Title: Crossed Trails ( 1 / ? )
Author name: Ari Powwel
Author email: eight_muses@hotmail.com
Spoilers: Kingdom Hearts
Summary: Could there be uncharted worlds up there? My curiosity never ceases to grow. Sora and company failed to mention all the different people they met on their quest . . .
Random quotes from this chapter:
     'Those make a lot more noise than you'd expect.'
     Right, smart. Trust me.
     'Pain!'
     There went my dignity . . .
     'He won't even admit he could actually be sick!'
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by various publishers including but not limited to Disney Interactive and Square Co., Ltd. The characters of Sara, Lara, Lia, and Simone belong to their respective owners: Ari, Sue, Kaylee, and Rocky. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Erm, HI! I is Ari Powwel. Obviously. Heh. Yes. Anyways! Ummm . . . *thinks* what to say, what to say . . . ah! This is one of those game things! There are four OCs here: Sara, Lara, Lia, and Simone. There are four girls: Kaylee, Ari, Sue, and Rocky. Kudos to whoever figures out who's who! lol
I promise that I'll try to keep Author's Notes to a minimum, it could be a bit annoying to have all them . . .
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Chapter 1: Dream

A boy, floating underwater.

I've been having these weird thoughts lately. Like, is any of this for real . . . or not?

The boy drifted downwards, his brown hair moving gently in the water. Destiny had chosen him to fight its battles. Destiny had chosen Sora.

He surfaced, and his blue eyes caught sight of another boy, this one with silvery hair. Sora could easily recognise one of his best friends. Riku!

Riku turned, stretching his hand toward Sora, beckoning him forward. Sora's eyes widened as a huge tidal wave rose behind Riku. He splashed through the shallow water towards the boy, trying to reach him.

The wave crashed down. He hadn't made it. Sora sank into the water again, eyes searching frantically for a sign of Riku. Riku reached out toward him again. Sora tried to swim to him, but lost. He couldn't make it. He closed his eyes, feeling himself spiralling down.

Just when he couldn't hold his breath anymore, his head broke the surface again. A redheaded girl waved and called to him from the shore. Kairi! he thought, relieved. But . . . something strange. Hadn't she noticed that wave? Why wasn't she worried about their long-time friend, still underwater, possibly dead? And most importantly, why was it sunset? He pushed the thought out of his mind, instead concentrating on the relief. After all, he hadn't drowned, Riku was more than likely fine, and Kairi hadn't even been touched by the wave!

His relief was short-lived, however, for as he reached her, he bent over, coughing out the seawater that had swallowed. After a moment, he looked at her again, but she wasn't looking at him. She was pointing, her blue eyes focusing on something behind and above him. He turned. Dozens of things fell through the sky, like . . . stars. Or meteors? He wasn't sure, but it didn't matter, because his eyes focused on a – a figure, falling. Sora squinted, trying to make it out. It was . . . himself?

Sora felt himself falling backwards, as if the wet sand under his feet had just been dissolved by the water. He grabbed at Kairi, who could only stare as he disappeared beneath her feet.

He couldn't breathe. He was going to die, trapped underwater for all eternity.

His breath was expelled from his lungs in a long trail of bubbles. He inhaled, terrified. But the water just passed through the boy's lungs like it was just air. His body relaxed, moving easily through the water.

Breathing easier now, Sora finally came to rest on a dark platform. A bird flew away from his foot, revealing a coloured surface. Suddenly all the birds spiralled off the platform, revealing a picture of a beautiful woman with black hair. She held an apple in her hand and was surrounded by seven off looking men. Strange . . .

'So much to do, so little time,' came a voice. Sora jumped, and it continued, 'Take your time. Don't be afraid. The door is still shut. Now, step forward. Can you do it?'

Of course I can, Sora mentally snapped, but the eerie atmosphere made him leave his thoughts unsaid. He stepped forward, into the centre of the platform.

Three stone pedestals appeared. 'The power sleeps within you. If you give it form, it will give you strength. Choose well.' On top of each was an item: a sword, a staff, and a shield. Almost mesmerised, Sora climbed onto the sword's pedestal, the sword dropping into his hands.

'The power of the warrior. Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction. Is this the power you seek?'

Sora hesitated. He was learning to fight at home, but a sword of terrible destruction? But only girls would choose the shield, and he didn't know what the staff was for. He nodded, and the sword disappeared from his hands.

'Your path is set,' the voice said. 'Now, what will you give up in exchange?'

Sora debated a moment before walking to the staff.

'The power of the mystic. Inner strength. A staff of wonder and ruin. You give up this power?'

Sora shook his head and jumped off the pedestal, heading for the shield.

