Return to Paradise

Sora opened his eyes as he saw himself looking up at a wall.

Pushing his hand down he felt the soft dirt of the stand. Quickly standing up Sora looked around the room to realize something. This was the beach on the play Island. He was home, back on Destiny Island. A wave of nostalgia and shock came over him. Sora laid there for a moment just trying to get his bearing. He was back, he was really back. Or was he though? Could this just be another memory of Castle Oblivion. An Organization trick again. Perhaps it had to be, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of sheer joy just to be in a familiar place for once instead of somewhere he couldn't remember again.

Standing Sora just looked around, picking up some of the toys in his old room. He remembered when he was younger playing with his toy ship. Pretending to be like his dad, a sailor going around the Islands and exploring the wide unknown.

"Sora!" the door to his room opened up, "Sora...It's me"

"M-mom"

Sora stood there in silence, it was his mother Aiko, standing looking a bit normal wearing a nightgown, her brown hair a bit messy. She must have just gotten up. Like him she was a heavy sleeper.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

Sora blinked, shaking his head, quickly he rushed up to her and hugged her tight.

"Sora?" Aiko smiled, rubbing his back, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing mama' Sora hugged a bit tired, "Just...Just feeling like it"

"Oh, well, I'm glad you do" Aiko hugged him back, "Breakfast is downstairs, I'll join you in a bit" she patted his head and headed off.

Sora just stood there in his room feeling euphoric. After a long time he finally hugged his mother. It felt just so good.

"It's not real you know"

Sora's heart sank instantly as he turned around, Bill Cipher floating behind him.

"Still a memory" Bill responded, "Riku and the Organization are tricking you, wanting to make you complacent so you won't find Namine"

"I see…" Sora whispered.

So this was just another trick, but Riku and those guys in the coat. For some reason though despite the other times he did this, this particular memory hurt the worst. I was one thing to show worlds of places he didn't know and people he couldn't remember. But there were always going to be things in his heart and his memories that he could never forget. One of them was Namine, the other was his mother.

Sora clenched his fist.

"It's sad how far Riku has gone just to get back at you" Bill said, still floating behind Sora, "He really is your Villain isn't he?"

"I guess" Sora muttered, taking a deep breath, "Is he here"

"Yep"

"And Namine?"

"Yep"

"Do you know where they are"

"Somewhere?" Bill shrugged, "Not like I can snap my fingers and get you to them"

"Bill tell me where-"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Sora turned to face his door and looked out the hall. He didn't see anyone, but the knocking sound continued. It was coming from the front door. Racing down the stairs he was unsure to answer it or not. It was probably someone he didn't remember or part of the trick Riku and the coat people were playing on him. Still, the knocking continued.

"Sora could you see who it is" His memory mom called

"Alright, alright, what do you-" Sora paused as he opened the door.

Standing outside the door, was a girl. She was around his age by the looks of it, with bright blue eyes and shining red hair, wearing a white tank top and pink skirt. She seemed a bit lost as she darted her eyes before staring right back at Sora.

"Um, hi" Sora waved, not sure why he had such a strange feeling about her.

The girl blinked, "Oh hi, sorry...I'm your new neighbor" She outstretched her hand.

Sora gently took it.

"I'm Kairi," she said.

Sora just shook, "Uh...I-I'm Sora"

"Oh, hi Sora" Kairi smiled, "Nice to meet you, I just thought I introduce myself, I'm new to the Islands, so I'm not entirely used to everything here"

"Oh…"

Sora didn't really know what to say. Something inside his heart wanted to spend time with her. He hadn't felt with anyone he had met in the memory worlds before. There was something, strange, yet also oddly familiar. Like they had known each other before...In another life maybe. No. Maybe? Maybe this was someone who was close to him? Someone he knew. Like the last few people he met.

"Uh...Kid you gotta find Namine, go on...Ignore the girl"

"Shh" Sora hissed at Bill who was still inside his head turning back to Kairi, "S-So your new here"

"Yeah"

"Kid you just met this girl, you wanna hang out with her already, that's kinda creepy"

Sora rolled his eyes, "D-do you wanna tour, I've been a native Islander for like well...Ever"

"Well…" Kairi tapped her chin, "Sure? Why not, my dads said I need to make some friends anyway"

"And my mom says I have too many as it is" Sora chuckled.

