"SORA!" A voice called. Sora turned around and smiled. His girlfriend Kairi was running up the beach towards him.
"Hi Kairi, what's up?"

"The sky." She joked.

He laughed and kissed her. "Very funny. So have you seen Riku lately?"

It had been 1 year since Riku and King Mickey had become trapped in Kingdom Hearts. With the help of Goofy and Donald, Sora had managed to find both Riku and his way home to destiny islands. But Riku had changed greatly. King Mickey had said that was normal after almost having your soul consumed by darkness and the effect should wear off soon.
But the effect hadn't worn off. Riku was much quieter and solemn than usual. He often spent his time standing at the end of the pier, looking out at the sea in silence.

"Yeah I saw him," Kairi said nodding, "He's standing at the end of the pier as usual. Honestly, I don't know what the hell is wrong with him."

"Well I'll go find out." Sora said. He turned and hurried down the beach.

Riku was standing at the very edge of the pier. His silvery hair fluttered in the breeze.
"My life isn't what it used to be," He thought to himself, "I don't know what's wrong though."

"RIKU!" A voice called. Riku turned around and saw his best friend Sora running up the pier towards him.

"Oh, hi Sora." Riku said without any emotion.

"Riku, what's wrong with you? You're acting like you were when you were possessed by Ansem!"
Riku shrugged and sat down on the edge of the pier and looked down into the water. It was shining an orange color because the sun was setting.

"I don't know what's wrong with me, it feels like a part of my soul's been torn out and I'm feeling empty inside."

Sora sighed. "I'm sorry about Kairi..."

"What?" Riku said staring at him. Then he smiled. "Don't worry about it Sora, that's not what I'm talking about. I know how crazy you are about her and I'm happy for you."

Riku sighed and stared at the sun. He'd been acting really weird lately. He felt like he couldn't control himself anymore. One night he'd sleepwalked and woken up standing over Sora's bed holding a butcher knife in a stabbing position. He was afraid he was going to hurt someone he cared about if he couldn't figure it out.

"You seem so different than you were before." Sora said folding his hands behind his head.

"I'll be okay. Promise."
Sora shrugged and turned and walked off the pier where Kairi was waiting for him.

Riku had been telling the truth about Kairi. He wasn't crushing on her anymore. But he still felt empty. He felt as if his heart had been taken by the heartless. Riku looked out at the sky. Dark clouds were forming on the horizon. A storm was coming.

"What do you mean your majesty?" Donald cried.

He and Goofy were in Disney Castle where King Mickey sat on the throne.

"The Heartless have returned," The king said grimly, "And they are ten-times more
powerful than before. They have already consumed a number of worlds."

"Where are they headed next?" Goofy asked.

King Mickey sighed and looked at them. "Infinity Islands, Spira, and Destiny Islands." He said solemnly.

"DESTINY ISLANDS?!" Goofy and Donald both cried. "But-but that's where Sora, Riku, and Kairi live!"

"They'll be ok," King Mickey said nodding, "Sora and Riku are the Keyblade Masters so they should be alright. It's Infinity Islands we need to worry about. Two of the Pure-Hearts reside there."

"Pure-Hearts?" Donald said frowning, "Aren't they just a myth?"

"No. They are real, now I want you to go to Traverse Town and find Leon. He and the others will help."

"Right!" Donald said saluting him, "We won't let you down your majesty!"

Meanwhile in Spira...

"Hey Tidus!" A voice called. Tidus turned. He saw his pal Wakka running towards him.

"What's up?" He asked.

"Big news brudda!" Wakka said stopping to catch a breath, "Remember that huge storm sweeping the west area of Spira?! Well it just consumed a whole town!!!"

"WHAT?!" He yelled immediately drawing his sword. "We gotta go check this out!"

"Yuna and Lulu are already on the airship! Let's go!"

Meanwhile on Infinity Islands...

A young girl leaned back on her bed and sighed. She was 16. She had long orange-red hair that was braided and hung down to her waist and was tied at the ends with white ribbons. She had deep blue eyes. She was wearing a yellow t-shirt and blue jeans. Around her neck she wore a necklace with a pink heart-shaped pendant at the end.
Her name was Mia.
Lightening crashed outside. She screamed in terror. Lightening was her worst fear; the very sound of it could send her diving under the bed. A black storm cloud had covered the island and rain splattered against the large window next to her bed.

Mia sat up and hugged her knees and gazed out the window. Mia was a daydreamer. She often thought about getting off this island and visiting other worlds.

"I wonder what's waiting for me out there," She said gazing at the stars overhead, "I wish I could leave and see other places."
Thunder crashed outside. She looked out the window and screamed at the sky: "QUIET!"

She looked back at the sky and frowned. She was sure that there had been a star there a second ago, but now it was gone.
Mia gazed about her room. It had floral decorations everywhere. Mia loved flowers. She always picked and collected them.

Suddenly she jerked upright in shock. She was sure she could see a moving shadow outside her window. But she blinked and it was gone.