****************Hey there guys. I'm back with more after reading some of the KH manga. Great stuff there, go and read it at KingdomHearts2.net. That's a great site, it has nearly everything about Kingdom Hearts, KH2, and I think some stuff on Chain of Memories. Also some news on the 'unknown' raincoat from the trailers that you can buy. I know I'm savin' my money!
Chapter Six
Cold, wet, and aching. The three words that popped in Bella-Donnas mind when her eyelids pulled themselves open. Her whole body throbbed in pain; from what, she didn't know. Letting out a small groan, she fully opened her eyes to look upon her new surroundings, or tried to anyway. Her head hurt so much, it was hard to focus on anything at the moment. The one thing she could see though was the blurry outline of a figure on the hard ground next to her. His head was turned toward her, and she could tell that his eyes were still closed in unconsciousness. Flexing her hand a bit she felt her fingertips brush against Riku's still hand which was outstretched next to hers. Finally after a few minutes of collecting her thoughts and her vision, B.D. easily pushed herself up.
"Riku…" her voice came out in a dry, scratchy tone causing her think of much needed water. "Riku?" she said again and shook his body in an attempt to rouse him. She pushed some of the silver locks away from his face and placed a hand in front of his mouth. Still breathing…thank god. In her now clear state of mind, Bella took the time to really check out this new place. During all the times that she played the game, she had always wondered where Riku really ended up. Well, she knew now and it didn't really lift her spirits any.
Around the two teenagers there was the water that B.D. had been craving, but suddenly she felt to sick to even drink. She would recognize this place anywhere. While playing the game, it was one of her favorite places to be. The beautiful crystal waters that flowed up the cliffs gave off an almost peaceful feeling. That is if you didn't look around any further. Glancing toward the pieces of land that floated in mid air above the walkable water below them, Bella-Donna's face cringed. Things were not going as well as she hoped they would. If Riku was going to avoid Maleficent, this place was not a good place to be. Beside her, a small but noticeable voice came from the young mans mouth before his eyes slid open.
"Bella?…" he asked in a stiff, quiet voice. The said girl quickly shuffled over to him and bent down to him.
"I'm right here Riku." B.D. replied and watched as the boy tried to pull himself up. Unfortunately, Riku's stubbornness was no match to the exhausted feeling that rushed over him and he came tumbling back down to the hard ground. Bella-Donna let out a shaky sigh and rested a reassuring hand on Riku's back.
"Just rest for a while Riku, just rest." she mumbled and looked around in comfort when she felt the boys breaths grow steady with sleep. Even though he was right beside her, B.D. couldn't help but feel alone. She knew were Erin was right now. Probably just waking up in that ally in Traverse Town with Pluto staring her down. It would be nice to know that she herself was in a safe place like that little town with only the minor Heartless to worry about, and not in the source of the darkness itself. The one thing that did give her relief was knowing that while they were in this area the dangerous Wyverns or Defenders couldn't get them, as far as she knew anyway.
The silence that flowed passed her ears grew old very quickly. Flopping back on the cold stone she gazed up at the sky. Well, actually she would really call it a sky, it seemed kind of incomplete. The colors shifted over and over again in front of her eyes which caused her to close her eyes with an up coming headache. She hated that feeling of looking at something really beautiful, then all you get back is an aching head. It reminded her of the time she won a hot pink teddy bear at a carnival back home.
Home. She wondered if Auntie Albie realized what she had done yet. Hmm, now that she thought about it, now would be a pretty good time to go back and get a bag of clothes, food, maybe a sharp object or two. Bella let out a small laugh. Knowing Albie, the woman probably had a laser gun stashed somewhere just for this occasion. Shaking her head at the thought of her aunt running around with a gun screaming like Xena, Bella-Donna gently shook the still sleeping Riku.
