Chapter 2

To a new world

I don't remember being scared that day. Heh, how could I be scared? Even as I was drifting in space, I was in Riku's arms, and nothing could harm me. At least that's what I believed. But even as I stood there, going over the fact in my mind, my security slowly dwindled. The factor 'Riku' wasn't enough to calm my overreacting nerves. And as my security dwindled, so did my source. Riku was slowly disappearing, his arms becoming translucent, until he was gone completely. And so was my confidence. But I still wasn't scared. Ground stemmed out from that little patch of sand I had used as my refuge. With restored hope, I followed the edge. I didn't know where I was, but I knew where I was going. Somehow. It wasn't long until a large black castle formed in front of me. I stared up at it, amazed. Finally, I walked through the black iron gate. Many servents awaited me. Men in black tuxidos led me through the halls. It was like a dream... a very dark dream. Everything was black. The bars, the windows, the walls, the throne, the floors, the ceilings, the chandaliers, the sconces, the steps, the furniture, the silverwear, the pots and pans, the dishware. But most of all, the normal outfit I had changed into this morning, and transformed into a black gown that cascaded down to the floor. And as unfamiliar as this territory was, it seemed so inviting. So much like home. I never really had a home, and the looming darkness of it all reminded me of that. The place I had called home 4 years ago, had been nothing like the place I loved so much. With the machines, and the computers, and everything else, the world just got noisier, and noisier, until we couldn't take it anymore... until I couldn't take it anymore. That night I knew that I had done something. The night that I prayed, and wished, and begged to go somewhere else. To have a destiny. To be someone other then the girl that sits at the front of the bus. The girl who's attitude soared higher then any 9 year olds should. The girl who read much too quickly for a 3rd grader. The outcast. The wierdo. It was that night that the door had opened. The door to what.. I was too young, and too foolish to know. As I stared at the black stained glass, I realized this. I was a part of something more then just the simple life of a normal child. I was not a normal child by any standards. I had crossed the bounderies with my family, forced them to part without knowing it. My powers had to be uncomprehendable.. How long had I spent in this hell hole to have thought of all this? How long had I spent, staring longingly at that of which I could not reach, that in which I had once known, once loathed, or loved. How long? The question kept popping back up in my mind everytime I looked at anything. The glass reminded me of the sea water in destiny islands. The floor reminded me of the sand breaking away beneath my feet. The ceiling reminded me of the boundless skies, that were now binded. The table reminded me of all the days I had spent eating in the living room, watching television, or playing a video game. How could this had happened? What was I even doing here? Yes, I was home, I felt, but I also felt homesick.. lovesick. I missed the only friends I had ever had in my lifetime. Riku, Sora, and Kairi. In that order. Oh what I'd do to get out of here... what'd I'd give for one glimpse of the light again. One taste of real food, instead of this in which turned to ash in my mouth. The smell of salt in the water. The feel of Riku's hand in mine... To hear Sora and Kairi arguing again.. I turned away from the window, to face the wall. "This is hell." I whispered softly, and shook my hair out of my face. "How long must I endure?" I wondered aloud as I strolled down the long halls. It was utterly cold. "How often must I be reminded of that in which I cannot have!?!" I yelled, looking at a picture of Riku that had sprung up on the wall. I tore it down, and into shreds. I could not bare to look at what was so sweet, but has now turned sour. Tears poured out of my eyes as I collapsed then, and there. Had Riku been here, he would comfort me. Made me laugh so hard I would be wondering why I was crying in the first place. But Riku wasn't here. And that made realization dawn hardest. Riku was gone. Gone with the rest of my friends... but how? How could this have happened? I wracked my mind again and again, trying to think up a reasonable explanation, but as always, nothing came to mind. And I was back at the same question as I looked at my pale hands. "What's happening to me?" I forced myself to stand back up, and walk down the hall with my head held high. I wouldn't let this place pull me down. Torture me they have, tear me away from all I've ever loved.. did that. The only thing they didn't take from me was my pride. And I would hold onto that, forever more.

