"So, where's your next destination?" asked Squall.
"Who knows?" Sora said, slipping his T-shirt back over his head. "I don't know where the next world will go. The thing is.. from here, I have no idea how to get to Destiny's Island. It could be far off or really close."
"Do you feel like Kairi is really close?" Squall asked.
"Huh?"
"When two people really love each other, they know when they're close, and know each others feelings."
Sora rolled his eyes. "I told you, it's not like that."
Squall smiled. "Whatever you say," and he walked out. When Squall was clear out of sight, Sora looked to the door and sighed.
"I don't know what it's like," he whispered.
There was a knock at the door and Sora jumped.
"Hey, kid, it's me, Selphie!"
"Oh, come on in."
"You dressed? I don't wanna walk in on you like you did in the bathroom with me."
Sora blushed. "Yeah, I'm dressed. Come on in."
Selphie opened the door and closed it behind her, then sat at the edge of Squall's bed and looked up to Sora, smiling. Sora kept glancing from her to the window, then back at her.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"You seem so familiar. What's your name?"
Sora smiled. "Sora, Riku, Kairi. Destiny's Island. Ring a bell?"
She squeeled. "Ah, yeah! I knew you looked to familiar! How ya been?!"
"At least you're another person who believes in other worlds."
Selphie hugged Sora's neck. "Yes, I remember you. You and Riku always fought, right? Wakka, Tidus, you, and I also had our duels."
Sora scratched his head. "I just saw Wakka at the previous world I was at."
"Ah, really? How is he?"
"Still has that accent."
"Did you see Tidus?"
Sora shook his head. "Nope, didn't see him. I'm figuring maybe he's in another world."
"So, you're trying to get back to Destiny's Island?"
"Hey, Selphie, that incident with the Heartless was only about a year ago. How are you several years older than me?"
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"I'm only seventeen."
"But on the island, you were only thirteen when I was fouteen."
"Who knows? Squall probably explained time zones to you."
Sora paused a moment. "Say, Selphie, do you know a way to skip to other worlds really fast?"
Her lips curled. "Uhm, yes, but it's not a good suggestion."
"What do you mean?"
"You remember how you were able to skip to many worlds when the Heartless came? That's because the worlds were unconnected and you were able to travel by way of a Gummi Ship. Because the worlds are connected, you can only travel within worlds of this galaxy by way of the keyblade and world portals."
"THIS galaxy?"
"This is only one galaxy. It could be Destiny's Island is in a completely different one. You would have to get to it by a Gummi Ship."
"But how?"
"You would have to summon the Heartless again. That's the only way to disconnect the worlds."
Sora winced. "But that's kinda risky."
Selphie nodded. "Exactly."
"What Galaxy is Destiny's Island in?"
"I don't know. Right now, you're in the Squaresoft Galaxy. Can't really say where Destiny's Island is."
"Where can I find the locale of the Heartless?"
"That, you're going to have to find out for yourself."
"Do you know someone who might know where it is?"
"Hmm.. right now, Zell is studying about other galaxies. Why don't you ask him?"
"The blonde kid? I didn't click with him really quick, you know."
"Oh, Zell just has a short fuse, but he won't hurt you. Don't worry about him."
Zell had a blueprint laid out of the following worlds in the Squaresoft Galaxy. He was moving over certain worlds with his index finger and finally found the world where Sora was located.
"Aha. This is us. The next world you're about to go to has two worlds."
"Come again?"
"The worlds are connected. The world you want to go to is hidden under this world. It'll take you into the Kingdom Gates."
"Kingdom Gates?"
"Yeah," Zell continued. "It's a place where you crossover into the next galaxy. I would watch yourself, though."
"Why so?"
"There are Heartless that reside there and if you trigger something, they'll spill from the doors in Kingdom Gates."
"Is that the same place as Kingdom Hearts?"
"No, Kingdom Hearts is at the end of the Universe," Selphie explained. "Kingdom Hearts is the light beyond the darkness of our Universe. Kingdom Hearts is the reason why stars, worlds, exist, because there is light."
"If you wonder why stars light up at night, it is because of Kingdom Hearts," said Zell.
"But within every light area, there is darkness. It is the dwelling place for the Heartless," Selphie added.
"If I opened the door to Kingdom Gates, would the worlds be disconnected?"
Selphie bit her lip. "Yes, but you would send Heartless into this Galaxy and the one beyond it."
"Are you really willing to risk so many lives for one girl?"
"It's not just her," Sora explained, "it's for my friend, too."
"You're being kinda selfish," Selphie said.
"You mean 'Selphish'", Zell laughed.
"I'll fix everything, I promise," Sora said, "but I've got to find my way back to her. What if there was someone you really cared for and you were distant from them? Wouldn't you go to the very ends of the Universe to get her back, even if you're risking a lot?"
You have no idea, Zell thought, glancing at Selphie.
"I'll fix things," Sora said. "I've got to figure out where I belong, and I want to know that she belongs there.. with Riku and I. I'll find him, as well."
Zell smiled. "Fine then," he said, and threw Sora a key. Sora looked at it strangely.
"What's this?"
"I managed to snatch it from Squall," Zell said. "It's the key to the next portal, along with the help of your Keyblade. Don't worry, he has a spare."
"Say hi to Riku and Kairi for me when you see them," Selphie said with a smile.
Sora grinned. "No problem. Thanks for everything, guys." He stood from the stool in the Library and made his way to the elevator.
The key unlocked a secret floor to b2. He noticed a locked panel and used the key to unlock it, then pushed the button. When the doors opened in the darkness, he stepped into a hole and yelped when he fell into the void below.