"Riku, I'm goin' um…somewhere, I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?" she explained, and got a grunt in return. Smirking, she raised her arm to push the button that would lead her home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Albie? Charlie?" Bella's voice echoed through the presumed empty house. The television was off, papers and empty cereal bowls were left abandoned on the kitchen table, and the only light that illuminated the house was the daylight filtering threw the windows. Thinking for a moment, Charlie had a reason to be gone after all, today was Monday. Auntie Albie, however, was another story. B.D. had expected the scientist to be bopping around the lab, but she was greeted with only the humming of machinery.
The eerie silence continued as she trotted up the steps to the second floor with worried eyes. Her steps became soft as she continued, almost afraid to shatter the deafness. Finally coming to the pull down stair case to her attic room, Bella made her way up grabbing her old corduroy book bag on the way. Dumping the books, pencils, and papers out she turned to go to her dresser but stopped mid stride with a jump.
"Albie?! So this is where you were, I thought you'd fallen off the face of the earth!" she exclaimed with a smile.
"I should say the same to you." the older woman spoke in an unnatural serious tone. She appeared to be the same, she had the same white lab coat, the coke bottle glasses, and the wiry hair, but her eyes held…worry?
"You went back in the game didn't you Bella-Donna." at this question, B.D. cringed. Auntie Albie only called her by her full name when it was important, and the tone of her voice suggested that it was so.
"Yeah, so?" the girl shrugged causally and started taking things out of her drawers and stuffing them into her bag. She averted her eyes, trying to ignore the feeling of Albies steady gaze on her.
"I can not let you go back in there Bella, its not safe."
"What's the big deal Albie? You said yourself that no one could really get hurt in there. I get some bruises, a few scrapes, big whoop." B.D. argued with her back still turned.
"No, Bella. It is a huge deal." Albie continued in a steady voice. "You and that Riku boy…have become very close, have you not?" at this remark the Egyptian turned toward her aunt.
"What does that have to do with anything. We're friends."
"Child, you are becoming closer and closer to him every time you go in there, I've seen it. Now that the game is going to play full circle this 'friendship' could prove to be extremely fatal to you."
"Oh, do tell." the girl rolled her eyes and sat down on her mattress, still cramming various needed items into the pack.
"B.D., if things continue to go the way they are now, you will eventually side with the boy, opposing Erin."
"Hey, Erin's my best friend. It's a video game Albie I'm not stupid, I won't get that caught up." she snapped.
"Oh, is that so? Then tell me Bella, why did you feel compelled to follow Riku into the darkness?" the woman asked while looked down on her niece. Bella-Donna sat staring back blankly. Why did she follow him?
"You see? This is one of the reason's I was hesitant about you going in. My dear, I know what happens to the boy as much as you do. The darkness takes over him and in the end, it eventually leads him into the hands of that awful man. And with you there with him…you won't betray Riku, I know you won't, and that is what worries me." she paused and began to wring her hands together. "B.D., the way you are now, the Heartless will have no effect on you, but as time passes and as you and the boy grow closer you will start to, well…change."
"Change? Unless you mean another puberty you'll have to elaborate." Bella had long since stopped her packing and had given her explaining aunt her full attention.
"Bella-Donna, if your level of involvement continues you will become part of the game." Albie said straight out. After this, the same silence that inhabited the house before her aunt was found spread over them again.
"Involvement? Ha, please Auntie Albie." she shook her head with a fake laugh. In all actuality this news was a bit disturbing to the teen, but she put on a front and continued gathering things in her room.
"Your going to try and change the game aren't you Bella?" the question came as a bit of a shock to B.D., but she only paused before going back downstairs without a word.
"Bella-Donna, you can't change it." Albie followed and spoke on. "No matter how much you want it to happen, the fate of the characters can't change!" she argued.
"Why not?! Its just a game right?!" the girl retorted while pulling food out of the refrigerator.
"The game is set, and there's nothing anyone can do." she started and closed the fridge door from beside B.D. "Sora will overcome the Heartless, Ansem will be destroyed, and Riku will be locked in Kingdom Hearts. You can't change it."
"Yes. I. Can!" the sixteen-year-olds voice raised as she spoke, and for the first time in a long while she felt a small fragment of anger toward her guardian. Swinging the bag over her shoulder, B.D. began making her way back to the lab. However, before she could make it past the door way her aunts voice stopped her.
