Chapter 3
Innocent Bystander
There was greenery everywhere. A rabit was standing on a podium, and a fat queen was sitting in a tall throne. In front of her was a stage, caged in, and beside her was a cage. A girl with long blond hair, and a blue dress stood in it, poking at the red velvet that covered half of it. Cards were standing guard almost everywhere. I nearly gasped as I saw Sora, and the two men from before walk onto the fenced in stage. "Alice is innocent!" Sora demanded, slamming his fist against the fence. Riku held his hand over my mouth as we watched from above. The queen lifted her arms into the air. "You go against the queen of hearts!" She yelled, slamming both of her fists against the wood in front of her. "Off with your heads!" I wrenched free of Riku, and jumped down. "No! That's not right!" I screamed, walking toward her. Sora blinked a few times. "At least allow them to present evidance, your highness!" I begged, bowing deeply. Riku stayed atop the greenery, close to one of the pare shaped trees. The queen looked at me, saw something in my eyes, and nodded. "Fine. Go gather as little, or as much evidance as you wish!" she ordered, and sat there, waiting. Sora and I exchanged 'good lucks' and Sora walked through a door carved in the bushes. Riku hopped down to me, on the other side of the bushes so the queen couldn't see. He smiled at me, "Now, that is a princess of heart, I can feel it." He informed me, pointing to the girl dubbed Alice. I tilted my head. "She's young.. only about 9 I expect.." Riku shrugged, "We have to kidna- save her." He corrected himself upon seeing my glare. I sighed, and shook my head. "There is no way around it. Come, let's wait until Sora's sentance is decided, and while he is fighting to keep his head, we will take the girl." I ordered, already having mapped the plan out. He tilted his head, "What if he finds suitable evidance?" I shrugged, "it doesn't matter." I breathed, and looked up. Riku took hold of me around the waist, and hopped back onto the bushes. It wasn't long until Sora came back with 4 boxes. One contained footprints, another contained antennes, another contained a shadow, and the other contained a smell. He put the boxes out, and the queen put out her own, one box of evidance. Sora chose one to save time. It was the footprints. "You see! It was the heartless that tried to take your heart!" He yelled, thrusting the box at her. The queen stood, "that may be.. hmm... hmm... yes... yes... well.. good work... OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!!!!" She yelled, and the cards started attacking. While Sora, and the two men were fighting the cards, Riku and I slipped behind the queen, and the cage. I pointed at the bars, and melted them. Alice had 'fainted' so Riku swung her over his shoulder, and we disappeared into a portal, back to the Hallow Bastion. Riku carried her up to Meleficents throne, but she was not there, so he put her in the throne itself. We turned, and walked back out, into a second portal. This time we were in a field. It was large, and the grass was so green, and peaceful. There were trees, and in them were treehouses. I awed at the purple and blue flowers that were scattered around the roots. Riku looked up into one of the treehouses, and gasped as a hord of heartless came rushing down at us. They were coming from all sides now. I drew my sword, and started to fight them off, but there were too many for just me, and Riku didn't have a weapon. We cowered under the branches, and gasped as there was a bright flash of light. A woman walked out of it, her black hair hanging limply at her shoulders, and her blue dress torn. She seemed ready to collapse. I instinctively ran out, and caught her before she fell. As she fell into my arms, I realized that the dress was not a dress. It was a long blue sweater. She had brown highlights, and she wore a black ribbon around her arm. She looked up at me. "I-is it time to reunite us again?" She whispered, standing straight again. I nodded. She sighed, and shook her head. "It's been so long since I have seen Squall... tell me, will he be there?" I was puzzled at first by who she meant, but I had remembered Yuffie call Leon Squall earlier. I paused, and shook my head, "No, I'm sorry Rinoa, but he cannot.." I said, and turned away. She sighed deeply. "Alright then.. that's okay." She gave me the best smile she could, but I didn't see. I was already walking toward Riku. "You know where to meet." I informed her, and Riku and I walked through the portal. Riku caught up to me as I was striding through the Hallow Bastion. "What was that all about?!" He asked me curiously. I shrugged, "Instinct." I replied casually. He stopped, holding onto my arm, and forcing me to stop too. "Who's Squall? And how did you know that woman?!" I shrugged, "How would I know?" I asked cynically, and started walking again. He growled, and pulled me back. "You said he wouldn't be here." He reminded me. I sighed, and shook my head. "I heard Yuffie call Leon Squall, that's all." I explained, looking him dead in the eyes. He nodded, "Any more princess' you know..?" He asked, a bit grudgingly. I shrugged, "All of them, I suspect." We both started walking, and we walked straight into a portal. We were in a castle. It was bigger than the Hallow Bastion, and everything was pearly white. My normal outfit automatically transformed into a beautiful white gown, and I glazed down the halls, a white tuxidoed Riku trailing close behind. We walked straight into a throne room, where a 16 year old girl sat on her throne, holding her head. Her features were delecate, and somewhat pained. Her brown hair fell to her waist, and her white gown with green vines on it seemed to sit just right. Her brown eyes were set on me. "Dory," She choked, "Is it time already? Have the gates opened again?" I nodded, and bowed deeply, "You can once again be reunited with your prince, my lady.." I informed her. She smiled at me, and stood, returning the bow. "I see you have already been reunited with your own." She stated as she glided past me. I drew in a deep breath, and held it, waiting to see how Riku would react. But he didn't react. He acted as if it were a perfectly normal thing to say. "Next?" He asked me casually. I was glad he hadn't reacted. I couldn't have handled it if he started ranting. I nodded. "That's three." I said as if it mattered. Riku nodded, and another portal formed in front of us. We walked through, and were on a beach. A woman about 17 was sitting in front of the waves. She wore a purplish blue skirt with pink flowers going up it, and a white blouse that cut diagonally across her breasts on either side. She had a large yellow bodice tied in a rather large bow. The material had flowers on it. She had white sleeves that got gradually pink, the lower they went, that were suspended by blue ribbon. Her light brown hair came to her shoulders, and she had one blue eye, one green eye. She was staring into nothingness. "Hello." She greeted without looking at us, "I know it's time, Dory, fiends haven't been appearing in Spira for years, and yet they come now. The door has been opened. It was open 4 years ago.." She stood, and looked at me. "I cannot go to Hallow Bastion on my own. Please create a portal for my passage." I nodded, and motioned for Riku to create the portal. He did so, and she walked through. Riku and I looked at each other, and followed after her. Our footsteps echoed through the halls as we walked toward the throne room to see how the princess' were conversing. Meleficent was sitting in her throne. She looked at Riku and I. "There is one other way the girl can return without the 7 princess's.." She stated as if Riku and I hadn't just gotten those four. Riku shifted uncomforatably, "how?" Meleficent smiled, "by taking the heart away from the doll..." My hearing perked. "And where is this doll?" Riku asked suspiciously. Meleficent shrugged, "In the whale." She said casually, as if we should have known. I narrowed my eyes, "And why should we take the heart from someone so innocent?" I demanded quietly. She smiled evily, but Riku didn't see the evil, "Because a doll is not meant to have a heart." I lowered my eyes, and turned away. "In Monstro you say?" Riku looked at me, wondering how, and if I knew the whales name. Maleficent nodded, "There's a boy there... he's been getting in the way for too long. Exterminate him if you see him." She ordered. I rounded on her, "I am not you're servant!" I yelled. The princess' all jumped, but she just smiled. "T'was only a suggestion, dear." She said in a motherly tone. I glared at her, "I won't kill him." I informed her, and walked out of the Hallow Bastion. Riku followed me out. "Lets get some items first. There are bound to be heartless in that whale, and I don't have a weapon." He suggested. I nodded, and watched as he created a portal. We walked through, and emerged on a roof in the third district. We hopped down, and came in contact with Sora, who nearly bumped into Riku. They started talking like the old friends they were, but Sora brought up Kairi, and Riku got cold. "It doesn't matter." He snapped once Sora mentioned that Alice had just disappeared. Riku spotted the keyblade, "So thats the keyblade..." He held out his hand, and the keyblade appeared there. He examined it, "H-hey! Give it back!" Sora protested. Riku shrugged, and let it go back to him. "We'll find Kairi. Just leave it to me." Sora waited a few moments to reply, but ended up slashing the keyblade around instead. Behind us, he had killed five heartless. "Leave it to... who again?" he asked proudly. I glared at him. Riku seemed hurt. "You're right." He stated, and shrugs. "While you're playing around various worlds, I'm going to go try to help Kairi." He hissed, and jumped back onto the roof, leaving me with Sora. I gasped, and tried to jump after him, but I couldn't jump high enough, and he was gone. I rounded on Sora, who's mouth was hanging open. "You just had to do that! You just had to!" I screamed, fuming. I went to strangle him, but the two men stepped in front of him. I stepped back. "So that's how it is. The keyblade bearer has body guards!" I waved my arms around in the air. "You're supposed to save the worlds Sora! AND YOU HAVE BODY GUARDS!!!" He frowned, and tried to calm me down, but I wouldn't calm. "I can't believe this is happening.." I whispered, leaning against a wall, and holding my head. "I've lost Kairi, I've lost you, and because of you, I've just lost Riku..." Sora looked down at me, and tried to put his arms around me. I pushed him away, "Go away Sora. Leave me here for the heartless." I ordered quietly. He shook his head, "You're coming with me if I have to use a doggy leash." He took hold of my arm, and pulled me to my feet. I went baserk. I wrenched away from him, and into the wall, but I didn't care. I attacked him, fists flying. The two men tried to catch up with me but couldn't. "YOU BASTARD!! YOU HALF WITTED BASTARD!!" I screamed, trying to rip his head off, his arm off, anything. He took hold of both my arms, holding