in almost no time at all.", explain Mickey.

Riku then look down and place his hand on his chest. "I remember my first time here. I was so scared. But now, my doubts and fears are gone. If anything, I feel exhilarated. And it's not because there's darkness in me-I know too well what that rush is like. This is different. And it's not adrenaline either. I know Aqua needs us...but I'm ready. I'm in control now. Maybe it's because you're with me this time."

Mickey shook his head. "It's not me. I think it's because you've finally found inside you that special strength to protect what matters."

"What?"

"Sometimes you care so much for somebody that other feelings disappear. And then, there's no room for fear or doubt."

Riku smiled and look down at his hand. "Is that it?"

Riku then remembered the promise he made when was little to a young man who visited the islands. He too wielded the Keyblade and unknown to Riku, pass his powers on to him.

"'Strength to protect what matters'... It reminds me of a promise I made", said Riku.

"To who?", asked Mickey.

"Just someone I once met. Can't tell."

"Sounds like a good memory."

"Yeah… While we're reminiscing-Mickey, does any of this look familiar?", asked Riku.

"Sort of, but the realm of darkness has changed since I was here with Aqua."

"Yeah, it's different from what I remember.", said Riku as he was looking around.

Mickey explain. "Usually, I'd just follow my heart and Aqua would show me the way. But the closer I get, the hazier our connection feels."

"You mean…", said Riku as he look disappointed.

"Maybe, but we can't give up hope.

Riku nodded and both of them continue on in the Dark Realm.

They travel for a while, eventually ending up at the End of Sea, a place in the Dark Realm that connects to the Realm of Light.

"This beach…", said an awed Riku.

"It's gone.", said Mickey.

"Huh?"

Mickey explain. "I'm positive Aqua was here. But now. Her trail's gone dim."

As he looked around, Riku said, "I've been here, too. With Sora."

"Really?", asked Mickey.

"This is where we found our way back to the realm of light. Hey, maybe Aqua did, too!", said Riku.

Mickey nodded his head. "Aqua...has fallen into an even darker abyss-somewhere I can't see her. And I don't think we're equipped to dive any deeper than we already are."

Suddenly, Shadow Heartless appeared on the beach, surrounding the two.

"Oh no!", said Mickey.

"What?!", said a shock Riku as both of them summon their Keyblades.

Before they can fight them, Mickey then said, "Riku...be careful. Even the least threatening Heartless are stronger in this realm."

"I got it.", answered Riku.

Suddenly, the Shadows began moving in one spot in front of the water and grouping together, forming the Demon Tower.

The Tower strike the ground in hope of damaging the two, but they easily dodged it. Riku then charged at the Tower and attack it with a couple of sword strikes. Mickey did the same as well, eventually making the Shadows scatter on the beach. It didn't last long as they regroup underneath the two and sent them flying in the air as the Tower reformed.

"Curaga!", shouted Riku as both his and Mickey's wounds are healed.

"Pearl!"

"Dark Firaga!"

Both of them launch their powerful spells at the Tower, defeating it.

The Tower then fell apart when they defeated it, but more Shadows came on to the beach in response to it's defeat.

"It's not over. Be careful!", shouted Mickey.

Just then, another Demon Tower appeared right behind Riku.

With no time to dodge it, Riku shouted, "Oh no!" The Tower completely swallow him whole.

"Riku!", shouted a worried Mickey.

While inside the Tower, Riku was in a dark watery abyss. His cheeks began to turn bright red and looked like he was losing conscious.

I can't breathe!, he thought. I have to do something or I'll be dead!

He tried to swim around to look for an opening. But, due to lack of oxygen he had, this task proved impossible for him. It's no use. Everything going black.

As he continued to gasp for air, he heard a voice.

"Didn't expect to see you again."

What?

"Why did you even come here?"

Because somebody needs me.

"Do you want some help?"

Who are you?

"Me? I'm…"

Before he could listen to the answer, Riku eyes suddenly fell back and he fell unconscious in the dark abyss.

"Riku…"

Riku heard someone calling to him.

"Wake up…Riku."

Riku open his eyes and saw Mickey in front of him with a concern look, he was laying down on the beach they were still at and began to cough really hard.

"Are you okay?", asked Mickey.

Riku got up and said, "Where'd the Heartless go?"

Mickey explained. "I got more than half of 'em, and the rest vanished. But, they spit you out first."

"Thanks. I owe ya."

"I know ya feel invincible, but we're not.", said Mickey.

"Are you all right, Mickey?," asked Riku.

"Yeah, thanks to the new gear. But...your Keyblade...", said a disappointed Mickey.

Riku notice that the top portion of his Way to Dawn Keyblade has been cut clean off along with some of his hair, making it a little spiky at the bottom.

"The Heartless here are stronger than what we expected. I guess we probably should've powered up our Keyblades before we came in here, Huh? I think we need to go back to Master Yen Sid's tower so we can regroup.", said Mickey.

Riku didn't agree with that idea. "But Aqua's...still down here, alone. Facing enemies like that."

"I know…", said Mickey.

Riku then walk towards the shores of the beach. "What if she's feeling as scared and alone...as I felt the first time I came here? How long are we supposed to keep her waiting in this awful place?"

Mickey then walked up to Riku and said, "But Aqua... She's like Sora."

"Whaaat?!", said a flabbergasted Riku.

Mickey, seeing his reaction, quickly said, "No, no, no… Strong like Sora!"

Riku relaxed on hearing that. "Okay… Good. Then I guess she's gonna be alright. Sora could fall into any darkness and swim his way out."

"Besides, we won't be long.", said Mickey.

Riku nodded. He then walk a little closer to the shores and slammed his broken Keyblade into the sand on the beach.

"Can't use this Keyblade anymore. Might as well leave it here...for the other me.", he said.

"Wha…?", question Mickey.