'The power of the guardian. Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel all. You give up this power?'

Sora nodded again.

'You've chosen the power of the warrior. You've given up the power of the guardian. Is this the form you choose?'

Sora nodded a final time. 'Yes,' he said aloud, painfully aware of the echo.

The pedestals jarred and sank into the ground. Startled, Sora jumped off. The glass cracked under his feet and he fell to another platform, of a brown-haired woman in a light blue ball gown with her hair twisted up. A sword appeared in his hand.

'You've gained the power to fight.' Sora swung the sword. 'All right! Now you've got it. Use this power to protect yourself and others.' Sora was just getting used to the voice, when shadows appeared. Sora started, and readied his sword.

'There will be times when you have to fight. Keep your light burning strong.' Without warning, the shadows attacked. Sora's blade swung out to block them, allowing himself to fall into the familiar motions: block, swing, parry, thrust –watch it! One hit him, and he staggered backwards. He slammed the edge of the blade into the offending shadow. It disappeared, dropping a green sphere. Sora had already learned these helped him. He walked toward it

'Behind you!'

Sora swung around, his sword going straight through the shadow bearing down upon him. Got 'im, Sora thought smugly. Then a black void appeared beneath him, pulling him down. No . . .

He landed on yet another platform. A door stood near the middle. There wasn't a room behind it; he could walk all around it. He walked up to it and tried to open it. 'I can't open it . . .'

He paced around the platform, nearly tripping over a chest as he did so. He opened it, then took out his frustration on a crate, which turned out to contain a potion. Sora already understood what these were, they were common in every house to cure colds or heal minor cuts and scrapes. After throwing a barrel, he walked up to the door, which had changed somehow . . .

It opened. Sora walked though –

And found himself standing on the wooden deck at home. Sora let out a sigh and smiled –

'Hold on. The door won't open just yet. First, tell me more about yourself.'

Sora walked over to Tidus, a young boy with sandy hair. 'What are you afraid of?' he asked.

'Getting old,' replied Sora.

'Gettin' old? Is that really so scary?'

Sora merely shrugged and turned to Wakka. Wakka was a bit older than he, with orange-y hair and a passion for blitzball to fierce it could light a candle at five feet. 'What do you want outta life?' he asked.

'To see rare sights.'

'To see rare sights, huh?'

Sora nodded and turned to the last figure on deck. It was Selphie, a perky girl with brown hair and bright green eyes. Sora normally thought her a bit annoying, as she was a hopeless romantic. She questioned, 'What's most important to you?'

'Friendship. My friends,' Sora answered without hesitation.

'Is friendship such a big deal?'

'Yes,' he said emphatically.

The voice cut in again. 'You're afraid of getting old. You want to see rare sights. You want friendship. Your adventure begins at dawn. As long as the sun is shining, your journey should be a pleasant one.'

'Sounds good,' said Sora, feeling as if he were talking to himself.

The voice continued, 'The day you will open the door is both far off and very near.'

Sora found himself on another platform. Oh, great . . . He looked out at this one. It was a beautiful princess, that was obvious from the tiara on her blonde head. Her eyes were closed, and a rose lay in her fist. Thorny vines tried to entangle her in their grasp, but she seemed unaware of the danger.

Near the centre of the platform a light shone. As Sora walked toward it, the voice explained that it was a rest point. It would save him even if he were an inch from death. He could also rest there; any evil he might come across couldn't touch him if he was there.

The voice's words were true. When Sora crossed over it, he felt better than he ever had before, and a ramp appeared, made of coloured glass.

'The only way out is to finish it,' Sora said to himself, walking up. Looking back, the ramp disappeared.

The next platform was a picture of a dark-haired girl, wearing a golden gown. There was a – a beast was the only word Sora could find to describe it. The beast was unlike anything he'd ever seen before, he knew he'd be remembering it and shivering for awhile. He tore his eyes away from the beast, noticing that a light shone at the centre of the platform. Sora headed toward it –

The voice spoke again. 'The closer you get to light, the greater your shadow becomes . . .' Sora turned and looked at his shadow. It stretched long across the platform. Then it did something Sora never thought a shadow could do.

It pulled itself off the ground.

Sora stared, terrified, as his shadow became a hideous shadow-creature.

'But don't be afraid,' the voice urged. 'And don't forget . . .'

Sora tried to escape, but nearly fell off the platform into the vast darkness below. He had no choice but to fight. He hurled himself at his Dark side, attacking wherever he could. He quickly discovered that it was the hands he should go after – the Darkside's hands would throw down a pool of darkness that would spawn more shadows.