"Har, har, very funny" Kairi rolled his eyes.

"Oh, hello" Sora turned around to see his mother or the memory of his mother, or whatever stand behind him, "Sora is this a new friend of yours"

Sora took a moment unsure what to say before saying, "YES! This is Kairi, she's new here, I'm gonna give her a tour o the Island"

"Oh well greetings Kairi, Sora knows the Island like the back of his hand" Aiko said, "Despite strangely have no sense of direction around his own room"

"Mom!" Sora blushed in embarrassment.

"Well are you going to give me a tour?" Kairi asked.

Sora blinked at her again. Something about her felt oh so familiar. Like something out a dream. He wished he could figure out what? Perhaps this tour would be what he needed. However he also needed to find Namine. Then again, perhaps this girl could help her. But he couldn't necessarily tell her everything, less she think he was crazy. He'd have to play it cool.

"Sure" Sora smiled, "W-we could find my friends too"

"Oh, sure? Love to meet more people"

Sora capped his hand together, "Great!" He beamed nervously, "Let's go"

Without even thinking he took Kairi's hand and began to head out. The two of them practically run down the streets passing several of the homes against the backdrop of a lovely bright sunny day. It made the Island and town all the more beautiful. Perhaps it was the nostalgia of the memory but at that moment Sora didn't really care. Even though in his mind he could hear Bill's annoyed muttering.

"Sure fine, whatever ACK! Just make sure to find Namine kay"

"Yes, I will, that's what I'm doing"

"Yeah, and picking up another person just because you have a feeling...yeesh, one day your feelings are going to be the end of you kid"

"Well...This is a good feeling, I know it is"

"FINE! BUT I'M STILL WATCHiNG!"

-000-

So thus the tour of the main Island began. Although for the most part Sora used it as a way to look for Namine, hoping to find her somewhere in the midst of the Island. However it was nice for him as well to return back to the main town. It had been such a long time since he's seen it, and while it was just a mere memory, they had gotten every detail right. From the main square, to the city hall, to the cracks in the sidewalks and their exact location.

However the more he walked around town with Kairi the more he started to feel less worried about finding her and more about this latest companion of his. Obviously she was from a memory deep within him, but he couldn't remember her at all.

"Namine!" Sora shouted again though but couldn't see anything.

"Yeesh, this town is a deadzone" Kairi responded looking around, "Bet it's nice when people are around"

Sora sighed, "Yeah...Been like that for a lot of places I've been visiting lately"

"Riku!" Sora shouted.

"Who are Namine and Riku?"

"They're...Well they were my best friends" Sora muttered as he kept walking, "Namine still is, Riku...Riku I'm quite sure?"

"Why?"

"Why!" Sora seemed incensed only to remember she didn't know, "I-I don't know why. He just...He just seems to hate me right now"

"Because he's your villain"

"Quite Cipher!" Sora hissed, getting tired of his triangle friends voice.

"Excuse me?"

Sora blushed at Kairi, "Nothing, sorry...It's just...They...They're important to me, especially Namine"

"Oh? Why?"

"Well Namine is…" Sora paused and he couldn't think of anything at the moment, "Namine is? Um…."

It was strange, words couldn't seem to come into Sora's mind as to why he actually did really like Namine. For the first time when he had to think, he wasn't able to come up with a single reason. It was like he was thinking for the first time clearly without anyone taunting him or the adrenaline. That couldn't be right though? He was doing all of this to fine Namine.

"Well what about Riku?" Kairi asked.

Sora blinked, "Oh that's Riku, he's amazing! He's been my best friend since I was a kid. We've always had each other's back. Him and I against the world. I just...I just don't know what I did to get him to hate me. Is it something I said, or didn't say"

"And you haven't tried talking to him" Kairi asked.

"It's hard to talk when we keep literally fighting" Sora said sounding annoyed, "Seriously how can I talk if he keeps trying to kill me"

Kairi shrugged, "Well, it's always worth talking, but even then I think something is off with your friend"

"What do you mean?"

"Good friends like that don't try to kill each other without a reason" Kairi replied, "So either he was never that close a friend to begin with"

"He was!" Sora said, sounding defensive.