me still. I made a butterfly move, causing his arms to drop. I then took hold of his throat, choking him. The two men came up behind me, and pulled me off of him, holding me still. "LEMME GO!!!!!!" I yelled, but they wouldn't, and it wasn't long until Riku was behind them, attacking. "If she says 'lemme go'," He started calmly, slashing with a new, black sword much like mine, "You should probably let her go." He attacked so hard, that the two men lay unconcious on the ground. Sora was panting, and rubbing his neck. Riku held me close, calming me. "It's okay." He whispered, "You know where I'm going. Meet me there.." He took one last glare at Sora before hopping into a portal. I nodded silently, and looked at Sora. "I'm coming with you." I stated as if none of it had even happened. He looked at me strangely, and shrugged, using a high potion on both of the men. "By the way: This is Caraway, and Zell." He introduced, nodding to the two men. Caraway and Zell looked around, confused, but shrugged it off as we walked up to an 'abandoned' room. Leon, Yuffie, and Aeris were waiting for us. They started rambling about god knows what. I tried to think, tried to concentrate, but all I could think about was 'sleep' and 'Riku'. After they were done, I yawned, and let Sora lead me into his... colorful gummi ship. We were riding toward a town, when we found ourselves swallowed by none other than Monstro, the giant whale. There was an old man there, and a moving puppet. The old man was trying to find a way out, and the puppet was just sitting on the bed, seemingly sad. My eyes darted to a shadow, and I watched as the puppet jumped up, and followed it. "Riku.." I breathed, and ran after them both. "H-hey!" Sora cried, running after me. We made a train through the entire whale, until the puppet was caught in a heartless cage, and Riku was busy fighting it. His clothing had changed. It was purple, and he had the heartless emblem on his chest. Sora joined into the fight, as did the two men. I slashed away at the 'teeth' that the heartless was using as bars. We managed to get the puppet out, but Riku still wanted him. "Let's go play, what'ya say?" He asked the puppet, ignoring Sora and I completely. Sora walked forward, "I won't let you hurt that boy." He said dignantly. Riku looked at him. "Aww, c'mon Sora. I only want someone to play with!" He said childishly. Sora tilted his head. Riku frowned, "Of course, you don't wanna play either. You and Dory have turned against me." I gaped. Since when did I turn against him?!?! I spent the last few hours wanting to get back to him! Tears filled my eyes, and he turned his gaze to me. "Do you cry for a lost friend, or for the heart that he will recieve?" He asked me coldly. I shook my head rapidly, and turned away. The whole whale gave a lurch as I began to glow black. My eyes flickered blue once more, and then went yellow. My skin got paler, and my hair blacker. I closed my eyes lightly, and turned around. "I cry for he who has strayed from the light. I cry for he who can no longer see through the darkness. I cry for you!" I yelled, and with that, I turned on my heal, and disappeared through a portal. I was back at the castle, but now my only hope had gone. My only ray of light had disappated, and I was left alone. Broken, and abused. I slowly walked inside the gate, and straight down the black carpet. I came to the throne room. There were black mythril suits of armor along the side walls, and in the back center of the long room was a large granite throne. It was intrecately carved, with clawed feet, and many designs on the sides. I walked up to it, and ran my fingers along the cold, hard surface of the arm. I nodded, and sat in the throne, allowing the black tiara to form in my hair. I stared ahead of me, watching as the suits of armor sprung to life. Some of them marched out of the room. Some of them stayed, and picked up black platters. Some of them stayed to keep guard of their beloved princess. The very floors began to move, and the top of the throne, where there was a panthers head, began to roar. The windows seemed to breath, and the walls were ever changing. My return, had brought the castle to life. I smiled lightly to myself. I would make it just fine without Riku, or Sora to hold me down. I was the Moon Child! Of course I could make it alone! Why wouldn't I be able to?! But the loneliness loomed ever nearer with each passing day. I grew weary of eating off of black plates, and loosing my way whenever I left the throne room, and having to have a suit of armor return me to safety. Riku's last words to me, however, pained me worse then any of this could. It hurt worse then it hurt when I was practicing with one of the larger suits of armor, to fight. I lay slumped, asleep in the throne when a skinny suit of armor clanked up to me. I woke up with a start, and glared at it. It held a small black sphere in it's hand. It handed it to me. I pushed the only button on the sphere, and to my surprise, saw Kairi. She was in a boat, apparently. She was limp, her hand hanging down through a hole in a mesh grate. The first thought to cross my mind, was that I had to save her. I stood up. "Guards!" I barked, a few suits of armor clanked toward me, "Open the gate to the worlds. Maids!," More armor clanked up to me, "Get my cloak, and a normal bit of clothing!" They rushed off to do as they were ordered, and I turned to look at the window. I picked my sword off of a black velvet pillow that had formed in my throne, and turned my gaze down to it. "As the moon is the light in the sky," A voice echoed through my mind, it was Riku's, "You will be the light in my heart." I nodded, and when the suits of armor came back with my things, I marched out of the castle. Kairi was the innocent bystander, I couldn't let her get hurt. It was a strange rush when I walked onto the deck of a ship. Riku was standing with his arms crossed, as if waiting for me. "So you finally showed up. I had to send you that orb.." He walked toward the mast, past me. I bristled. "You knew where I was!?!" I demanded. He nodded, "Always do." he started climbing up the ladder. "And yet you didn't come and get me?!" I yelled. He closed his eyes, and hopped backwards off the ladder, landing behind me. I whirled around. He looked at me. "I couldn't. You had guards posted all over the place. I never thought you'd take it seriously when I said-" I shook my head rapidly, "I take everything seriously Riku!" I was starting to wish I hadn't left the sactuary of my castle. He moved slowly toward me, and I started backing up. I felt a strange aura around him. Dispite my efforts to back away, he put his arms around me, and buried his face in my hair, so I could feel his breath on my neck. "I'm so sorry." He whispered, lightly running his fingers up and down my spine. I closed my eyes, I never could resist him when he did that... I smiled, and nodded. "Alright..." I whispered, secretly glad to be back in his arms, even if he was different. He smiled, "C'mon.." He led me into the cabin, where he turned, and locked the door so no one could come in, and interupt us. He dropped the keys on the table beside the door, and looked at me. I was studying my surroundings carefully. The walls were clearly wood, pine. And there was a table by the door. There was a cot that I was sitting on, and no windows. Riku watched me for a moment, smiling. I looked up at him, and smiled back. He took me by surprise when he slowly started walking toward me. He sat down next to me, and looked into my eyes, putting a hand lightly on my cheek, and using the other to stroke my hair. "I don't ever want to loose you..." He whispered, and moved closer to me. Once close enough, he wrapped his arms around me, and slowly lowered his head to mine. I pursed my lips on instict, and he softly ran his tongue along them. Soon, I couldn't help but to surrender, and open my mouth to the intruder. He slid his tongue in between my lips, and made circles around the cage of my mouth, forcing me to calm down. He smiled slightly as he felt me relax, and pushed slightly so that he was laying on top of me. I pulled my head down away from his. "I-I can't Riku.." I stuttered, trying to pull away completely. He held me still, "Can't what? Can't kiss me?" He kissed my shoulder, "I won't go farther then we've already been, love." He reassured me, kissing a little closer to my neck. I nodded, and let myself relax again. "O-okay.." I muttered uncertainly. He sighed, and rolled so I was on top of him. He ran his figers up and down my spine again, forcing me to completely relax. He smiled, and kissed his way up my neck, toward my ear, and then he went back to my lips, with a brief kiss. "I've missed you for so long..." he rolled again, so he was back on top. "Don't hate me if I can't help but to show you that..." he whispered, kissing just under my chin. I nodded, and gasped as the door flew open. Riku closed his eyes briefly, and rolled off of me, looking at the intruder. It was a heartless. "He's here already?!" He demanded, looking from me to the heartless. The heartless nodded. Riku sighed, "alright... Alright.. fine... Keep him busy." The heartless nodded again, and hopped out of the room. Riku looked at me, and sighed. "Sorry love, Sora's here to kidnap Kairi, and we can't let him do that." He walked out of the room. I followed him, and he glanced back at me. "Wait in the captains chamber... hold on," He waved his arm in the air, and five heartless appeared, "Follow them. Keep them close. If Sora comes close, they'll protect you." I blinked a few times. "Protect me from what?" Riku looked me dead in the eyes. "Sora doesn't want Kairi to come back. He knows you can give her part of your heart." I was utterly confused now, but I let the heartless lead me into another room, that had a very long couch, that was red velvet. There were red velvet pillows, and a large wooden chandalier. A card table was set up, and there was a deck of cards spred out. I sighed, and sat down on the couch. It wasn't long until Sora was up here. He looked at me, and gasped. "You... heartless..." He began swinging the keyblade at me. I gasped, and ducked, realizing I didn't have my sword. The smaller heartless attacked him, but they were killed quickly. I was cowering in a corner, Sora ready to kill me, when Riku came to save the day, Kairi in his arms. He put Kairi down, and whipped out his sword, blocking Sora from hitting me. Sora looked at him, and then at the limp Kairi. "What did you do to Kairi!?!" He yelled. Riku narrowed his eyes at him, and threw him back. "Nothing. Especially compared to what you were going to do to Dory!" He backed up, and looked at me before picking Kairi back up. He ushered me behind him as Sora rushed at us, and a wall of darkness formed in front of him. Riku tilted his head. "Look what I learned, Sora!" He exclaimed, and a shape that looked exactly like Sora formed on the couch where I had been sitting, except it was black, completely. Riku smiled as Sora gaped at it, "Have fun, sonny boy." He turned around, and the