He lost track of all time, swinging at the hand and destroying shadows for a green orb. Finally, it was over.

Sora stood, exhausted, staring at the Darkside. A black void appeared beneath him, and he cried out. The voice returned, 'But don't be afraid. You hold the mightiest weapon of all.'

Sora tried to fight his way out of the darkness; tendrils were wrapping around him, he couldn't breathe . . .

Before he was completely engulfed, he heard the voice's last words.

'So don't forget: You are the one who will open the door.'

*        *        *

Sora woke up, looking around frantically. He was back on the beach. Thank the paopu. He reclined, feeling the cool sand beneath his back. But wait. There was a face . . . staring right at him! 'Whoa!' he yelled, bolting upright. He twisted around, looking at the person behind him. Kairi giggled, and Sora leaned back a bit, relieved. 'Gimme a break, Kairi.'

'Sora, you lazy bum,' Kairi answered, putting her hands beneath her back. She rocked forwards and backwards on her heels, laughed evident in her eyes. 'I knew that I'd find you snoozing down here.' Sora clambered to his knees.

'No! This huge black – thing swallowed me up! I couldn't breathe, I couldn't – ow!' Sora clapped a hand over the back of his head as a sharp pain shot through it. He looked up and saw Kairi giggling. She'd cuffed him around the back of his head.

'Are you still dreaming?' Kairi asked.

'It wasn't a dream!' Sora argued, but paused. 'Or was it? I don't know . . .what was that place? So bizarre . . .'

'Yeah, sure,' said Kairi, making Sora jump. He'd forgotten she was there, lost in his own thoughts. He could tell she still didn't believe him. A subject change was in order.

'Say, Kairi, what was your hometown like? You know, where you grew up.' Sora asked, turning back to look at the ocean.

'I've told you before, I don't remember,' she replied, walking to the water's edge.

'Nothing at all?'

'Nothing.'

'You ever want to go back?'

'Well, I'm happy here.'

'Really . . .'

'But you know . . . I wouldn't mind going to see it.' Kairi's voice held a dreamy tone. Slight, perhaps, but to someone who'd known her as long as Sora had, it was easy to hear.

'I'd like to see it too.' he agreed. 'Along with any other worlds out there! I want to see 'em all!'

'So what're we waiting for?' Kairi said, the excitement in her voice rising.

Sora was cut off when he started to reply, by a new voice. 'Hey, aren't you guys forgetting about me?' Sora twisted around again, looking at the figure behind him. 'So, I guess I'm the only one working on the raft,' Riku said, a log in his arms. He tossed it toward Sora, but it landed in the sand, after hitting his arms on the way down. Riku strode towards them, commenting to Kairi, 'And you're just as lazy as he is!'

Kairi giggled. 'So you noticed,' she said as Riku lowered himself into the sand. 'Okay, we'll finish it together. I'll race you!'

'Huh?'

'What, are you kidding?' the comments came from Sora and Riku, respectively.

'Ready? GO!' Kairi yelled. Riku and Sora looked at each other for a moment, then both boys leapt up at the same time, running as fast as they could towards the raft. Kairi followed behind, giggling the entire way.

'So, can you gather the rest of the supplies?' Sora's mind was still in his dream. What was that black thing? Was it really a dream? What – 'Sora, are you listening to me?' Sora shook his head, bringing himself back to earth.

'Yeah, I heard you.'

'Okay, so here's what you need to go and find: two logs, a cloth, and a rope. Bring everything back here. If you need help, just ask. I'm counting on you!'

Right, smart. Trust me. Sora grinned to himself. Anyone knew he shouldn't be the trusted one . . . after all, Riku was the one for that. He just ran around causing various mishaps. Speaking of which . . .

Sora grinned mischievously, walking up behind Wakka. Just as he was about to tap his shoulder with the wooden sword he carried –

'Hey, what's happening, man?'

Sora jumped off, landing in front of Wakka. 'How'd you know I was there?' he asked, more than a little put out.

Wakka smiled. 'All you have to do is listen. Those,' he pointed at Sora's shoes, 'make more noise than you'd expect.'

Sora had no answer, but that didn't seem to matter. 'You wanna go a round?' Wakka asked.

'Sure, let's play.'

'Play is for kids, man. This is for real!'

Sora grinned; he knew how to annoy Wakka in a battle. Predictably, Wakka launched his ball at him, trying to knock him away. Sora used the flat of his 'blade' to knock it back at him, effectively disorienting Wakka and allowing him to get a few good hits in. But then Wakka ran off a bit, and Sora tensed, knowing what was coming.

