AN: Ok, I lied. I guess I didn't need to be pestered at all. This is the end. Thanks to those of you who've read this far. I really hope you like this last chapter. I still think something's wrong with it. I had a hard time coming up with Riku's words at the end. I was trying to get into his head after that particular scene in the game. But things just didn't work out right. But yeah, I did my best and I guess that's what counts.

¤ 5 ¤

Departure

Sora woke up with a start as thunder rumbled outside. You know what? I'm done with all these mysterious stuff! I can't take it anymore. Something is wrong with Riku and I'm going to find out. Right now.

He hastily got out of bed, not even bothering to grab something to shield himself from the cold. I just hope this has nothing to do with that invisible stranger I met by the door in the secret cave. He said something about other worlds, ones beyond our little sea. Now that I think of it, Riku mentioned something about leaving Destiny Islands. I really don't know why he'd want too.

A sudden sickness arrived in Sora's stomach, and he knew it wasn't the average stomachache. This was a bad feeling, almost like a premonition. And it wasn't about just anything. It had to do with his best friend. He thought of only one thing as he rushed out of the doorway: I have to stop Riku!

There was an eerie silence outside, and the night sky seemed darker than usual. Sora glanced up by chance and saw something that made his stomach drop even lower. There, in the precious sky above Destiny Islands, was a gargantuan ball of—darkness. The giant mass swirled with purplish colors, getting larger by the second. What scared him even more was the fact that the darkness was over the adjacent island; Riku's island, where paopu trees grew.

No... No! Sora sprinted as fast as he could through the Seaside Cabin and out into the Cove. The bridge to the island was only a few feet away from him. He ran across the bridge and skidded to halt. Riku's stood in front of him, his back facing him. Something besides the wind seemed to blowing around him, slightly hindering Sora's vision.

"Riku! What are you doing out here?" Sora yelled out into the night air. Riku's face barely turned around. There was a determined look on his face that sent the chills through Sora.

"The door has opened Sora. The time has finally come," he said nonchalantly.

Sora was shocked and confused at the same time. The door? He doesn't mean the one in the secret cave does he?

Tendrils of darkness swirled around Riku's feet and slowly crawled around him. He held out a gloved hand. Sora reached for it with his own hand, as the black tendrils started sweeping about him too. Their fingers were inches away and—

Sora suddenly pulled back. No, this isn't right! he thought. Following the path of darkness is just wrong! That's not how things are done. Sora's mouth opened a little. He wanted to tell Riku what he thought.

Riku's eyes narrowed. He had been almost certain that Sora would come with him. But then he had his doubts too.

"Fine, do as you wish. Let it be this way."

The darkness completely enveloped him and the last thing Riku saw was the concerned look on his best friend's face. His body seemed to lose its mass and he simply fell, deeper and deeper into the dark void. He lost control over his body for a seconds and he lurched over, almost curved into a ball. Something flowed into him, filling him entirely. He burst from his ball-shaped form and flexed his arms admirably.

Yes, this is it. I can feel the power... You, darkness, shall help me achieve my dream. Riku's maleficent laugh echoed back to him—he had never laughed like that before. At such a strange moment, piercing words came flooding back to him:

"I don't want you to be making any wrong decisions in your life."

What? Who...Rina?

Riku held his head in agony as his emotions mixed and mingled with each other.

Ahhh!!

He didn't know what to think anymore. Rina's words were thrown at him from every direction. His hands feverishly clenched and opened, and his eyes widened immensely.

Ugh...what...have I done? Did I...make the wrong choice? No...that's not possible...

"If you look for it hard enough, you'll find the path of light."

Riku let go of his head and deeply breathed in and out to a steady beat.

Huh? The path of light...?

"At the end of every tunnel is source of light."

A sudden realization came to Riku. If this kept this up, the darkness would eventually swallow him whole. He had felt its power before, but that power wasn't for him. Not yet anyway. His mind gradually started losing consciousness, and he struggled to keep his mentality.

No, I will not succumb to the darkness! I am...stronger that that...

He extended his arm, reaching for what wasn't there.

Rina...I'm sorry to disappoint you like this. You must me mad at me. I...didn't listen to your advice.

"You must always follow the light, Riku."

Perhaps there's a way around this after all...but how?

"...never give up hope...there's always a right solution to things."

Must...fight it...or this is all for nothing! Gyaa!!

Riku clutched his chest vainly and focused his will on one thing: getting the force of darkness out of him. He wouldn't allow it to take over him—no, he would command it instead. Thick black tendrils shot of him and writhed in the endless nothingness. They anxiously poked at him, trying to get through, but a shining shield encircled Riku. He lifted his head up from the mental pain and smiled faintly.

Heh, it will take more than that to overcome me. My will power is impenetrable... You will not use me!

An illusion of Kairi's cute beaming face appeared before him. Riku's eyes softened and he lost some of his vigor.

Kairi... You were always so sweet, just like coconut juice...

Rina's composed look followed after. She peered at him with a questioning eyebrow, smiling in her own sneaky way.

Rina... Still looking for fun, eh?

Then finally, Sora's friendly and lovable smile.

Sora... Stupid Sora, you'll never change...

His eyes closed peacefully, and he made a solemn vow to himself.

I'll come back for you guys...I promise.

"...follow the light..."

AN: That's the end guys. There isn't any more to it than that, that's all I had in mind. . If you liked this, I suggest you read my poem about Riku. It more or less goes with the story.