Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts isn't mine, no matter how much I adore it.

Note: English isn't my first language, so please forgive any mistakes. Thank you. ALSO: this is a slash pairing. Don't like it, don't read it!

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PART I

It isn't the storm that's calling me outside...it's a feeling. Adrenaline surges through my veins and makes it hard to move without trembling, but somehow I manage to make my way to the bridge. Small shadow creatures sprout up from the ground, but I shy around them and ignore the claws digging into my ankles.

I'm filled with excitement, with elation. We're finally getting off this godforsaken island. I wait at the end of the bridge; hoping one of my friends will come. No matter how badly I want to get off the island, I don't want to do it alone.

My patience pays off in the form of footsteps. A familiar voice cries out, "Riku!" A faint smile tugs at my lips.

"Where's Kairi? I thought she was with you!" Sora demands, glancing nervously at the shadows assembling behind us. He tightens his grip on the wooden sword in his hand and pants for breath.

"The door has opened," I say, staring at the darkness enclosing around our home. The wind picks up.

"What?" He's confused. He searches my eyes for reassurance, his hand flickering close to my shoulder. He seems anxious...don't worry, Sora. I won't leave you behind.

"The door has opened, Sora! Now we can go to the outside world!"

"What are you talking about? We've gotta find Kairi!" he argues desperately. That's right. He would never leave anyone behind.

Still, I'm impatient. Can't he forget about Kairi for just one second? "Kairi's coming with us! Once we step through, we might not be able to come back. We may never see our parents again. There's no turning back. But this may be our only chance. We can't let fear stop us! I'm not afraid of the darkness!" Come with me, Sora, before it's too late!

I offer him my hand, and wait.

He starts to take it, but there's something growing between us, a barrier made of shadow. The shadow is cold and hungry, separating Sora and me. The smile is still on my face, as I patiently wait. The shadow expands and Sora struggles, but it's no use. There's something—a key?—in my hand...no, it's in Sora's...I open my mouth to say his name.

There's a dark flash, and I bury my face in my sleeve. When I open my eyes again, Sora is gone. Shock floods my senses and I fall to my knees, hitting the ground harder than necessary. Foreign scenery materializes in an instant, like the pictures out of a pop-up book. Tall, slippery cliffs tower over me, topped off by a giant castle. It's too much to take in all at once, and the world fades to black.

When I wake up, there's a woman hovering over me, smirking the slightest. Her skin's an eerie white, and a raven caws from a spot on her shoulder.

"Welcome, my boy," she says soothingly, but I catch an air of maliciousness. "Welcome to Hollow Bastion."

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End Note: Don't flame for the pairing; there was a clear warning at the top of the page. Criticism is cherished, though! Tell me if you think my English needs more work, I'd love to hear what you think. No worries, chapters will get longer—this was just a short scene to work with.