Wakka leapt into the air. 'Take this!' he yelled, and flung the ball at Sora, rather hard, too. Sora tried to block it, but was a bit too slow. He tripped back, scrambling to his feet quick as he could. This was crucial, if Wakka could hit him again, the battle was as good as lost.

Luckily, he managed to get up in time to deflect the throw aimed at him. He rushed Wakka with a new combo he had learned, trying to finish before Wakka recovered. He let out a yell as Wakka hit him again, and ran to the other side of the beach, waiting for Wakka to throw again. 'Take this!' Sora dove to the side as the ball bore down on him again. There went my dignity . . . Sora rolled up and hit the ball back at Wakka again, not daring to run up. Wakka fired a couple of shots, which missed Sora easily, before shaking his head clear and throwing the ball at Sora again. Grinning, Sora hit it back, feeling as if he'd finally won the upper hand.

Sure enough, a couple of reflects later, Wakka crouched down, holding the blitzball over his head as if warding off future attacks. 'Aww, man . . .' he moaned. Sora ran off to the docks, wondering if he could startle Selphie. She was perched on the end of the docks, looking out over the waters.

Unfortunately, she heard him, too, so he was forced by his dignity to challenge her, just like he had Wakka. 'Now, don't hold back!' she called, and Sora gave a mischievous grin.

For a moment, uncertainty shone in her eyes, and he answered, 'Don't worry. I won't.' Sadly, her nunchaku hit him in the head before he moved. He blinked. 'Owwww . . .' and chased after her.

This battle took a bit longer than against Wakka; Sora had the feeling the boy hadn't been giving his all. But the outcome was still the same. 'I can't believe I lost!' pouted Selphie, moving to sit back down. He laughed and walked off, finding the cloth to add to the log he'd found. He saw Tidus, slamming the red pole he substituted for a sword into the 'ship's' rail. Aside from that, there was also a rope. Sora grinned, knowing Tidus would challenge him to fight.

And he did. Sora wiped his face of sweat, tensing. Tidus was tough, but Sora was sure he could beat him. Just block, block, and hit the opening! Turn around, fast! He hit the ground as Tidus's pole found its mark, smacking him sharply against his back. 'Oh, now you've done it!' he growled, and started attacking with twice his vigour, easily overpowering Tidus.

'Aww, man, I'm really off today!' Tidus complained, but he challenged Sora again.

'How about you three against me?' Sora replied.

'You're goin' down!'

Sora grimaced; he could beat each of them alone, but together? He wasn't sure.

Sora gasped in pain, feeling two attacks hit him as he battled Selphie. This wasn't working. He continued to attack, grateful when she dropped out. He went after Tidus next, he could dodge Wakka's attacks.

But it wasn't enough. One of Wakka's attacks found its mark, just as Tidus broke his defences. He slid backwards over the sand, squeezing his eyes shut against the pain. 'Hey, guys?' Tidus called. 'I think we went a little too hard.'

Argh, thought Sora, climbing to his feet. How was he ever going to beat Riku if he couldn't even beat these three? 'Let's go again,' he told Tidus, deciding that a bit more practise couldn't hurt anything.

'I can't believe we lost!' Tidus said later. Sora leapt into the air happily. He'd finally done it! He'd finally beaten the three of them together! Now, maybe, he was ready. He climbed up onto the shack's roof and jumped onto a raised bit of land. He walked along the wooden bridge to the paopu island, spotting two things at once. There was a log lying by a tree; he still needed one, right? Riku was also sitting on the paopu tree, staring into the horizon. Sora smirked, seeing how hard Riku was concentrating. He poked him in the pack with his sword. Riku jumped a mile into the air, making Sora burst out into laughter. But what happened next was totally unexpected. Riku spun around and grabbed the end of his sword, effectively pulling it out of his hands.

'Oh, Sora. It's you,' he said, tossing the sword back to the boy.

Sora didn't know what to say. 'How about some one-on-one?' Well, okay, he did. That doesn't mean it was the smart thing to say.

Riku chuckled and jumped off the tree. 'You think you can beat me?' he produced his sword. 'This one decides the champ!'

Sora ran forward, swinging his sword for all he was worth. Riku easily leapt behind him, getting a few hits in. Sora stumbled forward, scanning the ground for him. Riku had leapt to the paopu tree, pausing before bearing down on him again. 'Come on!' Sora hit at him, but Riku blocked. Once, twice, thrice. 'It's my turn, now.' Sora attempted to block, but couldn't. He fell back into the sand, leaping up and seeing Riku standing on the tree again. 'You still don't have it.'