"This little idea of yours will not, and cannot work. If you even try you will only be guaranteeing your fate as a game character. You'll come involved with too many people and places. Right now your like an immortal there, but when you become part of Kingdom Hearts…You will bleed, you will be fair game to the Heartless, and its almost and absolute that, you will die. If you go through with this…the only protection you will have will be that boy, and he will not stay sane forever Bella. You will choose the side of darkness, and you will turn on Erin, Sora, and in time you might even forget where you really came from. With that you won't know how to get back home anymore. All you will know is how to fight for the darkness." she stopped and shook her head. "You won't even be you anymore."
Leaning against the door frame of the basement, B.D. absorbed all that her aunt told her. Becoming part of Kingdom Hearts. Before she probably would have welcomed the idea, but the image that Albie gave her made fear consume her heart. Not be able to come back? Turn on Erin and Sora? Side with the darkness, with Ansem? The loony woman must have been exaggerating. She would never let it get that out of hand…would she? Though she thought Albie was half crazed most of the time, she knew that the old women knew when to be serious and when to goof around. Looking back over at her aunt Bella-Donna could tell by the look on her face that this was indeed a serious situation..
"Bella, dear, I know I'm not your parent, so I'm not going to pretend to be," the woman started up again and walked up behind her niece, putting a hand on each of her shoulders. "but, you and Charlie…you two are all this old woman has left. I realize I don't show it much, but I do love both of you and if anything happened to you in there…"
"It wouldn't be your fault Albie, so don't say that." B.D. interrupted. "I gotta do this, I've gone to far now. Besides, my parents had their brushes with danger and I want mine." she turned and raised a hand to stop her aunt from saying anything. "Don't say that I have the rest of my life to work in my dangerous streaks, I don't wanna wait that long." the girl finished with a small grin. It was an odd sight to see either one of the females so caring, but these were things that had to be said. Looking down at her blue eyed relative, Albie shook her head a bit.
"You remind me so much of your father…" she mumbled.
"Please, Albie, don't start with that again. This moment is corny enough." Bella laughed and made her way down the stairs with a shaking head and her aunt trailing behind.
"Is Erin back with that boy?" Albie asked changing the subject.
"She's in Traverse Town I imagine. I told her to go with Sora."
"You separated!" the scientist burst out. Words of stupidity and ignorance started running through her mind at this news.
"Don't worry Albie, if she stays with Sora like I told her to we're bound to meet up in Traverse Town pretty soon. Really Auntie Albie, I didn't know you were such a worried wart." the teen joked while gathering the rest of the things she needed. The aunt only watched as her niece continued packing her things without a care in the world. Even with the news of these dangers the girl was still determined to go through with it. The woman had to admire the determination of the teen, like she had pointed out earlier she had her fathers will.
"Well," Bella-Donna started as she turned around with her full backpack. "I guess I'm off." her words were almost cheerful but her face told otherwise. She didn't want to leave her aunt worried, but she didn't want to leave Riku stranded in that God forsaken place. So, walking stiffly over to Albie she stared at the woman for a while before quickly throwing her arms around her. It took the scientist a moment to figure out what was going on, but she eventually hugged back.
"Auntie Albie," B.D. mumbled. "I'll be back. I promise."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A chilling breeze swept over the sleeping boy who was still laying alone on the slab of stone. The waters around him sprayed outwards with the wind, sending light droplets of the moisture onto his still face. His pale features twist in his unconscious state, probably from a dream or a nightmare. With teeth and eyes clenched tightly, the calming silence that surrounded him ruptured as a strong scream escalated from his throat.