three of us were engulfed in darkness. We found ourselves in the Hallow Bastion. Riku strode down the hall toward the throne room, where I saw glass compartments on the wall. Six of them. There was a woman in each of them, and I knew each and every one of them. There was a seventh glass compartment in the middle of the room. Riku pushed a button, and it opened. He lowered Kairi into it, and it closed. He looked at me, "She'll be safe there..." He informed me. I nodded, and looked into it at Kairi. She seemed so peaceful. She didn't know what was going on... I sighed, and he tilted his head at me. "Now," He took hold of my arm, and we appeared back in the boat room, door relocked, "Where were we?" I smiled as he swept a bit of hair out of my face. He looked at me protectively, and closed his eyes as the door swung open, and Sora ran inside. "Where's Kairi!?!" He demanded. Riku turned to face him. "Safe." He replied simply. I clung to his arm. Sora tilted his head, "You took her! You took Kairi!!!" Riku thought it over, and nodded. "Yep." Sora growled, and attacked. Although, where he aimed for Riku, he hit me instead, sending me flying into the wall, and knocking me out. Sora didn't seem to care, he kept trying to attack Riku, who didn't care anymore. He was too busy trying to nurse me back. He rounded on Sora, "You.... you hurt her.... I'll never forgive you...." He held out a hand, and heartless filled the room. They all attacked Sora as Riku took me into his arms. My heart glowed in contrast to the heartless symbol on his chest, and we rose. There was a clash between the light and the darkness.. the darkness won. Darkness swarmed over me, engulfing me completely. I groaned as I felt the light being squeezed out of my very being. Voices were echoing through my mind. When I woke up, I was still in Riku's arms, although the battle was no longer going on, and we were in the Hallow Bastion. I opened my eyes slowly, and he smiled, softly brushing hair out of my face. "You've been asleep for a while. I'm surprised you made it... but glad." I grunted in responce. He looked at me, and suddenly pulled me close.. a bit too close. He slipped a hand under my dress, and slowly began to tickle the squall of my back. I squirmed a bit, but he held me still. "You like that?" He whispered in my ear. I hesitated, "Maaaaaybe.." I muttered in response. he rolled his eyes, and, a bit roughly, pulled me even closer, lowering his hand dangerously. "Tell me..." he whispered. I gulped, all to aware of where his hand had been placed. Not even an inch to spare.. Still, I just couldn't tell.. then again, I couldn't force myself not to... I remained silent as a comprimise. Slowly, ever so slowly, he lowered his hand, "Alright, alright!" I muttered, exaspirated, and drew away from his touch.. or at least tried, but it was impossible since he was holding me so closely. "Well?" he whispered, not moving his hand. I bit my lip. "well... umm... maybe a uh.. maybe a little..." I murmured, tensening. "I thought so." he responded, and started tickling me again. I let myself giggle lightly, but just when I finally let myself enjoy it, the door swung open. Riku closed his eyes lightly, and turned, letting me go slowly. But there was no one there. Just the reminder of what he had to do. He sighed. "I have to go get Sora. Wait here." He ordered, and walked toward the door. I opened my mouth in protest, but he shut the door hard behind him. I scuttled to my feet, and over to the door. I opened it, but Riku was gone. I sighed, and walked out of the Hallow Bastion to find him. I landed with a hard thump in Traverse Town, where I had been before, except the barrel was broken, so I was sitting on the ground. I stood, and looked around, seeing Sora. "Sora!" I called. He looked at me, and grinned. "I was looking for you!" he announced. I sighed, and tilted my head. "Were you now?" I asked playfully, and looked around for Riku. He was nowhere to be seen. I sighed heavily, and lowered my eyes. "I'll be in the accessories shop, up with the moogles.." And with that, I left him behind me, opening the doors to the accessory shop, and shutting them behind me. I climbed up the ladder, and blinked a few times. There were no moogles here... I sighed, and decided I'd rather be alone anyway. I had to think... I sat down in a corner, and hugged my legs. I closed my eyes, and burried my face in my knees. I understood that he wanted to get Kairi back, but in the middle of a romantic moment, he has to go rushing off? I shook my head. I wanted so badly to just say 'I love you' to him, but it was too hard to say, no matter how hard I tried. How could I put into words how I felt? I wished he'd tell me first, that would make it a lot easier... but what if he didn't love me? What if he was just leading me on? I shook my head violently. "No." I decided aloud. He had shielded me... that had been the begining. Back on the first day we met. I remembered his exact words... ' I'm showing her, whether you want me to or not! ' I decided to retreat to my favorite pass-time... singing. "I've been watching you a while. Since you walked into my life. Monday morning when first I heard you speak to me. I was too shy to let you know. Much to scared to let my feelings show. But you shielded me, and that was the beginning. Now at last we can talk, in another way. And now I try 'I love you' It's just so hard to say. If I only could be strong and say the words I feel... My beating heart begins to race, when I turn to see your face. I remember that sweet dream, which you talked to me. I wanted just to be with you, so we could make the dream come true. And you smiled at me, and that was the beginning. Now at last we can talk, in another way. And though I try 'I love you' is just so hard to say. If I only could be strong, and say the words I feel..." I stopped singing, and sighed. I heard a slow, steady clapping, and my gaze darted toward the sound. Riku was standing by the ladder, grinning broadly. "You never sang for me before." He stated, as if he hadn't comprehended exactly what the song was. I shrugged, "I-I was always afraid I'd break some glass... or something..." He laughed slightly, and shook his head, "You're voice won't be breaking any glass." He offered me a hand. I smiled, and took it. He pulled me up, and close to him. "Tell me... why did you write that song?" He whispered. I froze. So he had comprehended what it meant... "I-It's the truth.." I squeaked. He smiled reassuringly at me, "To whom?" He asked innocently. I shifted uncomfortably, "... ... ... ... ... ...you... ..." I admitted hesitantly. His smile broadened, and he kissed my forehead before looking me dead in the eyes. "I love you." He whispered softly. My heart welled, and I forced air into my lungs. "I... love you too." I whispered back. His smile grew even wider, and he smoothed out my hair. "I talked to someone today." He stated, putting an arm around me, and leading me out the door. I looked at him, "Who?" He shrugged, "Some guy in a cloak. Said something about 'surrendering to the darkness' or something like that." I stopped him, and looked at him. "Don't. Please, the darkness... you don't want to know what the darkness is really like. Please.." He blinked a few times, and moved hair out of my face. He did his best to smile reassuringly, but he didn't give me his word that he wouldn't. He couldn't.... he had already surrendered... My eyes softened. What he wouldn't tell me was shining right through him. The darkness was not something that could be hidden from me for long. I turned away, and pulled at my hair. "Why did you?!" I demanded, tears slowly flooding my eyes. He didn't answer. I shook my head, and sighed, squeezing my eyes shut. "Why?" I squeaked, and fell to the ground. He knelt to help me up, but I wrenched away from him. "Riku, why? How could you?!" He shook his head, still trying to pull me up. "It was the only way to bring Kairi back..." I wrenched away again, and turned to look up at him, noticing as it started to pour down rain, matching my mood perfectly. "They don't want Kairi because we want her back!" I stood up, bristling. "They want her because she is the final princess of heart!! They want her so they can open the gate! And with you on their side, acting as their little... lap dog they will!!!!!" I yelled. He seemed taken aback, "But I won't, I'll out smart them!" He informed me. I let out a sharp breath, and walked around in a few circles, concentrating. "You can't outsmart the darkness Riku, it is the most primitive, and informed being ever known.." I whispered, and held my head, "Thank god they haven't figured out who I a-" I whirled around, and gasped. "My... god... they have figured out..." Standing right in front of me was Meleficent, and behind her, was an army of heartless. I drew my sword, and held it in front of me. Meleficent smiled wryly, "Come my dear, there is no reason to fight us. You said so yourself, we are the most primal, and imformed of all." She stated. I shook my head violently. "No! The light over comes the dark! I symbolize that!!!" Lightning struck somewhere North of us, illuminating my face. "I may be the symbol of the darkness, but I won't let the darkness over come me." My voice was shaking as I walked toward her, sword still out. "So if you want to take me back to the darkness. You'll take me dead!!!! I WON'T BE YOUR WEAPON!!!!" Meleficent shifted feet. "Quite the drama queen." she said calmly. I hissed loudly, "That's Drama Princess for your information!!" I stated, and slashed at her throat. She caught me by my throat, and I dropped my sword as she lifted me up. I kicked and screamed as with her free hand, she swept my hair away from my neck, revealing a small heartless symbol. "Don't fight you're destiny... girl..." "Put her down!!!" Riku yelled, a black keyblade in his hand. Meleficent dropped me, and I writhed until I curled up.Riku stood over me, as Meleficent looked down on him in a motherly fashion. "Dear, dear Riku, have you taken a liking to the girl?" She asked, in what she thought was a motherly tone. Riku nodded, "I love her." He stated in a matter of fact tone. "Then look at this." Meleficent hissed, and although I struggled, I rose up, so that I was standing in front of her. She swept my hair aside again, and showed Riku the Heartless symbol. My eyes bulged, was he going to kill me now? Riku shrugs, "I know. Ansem told me. She's only half." He stated, not even glancing at the symbol. Meleficent faultered, "You spoke with the master?" she stuttered, pushing me into him. He steadied me carefully before nodding. "Ansem and I are... good friends." I hid behind Riku as the two talked. Riku suddenly screamed in agony, and kneeled, holding his head. I gasped, and knelt beside him, but Meleficent knocked me away. I hit the wall with a hard thud, and felt my eyes roll back. Riku stood rigidly, his blue eyes yellow. He looked at Meleficent and smiled. "Good work." but the voice was not his. I forced my eyes back to normal, and stared at him. I could feel him fighting on the inside. Struggling