Note: Okay…I really have to apologize…that last chapter really, really sucked. I AM SO SORRY EVERYONE! But…this one, is 10,000x better, I swear it! Well…I think it is. It has a new character in it, based off of someone I know. Yeah…I've got nearly as many made-up characters as real ones, don't I? Ah, it can't be helped. We're getting back to the actual plot of the story with Riku now! Is Sora dead? Is Riku okay? We'll see all that now, but I have another quick note to add. For the next few chapters, I need some ideas for some more worlds. Preferably, something that came from Squaresoft, although I'm open to new ideas. And…if you give me the world, I WILL credit the genius idea to you, no worries there. So, no more procrastination, on with the chapter!

            "Hey! Hey, are you in there? Are you okay? Hello?"

"Sora…?"

"Great…the first person I find in months and he's…well, hurt. C'mon…get up. Open your eyes…"

"Sora…?"

"Huh? Sor…sore? Are you sore? Are you okay? C'mon, now I know you're in there! Open up!"

            Darkness. Cold. Darkness and cold. More and more of it. Coming at him from all sides, every instant there it was. Darkness. Cold. Still, life stirred ahead of him. Ahead…why was it always so far ahead. He outstretched his hand to it…the light. The warm, comforting, forgiving, blessed light. Slowly, he cracked his eyes open, gravity trying to crush them straight back down. Instantly, he moaned, as the light blinded him, piercing straight through him. He quickly shut his eyes again and shuttered, going back to shadows. At least they wouldn't hurt him…no…not yet.

"Hey! I saw you open your eyes! You're in there! Open up or I'll make you!"

"Who in Kingdom Heart's name could be this damn annoying…"

Reluctantly, Riku slowly opened his eyes once more, and the light shot through him, although not as violently. Actually, after a moment, it felt more like a gentle river's flow than piercing arrows. He gradually righted himself, sitting up as the world about him spun in circles. He blinked once, then twice, mentally commanding the surroundings to hold still. Strangely, they did.

"Hey, you're all right! Terrific!"

Riku turned to see whom this annoying voice belonged to. A young woman, about his age, knelt before him, smiling gently. A river of silver-blonde hair fell down her back, stopping just above her waist. Light blue eyes regarded him curiously and playfully. Eyes that would so greatly resemble Sora's…if they were only slightly darker. Her outfit was a medley of purple, gold, and white, most of the vibrant shades concealed in a dark purple cloak. She cocked her head to the side in response to his analysis, and Riku quickly looked away, causing her to laugh.


"You're…strange." she laughed, moving to get back in front of him. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"


"Riku." he said bluntly, turning away again.

How annoying could one person get? All he wanted was to get up and find Sora…well, and maybe some food and drink. His stomach rumbled in agreement, and he shook his head slowly. It felt like forever since he had eaten anything. Where was he, anyway? His observant gaze turned from the girl to the surroundings. Building…streets, all so familiar. What was this place…he had been here before…

"Hey, are you ignoring me!" she exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips. "Well, fine then, I'll just introduce myself, whether you are listening or not. My name's Diana. It's a pleasure to meet you…"

He had heard the girl, and nodded absent-mindedly. However, his thoughts were set on the surroundings, trying to bring up sleeping memories. He knew this place…he had been here. He could remember…if only he could try hard enough… Suddenly, his mind snapped to realization, and he laughed, it had all been so easy.

"Traverse Town!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "Why didn't I realize it before?"

Diana regarded him with confusion and curiosity. This guy…Riku he said his name was, he could've just asked where he was. She could've said that much. Traverse Town…the place for those without worlds.

"Yeah…Traverse Town. Population: 2." she said, shaking her head.

He looked over at her and nodded. At least he was somewhere he had been before. Now, to figure out how to get out of here… With only a moment's glance, it was obvious they were in the First District. Near the gate to the second…the accessory shop and item shop only moments away. Stopping there for supplies would be nice. He looked down, eyes searching for the keyblades he was entrusted with. Luckily, they lay only a few feet off, and he quickly went to them, grabbing one in each hand. With that, he brushed past the girl and headed towards the item shop.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" she demanded, running over and grabbing him by the arm. "You're not going anywhere without me!"

He sighed, and tried to shake free, to no avail. A stubborn one, she was. Her eyes glittered in determination and excitement, giving him a look that would've scared anyone else into submission. However, Riku only shrugged.