Sora felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He waited for Riku to come closer, then hit him with a combo. He kept up with this strategy, until Riku fell on his back. Oh, no . . . Riku launched himself off of his back and kicked Sora in the ribs, knocking the air out of his lungs. Augh! Pain was immediate. He fell back, breathing hard. Riku took advantage of this, attacking him again. No! Sora put up his sword, trying to block until he could get up. Riku let him up, Sora wasn't quite sure why. But almost immediately, Riku was bearing down on him again, pushing him back.

'Oh, no!' Sora realised his plan too late. Riku grinned and hit again. Sora put up his sword to guard, but it was enough. He fell off the island, landing in the water below. He surfaced, and slammed his fist into the water's surface. 'Aw, man! Now the score's four to one!' And he wasn't even sure if the one time had counted. Riku had been kinda off that day . . . sick, most likely. Sora shook his head, remembering.

Kairi always complained about Riku. 'He won't even admit that he could actually be sick!' she had ranted, looking out at the island, where he was sprawled along the branches. Every once in awhile, the entire tree would shudder. Sora remembered, with a twinge of guilt, that he had been a bit jealous she wasn't worried about him. True, he hadn't been the sick one, but still . . .

Sora climbed up the ladder, picking up the log from where it laid. Still griping about the evils of the water, he stumbled over to where Kairi was waiting. 'Here,' he said, dropping the stuff.

Kairi giggled. 'So I didn't have to remind you!' she pushed the stuff into an alcove, then walked back. 'Thanks, Sora! I found something today, too.  Here, it's yours.' She handed him a Hi-Potion. 'Tired? Want to call it a day?'

'Yeah, lets go home,' Sora answered; fatigue had been spreading through his limbs ever since he'd had the bright idea to challenge Riku.

'Okay, it is getting late. We'll finish up tomorrow.'

They went and joined Riku on paopu island, sitting on the tree. Riku leaned against it, staring into the sunset.

'So, Kairi's home is out there somewhere, right?' Sora asked him.

'Could be. We'll never know by staying here.'

'But how far could a raft take us?' he pressed. He was a bit nervous about the raft, instead wanting to use another way, but what other way was there? . . . At the same time, he couldn't wait.

'Who knows? If we have to, we'll think of something else.' Riku answered. As usual, there wasn't a trace of emotion in his voice.

'So, suppose you get to another world. What would you do there?' Kairi asked.

'Well, I haven't really thought about it. It's just . . . I've always wondered why we're here on this island. If there are any other worlds out there, why did we end up on this one? And suppose there are other worlds . . . that ours is just a little piece of something much greater. So we could have just as easily ended up somewhere else, right?'

Sora lay back on the branch he and Kairi were perched on, waiting for her to answer. But she didn't. 'I don't know,' he said.

'That's why we need to go out there and find out. Just sitting here won't change a thing. It's the same old stuff. So let's go.'

'You've been thinking a lot lately, haven't you?' Kairi asked, looking down at him. Riku looked back at her before staring out at the ocean again. Sora wondered what he saw when he looked out. He looked, too, and tried to imagine another place there.

'Thanks to you. If you hadn't come here, I probably would've never thought about this. Kairi, thanks.'

'You're welcome,' Kairi responded, even though it wouldn't have mattered if she hadn't.

They sat there for a bit longer, just enjoying one another's company. Sora closed his eyes, comfortable in the twilight. All of them knew it was time to go, but none of them really felt like moving. Eventually, Kairi slid off the branch.

'Well, I'm going to leave now. I'll see you two tomorrow!'

Sora heard her footsteps going across the bridge and knew it was time to go. He rolled over and fell off the branch, landing on his feet. He was just a bit across the bridge, when – 

'Sora.'

Sora turned around, seeing Riku striding toward him, something yellow in his hand. He tossed it to him, and Sora caught it, trying to see what it was. 'You wanted one, didn't you?' Riku questioned.

'A paopu fruit . . .'

'If two people share one, their destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives no matter what. C'mon, I know you want to try it.' Sora could hear the grin in his voice as he passed him.

'What are you talking –'

Riku laughed and Sora coloured a bit, throwing it into the water below. He took off after Riku, not wanting to be left behind.

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Yes, I know this is basically a novelisation here, but it starts changing a bit next chapter. You just havta get to it first. Then . . . it'll be REALLY different, though basically the same and does that make any sense? Not really, so you'll just havta keep reading! ^_^
9 ½ pages, I hope you liked it!!

Please remember to review. Sadly, I am one of those people who will drop a fic if it isn't getting many reviews. Thank you! Look for the second chapter ((castle)) next Wednesday!!

Until then, please go read my other fic, Reflections. It's quite a bit further along than this one ((completed, I just have to post the last three chapters)) and will be updated Sundays.