to regain control. I stood, and charged at him. "LET RIKU GO!!!" I screamed. He simply looked at me as I was knocked back by a barrior. I hissed loudly, and scrambled back to my feet. I charged again, only to be knocked back again. Riku looked at me. His eyes, for one moment, pleading me for help, before they got back cold. "I'll kill you.." I swore under my breath. He acted as if he didn't hear. "Eh?" He asked. I stood up shakily, "I'll kill you!" I yelled. He tilted his head, "Eh?" He asked again. I raised my sword to him, "I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!" I tried to strike, but the barrior that had kept me back, reflected my blow, so my sword hit me in the head instead. I cried out, and backed up. Riku just laughed, and walked through a portal, disappearing. Meleficent looked at me. "Now. Who would be easier to claim... The menace boy, or you?" She asked as if I had a say in the matter. I hissed, pointing my sword at her. She laughed, "I think the boy will come on his own. But just in case we need more bait..." I found both of my wrists grasped by heartless. I struggled against them, but they wouldn't let me go. "LEMME GOOOO!!!!!" I scrieched, but still they would not. Maleficent laughed, and opened a portal. The two heartless holding me walked through, and we arrived at Hallow Bastion, just as Sora burst through the doors. He saw Kairi, and then looked at me. "DORY!!" He yelled, and hacked the heartless off of me. I didn't bother to thank him, I was too busy looking at Riku, who was floating above a very large keyhole, examining his keyblade. Sora and I ran up the stairs around the throne, and up to him. He lowered slowly, and landed lightly, with a quick swish of the keyblade. "Keyblade Bearer. You've come for the princess, have you not?" He asked. He had two voices now, one was Riku, and the other, was from before. "And you brought a princess... how convenient." I ran up the stairs, "I won't let you do this!" I yelled, but was cast aside by Maleficent. Riku looked at Sora, who was kneeling beside Kairi, trying to get her back. "She won't wake. Her heart's been taken." Riku stated in a matter of fact tone. I tried to get away from Maleficent. Sora looked up at him, "What did you do to her?!" He demanded. Riku walked forward a few paces, "The last princess of heart must awaken." He stated as if Sora hadn't said a thing. "Whoever you are, let Riku go!" Sora yelled. Riku looked at him, smirked. "First give the princess back her heart." He ordered. Sora gaped, "How can I- Kairi's a princess?" Riku nodded, "I know all that there is to know." I broke free of Maleficent. "Who are you?!" I demanded, outraged. Riku looked at me. "I am seeker of the darkness, and the king of the heartless, Ansem!" he announced in a regal tone. I thought it over, "Well, kingy, the princess is about to do you in!" I drew my sword, "Wait!" Sora ordered, putting an arm in front of me. He blinked at the fact that I called myself a princess, but quickly got over it. Riku smirked, "You haven't figured it out yet? The Princess's heart lies within that boy!" He pointed at Sora. Sora gasped, and collapsed near Kairi. "And now, it is time to give the princess back her heart." Riku announced, lifting his own black keyblade. And with a swift move, he brought it down toward Sora's head. I was frozen in place, held by invisable chains. "Sora!" Kairi's voice rang out, just in time, and Sora lifted his keyblade in defense. "You're... not... taking Kairi anywhere!" He yelled. Riku smirked, and the fight began. Sora tried hacking away at Riku, but it was a futile effort. Riku held up his keyblade in defensive position. "Take your best shot!" He taunted, so Sora attacked. The best shot was deflected back to him. "Useless." Riku announced, and started attack again. It wasn't long until Sora fell to his knees, and was about to have his heart stolen. I cried out, "I'll do it! Don't hurt them!" I cried. Riku whirled around to me, and grinned. "You'll open the keyhole?" He asked to make sure he understood me. I nodded, "Yes.. just please don't hurt them..." He nodded, and the invisable chains were removed. I stood, and dusted my gown off. I walked stiffly in front of the keyhole, and closed my eyes. The key necklace Riku gave me began to glow slightly, but I ignored it. "Moon! Stars! Hear me!" I yelled, and felt a jolt go through me that made me gasp for air. "Open the door! Release the darkness!" I panted for air as black spikes went through me. There was a chorus singing about something only I could understand. I was pinned to a key before long. Riku walked in front of me, and into the keyhole, ignoring me. Before I ran out of energy, I managed to pant, "Curaga.." To Sora. He was healed. He ran into the keyhole after Riku. I looked at Kairi, who hadn't been saved. "To you I give my heart, young princess.." I murmured, and felt a pain in my chest. I tried to ignore it as I panted for air. Would I die now, that I had no heart? Kairi began to stir, and she suddenly sat bolt upright. She looked at me on the key, and gasped. She immediately pulled the dark spikes out of my hands, and I dropped to the floor. I gasped as a searing pain went through me. "No... please..." I pled, but Kairi was giving me back my half of a heart. She collapsed again, and Sora ran out, and looked at Riku's dropped keyblade. He then looked at Kairi, and took a deep breath. He picked up Riku's keyblade, and turned it so it was aimed at his own heart. "Sora, no!" I cried, looking around to see where Maleficent was... dead. He ignored my pleadings, and stabbed himself. I cried out, imagining how he felt. Nine hearts came out of his own heart, and his skin was getting black, and smooth. Kairi rose slowly, as did the rest of the princess'. Sora disappeared, and in his place, was a heartless. Kairi looked at it for a moment, horrified at what had just happened. Just then, the princess's tried to kill him, so he ran out of the room. Kairi ran after him, and I ran after Kairi, but I stopped, to look back at the keyhole. Riku was gone. I had to face it. A tear ran down my cheek as I turned back around, and chased Sora and Kairi again. Kairi stopped by the waterfountain, and sighed. "He's gone." She breathed, looking around. "I lost him..." I walked down the steps to her, and wiped my eyes. "Great. We've lost Riku, and Sora.. I suppose I'll be the next to go..." I whispered. Kairi looked at me, "Don't say that!" I shook my head, unable to keep my tears in anymore. "No, Kairi, it's true. Riku's gone. It'll either be you or me, and Ansem still needs you..." Kairi started crying freely. Drawn by the tears, a small heartless walked through the doors, and up to us. It just looked up at us with its beady yellow eyes. Kairi looked down at him, and wiped her eyes. "Sora?" She asked, bending down. She didn't notice as heartless started swarming around us. I looked around, in part awe, part horror at the variety of heartless. Kairi finally noticed them, and hugged the smallest heartless to her. "You protected me once Sora, I'll protect you now!" There was a bright light, and Sora was standing, holding her in his arms instead of her holding him. The sight of him protecting her made me lovesick. That should be me and Riku, not Kairi and Sora... Meanwhile, the heartless loomed ever closer. "I'm getting out of here.." I whispered, and created a portal, running through it. Sora and Kairi ran through it as well. We landed in Traverse Town. "Good bye." I muttered, and walked away from them without them even stopping me. That's what hurt the most, they didn't try to stop me. I walked around for hours on end, not finding where I wanted to go, because I didn't know where I wanted to go. Softly, I sang the song I had written earlier to myself, wanting to badly to see the one person I had let myself love this much. I stopped in front of a door with painted flames on it. I stared at it for a moment, and shook my head, turning my back on it. "But you shielded me..." I walked up a set of stairs, and past a window through which I could see Leon, Yuffie, and Aeris, as well as Sora and Kairi. All talking. "If I only could be strong..." I walked through the tall doors, and into the middle of a district. I sat down on the bench, and hugged my knees to my chest. "My beating heart begins to race..." I looked at the fountain at the far end of the district. "I wanted just to be with you..." There was a closed keyhole in the center of it, but an inscription was near one of the bell designs. I bent down to read it, but it was just squiggles. "It's just so hard to say..." I walked up more steps and saw a door I hadn't seen before. It was decorated with stained glass. I opened it up, and walked inside. Looking around, I saw many colored machines, and a sign above the door ahead of me said 'Gizmo shop' A tear slipped down my cheek, "I have so much I want to ask you, but now the chance is gone.." I sang, and walked forward. The machines started up, and I jumped in alarm. I rotated slowly, trying to see the culprit, but no one was there. I blinked a few times, and sat down on the floor. "As the moon is the light in the sky, you are the light in my heart." I heard Riku's voice echo through the room. "In my heart your memory stays.." I sung as I jumped to my feet, and looked around. "Riku! Where are you?!" I cried, but there was no answer. More tears spilled to the floor. I began to sing louder as I sat back down, "And I will hold you close.." I buried my head in my knees. By the time the song was over, I heard people talking, and the floor felt different... I opened my eyes, and raised my head. The floor was no longer the floor, it was sand. And behind me there were many palm trees, and in front of me, the sand broke into pieces, floating atop black water. A tall man that looked like Riku, except with longer hair stood on one of the fragments, he held Riku by the neck in front of him. Sora was arguing on land, and Ansem, the man, I presumed, was laughing. I jumped to my feet, and ran to them. "Riku!" I cried. Riku looked at me. "Dory!" he yelled, but was choked off as Ansem tightened his grip. "Let him go!" I yelled, drawing my black sword. Ansem looked at me, "Off to play herione, are you?" He asked me, and laughed some more. I bristled, "You better savor that laugh, it will be one of your last!" I with that, I charged over the black water toward them. I felt something grab my feet, and before I could jerk free, Ansem's shadow had me hanging upside down next to Riku. "Shadow! Release me!" I yelled, and surprisingly, the shadow dropped me. I did a backflip back onto normal land, and pointed at Ansem. "ATTACK!!!" Ansems own shadow started attacking him, forcing him to drop Riku, who ran toward me. Another shadow reached for him, but missed. "Army of the Dark Kingdom! ATTACK!!!" I yelled. Shadows were pulled from every corner of the island toward Ansem, all of them were attacking him. Riku grasped my arm, while he watched the shadows attack. Sora was attacking with them, until finally, Ansem fell to his own darkness... but Riku fell with him