Throwing himself sideways and onto his back, Riku let his eyes fall open and he gazed up at the sky with an overwhelmed feeling clutching his body. His breaths came in quick sharpness, but the nightmare he just experienced left him feeling glad he was able to breath at all. In that surreal world he was yelling and yelling at the people who casually walked by him, but during all his shouting not one person turned their head to notice him. Then everything around him turned from light to dark and the people disappeared. In front of him a small light pierced the darkness and he began running for it, but no matter how long or how fast he ran, he could never reach the light. The last thing he knew Riku was calling out for help, pleading for anyone to help him out of this dream world. Then finally a voice came. A voice that seemed almost as miserable and painful as he was. He could tell that sobs were being choked back and the words it spoke were almost a desperate way of soothing both him, and itself. Even though, the voice brought him out of his near weeping sorrow and echoed around him, "Its alright. It'll be alright, it'll be over soon. Its all just a dream…its all just a bad dream…".
"Bella?" Riku said bringing himself out of this thinking. The dream, or nightmare, had definitely left an impact but right now he had something else to deal with. Bella-Donna was nowhere in sight. He vaguely remembered waking up once and seeing her blurred form hovering over him, sending him calming words. After that all he could see or remember were the images from the nightmare. Pulling himself off the ground, stumbling a bit at first, Riku blinked his eyes a few times before taking in his surroundings. Water. Lots of cold water. Instantly he made a mad dash for the cliff to gather the liquid his dry throat called out for, but he came to a screeching halt. Water flowing up, instead of down? A gloved hand reached out and brushed against the backwards water fall, causing the water to split and splatter in the air.
"W-Where am I?" he muttered to himself as he turned back to the pieces of land that seemed to be defying gravity. Obviously B.D. wasn't here, but Riku didn't think that she would just wonder off. He felt as if he should stay there and wait for her to come back from…wherever she went, but then again…It was like something was pulling the silver haired boy up those rocky clumps and onto that odd lift. The pull only got stronger as the twisted castle loomed over him, casting a menacing shadow over the wide eyed boy.
How was he to know that the missing girl was left back on the rocks watching him being lifted up to the towers? He couldn't have known the hallways that he walked down, the staircases that he took, and the electronic lifts he rode would lead him to a room in which decisions would be made, and his life changed. Riku couldn't have know that even though he had no knowledge of it yet, he was breaking a promise he made to a certain someone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the rusted lift made its way back down to Bella-Donnas level, her face drooped and paled. Everything was going all wrong. Maleficent, Jafar, Hades, Oogy Boogy, Ursula, Captain Hook, and possibly even Ansem himself was in there. Whether Riku knew it or not, he had just entered the lions den smelling of fresh meat. B.D. knew that he wouldn't fall prey to the Heartless during his wanderings so, all she had to do was find him before Maleficent did. That was easier said then done of course. The contraption below her shook as she stepped aboard and her legs grew wobbly when the force that powered it started to pull her upwards to Hollow Bastion.
Her nerves were put at rest for a time when she saw the outside walkways of the castle were deserted of any life, including the Heartless. She knew that she was invulnerable from their 'heart stealing' powers, but the whole idea of coming face to face with one still made he a little nervous. With that idea, she thought again of what her aunt had told her. Becoming part of Kingdom Hearts. Being able to die like any other person in here that wasn't immortal. Giving in to the darkness…that thought just made her angry. While playing the game and seeing Riku trust in the darkness so much and believing that sorceress' lies made her want to yell at the television, which at times she did. Even the mere inkling of herself falling into that trap angered her to no extent. This was no place to have a scattered mind though, in no time at all she was walking through the doors of the Entrance Hall.
The circular room sent a chill through the teens body and the music that kept playing in her head didn't help with the creep factor. She kept thinking back to all the times she would hum the theme of Hollow Bastion in school or during breakfast. Now she wished she didn't remember it. Bella's footsteps echoed off the walls adding to the soft sound of the water running from the fountain in front of her. Pulling her backpack further up onto her shoulders, she dashed up the stairs and through the narrow hall that led to the lift shop. It was strange how it was open now, but when Sora reached this stage of the game everything was locked up and complicated. Typical. Speaking of complicated, now was when B.D. really had to remember her gaming skills. It was real easy to go the wrong way on these lifts, or threw a wrong door in some of the other room.