"You'll just get in the way." he said firmly, continuing forward, practically dragging the girl along with him. "Just let go and let me go my own way."

She shook her head furiously, locks of silver-blonde hair falling into her face, "No! I'm not letting you go! You're the first person I've found…and you may be my key to getting out of here."

"Key…" he thought, laughing.

Surely, he had plenty of keys. One to unlock the hearts of others, and the other…well, he was yet to know the ability this other keyblade possessed.

"Fine, whatever, come along." he relented, as he opened the item shop door with his only free hand. "But, the second you become trouble, you're out of here."

"Yes sir!" she exclaimed, letting go of his arm to give a mock salute.

            The item shop was desolate and empty. Cobwebs filled the vacant corners of the building, as dust thinly blanketed everything in its filmy touch. Their footsteps echoed emptily throughout the facility, scattering small rats every which way.

"We are…really the only ones here?" Riku asked slowly, brushing the dust off of the old counter.

"Yes." was Diana's solemn reply. "Everyone else is back in their worlds. There's really no need for this place anymore, you see."

"What about you?" he questioned, looking over at her.

"I don't belong anywhere."

 Riku didn't comment, but instead, fell behind the shelves, searching for items. Most had apparently been taken as everyone had returned to their rightful places, but a few random items still lay back behind the counter; a few potions, some antidotes here and there. Nothing that Riku didn't already possess. After years of fighting the Heartless, his item supply wasn't exactly dwindling. But, to his great surprise, there was something he didn't have behind the counter as well.

"Food!" he exclaimed, throwing out a basket full of an assortment of goods. "Real food!"

Diana watched in astonishment as this silver-haired stranger literally threw himself onto the basket and engulfed everything as if his life depended on it. She would surely have to teach him some manners. But…something in the way he desperately clawed at every scrap of food seemed to show that it wasn't his fault. Wherever he had been before here, food had apparently been a rare sight indeed. She watched in silence as he finished the last of the basket's contents in less than five minutes, and then stood up, wiping his mouth. He turned and looked at her, his face going red. He was embarrassed…how funny. She started to giggle, as his face turned an even brighter crimson shade.

"W-what?" he finally asked, looking down at the ground. "You try having to fight for your food every single day!"

She was about to respond, when there was a scratching at the door. Followed by a chorus of banging. Something black flashed past the window.

"Riku…?" she said quietly, stepping back.

He looked at her with a grim expression, and said, "Can you fight?"

            They were throwing out the contents of the closets, probing for a weapon of any kind.

"I learned magic when I was young…" she said, throwing a box of random gummi ship parts aside, as Riku poured out the contents of some drawers to her side. "It has been so long though…"

"You better start remembering…" he cautioned, looking over towards the window furiously.

Luckily, these Heartless were stupid, or so polite, they found it necessary to come through the door. All it would take is a single pound across the glass window, and they would flood straight into the room.

"Look!" Diana suddenly exclaimed, holding up an old oak staff.

The weapon was covered in dust and was apparently not in the best of shape. Thick, dark wooden bonds spiraled up the lighter-colored wooden base, and they ended in a claw, apparently designed to hold some kind of gem. However, the stone was not present.

"Try it!" Riku exclaimed urgently, as one of the Heartless's claws shot through the bottom of the door.

"Fira!" she exclaimed, pointing the staff as the opening.

A whirlwind of fire rampaged towards the opening, engulfing the door in its flames. Yes, the Heartless were frightening back, for an instant, but now the door was gone. Riku shot her an angry glance, shaking his head slowly as the Heartless regrouped and started coming towards them.

"Well…at least we know it works…" she said slowly, grasping the weapon tighter.

            Without a word, Riku charged forward, holding both keyblades outward. Only seconds away from the torrent of Heartless, he gave a quick spin to his right, spiraling into the masses of shadows. Screeches emmited from left and right, as the silver whirl of the blades consistently erupted from within the grasp of the darkness. Diana stood there, shock overwhelming her, instinct telling her to run and hide; run, hide, and don't look back. Shaking, she held her staff outward and closed her eyes. What if she hit him? No…she had to trust her heart and follow her thoughts.

"Blizzaga!" she exclaimed, pointing the staff to the sky, and then bringing it down with a violent swing.