Innocent Bystander
There was greenery everywhere. A rabit was standing on a podium, and a fat queen was sitting in a tall throne. In front of her was a stage, caged in, and beside her was a cage. A girl with long blond hair, and a blue dress stood in it, poking at the red velvet that covered half of it. Cards were standing guard almost everywhere. I nearly gasped as I saw Sora, and the two men from before walk onto the fenced in stage. "Alice is innocent!" Sora demanded, slamming his fist against the fence. Riku held his hand over my mouth as we watched from above. The queen lifted her arms into the air. "You go against the queen of hearts!" She yelled, slamming both of her fists against the wood in front of her. "Off with your heads!" I wrenched free of Riku, and jumped down. "No! That's not right!" I screamed, walking toward her. Sora blinked a few times. "At least allow them to present evidance, your highness!" I begged, bowing deeply. Riku stayed atop the greenery, close to one of the pare shaped trees. The queen looked at me, saw something in my eyes, and nodded. "Fine. Go gather as little, or as much evidance as you wish!" she ordered, and sat there, waiting. Sora and I exchanged 'good lucks' and Sora walked through a door carved in the bushes. Riku hopped down to me, on the other side of the bushes so the queen couldn't see. He smiled at me, "Now, that is a princess of heart, I can feel it." He informed me, pointing to the girl dubbed Alice. I tilted my head. "She's young.. only about 9 I expect.." Riku shrugged, "We have to kidna- save her." He corrected himself upon seeing my glare. I sighed, and shook my head. "There is no way around it. Come, let's wait until Sora's sentance is decided, and while he is fighting to keep his head, we will take the girl." I ordered, already having mapped the plan out. He tilted his head, "What if he finds suitable evidance?" I shrugged, "it doesn't matter." I breathed, and looked up. Riku took hold of me around the waist, and hopped back onto the bushes. It wasn't long until Sora came back with 4 boxes. One contained footprints, another contained antennes, another contained a shadow, and the other contained a smell. He put the boxes out, and the queen put out her own, one box of evidance. Sora chose one to save time. It was the footprints. "You see! It was the heartless that tried to take your heart!" He yelled, thrusting the box at her. The queen stood, "that may be.. hmm... hmm... yes... yes... well.. good work... OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!!!!" She yelled, and the cards started attacking. While Sora, and the two men were fighting the cards, Riku and I slipped behind the queen, and the cage. I pointed at the bars, and melted them. Alice had 'fainted' so Riku swung her over his shoulder, and we disappeared into a portal, back to the Hallow Bastion. Riku carried her up to Meleficents throne, but she was not there, so he put her in the throne itself. We turned, and walked back out, into a second portal. This time we were in a field. It was large, and the grass was so green, and peaceful. There were trees, and in them were treehouses. I awed at the purple and blue flowers that were scattered around the roots. Riku looked up into one of the treehouses, and gasped as a hord of heartless came rushing down at us. They were coming from all sides now. I drew my sword, and started to fight them off, but there were too many for just me, and Riku didn't have a weapon. We cowered under the branches, and gasped as there was a bright flash of light. A woman walked out of it, her black hair hanging limply at her shoulders, and her blue dress torn. She seemed ready to collapse. I instinctively ran out, and caught her before she fell. As she fell into my arms, I realized that the dress was not a dress. It was a long blue sweater. She had brown highlights, and she wore a black ribbon around her arm. She looked up at me. "I-is it time to reunite us again?" She whispered, standing straight again. I nodded. She sighed, and shook her head. "It's been so long since I have seen Squall... tell me, will he be there?" I was puzzled at first by who she meant, but I had remembered Yuffie call Leon Squall earlier. I paused, and shook my head, "No, I'm sorry Rinoa, but he cannot.." I said, and turned away. She sighed deeply. "Alright then.. that's okay." She gave me the best smile she could, but I didn't see. I was already walking toward Riku. "You know where to meet." I informed her, and Riku and I walked through the portal. Riku caught up to me as I was striding through the Hallow Bastion. "What was that all about?!" He asked me curiously. I shrugged, "Instinct." I replied casually. He stopped, holding onto my arm, and forcing me to stop too. "Who's Squall? And how did you know that woman?!" I shrugged, "How would I know?" I asked cynically, and started walking again. He growled, and pulled me back. "You said he wouldn't be here." He reminded me. I sighed, and shook my head. "I heard Yuffie call Leon Squall, that's all." I explained, looking him dead in the eyes. He nodded, "Any more princess' you know..?" He asked, a bit grudgingly. I shrugged, "All of them, I suspect." We both started walking, and we walked straight into a portal. We were in a castle. It was bigger than the Hallow Bastion, and everything was pearly white. My normal outfit automatically transformed into a beautiful white gown, and I glazed down the halls, a white tuxidoed Riku trailing close behind. We walked straight into a throne room, where a 16 year old girl sat on her throne, holding her head. Her features were delecate, and somewhat pained. Her brown hair fell to her waist, and her white gown with green vines on it seemed to sit just right. Her brown eyes were set on me. "Dory," She choked, "Is it time already? Have the gates opened again?" I nodded, and bowed deeply, "You can once again be reunited with your prince, my lady.." I informed her. She smiled at me, and stood, returning the bow. "I see you have already been reunited with your own." She stated as she glided past me. I drew in a deep breath, and held it, waiting to see how Riku would react. But he didn't react. He acted as if it were a perfectly normal thing to say. "Next?" He asked me casually. I was glad he hadn't reacted. I couldn't have handled it if he started ranting. I nodded. "That's three." I said as if it mattered. Riku nodded, and another portal formed in front of us. We walked through, and were on a beach. A woman about 17 was sitting in front of the waves. She wore a purplish blue skirt with pink flowers going up it, and a white blouse that cut diagonally across her breasts on either side. She had a large yellow bodice tied in a rather large bow. The material had flowers on it. She had white sleeves that got gradually pink, the lower they went, that were suspended by blue ribbon. Her light brown hair came to her shoulders, and she had one blue eye, one green eye. She was staring into nothingness. "Hello." She greeted without looking at us, "I know it's time, Dory, fiends haven't been appearing in Spira for years, and yet they come now. The door has been opened. It was open 4 years ago.." She stood, and looked at me. "I cannot go to Hallow Bastion on my own. Please create a portal for my passage." I nodded, and motioned for Riku to create the portal. He did so, and she walked through. Riku and I looked at each other, and followed after her. Our footsteps echoed through the halls as we walked toward the throne room to see how the princess' were conversing. Meleficent was sitting in her throne. She looked at Riku and I. "There is one other way the girl can return without the 7 princess's.." She stated as if Riku and I hadn't just gotten those four. Riku shifted uncomforatably, "how?" Meleficent smiled, "by taking the heart away from the doll..." My hearing perked. "And where is this doll?" Riku asked suspiciously. Meleficent shrugged, "In the whale." She said casually, as if we should have known. I narrowed my eyes, "And why should we take the heart from someone so innocent?" I demanded quietly. She smiled evily, but Riku didn't see the evil, "Because a doll is not meant to have a heart." I lowered my eyes, and turned away. "In Monstro you say?" Riku looked at me, wondering how, and if I knew the whales name. Maleficent nodded, "There's a boy there... he's been getting in the way for too long. Exterminate him if you see him." She ordered. I rounded on her, "I am not you're servant!" I yelled. The princess' all jumped, but she just smiled. "T'was only a suggestion, dear." She said in a motherly tone. I glared at her, "I won't kill him." I informed her, and walked out of the Hallow Bastion. Riku followed me out. "Lets get some items first. There are bound to be heartless in that whale, and I don't have a weapon." He suggested. I nodded, and watched as he created a portal. We walked through, and emerged on a roof in the third district. We hopped down, and came in contact with Sora, who nearly bumped into Riku. They started talking like the old friends they were, but Sora brought up Kairi, and Riku got cold. "It doesn't matter." He snapped once Sora mentioned that Alice had just disappeared. Riku spotted the keyblade, "So thats the keyblade..." He held out his hand, and the keyblade appeared there. He examined it, "H-hey! Give it back!" Sora protested. Riku shrugged, and let it go back to him. "We'll find Kairi. Just leave it to me." Sora waited a few moments to reply, but ended up slashing the keyblade around instead. Behind us, he had killed five heartless. "Leave it to... who again?" he asked proudly. I glared at him. Riku seemed hurt. "You're right." He stated, and shrugs. "While you're playing around various worlds, I'm going to go try to help Kairi." He hissed, and jumped back onto the roof, leaving me with Sora. I gasped, and tried to jump after him, but I couldn't jump high enough, and he was gone. I rounded on Sora, who's mouth was hanging open. "You just had to do that! You just had to!" I screamed, fuming. I went to strangle him, but the two men stepped in front of him. I stepped back. "So that's how it is. The keyblade bearer has body guards!" I waved my arms around in the air. "You're supposed to save the worlds Sora! AND YOU HAVE BODY GUARDS!!!" He frowned, and tried to calm me down, but I wouldn't calm. "I can't believe this is happening.." I whispered, leaning against a wall, and holding my head. "I've lost Kairi, I've lost you, and because of you, I've just lost Riku..." Sora looked down at me, and tried to put his arms around me. I pushed him away, "Go away Sora. Leave me here for the heartless." I ordered quietly. He shook his head, "You're coming with me if I have to use a doggy leash." He took hold of my arm, and pulled me to my feet. I went baserk. I wrenched away from him, and into the wall, but I didn't care. I attacked him, fists flying. The two men tried to catch up with me but couldn't. "YOU BASTARD!! YOU HALF WITTED BASTARD!!" I screamed, trying to rip his head off, his arm off, anything. He took hold of both my arms, holding