"Or" Kairi raised a finger, "Something is going on, and maybe it's all a big trick"

Sora blinked, never thinking that maybe something was wrong with Riku as well. The Castle did erase memories after all, so perhaps they were messing with him as well.

"Trick, kid, why are you trusting someone you just met"

Sora wished he could punch Bill in the eye

"Mean"

Something was going on here now, Sora could feel it.

"What does your heart tell you" Kairi asked.

"My-my heart" Sora looked down to wear his heart would be, what did it tell him, "I-I just wish I knew what I did"

"Oh you know what you did!"

Sora turned to see Riku standing in front of him still wearing his dark armor despite being in the middle of the Island.

"Riku" Sora tried to reach out to him.

"Stop right there Sora" Riku glared over at Kairi, "I see you already found a replacement for Namine now"

Sora looked at Kairi, "You mean Kairi? Riku I just met I don't know…"

"Quite!" Riku pointed his sword at him, "We'll settle it where it started, on the play Island, Namine is waiting for us...She'll finally see you for what you are and what I am" he turned around and began to walk off.

"Riku wait" Sora rushed but to late, he vanished. "Ack!" He turned to face Kairi angrily, "See, this is what I have to deal with"

Kairi just shrugged, "Well...Like I said, ask your heart, and see what it says"

Then suddenly, she vanished, leaving Sora all alone again.

"Well kid, looks like you got a showdown to attend, this should be fun"

-000-

Sora made his way to the play Island just as he had been instructed. There he found Riku waiting for him, and by his side was Namine just standing there looking a bit nervous.

Her scared look made his blood boil. If Riku had hurt Namine and Sora didn't know what she would do. Quickly he made his way to the small Island near the main beach and stood before them now. His Keyblade at the ready.

"Riku!" Sora shouted.

Riku turned to face him with a smirk, "Sora, glad you made it, where's your new friend"

"Is Namine okay!"

"She's fine" Riku snickered, "And with me, and soon, that's all she'll need"

Without a moment's hesitation Sora struck while the clad was hot. He charged forwards striking Riku who blocked with his sword. The two clashed with one another, each trying to knock the other's weapon clear out from under their hand.

Both were quite angletic and agile as they fought tooth and nail. Each not willing to stand down, and both had a lot of energy left in them.

"Your strong Sora, I'll give you that" Riku said jerking his sword for a plunge, "But not strong enough to defeat me"

"Yeah well...Maybe you shouldn't underestimate me!"

Sora attacks were frantic, working on nothing but pure adrenaline at this point. He would not let Riku hurt Namine no matter what the cost. Yet as he kept his attacks something in the back of his mind was holding him back, as if telling him what he was doing was wrong. Though that couldn't be right, he was hurting his friend and destroying his home.

"I don't care what I have to sacrifice," Riku shouted trying to take him out, "I'm getting off this pathetic Island with Namine, and will explore the worlds together...without you."

"Why do you hate me so much

Riku growled, not even bothering to answer. He had a wild look in his eye, determined to free himself from the Island. How could anyone do such things though just to go to another world. It made Riku a monster, a real villain.

"Sorry Sora" Riku shouted, lunging forward almost hitting him "But I can't let you get in the way of our freedom". He turned to point his sword at Namine

Sora scowled, the angry now becoming excessive "No...You won't hurt Namine!" the key's energy began to charge and fire, striking Riku and knocking him down now.

"It's over Riku" Sora slowly walked up to him placing his Keyblade right on his neck, "You aren't hurting Namine"

"You'll have to take me out if you wanna protect her"

Sora eyes narrowed, "Would you really hurt someone to get off this Island"

"If it were worth it...Yes"

"Is it?"

Riku sneered, "Why do you care?"

"Because I just want to know" Sora said slowly lifting his Keyblade, "People just don't hurt others without some reason"

Bill suddenly appeared and burst out laughing, 'HA! Oh kid...I-is that really what you think, of course people do, I-I mean...People think it's funny to inflict pain on others. It's the most zestful part of life one could find"

Sora felt uneasy hearing that and now something felt vey off about Bill. Looking at his surrounding he could see the winds starting get heavier and the skies darker. He felt very alone, all except for one person there in the distance. Kairi, who was looking at him with a sad expression, sighing before saying, words that only Sora could hear.