Transporting from that small balcony type thing to the lift was much like the sensation one felt when going back and forth from the real world to the game, so it really wasn't anything knew to her. Her first encounter with a Heartless was though. She had been searching in peace for a good ten minutes, that is until she was entering the lift shop for what seemed like the hundredth time. The exact location of where she was she wasn't sure of, but she was fairly certain it was near the crest where the Wyverns seemed to be in an abundance. At first it started with a small whirring sound behind her that caught her attention, then clicks and clatters greeted her ears. Before she knew it, she had a Heartless Soldier running after her followed by two or three Wizards. Her adventurous side told her to stay and study them after all, they couldn't hurt her, but her natural instincts kicked in quicker and she high tailed it for the safety of the lift shop.
Safety, right. Shadows, lots and lots of Shadows. Oh, and a Defender to top it all off with. There they all stood, the only things between her and that dreadful Chapel, the only place she hadn't looked yet. Well, if there was any time to test Auntie Albies' theories, it would be now. Sucking up all the courage she had left, Bella-Donna waded into the ocean of ink black creatures and past the chomping Defender shield. She could almost feel the claws of the Heartless ripping through her and the teeth of the shield tearing her flesh to bits. She could also feel…nothing. Opening her previously closed eyes, B.D. glanced around to notice the devious creatures to be no where in sight. Albie had been right after all and, with hope restored, Bella strutted through the dark doorway not really giving any thought as to what room she was about to enter.
A smooth, carpeted hall lay before her, lit by peculiar green torches hanging from the stone walls. Wait, carpet, green fire…
"That little squirt took down that Heartless! Who'd have thought it?"
Oh no.
"Such is the power of the Keyblade. The child's strength is not his own." a slick voice added in. Then a stronger, though more feminine voice joined in.
"Why don't we turn him into a Heartless? Ah ha! That'll settle things quick enough." These voices were way to familiar for Bella-Donna's liking and she slunk into the shadows between the torches only to have another startle. Crouched down near the floor, Riku sat listening intently to the conversation between the villains. B.D.'s approaching brought his attention to her though, causing him to almost say her name. Panic rose in the girls body and she dove to cover his mouth. Placing a finger to her lips motioning for complete silence, he as well as herself turned their heads back to the conspiracy talk.
"And the brats friends are the Kings lackey's." Hooks voice bellowed. "Swaggle me eyes! They're all bilge rats by the look of them."
"Your no prize yourself!" another, more street like voice laughed
"Shut up!" Hook replied and lunged toward the bug filled nightmare man.
"Enough." a new cooler voice slid in along with a new figure from the darkness. B.D. new this voice and inhaled sharply. At this Riku looked back at his friend with concerned eyes. It didn't take the young man long to make the connection between this speaking figure an the description of the person Bella gave that day on Destiny Islands. For a split second his ocean eyes met with her icy Egyptian ones and as the velvet voice continued, Bella-Donna could feel Riku grab onto her hand comfortingly.
"The Keyblade has chosen him. Will it be he who conquers the darkness? Or with the darkness swallow him? Either way he could be quiet useful." a sinister smile slithered across the terrifying, yet graceful face of Maleficent as she finished. With that smile and those words, Bella-Donna only had one thought. 'Here we go.'
****************Phew, done. Well this is where the story begins and really starts to get interesting. I have some plans for our little characters…MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Whoa there, I've been hanging around ol' Maleficent to much. Anywho, your know what to do. Oh no, I'm speaking in rhyme! Just REVIEW DAMNIT!!!!!!
Chapter Six
Cold, wet, and aching. The three words that popped in Bella-Donnas mind when her eyelids pulled themselves open. Her whole body throbbed in pain; from what, she didn't know. Letting out a small groan, she fully opened her eyes to look upon her new surroundings, or tried to anyway. Her head hurt so much, it was hard to focus on anything at the moment. The one thing she could see though was the blurry outline of a figure on the hard ground next to her. His head was turned toward her, and she could tell that his eyes were still closed in unconsciousness. Flexing her hand a bit she felt her fingertips brush against Riku's still hand which was outstretched next to hers. Finally after a few minutes of collecting her thoughts and her vision, B.D. easily pushed herself up.