me still. I made a butterfly move, causing his arms to drop. I then took hold of his throat, choking him. The two men came up behind me, and pulled me off of him, holding me still. "LEMME GO!!!!!!" I yelled, but they wouldn't, and it wasn't long until Riku was behind them, attacking. "If she says 'lemme go'," He started calmly, slashing with a new, black sword much like mine, "You should probably let her go." He attacked so hard, that the two men lay unconcious on the ground. Sora was panting, and rubbing his neck. Riku held me close, calming me. "It's okay." He whispered, "You know where I'm going. Meet me there.." He took one last glare at Sora before hopping into a portal. I nodded silently, and looked at Sora. "I'm coming with you." I stated as if none of it had even happened. He looked at me strangely, and shrugged, using a high potion on both of the men. "By the way: This is Caraway, and Zell." He introduced, nodding to the two men. Caraway and Zell looked around, confused, but shrugged it off as we walked up to an 'abandoned' room. Leon, Yuffie, and Aeris were waiting for us. They started rambling about god knows what. I tried to think, tried to concentrate, but all I could think about was 'sleep' and 'Riku'. After they were done, I yawned, and let Sora lead me into his... colorful gummi ship. We were riding toward a town, when we found ourselves swallowed by none other than Monstro, the giant whale. There was an old man there, and a moving puppet. The old man was trying to find a way out, and the puppet was just sitting on the bed, seemingly sad. My eyes darted to a shadow, and I watched as the puppet jumped up, and followed it. "Riku.." I breathed, and ran after them both. "H-hey!" Sora cried, running after me. We made a train through the entire whale, until the puppet was caught in a heartless cage, and Riku was busy fighting it. His clothing had changed. It was purple, and he had the heartless emblem on his chest. Sora joined into the fight, as did the two men. I slashed away at the 'teeth' that the heartless was using as bars. We managed to get the puppet out, but Riku still wanted him. "Let's go play, what'ya say?" He asked the puppet, ignoring Sora and I completely. Sora walked forward, "I won't let you hurt that boy." He said dignantly. Riku looked at him. "Aww, c'mon Sora. I only want someone to play with!" He said childishly. Sora tilted his head. Riku frowned, "Of course, you don't wanna play either. You and Dory have turned against me." I gaped. Since when did I turn against him?!?! I spent the last few hours wanting to get back to him! Tears filled my eyes, and he turned his gaze to me. "Do you cry for a lost friend, or for the heart that he will recieve?" He asked me coldly. I shook my head rapidly, and turned away. The whole whale gave a lurch as I began to glow black. My eyes flickered blue once more, and then went yellow. My skin got paler, and my hair blacker. I closed my eyes lightly, and turned around. "I cry for he who has strayed from the light. I cry for he who can no longer see through the darkness. I cry for you!" I yelled, and with that, I turned on my heal, and disappeared through a portal. I was back at the castle, but now my only hope had gone. My only ray of light had disappated, and I was left alone. Broken, and abused. I slowly walked inside the gate, and straight down the black carpet. I came to the throne room. There were black mythril suits of armor along the side walls, and in the back center of the long room was a large granite throne. It was intrecately carved, with clawed feet, and many designs on the sides. I walked up to it, and ran my fingers along the cold, hard surface of the arm. I nodded, and sat in the throne, allowing the black tiara to form in my hair. I stared ahead of me, watching as the suits of armor sprung to life. Some of them marched out of the room. Some of them stayed, and picked up black platters. Some of them stayed to keep guard of their beloved princess. The very floors began to move, and the top of the throne, where there was a panthers head, began to roar. The windows seemed to breath, and the walls were ever changing. My return, had brought the castle to life. I smiled lightly to myself. I would make it just fine without Riku, or Sora to hold me down. I was the Moon Child! Of course I could make it alone! Why wouldn't I be able to?! But the loneliness loomed ever nearer with each passing day. I grew weary of eating off of black plates, and loosing my way whenever I left the throne room, and having to have a suit of armor return me to safety. Riku's last words to me, however, pained me worse then any of this could. It hurt worse then it hurt when I was practicing with one of the larger suits of armor, to fight. I lay slumped, asleep in the throne when a skinny suit of armor clanked up to me. I woke up with a start, and glared at it. It held a small black sphere in it's hand. It handed it to me. I pushed the only button on the sphere, and to my surprise, saw Kairi. She was in a boat, apparently. She was limp, her hand hanging down through a hole in a mesh grate. The first thought to cross my mind, was that I had to save her. I stood up. "Guards!" I barked, a few suits of armor clanked toward me, "Open the gate to the worlds. Maids!," More armor clanked up to me, "Get my cloak, and a normal bit of clothing!" They rushed off to do as they were ordered, and I turned to look at the window. I picked my sword off of a black velvet pillow that had formed in my throne, and turned my gaze down to it. "As the moon is the light in the sky," A voice echoed through my mind, it was Riku's, "You will be the light in my heart." I nodded, and when the suits of armor came back with my things, I marched out of the castle. Kairi was the innocent bystander, I couldn't let her get hurt. It was a strange rush when I walked onto the deck of a ship. Riku was standing with his arms crossed, as if waiting for me. "So you finally showed up. I had to send you that orb.." He walked toward the mast, past me. I bristled. "You knew where I was!?!" I demanded. He nodded, "Always do." he started climbing up the ladder. "And yet you didn't come and get me?!" I yelled. He closed his eyes, and hopped backwards off the ladder, landing behind me. I whirled around. He looked at me. "I couldn't. You had guards posted all over the place. I never thought you'd take it seriously when I said-" I shook my head rapidly, "I take everything seriously Riku!" I was starting to wish I hadn't left the sactuary of my castle. He moved slowly toward me, and I started backing up. I felt a strange aura around him. Dispite my efforts to back away, he put his arms around me, and buried his face in my hair, so I could feel his breath on my neck. "I'm so sorry." He whispered, lightly running his fingers up and down my spine. I closed my eyes, I never could resist him when he did that... I smiled, and nodded. "Alright..." I whispered, secretly glad to be back in his arms, even if he was different. He smiled, "C'mon.." He led me into the cabin, where he turned, and locked the door so no one could come in, and interupt us. He dropped the keys on the table beside the door, and looked at me. I was studying my surroundings carefully. The walls were clearly wood, pine. And there was a table by the door. There was a cot that I was sitting on, and no windows. Riku watched me for a moment, smiling. I looked up at him, and smiled back. He took me by surprise when he slowly started walking toward me. He sat down next to me, and looked into my eyes, putting a hand lightly on my cheek, and using the other to stroke my hair. "I don't ever want to loose you..." He whispered, and moved closer to me. Once close enough, he wrapped his arms around me, and slowly lowered his head to mine. I pursed my lips on instict, and he softly ran his tongue along them. Soon, I couldn't help but to surrender, and open my mouth to the intruder. He slid his tongue in between my lips, and made circles around the cage of my mouth, forcing me to calm down. He smiled slightly as he felt me relax, and pushed slightly so that he was laying on top of me. I pulled my head down away from his. "I-I can't Riku.." I stuttered, trying to pull away completely. He held me still, "Can't what? Can't kiss me?" He kissed my shoulder, "I won't go farther then we've already been, love." He reassured me, kissing a little closer to my neck. I nodded, and let myself relax again. "O-okay.." I muttered uncertainly. He sighed, and rolled so I was on top of him. He ran his figers up and down my spine again, forcing me to completely relax. He smiled, and kissed his way up my neck, toward my ear, and then he went back to my lips, with a brief kiss. "I've missed you for so long..." he rolled again, so he was back on top. "Don't hate me if I can't help but to show you that..." he whispered, kissing just under my chin. I nodded, and gasped as the door flew open. Riku closed his eyes briefly, and rolled off of me, looking at the intruder. It was a heartless. "He's here already?!" He demanded, looking from me to the heartless. The heartless nodded. Riku sighed, "alright... Alright.. fine... Keep him busy." The heartless nodded again, and hopped out of the room. Riku looked at me, and sighed. "Sorry love, Sora's here to kidnap Kairi, and we can't let him do that." He walked out of the room. I followed him, and he glanced back at me. "Wait in the captains chamber... hold on," He waved his arm in the air, and five heartless appeared, "Follow them. Keep them close. If Sora comes close, they'll protect you." I blinked a few times. "Protect me from what?" Riku looked me dead in the eyes. "Sora doesn't want Kairi to come back. He knows you can give her part of your heart." I was utterly confused now, but I let the heartless lead me into another room, that had a very long couch, that was red velvet. There were red velvet pillows, and a large wooden chandalier. A card table was set up, and there was a deck of cards spred out. I sighed, and sat down on the couch. It wasn't long until Sora was up here. He looked at me, and gasped. "You... heartless..." He began swinging the keyblade at me. I gasped, and ducked, realizing I didn't have my sword. The smaller heartless attacked him, but they were killed quickly. I was cowering in a corner, Sora ready to kill me, when Riku came to save the day, Kairi in his arms. He put Kairi down, and whipped out his sword, blocking Sora from hitting me. Sora looked at him, and then at the limp Kairi. "What did you do to Kairi!?!" He yelled. Riku narrowed his eyes at him, and threw him back. "Nothing. Especially compared to what you were going to do to Dory!" He backed up, and looked at me before picking Kairi back up. He ushered me behind him as Sora rushed at us, and a wall of darkness formed in front of him. Riku tilted his head. "Look what I learned, Sora!" He exclaimed, and a shape that looked exactly like Sora formed on the couch where I had been sitting, except it was black, completely. Riku smiled as Sora gaped at it, "Have fun, sonny boy." He turned around, and the three