"Listne to your heart"

Sora wondered if she had been watching him the whole time and now he felt a bit ashamed of what had happened right now. Something still remained off about all of this. Wasn't he supposed to be going to a big party, not some sort of brawl.

"Come on kid what are you waiting for!" Bill called out from afar, "He's your villain after all, sleigh him like all the great heroes do. Then you Namine...and me of course...can go off on a great adventure, see all the weird and bizarre the worlds have to offer and maybe make a little weird and bizarre of a own...HA!"

"Y-yeah, he tried to h-hurt AND-Namine" Sora muttered, he began to raise his key.

"Every hero, must destroy his villain, and do what is necessary" Bill spoke in his ear now, his wide smile growing as he stared into Sora with his glowing eye, "Give into your heart kid, let go, finally just listen to it and embrace yourself and what that Key can do"

Sora tightened the grip on his key a bit more, "I-I don't know, s-something feels wrong"

"What can feel wrong? He tried to hurt Namine" Bill said, sounding frustrated, "He tried to hurt your friend? And isn't your friend you're power right? Well defend your power and get rid of the thing that's trying to hinder it, then the two of you can see the worlds, explore, no sacrifice no nothing"

"I-Uh-"

"STOP!"

Sora paused as he looked up Namine was now standing up now, tears running down her face. She looked more distraught than anytime he could even remember.

"Sora stop!" Namine, "This is fake...It's all fake!"

"Fake?"

Bill covered her mouth instantly, "Oh come on kid...Clearly she's delusional, fake, ha...Now come on kid, give the final blow"!

Namine bit Bill's hand freeing herself, "He's your friend!" Namine shouted now, and then like that everything changed, Sora felt his anger subside, "These memories aren't true"

Sora blinked unsure what to do, "W-What?"

"He's your friend" Namine cried, "I'm sorry, all of this, all of this is fake...It's not real"

"That wasn't the real Riku" Namine said, voice shaking, "It was a replica, a fake...It's not real".

"Fake?" Sora said.

The words repeating themselves in there head

"I-I don't understand"

"It means this is all a memory," Namine spoke much to everyone's surprise, "Even me?"

"Y-you?" Sora brain was becoming more and more scattered, "Okay, this makes no sense"

"This is all inside your head Sora, a memory, or a false memory," Namine explained speaking calmly, "I nearly played a part that your heart designated for me. The deepest most untouchable part of your heart, that part that will always...always be for Kairi"

Sora blinked, turning to Namine "But…

"It's true, this memory isn't real...Kairi though, she is….

"Also your friend" Namine continued.

"K-Kairi"

Sora says with a shaking voice before suddenly his voice was in pain. The skies around him continue to darken as Bill approached him now, his eye glowing darker as blue flames surrounded him. His voice is even more demonic than ever now.

"AGH! Can't you be any more cliches! The hero forgives...Of course, why not! Because she said sorry!" Sora turned to see Bill, his eye was now glowing a dark red, in fact he had a red aura about him, before returning to normal, "But what should I expect, you are the hero, they don't really do anything originally. Honestly if you weren't so close on biting it, I actually wonder how far I could push things before someone like myself would push you over the edge to do me in? Oh well, one life's great mysteries"

Sora felt his head clench again, Bill's eyes glowed yellow, "Agh...C-Cipher! W-what are you, I thought...I thought you wanted to help me"

"I did...I protected Namine, those nasty nobodies were gonna hurt her so I got rid of them...She seemed really happy about it. Sang a song and everything, really you missed a good number" Bill said as he approached Sora, keeping Kairi and Namine away from his power, "I wanted to help more, I really did...I really wanted to see though how far you would go...No kid heart can be this pure, !"