I was sitting in a corner, the next morning, when I heard a loud crash. Was my savior finally here? But alas, it was only one of the maids. Pale skinned, black haired, and in black dresses. I sighed, feeling horrible. Why had I gotten my hopes up? I knew no one was coming to save me. Did anyone even care that I had simply disappeared? I rubbed the tears out of my eyes as I looked up at the window. "If they won't rescue me, I shall have to escape." I decided, and stood up. I looked at an ebony chair, and picked it up. Thrusting it, with all my strength, at the window. It bounced off, and hit me hard in the chest, sending me hurdling into the wall, hard enough to knock me out.. but I wasn't knocked out. I had felt the pain true, but I was as alert as ever. I hadn't slept since I came here... I stood back up, and dusted myself off. "Hopeless.." I whispered, and walked toward the door I had entered. It was locked. I'd force it open. I had too. I opened the gate from my world to Destiny Island, surly I could open this one too. And without thinking, I placed both hands on the door. Concentrating from my heart. "It has to open... it has to.." I whispered, and was shocked when a jolt sent me back. "Not like that then? Fine." I muttered, and stood at attention. The key necklace started glowing, and I clasped my hand around it with incredable force. My whole hand started glowing. And then my arm. And then my chest. And finally, my entire body began to glow so brightly, I couldn't see. And when it died down... the gate was wide open. Light flooded in, and engulfed me. I smiled at the warmth, and walked out into it. Into that blinding light that once had been me.

"Dory... Dory wake up!" I heard Riku's voice pleading me. I rolled over, and gagged as sand trickled into my mouth. I sat bolt upright, and looked around. We were alone. Just Riku and I. "W-what happened?" I stuttered. The memory of the castle was fading. He smiled with relief, "I thought we lost you. You just.. collapsed. Course, I collapsed with you, but I woke up quite a while before you." He stated, tilting his head. "You were muttering something about 'it has to open..'" He added questioningly. I sighed, and shook my head, "Just... just a dream." I said, and stood up. "How long has it been?" He sighed, and stood up too. "Only about a week." He muttered sarcastically. I held my head, which was throbbing. "I-I need some rest.." I informed him, hobbling toward the cave. He looked at me crazily, "You were asleep for a week!" "but I haven't slept in years.." I entered the cave, and gasped as I felt a wave of dark energy run through me. I turned to Riku, "RUN!" I shouted, but it had gotten to him too quickly. A dark circle was forming around him, and he held his hand out to me. A dark wave formed behind him. I gasped deeper, this was exactly like.. without thinking, again, I ran for him, grasping hold of his hand, and letting him pull me close. I held onto him as tightly as I could, and the wave hit. I felt warm.. safe.. another wave hit. He almost lost me, but I was still there. Another hit. I was gone. I hit my back on the deck, and cried out as the darkness swirled around me. It formed the same black gown I had worn in the castle, the same elegant tiara. "NO!" I screamed, "I won't let you take me back! No!" I saw Sora jump out of his boat, and run toward Riku. I saw Riku offer him the hand instead of me. My heart was breaking. "No.. please.. Stop.." I cried, but couldn't help, but to fall asleep. When I woke up again, I was on the desolate piece of land. Riku and Sora were gone. Who knew where Sora had been? But I knew one thing. The darkness in my heart was thriving. Feeding off of my insecurity, my pain, and my suffering. In the middle of the land was a pillar of light. All around it was so dark, I could hardly see. I made my way to the light, stumbling over tables and chairs. The closer I got, the greater the power of the darkness became, until I could hardly move myself anymore. "The closer to the light you get... the greater your shadow becomes.." A voice whispered. "But don't be afraid.. for yours is the greatest weapon of all.." A thin, black blade appeared in my hand, and black metal wrapped around my wrist, and forearm. "Don't be afraid.." The voice echoed as I continued to struggle toward the light. I entered the realm where the light actually penetrated the darkness, and felt huge relief. I walked into the center of the light, and felt comforted. It eased me into a deep, deep sleep. I was curled up in a barrel when someone jumped on top of it. I jerked awake, and gasped. "H-hey!" I yelled my protest, and the acrobat jumped off, poking it with a blade. It came through one of the cracks, and I saw that it was a key shape. "H-hey! Watch where you put that thing!" I cried, pounding on the lid of the barrel. "D-Dory?!" Sora's voice asked, surprised. I nodded vigorously, "Yeah! It's me! Gemmie outta here!" I yelled. It was a matter of seconds before the lid was popped off, and Sora's beaming face was seen. "Didn't think I'd ever find ya!" he stated, offering a hand to help me out. I took it, and hopped out of