Author's note: Oh, man! I am having a horrible day! I've had a cold since Wednesday and I feel awful! Even though I don't feel that good, I still wrote this next chappie for ya because I'm close to finishing the story.

Adventure of Dreams

Chap. 16 The Heartless Realm

Sora opened his eyes, unable to move his arms. They were chained tight and hung from the ceiling. He looked below him…black…darkness, I have a bad feeling about this……

Ansem and Riku entered.

"What a view from up there, huh?" Ansem laughed cruelly, "…where the heartless of this planet are created. It's wonderful, isn't it?"

Sora struggled for freedom, but all efforts were futile.

"Well, my young opponent…this is where we must say goodbye. I'm headed to your island to complete part of my quest for the domination of the universe……and…" he smiled, "…your 'heartless' friend will be coming with me."

Sora wanted to speak, but his mouth was gagged.

"…she will sure come in handy," with that, Ansem left, Riku close behind.

Sora's POV

NO! Kairi! I knew I could do nothing to help her now. I was trapped…I dreaded what surrounded me…I didn't want to think about……death…a cruel death…One I could not escape no matter how hard I tried…This can't be happening……Kairi…

Suddenly, black claws tried to grab me from below, trying to pull me in…pull me into that dark, empty abyss. They were successful in their attempt, grabbing my shackles and tearing them from the ceiling. I fell…splashing into the muk…my chains came loose.

I came to the surface, taking off the cloth that had gagged me. I began to swim toward the exit…my effort was useless. Claws grabbed me, pulling me under again. I struggled to get free of their grasp and was soon able to. I came up, gasping for air, swimming away again. Now, rope-like goose came up out of the dark, entangling me. Soon it covered most of my face, unabling me to breathe.

I was forced into the darkness and I couldn't move because of their firm grip. I needed air soon; I started to feel dizzy. My head was throbbing with pain, the goose tightened more and more every second. It felt as thought the life was being sucked out of me…I was struggling to stay alive.

The rope attempted it's final, life-crushing squeeze and tightened quickly. A sharp, intense pain shot through me, and I knew it was the end…The goose loosened, declaring its victory…my world faded……

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"Let go of us!" Donald cried.

The heartless just ignored him and kept flying.

"Please!" Goofy pleaded, "Let us go!"

Just then, the bat heartless dropped them and they fell.

"We didn't mean literally!" shouted Donald.

They landed on the barren earth with a thud.

"Ouch…" Goofy slowly got up, "Now what?"

"We go find Sora and Kairi, that's what!" Donald said courageously.

They began to walk in the direction they had come from and after a while saw a building close by.

"Wonder who lives there," Goofy thought curiously.

Donald just rolled his eyes, "C'mon!"

They went inside and came to a strange room.

Goofy noticed something, "Hey, Donald, look!" A weapon lay on the floor in the corner.

"It's Sora's keyblade! He must be around here somewhere."

They grabbed the keyblade and started looking around. Soon, they came to two large doors.

"They're not locked!" Goofy said in surprise when he opened one.

"Let's go!"

They tiptoed inside and saw a very frightful scene. Everything surrounding them was black and darkness. With the light shining in from outside, they could see some links of a chain hanging from the ceiling.

"You don't think…" Donald started.

All of a sudden, Sora's keyblade began to glow brightly.

"Uh…Donald…"

"Not now!"

"But-"

Then, an enormous light came from the center of the room.

Donald gasped, "What the-"

The light grew bigger and soon something emerged from the depths.

"Sora!" Goofy exclaimed.

Sora's body floated toward them and landed at their feet. The glow around him and the keyblade faded.

"Sora! Sora!" Donald shook him.

"…Riku…" Sora mumbled.

"Huh?" Goofy was confused.

"……Kairi…….."

"What's the matter with him?"

"Let's take him out of the room for starters," suggested Donald.

Afterwards, Donald asked, "Goofy, do you have any potions?"

"Yeah…but just one."

"Let's hope that's enough," he took it from Goofy's grasp.

Sora muttered again, "…Kairi……"

Donald gave him the bottle of medicine and they both waited.

Soon, Sora opened his eyes.

"Goofy?...Donald?...What happened?"

"Why don't you tell us," said Doand.

"But…But, how…"

"…'How' what?" Goofy wondered.

"I thought…I though I was dead."

"Well, first of all, your keyblade started glowing, then you started glowing, then-"

"Wait! Where's Ansem? Did you guys see him leave?"

"We thought he was still here," thought Donald, "But, apparently not."

"We have to go back to the island!" Sora told them as he stood.

"But, you said you couldn't go back there because-" Goofy stopped.

"I have to. Riku and Kairi are in danger," he started to walk away.

Donald stated, "But, what about your dream?"

Sora didn't stop, his keyblade gripped tightly in one hand.

"Sora, wait!"

Author's note: Pheeew! That took a while to type up! Anyway, heads up for next time: Chapter takes place on the island when Ansem and Riku face Sora, possibly for the last time :)