KINGDOM HEARTS: DARK AND LIGHT
A Fan Fiction by: sore wa himitsu desu
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My computer's name is "Bob." What's your computer's name?
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KEY:
Stuff in this font is either description when someone is dreaming or a bit of flashback stuff.
Normal font is, of course, the main text and dialogue in the dream sequences.
'Thoughts are in those single quotation mark thingies.'
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DISCLAIMER: Don't own the good stuff…
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CHAPTER 02: GUARDIAN
They were not expecting this. As several black heads rose from the ground, training session was over, and the real gig was up. Cloud and Leon stared at the shadows, half curious and half alarmed. There should not be any more Heartless in Hollow Bastion. Then again, these Heartless were different from what they had seen. They were tall and humanoid in shape. Antennae stretched out like horns and dull gold eyes stared at the two.
"I thought we got rid of the last batch a couple years ago?" Cloud held his Ultima Weapon in front of him, while Leon clutched at his Gunblade. The Heartless stood about them, but made no move to attack. Their beady eyes studied the two men. "What are they doing?"
…Guardian…
Guardian…
Several quiet whispers went through the Heartless as they swayed and stared at the two swordsmen.
Light…
…Guardian…
Find…
…find him.
The Heartless stopped swaying and Cloud tensed. Leon narrowed his eyes as the Heartless charged forward. Several Heartless dissipated in a black smoke as Cloud did his Sonic Blade attack, while Leon ripped through with his glowing blade attack. They repeated their assault with varying combos of element magic. Despite their efforts, the numbers of their enemy did not dwindle and soon the two began to tire out.
"Great…" Cloud leaned on his sword and clutched at a gash in his side with his free hand. The blond felt several claws bite into his back and legs. Gritting his teeth, he spun with his blade, taking out any nearby Heartless. This took out the rest of the strength he had in him, and the world started going black. He barely felt the claws cutting into him as his senses gave out.
'Aerith…'
Leon did not fare any better; his gleaming blade had long faded, and he resorted to blasting the shadows with his blade hybrid's fire attack. He turned just in time to see his comrade fall. "Cloud!"
The Heartless averted their attention to the brown-haired man as he stood in an offensive stance, glaring at the shadows as they surrounded him. They attacked all at once, and Leon barely took out the front most of the Heartless. He felt a stinging sensation at the places where their claws cut in his arms and legs. His Gunblade flew from his grip as a clawed hand struck it.
Guardian!
Master needs him…
…needs…Guardian…
Leon clutched at his wounds and stared at the black forms approaching him. He did not know what they were talking about, but he could do nothing. His vision blurred as the shadows closed in on him. He felt something stir within him and his storm-blue eyes glowed. A loud roar erupted. The Heartless paused and their gold eyes fixed on the Gunblade wielder.
He stood oblivious of the searing pain coming from his wounds. A silhouette of griffon wings stretched behind him as his deep blue eyes regarded the group of Heartless coldly. The shades hesitated for a moment before resuming their attack. They stopped short when a blue-black pulsating wave struck them. Their numbers dwindled in mere seconds.
…needs … Guardian…
Guardian!
Leon ignored them and sent another wave of blue-black at them. The Heartless scurried about to dodge the oncoming attack. They let out several aggravated shrieks.
GUARDIAN!
He readied another energy attack, but his body disagreed. His stance wavered as the energy gathering in his hand dissipated. Leon blinked and fell to his knees. He could not move anything. The Heartless took this opportunity to close in on him once more.
Light Guardian…
Master needs him…
Storm blue eyes closed and darkness claimed him.
~~~*~~~
Kairi stared about as if she were in a dream. Drawings that the kids had done over their childhood years covered the dark gray, mossy stones of the Secret Place. Tidus, Selphie, and Wakka smiled as they too studied the drawings.
"Hey look, Tidus, it's your mutated Chocobo!" Selphie giggled.
"Did I draw that?" Tidus stared at the picture. "Man … I really sucked!"
As the other teens looked at past pictures, Kairi stopped in front of one and knelt in front of it. Her eyes gave a gentle look as she traced some of the lines of the paopu fruits. They had done pictures of each other about a year after she arrived at Destiny Islands.
Let's share one…
Kairi jumped up a little and looked about only catching a brief glimpse of … a smile.
'Sora?'
"Kairi?" Selphie knelt next to the brown-haired girl, replacing Sora's image. Her green eyes fell on the picture and she smiled, then giggled. "Remember that time when we tricked Tidus and Wakka into thinking that they shared a paopu fruit?"
"The look on their faces was priceless." Kairi smirked. Both girls turned towards the boys who stared at their drawings on the opposite wall. Her smile faltered a little and she sighed, "If only Riku and Sora were here to see that."