the barrel. I shrugged, "W-where are we?" I asked, looking around at the houses, and the light post, and the barrels, and the wooden boxes. He shrugged, "Who knows?" I sighed, and started walking around, Sora close behind. "Some dog woke me up. Golden Retriever, I think." He informed me, as if I cared. All I cared about was that I find Riku. "Have you seen Riku?" I asked suddenly, rounding on him. He jumped. "N-no! I haven't!" He said, slightly defensively. I cursed loudly, and kicked a wall, yelping with the pain. He looked at me, and then at my arm where the dark metal still wound around my arm. "What'cha got there?" He asked curiously, poking my arm. I pulled it away, "That's my sword." I informed him dignantly, showing off the blade. I sighed, and looked around, "Gotta find Riku.." I wandered into a pair of doors with emerald glass panes. There was a blond guy at the counter, with a stick of hay in his mouth. He looked over at Sora and I, getting ready to ask if he could do anything for us. "Aw, it's just kids." He muttered, and went back to studying whatever he was studying. Sora narrowed his eyes, "I'm not a kid! She is, but I'm not!" He protested. I glared at him, "Thanks Sora." I murmured sarcastically, and looked at the man, who had looked back up at us. "Well then, what'ya want?" He asked gruffly. I smiled, and walked forward. "We're new here.. could you tell us where, exactly, we are?" I asked politely. He smiled down at me, "Well, in that case.. you're in the accessories shop, Traverse Town. I'm Cid, if ya ever need anythin', jus' gimme a yell." I smiled broadly. Adults on our side is always a good thing.. "Thankyou, Cid, I will remember your offer, and perhaps some day I will take you up on it." I lowered my head slightly, and walked outside. Sora looked at me, "What was all that about?!" He demanded. I sighed, and shook my head, "Honestly Sora, one would think you younger then me." I stated, and gasped as a group of shadow heartless started creeping towards us. Sora drew his keyblade, and I held my sword at Ready. We faught, and fought, but they just kept coming.. "You can fight them all day, they won't stop." A cool voice announced. For a moment I thought it was Riku, but alas, it was from someone older.. maybe 17. I turned to face the man who had announced this factor. He had messy brown hair that covered a diagonal scar across his forehead. His pants, and Jacket were of black, slick leather, and he had red trousers hanging loosely at his front, and back. He had leather gloves, and under his jacket, was a muscel shirt. He was pretty strong. He tossed hair out of his face, and looked at us seriously. "I'm Leon. We need to get out of here." I was planning on following him. He was trustworthy.. I could just feel it.. but as untrusting as Sora never was, he narrowed his eyes. "Why should we trust you?!" He demanded. I sighed, and shook my head. Leon looked at him, and then at the heartless. "The keyblade attracts them.. give it here." He requested. Sora flushed, "No! I won't do it!" He yelled, and attacked the man. I sighed, and just followed them around the square, beating off any heartless that strove to interfere. It wasn't long until Leon won the battle, and pried Sora's fingers off the keyblade. He looked at me, "Will you fight me too?" He asked dully. I shook my head, "no. You are to be trusted." I stated as if I knew anything, and watched as he swung Sora over his shoulder, and led me into two large doors. He led me into the hotel, where he put Sora down on the bed. Waiting out on the balconey, was a woman with short hair, almost like Kairi's. Her eyes were green, and she wore baige short shorts, and a green, sleevless tank top. She turned, and looked at us. "Oh! Leon, you're back!" she exclaimed, rushing over, and giving him a quick hug.. I was painfully reminded of Riku. Leon didn't seem to notice, as he turned to introduce us. "Introduce yourselves. I dunno who you are." He ordered casually, and plopped down in one of the chairs. He leaned back on the back two feet. I lowered my head slightly to the woman, "I am Dory. Moon child." Whoah, where'd that come from?? Wherever it came from, it startled them both. Leon came down hard, and looked at me. The woman's jaw dropped for a moment. "I'm Yuffie, Worlds Greatest Ninja." She introduced, lowering her head in return. Sora groaned, and Yuffie rushed over to him. "Hey there you lazy bum!" She greeted chearfully. Sora seemed to be in a daze. "K-kairi?" he stuttered. Yuffie stood straight again, and looked at Leon. "I think you hit him too hard Squall.." Leon shifted, "That's Leon." He muttered, and walked over. Sora's eyes cleared, and he saw Yuffie as she was. Then he saw Leon. "I-I'll fight you again! H-hey.. where's my keysword thingy?" I sighed, and shook my head. "Keyblade Sora.." I corrected irritably. He shrugged as he saw it leaning against the wall. Yuffie and I blocked his path, Leon just leaned against the wall near his own, odd sword. A gun, attached to a blade.. I figured it was called a gunblade.. or bladegun.. whichever. Sora groaned again as he laid back down. I smiled. "We had to get it