Ice blasted out towards the writhing dark warriors, shattering against them with an unusually powerful force. Riku shuttered as a single shard grazed his cheek, and a few drops of blood trickling down.

"Thundaga!" she shouted, once again, raising and lowering her staff, now stepping forward.

Lighting shot through the building's roof, causing it to explode, burning planks of wood pounding against the ground, sending small flares flying. The lightning struck a large crowd of Heartless, and they cried out, backing down. Riku raised his hand to her, as if to say it was enough, but she stepped forward again. Tears ran down her face, as she brought the staff up again, and pointed it to the open sky.

"Ultima!" her voice rang out, clean, crisp, and fearless.

            Now, the Heartless were backing out of the building, starting to fight amongst themselves to find a way out. She pointed the staff at them and screamed. She screamed, and all her anger and sadness seemed to project itself through it.

"For my family, my friends, my world!" she shouted, falling to her knees, but the staff still facing the Heartless. "Ultima!"

A giant white light started to burn at the end of the staff, gradually growing brighter and brighter. Small wisps of shadow swirled around the growing ball of light, orbiting it with growing speed. Diana's eyes remained locked on the light, sweat dripping down her face, tense with effort. After a few seconds more, she gave a small swing of the staff and the bright ball of light shot forward. Upon first contact with the Heartless, everything went white. Riku screamed, kneeling down and throwing his arms over his head. Before light engulfed everything, he managed to turn and see Diana, lying unconscious a few feet away. He reached for her hand, but found himself unable to grab it before the intensity of the light overtook him.

            "Riku? Riku…please…say you're all right…"

"Sora?"

"No. Diana. Are you okay?"

Riku slowly opened his eyes to see Diana kneeling beside him, her face showing obvious concern. He sat up quickly, fingers rubbing the smooth surface of the keyblades still resting in his hands. The girl's expression quickly turned to one of relief as he stood up, brushing himself off.

"I'm fine. What about you?" he said, crossing his arms. "One moment, all I think you're capable of is a simple Fira, and the next, you're blasting everything into oblivion…"

She laughed gently, "Call it a warm-up."

"Sure…" he replied. "Whatever you say. Now…are…'they' gone?"

"Every last one." she said bluntly, nodding. "Can we leave?"

Riku took a few steps away and looked around. How were they supposed to? Gummi ships no longer worked, the worlds were sealed from one another. How were they supposed to get anywhere?

"I'm…not sure." he replied, followed by a sigh.

Diana smiled gently and put her hand on his shoulder, brushing her hair out of her face. They said nothing, just stood there. The battle had been won, but it seemed they had lost after all, in the long run. They were trapped in Traverse Town…for what appeared to be forever. She looked over at the silver-haired stranger, who called himself Riku. Something was so different about him than other people. If it was only how cold and separated from others he seemed to be. Aside from whoever this Sora was. It had to be the person he was looking for. Everyone had a reason for wanting to escape somewhere. To find someone, discover something. Or else…it wouldn't be worth such an effort. Her reason…she didn't even know anymore.

"How did you get here?" she asked, shuffling her feet across the ground. "I mean, if you can get I, surely, we can get out."

"A portal. A friend." he said, walking further from her, dropping one of the keyblades to the ground, and banging his hand against a brick wall. "Forget it. We're trapped."

Before she could move forward to comfort him, a small crack of purple light appeared where Riku's fist had hit the wall. She walked forward and watched as he pounded on the wall again, widening the crack. Madly, he started pounding on it, and she followed his action, banging her fists against the wall.  Drawing up his keyblades, he started slashing at the wall, revealing the one thing they needed right now. Both stepped back simultaneously and stared in disbelief at what sat before them.

"Can we leave?" she asked slowly, looking to Riku for his response.

"Onward…to whatever lies ahead." he responded.

She was startled as he grabbed her hand, nodding.

"What?" he asked, his face emotionless. "You want to go flying off alone into this abyss?"

"No!" she exclaimed, clutching his hand tighter.


"I thought so." he said, starting forward.

She held her breath as they walked forward, afraid but determined. Riku found himself shaking, although he had already done this once. But…maybe now, it would be okay. After all this time, he wasn't alone anymore. The girl had potential…she was nearly as strong as he was. Maybe if she could find a way not to nearly destroy everything when she unleashed such a power, if she could control it, she'd make a decent ally. But, then all thoughts were chased from both of them, as they entered the potal.