"Yeah…" Selphie shook her head, "It's been three years and no sign of them yet."
"They'll come back." Tidus walked up to the two girls. He gave Kairi a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "I don't they'll want to stay lost forever."
"Tidus is right, you know." Wakka nodded and stared at the picture of Kairi and Sora. He smiled. "Those two keep fightin' until they get what they want, ya?"
Selphie giggled, "They're both stubborn in a way…"
"Yeah, and Kairi?"
"Hm?"
Wakka placed a cake with a single candle in the center of the group. Kairi stared at the cake then up to her friends. They all smiled.
"Happy Birthday, Kairi."
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They found a group of large rocks that huddled together close enough to block out most of the rain, which had increased to a downpour again. Riku gazed out into the murky landscape as he cast a few Curaga spells onto his throbbing wounds.
"The Heartless are growing stronger." Riku looked up and found Seilem standing over him. She looked out towards some shadowy formations to the east of the rocks. "That is the forest. Rest now; I doubt that we will have a chance once we enter."
Riku did as told, but not to please the seer. There was nothing he could do with his wounds aching and the rain falling in buckets. He leaned against the cold surface and let the Curaga spells do their work on his injuries. Seilem sat next to him, her amber eyes fixed on the forest. Donald and Goofy joined them once they finished fixing meals for the group.
"How do you know who's the Guardian?"
"Her name's Pocahontas." Goofy spoke quietly, as if wary that the Heartless would overhear. "She's the daughter of the tribe's chief."
"We aren't sure about the other Guardians, but our best bet is to follow the Heartless." Riku gave Donald a weird look, but the Royal Guardian continued, "The Heartless draw the other realms to Kingdom Hearts so that they merge temporarily. It must be safe to assume that the worlds the Heartless bring to Kingdom Hearts are the worlds that contain the Guardians. How they know who's who is as much a mystery as where these blasted shades came from…"
"So this forest will separate from Kingdom Hearts?"
"As soon as the Heartless find and capture the Guardian within it. Until then, we will have time to explore the realm ourselves and, hopefully, protect Pocahontas."
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Grandmother Willow gave a tired sigh. She felt the cold darkness creep throughout her limbs like a parasitic bug. Pocahontas had left the glade to investigate, despite the tree spirit's advice to head back to the village. The Indian Maiden had not a clue of who she was and how important it is that she stay safe. The dream Pocahontas related to her played clear in her mind. The sun, the Light, vanished behind storm clouds. Darkness was sweeping over the land and like the forces of Nature, little could be done to fight against it. The ancient tree stared at the opening that Pocahontas disappeared into.
What little that can be done…
As the last of her light parted from her, she saw the image of a young boy staring sadly upon her.
Do not be sad, child … there is still hope…
Grandmother Willow smiled as the last of her defenses fell and the Shadow claimed her.
~*~
Riku saw the younger boy lying on the floor unmoving and ran to his side.
Sora?
He shook the boy, but received no answer.
Damn it, Sora!
He shook harder and called his name. The brown-haired boy remained limp in his arms, unhearing.
What's wrong with you?
~*~
Green eyes snapped open as he woke with a gasp. He looked down his arms, but found nothing. He ran his hand through silver tresses and sighed. How in the world was he supposed to help his friend when the stupid boy did not tell him crap? Someone knelt before him and he looked up. Gold eyes filled with concern met his.
"He is unwell…" Her voice was quiet.
"I've noticed." Riku stood up. The rain had eased to a drizzle again, and Goofy and Donald waited at the rocks' edge. They talked to each other in low whispers, looking towards the forest. The silver haired youth walked towards them with Seilem in tow. "Do we enter now?"
"We have a few hours until dusk," Goofy noted. "We are unsure where the Indian village is, but Grandmother Willow may be of help."
Riku nodded and the group started for the forest. Seilem grabbed onto Riku's arm and he turned giving the girl a questioning look. The girl looked hesitant.
"This Grandmother Willow…" Goofy and Donald looked at her as well. "…can she…"
"What's wrong?"
"Maybe it has not been done yet…" Seilem shook her head and stared at the forest, her eyes distant. She let go of Riku's arm ignoring the odd looks from the others. They waited a little. When the girl said nothing more, they continued into the forest.
The forest was dark and gloomy, like any other forest in Kingdom Hearts. Several Heartless separated from the shadows of the trees and studied the group. Their humanoid bodies rocked from side to side as they chattered amongst themselves. The group readied their weapons, but waited.
Light…
…Guardian…
…find…
Guardian…
Key Master … not found…
Light … Key…
Green eyes narrowed.