of us were engulfed in darkness. We found ourselves in the Hallow Bastion. Riku strode down the hall toward the throne room, where I saw glass compartments on the wall. Six of them. There was a woman in each of them, and I knew each and every one of them. There was a seventh glass compartment in the middle of the room. Riku pushed a button, and it opened. He lowered Kairi into it, and it closed. He looked at me, "She'll be safe there..." He informed me. I nodded, and looked into it at Kairi. She seemed so peaceful. She didn't know what was going on... I sighed, and he tilted his head at me. "Now," He took hold of my arm, and we appeared back in the boat room, door relocked, "Where were we?" I smiled as he swept a bit of hair out of my face. He looked at me protectively, and closed his eyes as the door swung open, and Sora ran inside. "Where's Kairi!?!" He demanded. Riku turned to face him. "Safe." He replied simply. I clung to his arm. Sora tilted his head, "You took her! You took Kairi!!!" Riku thought it over, and nodded. "Yep." Sora growled, and attacked. Although, where he aimed for Riku, he hit me instead, sending me flying into the wall, and knocking me out. Sora didn't seem to care, he kept trying to attack Riku, who didn't care anymore. He was too busy trying to nurse me back. He rounded on Sora, "You.... you hurt her.... I'll never forgive you...." He held out a hand, and heartless filled the room. They all attacked Sora as Riku took me into his arms. My heart glowed in contrast to the heartless symbol on his chest, and we rose. There was a clash between the light and the darkness.. the darkness won. Darkness swarmed over me, engulfing me completely. I groaned as I felt the light being squeezed out of my very being. Voices were echoing through my mind. When I woke up, I was still in Riku's arms, although the battle was no longer going on, and we were in the Hallow Bastion. I opened my eyes slowly, and he smiled, softly brushing hair out of my face. "You've been asleep for a while. I'm surprised you made it... but glad." I grunted in responce. He looked at me, and suddenly pulled me close.. a bit too close. He slipped a hand under my dress, and slowly began to tickle the squall of my back. I squirmed a bit, but he held me still. "You like that?" He whispered in my ear. I hesitated, "Maaaaaybe.." I muttered in response. he rolled his eyes, and, a bit roughly, pulled me even closer, lowering his hand dangerously. "Tell me..." he whispered. I gulped, all to aware of where his hand had been placed. Not even an inch to spare.. Still, I just couldn't tell.. then again, I couldn't force myself not to... I remained silent as a comprimise. Slowly, ever so slowly, he lowered his hand, "Alright, alright!" I muttered, exaspirated, and drew away from his touch.. or at least tried, but it was impossible since he was holding me so closely. "Well?" he whispered, not moving his hand. I bit my lip. "well... umm... maybe a uh.. maybe a little..." I murmured, tensening. "I thought so." he responded, and started tickling me again. I let myself giggle lightly, but just when I finally let myself enjoy it, the door swung open. Riku closed his eyes lightly, and turned, letting me go slowly. But there was no one there. Just the reminder of what he had to do. He sighed. "I have to go get Sora. Wait here." He ordered, and walked toward the door. I opened my mouth in protest, but he shut the door hard behind him. I scuttled to my feet, and over to the door. I opened it, but Riku was gone. I sighed, and walked out of the Hallow Bastion to find him. I landed with a hard thump in Traverse Town, where I had been before, except the barrel was broken, so I was sitting on the ground. I stood, and looked around, seeing Sora. "Sora!" I called. He looked at me, and grinned. "I was looking for you!" he announced. I sighed, and tilted my head. "Were you now?" I asked playfully, and looked around for Riku. He was nowhere to be seen. I sighed heavily, and lowered my eyes. "I'll be in the accessories shop, up with the moogles.." And with that, I left him behind me, opening the doors to the accessory shop, and shutting them behind me. I climbed up the ladder, and blinked a few times. There were no moogles here... I sighed, and decided I'd rather be alone anyway. I had to think... I sat down in a corner, and hugged my legs. I closed my eyes, and burried my face in my knees. I understood that he wanted to get Kairi back, but in the middle of a romantic moment, he has to go rushing off? I shook my head. I wanted so badly to just say 'I love you' to him, but it was too hard to say, no matter how hard I tried. How could I put into words how I felt? I wished he'd tell me first, that would make it a lot easier... but what if he didn't love me? What if he was just leading me on? I shook my head violently. "No." I decided aloud. He had shielded me... that had been the begining. Back on the first day we met. I remembered his exact words... ' I'm showing her, whether you want me to or not! ' I decided to retreat to my favorite pass-time... singing. "I've been watching you a while. Since you walked into my life. Monday morning when first I heard you speak to me. I was too shy to let you know. Much to scared to let my feelings show. But you shielded me, and that was the beginning. Now at last we can talk, in another way. And now I try 'I love you' It's just so hard to say. If I only could be strong and say the words I feel... My beating heart begins to race, when I turn to see your face. I remember that sweet dream, which you talked to me. I wanted just to be with you, so we could make the dream come true. And you smiled at me, and that was the beginning. Now at last we can talk, in another way. And though I try 'I love you' is just so hard to say. If I only could be strong, and say the words I feel..." I stopped singing, and sighed. I heard a slow, steady clapping, and my gaze darted toward the sound. Riku was standing by the ladder, grinning broadly. "You never sang for me before." He stated, as if he hadn't comprehended exactly what the song was. I shrugged, "I-I was always afraid I'd break some glass... or something..." He laughed slightly, and shook his head, "You're voice won't be breaking any glass." He offered me a hand. I smiled, and took it. He pulled me up, and close to him. "Tell me... why did you write that song?" He whispered. I froze. So he had comprehended what it meant... "I-It's the truth.." I squeaked. He smiled reassuringly at me, "To whom?" He asked innocently. I shifted uncomfortably, "... ... ... ... ... ...you... ..." I admitted hesitantly. His smile broadened, and he kissed my forehead before looking me dead in the eyes. "I love you." He whispered softly. My heart welled, and I forced air into my lungs. "I... love you too." I whispered back. His smile grew even wider, and he smoothed out my hair. "I talked to someone today." He stated, putting an arm around me, and leading me out the door. I looked at him, "Who?" He shrugged, "Some guy in a cloak. Said something about 'surrendering to the darkness' or something like that." I stopped him, and looked at him. "Don't. Please, the darkness... you don't want to know what the darkness is really like. Please.." He blinked a few times, and moved hair out of my face. He did his best to smile reassuringly, but he didn't give me his word that he wouldn't. He couldn't.... he had already surrendered... My eyes softened. What he wouldn't tell me was shining right through him. The darkness was not something that could be hidden from me for long. I turned away, and pulled at my hair. "Why did you?!" I demanded, tears slowly flooding my eyes. He didn't answer. I shook my head, and sighed, squeezing my eyes shut. "Why?" I squeaked, and fell to the ground. He knelt to help me up, but I wrenched away from him. "Riku, why? How could you?!" He shook his head, still trying to pull me up. "It was the only way to bring Kairi back..." I wrenched away again, and turned to look up at him, noticing as it started to pour down rain, matching my mood perfectly. "They don't want Kairi because we want her back!" I stood up, bristling. "They want her because she is the final princess of heart!! They want her so they can open the gate! And with you on their side, acting as their little... lap dog they will!!!!!" I yelled. He seemed taken aback, "But I won't, I'll out smart them!" He informed me. I let out a sharp breath, and walked around in a few circles, concentrating. "You can't outsmart the darkness Riku, it is the most primitive, and informed being ever known.." I whispered, and held my head, "Thank god they haven't figured out who I a-" I whirled around, and gasped. "My... god... they have figured out..." Standing right in front of me was Meleficent, and behind her, was an army of heartless. I drew my sword, and held it in front of me. Meleficent smiled wryly, "Come my dear, there is no reason to fight us. You said so yourself, we are the most primal, and imformed of all." She stated. I shook my head violently. "No! The light over comes the dark! I symbolize that!!!" Lightning struck somewhere North of us, illuminating my face. "I may be the symbol of the darkness, but I won't let the darkness over come me." My voice was shaking as I walked toward her, sword still out. "So if you want to take me back to the darkness. You'll take me dead!!!! I WON'T BE YOUR WEAPON!!!!" Meleficent shifted feet. "Quite the drama queen." she said calmly. I hissed loudly, "That's Drama Princess for your information!!" I stated, and slashed at her throat. She caught me by my throat, and I dropped my sword as she lifted me up. I kicked and screamed as with her free hand, she swept my hair away from my neck, revealing a small heartless symbol. "Don't fight you're destiny... girl..." "Put her down!!!" Riku yelled, a black keyblade in his hand. Meleficent dropped me, and I writhed until I curled up.Riku stood over me, as Meleficent looked down on him in a motherly fashion. "Dear, dear Riku, have you taken a liking to the girl?" She asked, in what she thought was a motherly tone. Riku nodded, "I love her." He stated in a matter of fact tone. "Then look at this." Meleficent hissed, and although I struggled, I rose up, so that I was standing in front of her. She swept my hair aside again, and showed Riku the Heartless symbol. My eyes bulged, was he going to kill me now? Riku shrugs, "I know. Ansem told me. She's only half." He stated, not even glancing at the symbol. Meleficent faultered, "You spoke with the master?" she stuttered, pushing me into him. He steadied me carefully before nodding. "Ansem and I are... good friends." I hid behind Riku as the two talked. Riku suddenly screamed in agony, and kneeled, holding his head. I gasped, and knelt beside him, but Meleficent knocked me away. I hit the wall with a hard thud, and felt my eyes roll back. Riku stood rigidly, his blue eyes yellow. He looked at Meleficent and smiled. "Good work." but the voice was not his. I forced my eyes back to normal, and stared at him. I could feel him fighting on the inside. Struggling to