Sora was on his knees and Bill joined him, "What do you want...Why did you even come to me then"

"At first it was a job by your old friend Maleficent, she wants revenge against you" Bill cackled,causing Sora to gasp in shock. "However as I've watched you, and honestly as I've studied you, I realize that petty revenge is nothing I want to be a part of even if I can get myself out. No...No you are way too valuable a prize to just destroy your mind. No...I think what would be more fun is honestly...If you became like me"

"Like you" Sora sneered tightening the grip on his Keyblade, "Is that why you wanted me to take out Riku, because then I'll be like you"

"It's a start, your first real kill all for the pettiest of reason"

Sora glared at him, "Well you failed then I guess, since I'm never gonna be like you"

With a snap of his fingers Sora blacked out as the card in his pocket began to glow.

"Fair enough ...Honestly taking your body is just way easier a goal then a big philosophical triumph at the end of the day. More tangible".

With one last laugh Bill snapped his finger

All went to darkness.

Darkness.

-000-

Sora opened his eyes.

The world around them started to fall apart, only Riku, and Namine all remained in place, however everything else from the sky to the Island trees began to vanish and burn in blue flame. Sora summoned his Keyblade ready for a fight. All around them, a high pitch cackling echoed across the ether of darkness as the floor beneath them transformed into a glass painted mural.

Sora's heart made manifest.

"WELL, WELL, WELL!" A flash of light appeared as Bill Cipher emerged larger than ever, looking over all of them, "Sora my old pal, I am VERY disappointed in you right now I can't say"

Sora glared at him, "Cipher! What are you doing? I thought you were my friend"

" I am, I'm doing the friendly thing and trying to get you to unleash your full potential" Bill cackled, "I mean you are the Keyblade Wielder, you're not gonna let some punk kid get in your way of anything you desire! But no, you still can't help but let him live. Why? You even know he's not the real thing"

"Because…" Sora looked at the Riku Replica and sighed, "Because it's the right thing to do"

Bill looked dumbfounded, "Oh come on, really? That's it, that's all your gonna give me? Don't tell me you're one of those high and mighty moral types".

"Yeah, maybe I am" Sora declared proudly, "What about you huh? Why are you even here, what's been your game"

"THAT!" Bill pointed at the Keyblade, "That key may be my big ticket out of a prison that I have been trapped in longer than any of you have been alive, I had a chance to escape but then YOU and YOUR STUPID STORY got in my way...So, consider this a debt you are repaying me"

"I don't owe you anything" Sora shouted.

Bill laughed, "HA! Right, it's not the first time the Keyblade has interfered in my plans or it's story comes into contact with mine. So this isn't a debt you owe me, but your predecessors do as a well"

"I'll never help you!" Sora got into a fighting stance.

"I'm asking for help, I'm gonna force you to be my puppet to get my out of my little predicament"

"So your just gonna use me like those hooded guys were"

Bill nodded, "Yep, but unlike them, you are just a plot point to a much bigger game, for I see more than they'll ever know. So what's it gonna be hot shot, help me our fight me"

"Fight all the way" Sora summoned his Keyblade ready for fight

"Careful Sora" Kairi said looking nervous, "I don't think this guy is messing around"

Namien nodded, "I saw what he could when not in a memory, hate to see what he can do while in one"

"More than you know kids" Bill outstretched his hands and summoned two blue flames, "More than you know"

Sora was ready to take the first strike but Bill was too fast and fired everything he had at them. They barely managed to duck as the trio was scattered across the room. Bill laughter echoed in the dark void.

"Oh man, this is gonna be easy"

Bill floated around them now, Sora keeping his eye on the triangle the entire time. With each blast Sora was able to duck, dodging and jumping as fast as he could as he ran in a circle. Namine and Kairi keep up with him trying to avoid his attacks. The energy was powerful but they were thankfully faster. However if they were going to have any chance of winning they would need to fight back.

"Sora look" Kairi pointed to the center of Bill's eye, "A opening"

Sora nodded and lept into the air, feeling the power of his Keyblade guide him as he strick Bill right in the eye. A scream came from the Demon, it was apparently a weak spot and it allowed Sora to whale on him over and over, bashing him with his Key.

"Enough!" Bill rose into the air and began to spinning, bolts of energy raining down above them now with no chance of avoiding them

"No!" Namine raised her hand and to her shock summoned a shield that was able to deflect the bolts causing them to dissipate away.

"WHAT!"

Sora gasped to see Namine deflection had work, not only that, she had a bit of help. Kairi was standing next to her now.