'Light Key?'
…not found…
Guardian…
Light…
…Key.
"What about Sora?" Riku clutched his Keyblades tighter. The Heartless gave low laughs.
Not found…
…not … found…
Not found.
They continued laughing for a moment before scurrying off in different directions. Riku let out a low growl and gave chase. Seilem and the others started after him, but the Heartless swarmed in again and blocked their path. Goofy narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on his long sword. He brought up his shield when a nearby Heartless attacked him. He swung the blade catching the shade's side and cutting through. The Heartless dissipated and more charged in.
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The Heartless continued with their hide-and-seek, laughing as they dodged the silver-haired youth's charges. Riku shot another Blizzaga spell at the running shades, but they separated before the spell hit. They wanted to separate him from the group. His eyes narrowed and he stopped. The Heartless did too.
…not found…
Light Key.
Where?
"How should I know?" They made no move to attack, but Riku did not let his guard down. "Why ask me?"
See him…
…see?
Light Key…
Riku stiffened. Did they know that Sora came to him in dreams? Why would they? He gripped his Keyblades and charged. He caught two, but the others did not attack. They scurried off once more.
'Damn it, what are they playing at?!'
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Goofy winced as a clawed hand struck his arm. He swung at the Heartless before him and it disappeared in a black mist. He spun into a huddled group, slashing at their bodies like paper. Donald shot several Holy spells destroying any shades that were caught in the spells' white light. Seilem did her share with her elemental arrows, but despite the group's efforts, the Heartless' numbers did not dwindle.
"There … must be a greater concentration in order to keep this … realm…" Donald cast another Holy spell, "…connected."
Seilem shot several Fire-based arrows at a group of Heartless. She readied another, but a Heartless knocked into her and she fell.
"Seilem!" The girl looked up as some of the Heartless gathered around her.
See him…
…like Key Master…
See?
Shouts erupted out of nowhere and several Indians charged into the area. Arrows pierced through the Heartless that surrounded Seilem and she got up once the shades disappeared. She summoned her bow as well and shot at incoming Heartless as the others fought their way about. One of the young braves made his way towards Seilem, motioning for the others.
"Quick, we will lose them." He grabbed the girl's arm and they darted through an opening between the shadows. Donald and Goofy followed, along with the other Indians, and the Heartless gave chase.
Every now and then, Donald or Seilem would shoot at them with their magic, which did little to hinder the shadows' pursuit. The Indians launched several arrows into the Heartless group, but the shades continued their pace. Seilem considered calling for Nala again, but she did not want to interfere with the lioness' duty to her pride. Elemental arrows pierced through the Heartless and some disappeared with painful shrieks.
"We cannot lose them. We must scatter." Seilem turned to the Indian, the leader of the hunting group. He looked barely out of his twenties with tanned skin and black hair. His stern gaze met hers for a moment before he signaled orders to the others. He took her hand. "You come with me. The duck goes west, the dog east. We will go north. The Shadows divide, and we fight."
"They will continue to multiply."
"Then what do we do?"
"Where is Pocahontas?" The Indian nearly stopped, but kept his running pace.
"We were in search of her before we came upon you three."
"She is not in the village?" Amber eyes narrowed, and the brave fell silent. "It is important that we find her before the Heartless do."
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Laughter echoed in his ears and he let out a frustrated growl. His two Keyblades waited at his sides, but the Heartless did not attack. They were playing with him and he was in no mood to play tag. He found his way to a clearing – a glade. A huge tree loomed over him. Its branches swayed and emerald green leaves rustled softly. Despite the outward calmness the place gave him, he could not ignore the bad feeling building in him. Why were his senses telling him to get away from this place?
His answer came when one of the swaying branches shot at him. He barely had time to react and fell back. He raised his Keyblades and glared at the tree, which started laughing. The bark on its trunk shifted and the face of an old woman appeared. Her face contorted with both pain and anguish and as an earsplitting shriek erupted, the tree began to morph.
The branches seemed to take on the form of slithering snakes, as they turned black. Leaves sharpened and the tree's squirming appendages received claws. Roots lifted from the ground and snaked out. Two eyes of black void shot Riku a piercing glare and the youth's body tensed, ready to block any oncoming attack. Branches shot towards him again and he slashed at them. They retreated and a large root lashed at him. He moved to block the incoming root, but the force and weight of the tree's limb knocked him down.
'Damn it…'
He brought up a Keyblade quickly to parry the slashing branches as they came down upon him. He attacked with the other and managed to cut the tips of a few of the wooden claws. The tree gave an irritated howl and doubled up her attacks. Several curses came as he felt cuts welt up on his arms and legs. Another root launched at him and he flew across the glade. He slid a few feet, but had no time to grumble or groan before another wave of wooden appendages whipped at him. Most of the branches missed as he rolled out of the way, but more cuts appeared on his leg.