away from you. The heartless are atracted to the keyblade." Yuffie explained. "They're good guys." I added, just to clearify things. Sora nodded, and stood up. "What are.. Heartless?" he asked, confused. Leon stood straight. "Come." He ordered, and pulled both Sora, and I out onto the balcony. He pointed down, where a dark shadow was chasing a man. Sora went nuts, "We have to help him!" He protested as Leon held his shoulder firmly. "Just watch." He ordered, and after calming down quite a bit, Sora did as he was told. We watched as the heartless thrust itself through the man, taking his heart. We watched as the mans skin got dark.. his eyes turned yellow. He got shorter. And before long, he was just like the first heartless. "Those without hearts.. they yearn to have a heart.. so they steal hearts from others.. but they cannot keep them.." I whispered, and lowered my eyes. Leon looked at me. "You're young, moon child, but you know much of your destiny." He commented, and looked back at Sora. "What she says is true. They report all the hearts to their master, and their masters, to their masters, until finally the hearts return to the dark lord himself." I closed my eyes, savoring the soft, warm breeze. They snapped open, I had heard a creek on the roof. My gaze darted up, but I was too late. Whoever had been there, was gone. Leon looked at me, "What's wrong?" He looked up as well. I shook my head. "N-nothing.. just go inside. I wish to stay out here for a while.." Leon nodded, and led Sora inside, closing the door behind him. I closed my eyes. "I'm alone." I announced, and opened them again. The creek came again, and someone hopped onto the balconey. It was Riku. He looked me dead in the eyes, "Dory.. I've missed you so badly.." He whispered, walking toward me. Something was different though. Was it me? Or was it him? I didn't know, all I knew, was that the feeling was likewise. He put his arms around me, and looked inside. "You've been staying with the bum.. good.." He looked me dead in the eyes, "I've found Kairi. She's hurt. I think her heart's been taken." He informed me. I gasped, putting a hand over my mouth. He sighed, "I'll take you to her.. hold on.." As instructed, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and held on as tightly as I could. He hopped back onto the roof, and hopped across a few rooves, carrying me, until he was stopped short. He put me down, and glared ahead of him. I could feel the presense of evil... I stood up, and looked toward the object of his glaring. It was a woman. She was pale, and the black dress she wore made her look like a spider. Her hair was graying, but was originally black. I felt a strange unity with her. "You were Moon Child before me, weren't you!" I demanded before she got a chance to speak. Riku looked at me, surprised at my sudden outburst. I held my sword at ready, pointing it at her. "You turned my castle into living hell! And then you sent me there to die! You want back into the thrown! Don't you?! Don't you!?" She laughed, and nodded, "So I created a safe haven for the minions of the darkness, and therefor defied the light. But I did not send my only heir to die.." She informed me. I shook my head. "not good enough!" I yelled, close to tears. "You destroyed the meaning of the Moon Kingdom, and now we are seldom known! You disipated the respect toward the light we once had, and filled our hearts with darkness! My heart with darkness!" I was getting out of control, and the woman was enjoying it. I pointed at her. "You mark my words, you insolent traitor, I will kill you! I swear, if it's the last thing I do!" She smirked, "it will be." Riku stepped in front of me. "You will not hurt her." He growled. I wrapped my arms around his arm, and the woman laughed. "The girl is not where you left her, child, if you wish to see her, come to my palace. The Hallow Bastion." there was green fog, and she disappeared. Riku looked at me. "Wanna fill me in?" He asked curiously. I shook my head, "bad idea." I stated, and smiled, "maybe later." He nodded, and led me off of the rooves, and into a house. It was the accessories shop. "Cid! I found the girl I was looking for!" He pulled me closer, "You said something about a.. gummi ship?" Cid nodded, looking at me for a long moment. "Have you met Aeris yet? And Squ-Leon, and Yuffie?" Riku paused. "Leon and Yuffie I have, Aeris is a different story.. where is she?" he answered. Cid bit his stick harder, "I dunno.. find her, and by the time you're done, I'll have that ship good as new!" He rubbed the side of his nose. Riku nodded, and pulled me out. I stopped, "You met Leon and Yuffie?" I asked cynically. He paused, and sighed, "I watched you meet them.." he stated dismisively. I sighed, and shook my head. "Close enough. C'mon." I led him toward the 2nd district, where we walked into the hotel, and into the first room. A woman with long, braided brown hair tied up in a pink bow, and a pink dress, and green eyes sat on the bed, talking to two men. One was short and plump, a staff was in his hand ((no, he wasn't a duck)) and next to him, was a tall lean man with a shield. They were