"Woah"

Namine looked at Kairi and gasped, "Y-You"

"Will always be part of Sora's heart" She said looking back at Sora with a smile, "But it's okay...I forgive you"

Namine blinked, "R-Really?"

"Well, it's better than dealing with this triangle guy"

Bill glared at them, "Bah, I can take you all on if I wanted too, and I will too"

"This is the mind," Kairi said, still trying to hold Bill back, "I might just be a memory, but memory is a powerful thing" she turned to Namine, "Together!"

They fired a beam of light on them now, Sora fell onto the ground landing with a thud and he just watched as the two girls went up against Bill.

"W-What is this?" Bill said, throwing his own abilities at them, "I-I never felt this power before!"

Sora blinked, "Amazing"

It was then Sora remembered something he said so long ago. Something that still rang true to this day. His friends were his power, and right now, they were helping him fight against Bill. This demonic being, and the connections were overcoming him. The connections of their hearts.

Sora continued to watch, light and dark blue flames battling each other.

The two built on one another, building and building...the pressure growing until finally…..

The light won out.

"AGH!" Bill screeched as he was blown back being flung into the sky a vortek forming sucking him out the last words from him were, "SO NOT FAIR!"

A bright light consumed them all, and finally, things calmed down.

Slowly the Island began to come back to peace again, the darkness of Bill Cipher slowly dissipating from it. Sora got up, trying to stand. He was a bit achy, though he was able to stand up straight. He was tired though, he felt very tired. It would be nice that soon he could rest and get back to his actual home.

Sora took a minute to wind down, he was aching in pain all over. Cipher had definitely did a number on him. But he couldn't rest for that long, he had a lot of things that still needed to be done. Looking up he saw the two girls who saved his life and gave them a faint smile. Once again this was proof that his friends were definitely his power.

"W-We won," Kairi said, getting to her knees, Namine helping her.

"Kairi!" Sora ran up to help, "You okay?"

"Yeah…" Kairi said taking a deep breath, "Remember, I'm just a memory, not real remember"

Sora smiled, "Your real enough," he looked at Namine now, her eyes darting down to avoid his gaze, "So? Is he gone for good"

"Sadly no," Namine sighed, "Look"

Sora turned to look down on the ground, Bill Cipher, still a triangle but a lot smaller now was lying on the ground, panting. He looked tire and exhausted, one hand on his chest while his arm was on the sand. Though his eye looked up and gave a scowling expression.

Carefully Sora approached him, taking out his Keyblade and pointing it right at his eye.

"You gonna do it?" Bill chuckled, "Come on? You'll make a lot of people happy, ridding me will make you a hero is the eyes of many"

Sora glared at him for a moment but removed his Keyblade, "No...Like I said, I'm not like you Cipher"

"Oh really…" Bill chuckled lightly, slowly rising to the air, Kairi and Namine ready for more "Kid who want to see the universe and is given great power in the process? All you need to do is destroy your world and your one step closer to being just lime me"

"Never!" Sora hissed, "My friends are my power, so long as I have them, I don't need anything, not even this" he held up his Keyblade and had it vanish.

"Well then...I'll guess I'll have to find a way to take away that power and prove to you, that in the end you can be just like me!" Bill slowly began to smile and began to sing in a soft voice.

Will meet again

Don't know where

Don't know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

With those last words, he vanished in a puff of blue flame leaving them all in shock and fear.

Silence passed, but Sora wasn't about to let Cipher's threat distract him now, he had bigger issues to deal with at the moment.

Sora looked at Namine now, her eyes darting down to avoid his gaze, "So? Is he gone for good"

Namien shook his head, "No, just gone from your mind, he's back were he belongs though...Hopefully he'll learn to keep to himself next time"

"So, what do we do now?" Sora asked looking at the Riku who was still unconscious, "And what about him?"

"Will take him back with us" Namine said, "And then ...I think we need to talk"

"Yeah, I think we do" Sora now again looked at Kairi "And you?"

Kairi smiled, "Like I said Sora, I'm in your memory, I'm not real...But I think the real one is still waiting for you back come"

"Yeah…" Sora took her hand, "Can't wait to say hello again"

With that Kairi vanished and Sora new that finally, it was time to make his way back on his true journey, and that was to go home.