"Tch…!" Riku stood and glared at the tree.
"Grandmother Willow?" The youth stiffened and turned to the newcomer's voice – a female. His green eyes fell on the tan-skinned woman as she walked into the glade a little way from where Riku stood. Her dark eyes gazed on the broken tree spirit worriedly. The tree's branches whipped about threateningly.
"Get out of here, damn it! It's dangerous!" The woman turned to Riku and gave him an accusatory glare.
"You … what did you…" She did not finish when several branches shot at the Indian Maiden.
Riku leapt for the woman and both went down. He gave a painful hiss as the attacking limbs cut into his back as they fell. The woman groaned and looked up as Riku took the brunt of the attack. Her dark eyes widened when the silver haired youth turned to shoot a Firaga spell at the tree. His back was soaked in red from numerous lashes.
Riku felt lightheaded and cursed under his breath as a wave of Firaga spells pounded into the old tree. This gave him the distraction he needed to get the woman out and away from the tree's attacking range. He grabbed at the maiden's arm and half dragged her out of the glade. She looked at him worriedly.
"You're hurt…"
"I know that, but as long as I can walk, I'm getting as far away from that killer tree as I can…"
"Grandmother Willow would never harm, why did she attack you?"
"Not a clue, but I have a guess…" Riku stopped when the Heartless he was chasing came into view. "Damn it…"
Guardian…
…light…
Light … Guardian…
…give us…
Ours…
"The Shadows!"
"You're the Guardian?!" Riku stared at the woman, "You're Pocahontas?"
The woman nodded.
"Great … now I really have to fight…" Riku straightened, but winced as searing pain shot throughout his body. He let out a shuddering breath before he brought his Keyblades together in a metallic clang. Lavender light shot out forming a heart and the Heartless backed away. They let out hateful hisses as their dull gold eyes glared at him. Riku looked at them through tired, green eyes.
'Damn it … why now…?'
His head started swimming.
'I don't know … how long…'
Pocahontas glanced at him worriedly and the Heartless laughed.
…losing…
Weak.
Light Guardian…
…ours.
Sleep…
He felt the barrier faltering and the Heartless closing in.
'NO!'
Everything was fading.
"Hold on!" Pocahontas gripped at his shoulder and the barrier strengthened slightly. The Heartless gave irritated hisses. Her help was probably what gave the two the precious seconds needed for help to arrive. Riku felt his strength wane and dark flood his senses. Shouts came then, but they were so distant. His eyes became heavier and heavier. The shouts came again, nearer this time, and the howling shrieks from the Heartless erupted about him.
Relieved, he closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.
~~~*~~~
Worried green eyes gazed upon the spiked haired man as he tossed in his sleep. Bandages covered most of his upper body and head. They had found him lying in the courtyard, gravely injured, but why, they had yet to find out. A sigh escaped her lips.
"Cloud…"
Aerith placed a hand on one of Cloud's. The man gripped on the slender limb tightly causing the chestnut haired woman to wince. She gave him a questioning look.
Deep blue eyes snapped open and his body screamed as he shot up nearly knocking Aerith off of her chair. Images of the battle flashed through his mind. The darkness he felt as he lost consciousness still lingered. Cloud fell back as he realized his wounds. A painful gasp came as the consequences of sitting up so suddenly washed over him. Aerith squeezed his hand, giving him a concerned look.
"Cloud?" He turned, wincing, and found Aerith gazing down to him.
Cloud exhaled, putting a hand over his face. He withdrew it and looked around. "Where's Leon? Is he all right?"
"We…" Aerith bit her lip, "We couldn't find him."
"What?"
"He's gone … Yuffie's been searching for hours, high and low, but there's no sign of him anywhere." Her green eyes stared down and her hands clamped together. "What happened out there? We found you in a horrible condition."
Cloud shook his head as the images replayed again. Aerith waited for his story. After some time, the blond related to her the Heartless he and Leon had encountered while sparring in the courtyard. He was finishing when Yuffie walked in, her appearance tired. The Ancient sighed.
"No luck?"
"You got that right…" Yuffie brought up a chair next to Aerith and slumped into it. "I combed all over the castle like … I don't know how many times, but there are no signs of where that man could be!" The ninja did not bother hiding her annoyance. "Where is he?!"
"Maybe the Heartless took him…" The two females stared at Cloud.
"You know…" Aerith had a cold feeling, "…you could be right."
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The end of Chapter 02~~! Likey? No Likey? Please tell meh~~~~ *__*