listening carefully as the woman explained the heartless to them. I crossed my arms as I waited, and she looked at me. Her eyes were deep, but frosted as if she had lost something, or someone. Her soul seemed gone, but those all knowing eyes looked into mine, piercing through my barriors. "Moon Child." She whispered, and looked at Riku, "Young keybearer... welcome." She greeted arily. The two men looked at Riku, "Keybearer?!" They demanded. Riku seemed just as confused. The woman smiled half heartedly, "Let me explain better. He is the 'would be' keyblade bearer." She explained, standing up, and bowing deeply to us both. "I am Aeris." She introduced, and sat back down. From the moment I met her, I wanted to know what she had lost, but the conversation that proceded I could not comprehend. I couldn't answer when she looked at me with a question I had not heard. I shrugged, "I guess." I answered, and the group looked at me cynically. Riku was the one to excuse me, and walk me outside. He looked at me, "How can the answer of, 'where are you headed now' be 'I guess'?" he asked me, a slight playful tone in his voice. I shrugged, "I dunno. Let's go." I suggested, and we began walking. We hadn't walked for long before we found ourselves face to face with the woman from before. She smiled warmly at us, "Please, my children, forgive my actions before. I was not myself." She requested. I looked at her with cold eyes, but she ignored it. "Riku, darling, I would like you to come somewhere with me.." She spotted Riku's glance to me, "You're friend may come as well." she said dismisively. Riku nodded, "Okay. We've got nothing better to do." She smiled at us, and took Riku's hand. Riku took my hand, and it was no more then a mini-second before we found ourselves at the base of waterfalls. They glistened down the rocks, and into a pool of water, on which we were standing. The woman had disappeared, but where we were to go was quite obvious. Riku kept my hand, and pulled me up the falls on a lift. Until a great ebony castle came into view. But it was nowhere near as grand as mine had been. True, there was clearly more light there then I would have ever seen in my castle, but I had a feeling that would change. Until then, the castle was the most peaceful place I could have imagined. Riku led me in, and up grand steps, with a grand red carpet. The large doors ahead of us were black with a red heart on it. Two vines cut across the heart, and the base was a decretive design. I instinctly placed a hand on my neck, where I had a matching symbol, all in full color. We walked through the doors, and up another red carpet to a throne. The woman sat in the throne. "Welcome! Welcome my dears to the Hallow Bastion!" She welcomed us. I shifted uncomfortably. I didn't feel right with her sitting in that throne. "It should be me!" A voice in the back of my head protested. The reasonable side of me said, "no. There should be no throne in this palace.." I shifted feet, and shifted my gaze away from her. There was not much to see up the high walls to the high ceiling. No, not much at all. The two started talking, and Kairi's name jerked my attention back. "What do you know about Kairi?!" Riku demanded. The witch glided her fingers along the smooth arm of my- the throne. "Her heart has been stolen." she stated casually. Riku stepped forward, "By the heartless?!" He asked brutally. The woman nodded. "You can get her another... the girl.." She pointed to me, "Has already given half of hers." I narrowed my eyes, "No normal human can live with only half a heart. My father was an exception." I hissed. The woman let out a bark of laughter, "You're 'father' survived because your other heart was in close proximity! He is now dead." She growled. Riku stepped in front of me. "You're getting rash again, Melificent." He informed her. The woman straighted, "Apologies. As you," She looked directly into my eyes, causing me to look back away, "know, this girl... Kairi... is no ordinary human." I nodded. I did know. I didn't know what she was, but I knew she was not human. Riku blinked a few times. "Where can I get her a heart? I will not sacrifice my love for a friend." He asked softly. Meleficent smiled, "I didn't think you would, but if you open your heart to the darkness-" Riku shook his head wildly. "No. I won't." he barked. Meleficent sighed, "Well, well, that's all and well. Those heartless can steal the hearts, they bring them to me, you know.." I shook my head, "You are not our master." I hissed. She smiled, and nodded. "True, I answer to a higher authority, but I can spare one heart, this is as the master wishes." She bowed lowly. I nodded. Riku crossed his arms, "But it has to be the correct kind of heart. One from someone whom she can trust." She went on, standing straight again. Riku tilted his head, "Then I will look for one." He turned on his heal, and paused as Meleficent called out to us, "With the 7 princess' of heart, we can bring her back. Find the princess' and we will have not need to steal the hearts." Riku nodded. "Yes." We walked out of the Hallow Bastion, and through a portal to a strange world.