regain control. I stood, and charged at him. "LET RIKU GO!!!" I screamed. He simply looked at me as I was knocked back by a barrior. I hissed loudly, and scrambled back to my feet. I charged again, only to be knocked back again. Riku looked at me. His eyes, for one moment, pleading me for help, before they got back cold. "I'll kill you.." I swore under my breath. He acted as if he didn't hear. "Eh?" He asked. I stood up shakily, "I'll kill you!" I yelled. He tilted his head, "Eh?" He asked again. I raised my sword to him, "I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!" I tried to strike, but the barrior that had kept me back, reflected my blow, so my sword hit me in the head instead. I cried out, and backed up. Riku just laughed, and walked through a portal, disappearing. Meleficent looked at me. "Now. Who would be easier to claim... The menace boy, or you?" She asked as if I had a say in the matter. I hissed, pointing my sword at her. She laughed, "I think the boy will come on his own. But just in case we need more bait..." I found both of my wrists grasped by heartless. I struggled against them, but they wouldn't let me go. "LEMME GOOOO!!!!!" I scrieched, but still they would not. Maleficent laughed, and opened a portal. The two heartless holding me walked through, and we arrived at Hallow Bastion, just as Sora burst through the doors. He saw Kairi, and then looked at me. "DORY!!" He yelled, and hacked the heartless off of me. I didn't bother to thank him, I was too busy looking at Riku, who was floating above a very large keyhole, examining his keyblade. Sora and I ran up the stairs around the throne, and up to him. He lowered slowly, and landed lightly, with a quick swish of the keyblade. "Keyblade Bearer. You've come for the princess, have you not?" He asked. He had two voices now, one was Riku, and the other, was from before. "And you brought a princess... how convenient." I ran up the stairs, "I won't let you do this!" I yelled, but was cast aside by Maleficent. Riku looked at Sora, who was kneeling beside Kairi, trying to get her back. "She won't wake. Her heart's been taken." Riku stated in a matter of fact tone. I tried to get away from Maleficent. Sora looked up at him, "What did you do to her?!" He demanded. Riku walked forward a few paces, "The last princess of heart must awaken." He stated as if Sora hadn't said a thing. "Whoever you are, let Riku go!" Sora yelled. Riku looked at him, smirked. "First give the princess back her heart." He ordered. Sora gaped, "How can I- Kairi's a princess?" Riku nodded, "I know all that there is to know." I broke free of Maleficent. "Who are you?!" I demanded, outraged. Riku looked at me. "I am seeker of the darkness, and the king of the heartless, Ansem!" he announced in a regal tone. I thought it over, "Well, kingy, the princess is about to do you in!" I drew my sword, "Wait!" Sora ordered, putting an arm in front of me. He blinked at the fact that I called myself a princess, but quickly got over it. Riku smirked, "You haven't figured it out yet? The Princess's heart lies within that boy!" He pointed at Sora. Sora gasped, and collapsed near Kairi. "And now, it is time to give the princess back her heart." Riku announced, lifting his own black keyblade. And with a swift move, he brought it down toward Sora's head. I was frozen in place, held by invisable chains. "Sora!" Kairi's voice rang out, just in time, and Sora lifted his keyblade in defense. "You're... not... taking Kairi anywhere!" He yelled. Riku smirked, and the fight began. Sora tried hacking away at Riku, but it was a futile effort. Riku held up his keyblade in defensive position. "Take your best shot!" He taunted, so Sora attacked. The best shot was deflected back to him. "Useless." Riku announced, and started attack again. It wasn't long until Sora fell to his knees, and was about to have his heart stolen. I cried out, "I'll do it! Don't hurt them!" I cried. Riku whirled around to me, and grinned. "You'll open the keyhole?" He asked to make sure he understood me. I nodded, "Yes.. just please don't hurt them..." He nodded, and the invisable chains were removed. I stood, and dusted my gown off. I walked stiffly in front of the keyhole, and closed my eyes. The key necklace Riku gave me began to glow slightly, but I ignored it. "Moon! Stars! Hear me!" I yelled, and felt a jolt go through me that made me gasp for air. "Open the door! Release the darkness!" I panted for air as black spikes went through me. There was a chorus singing about something only I could understand. I was pinned to a key before long. Riku walked in front of me, and into the keyhole, ignoring me. Before I ran out of energy, I managed to pant, "Curaga.." To Sora. He was healed. He ran into the keyhole after Riku. I looked at Kairi, who hadn't been saved. "To you I give my heart, young princess.." I murmured, and felt a pain in my chest. I tried to ignore it as I panted for air. Would I die now, that I had no heart? Kairi began to stir, and she suddenly sat bolt upright. She looked at me on the key, and gasped. She immediately pulled the dark spikes out of my hands, and I dropped to the floor. I gasped as a searing pain went through me. "No... please..." I pled, but Kairi was giving me back my half of a heart. She collapsed again, and Sora ran out, and looked at Riku's dropped keyblade. He then looked at Kairi, and took a deep breath. He picked up Riku's keyblade, and turned it so it was aimed at his own heart. "Sora, no!" I cried, looking around to see where Maleficent was... dead. He ignored my pleadings, and stabbed himself. I cried out, imagining how he felt. Nine hearts came out of his own heart, and his skin was getting black, and smooth. Kairi rose slowly, as did the rest of the princess'. Sora disappeared, and in his place, was a heartless. Kairi looked at it for a moment, horrified at what had just happened. Just then, the princess's tried to kill him, so he ran out of the room. Kairi ran after him, and I ran after Kairi, but I stopped, to look back at the keyhole. Riku was gone. I had to face it. A tear ran down my cheek as I turned back around, and chased Sora and Kairi again. Kairi stopped by the waterfountain, and sighed. "He's gone." She breathed, looking around. "I lost him..." I walked down the steps to her, and wiped my eyes. "Great. We've lost Riku, and Sora.. I suppose I'll be the next to go..." I whispered. Kairi looked at me, "Don't say that!" I shook my head, unable to keep my tears in anymore. "No, Kairi, it's true. Riku's gone. It'll either be you or me, and Ansem still needs you..." Kairi started crying freely. Drawn by the tears, a small heartless walked through the doors, and up to us. It just looked up at us with its beady yellow eyes. Kairi looked down at him, and wiped her eyes. "Sora?" She asked, bending down. She didn't notice as heartless started swarming around us. I looked around, in part awe, part horror at the variety of heartless. Kairi finally noticed them, and hugged the smallest heartless to her. "You protected me once Sora, I'll protect you now!" There was a bright light, and Sora was standing, holding her in his arms instead of her holding him. The sight of him protecting her made me lovesick. That should be me and Riku, not Kairi and Sora... Meanwhile, the heartless loomed ever closer. "I'm getting out of here.." I whispered, and created a portal, running through it. Sora and Kairi ran through it as well. We landed in Traverse Town. "Good bye." I muttered, and walked away from them without them even stopping me. That's what hurt the most, they didn't try to stop me. I walked around for hours on end, not finding where I wanted to go, because I didn't know where I wanted to go. Softly, I sang the song I had written earlier to myself, wanting to badly to see the one person I had let myself love this much. I stopped in front of a door with painted flames on it. I stared at it for a moment, and shook my head, turning my back on it. "But you shielded me..." I walked up a set of stairs, and past a window through which I could see Leon, Yuffie, and Aeris, as well as Sora and Kairi. All talking. "If I only could be strong..." I walked through the tall doors, and into the middle of a district. I sat down on the bench, and hugged my knees to my chest. "My beating heart begins to race..." I looked at the fountain at the far end of the district. "I wanted just to be with you..." There was a closed keyhole in the center of it, but an inscription was near one of the bell designs. I bent down to read it, but it was just squiggles. "It's just so hard to say..." I walked up more steps and saw a door I hadn't seen before. It was decorated with stained glass. I opened it up, and walked inside. Looking around, I saw many colored machines, and a sign above the door ahead of me said 'Gizmo shop' A tear slipped down my cheek, "I have so much I want to ask you, but now the chance is gone.." I sang, and walked forward. The machines started up, and I jumped in alarm. I rotated slowly, trying to see the culprit, but no one was there. I blinked a few times, and sat down on the floor. "As the moon is the light in the sky, you are the light in my heart." I heard Riku's voice echo through the room. "In my heart your memory stays.." I sung as I jumped to my feet, and looked around. "Riku! Where are you?!" I cried, but there was no answer. More tears spilled to the floor. I began to sing louder as I sat back down, "And I will hold you close.." I buried my head in my knees. By the time the song was over, I heard people talking, and the floor felt different... I opened my eyes, and raised my head. The floor was no longer the floor, it was sand. And behind me there were many palm trees, and in front of me, the sand broke into pieces, floating atop black water. A tall man that looked like Riku, except with longer hair stood on one of the fragments, he held Riku by the neck in front of him. Sora was arguing on land, and Ansem, the man, I presumed, was laughing. I jumped to my feet, and ran to them. "Riku!" I cried. Riku looked at me. "Dory!" he yelled, but was choked off as Ansem tightened his grip. "Let him go!" I yelled, drawing my black sword. Ansem looked at me, "Off to play herione, are you?" He asked me, and laughed some more. I bristled, "You better savor that laugh, it will be one of your last!" I with that, I charged over the black water toward them. I felt something grab my feet, and before I could jerk free, Ansem's shadow had me hanging upside down next to Riku. "Shadow! Release me!" I yelled, and surprisingly, the shadow dropped me. I did a backflip back onto normal land, and pointed at Ansem. "ATTACK!!!" Ansems own shadow started attacking him, forcing him to drop Riku, who ran toward me. Another shadow reached for him, but missed. "Army of the Dark Kingdom! ATTACK!!!" I yelled. Shadows were pulled from every corner of the island toward Ansem, all of them were attacking him. Riku grasped my arm, while he watched the shadows attack. Sora was attacking with them, until finally, Ansem fell to his own darkness... but Riku fell with him