"Riku…" her voice came out in a dry, scratchy tone causing her think of much needed water. "Riku?" she said again and shook his body in an attempt to rouse him. She pushed some of the silver locks away from his face and placed a hand in front of his mouth. Still breathing…thank god. In her now clear state of mind, Bella took the time to really check out this new place. During all the times that she played the game, she had always wondered where Riku really ended up. Well, she knew now and it didn't really lift her spirits any.
Around the two teenagers there was the water that B.D. had been craving, but suddenly she felt to sick to even drink. She would recognize this place anywhere. While playing the game, it was one of her favorite places to be. The beautiful crystal waters that flowed up the cliffs gave off an almost peaceful feeling. That is if you didn't look around any further. Glancing toward the pieces of land that floated in mid air above the walkable water below them, Bella-Donna's face cringed. Things were not going as well as she hoped they would. If Riku was going to avoid Maleficent, this place was not a good place to be. Beside her, a small but noticeable voice came from the young mans mouth before his eyes slid open.
"Bella?…" he asked in a stiff, quiet voice. The said girl quickly shuffled over to him and bent down to him.
"I'm right here Riku." B.D. replied and watched as the boy tried to pull himself up. Unfortunately, Riku's stubbornness was no match to the exhausted feeling that rushed over him and he came tumbling back down to the hard ground. Bella-Donna let out a shaky sigh and rested a reassuring hand on Riku's back.
"Just rest for a while Riku, just rest." she mumbled and looked around in comfort when she felt the boys breaths grow steady with sleep. Even though he was right beside her, B.D. couldn't help but feel alone. She knew were Erin was right now. Probably just waking up in that ally in Traverse Town with Pluto staring her down. It would be nice to know that she herself was in a safe place like that little town with only the minor Heartless to worry about, and not in the source of the darkness itself. The one thing that did give her relief was knowing that while they were in this area the dangerous Wyverns or Defenders couldn't get them, as far as she knew anyway.
The silence that flowed passed her ears grew old very quickly. Flopping back on the cold stone she gazed up at the sky. Well, actually she would really call it a sky, it seemed kind of incomplete. The colors shifted over and over again in front of her eyes which caused her to close her eyes with an up coming headache. She hated that feeling of looking at something really beautiful, then all you get back is an aching head. It reminded her of the time she won a hot pink teddy bear at a carnival back home.
Home. She wondered if Auntie Albie realized what she had done yet. Hmm, now that she thought about it, now would be a pretty good time to go back and get a bag of clothes, food, maybe a sharp object or two. Bella let out a small laugh. Knowing Albie, the woman probably had a laser gun stashed somewhere just for this occasion. Shaking her head at the thought of her aunt running around with a gun screaming like Xena, Bella-Donna gently shook the still sleeping Riku.
"Riku, I'm goin' um…somewhere, I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?" she explained, and got a grunt in return. Smirking, she raised her arm to push the button that would lead her home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Albie? Charlie?" Bella's voice echoed through the presumed empty house. The television was off, papers and empty cereal bowls were left abandoned on the kitchen table, and the only light that illuminated the house was the daylight filtering threw the windows. Thinking for a moment, Charlie had a reason to be gone after all, today was Monday. Auntie Albie, however, was another story. B.D. had expected the scientist to be bopping around the lab, but she was greeted with only the humming of machinery.
The eerie silence continued as she trotted up the steps to the second floor with worried eyes. Her steps became soft as she continued, almost afraid to shatter the deafness. Finally coming to the pull down stair case to her attic room, Bella made her way up grabbing her old corduroy book bag on the way. Dumping the books, pencils, and papers out she turned to go to her dresser but stopped mid stride with a jump.
"Albie?! So this is where you were, I thought you'd fallen off the face of the earth!" she exclaimed with a smile.
"I should say the same to you." the older woman spoke in an unnatural serious tone. She appeared to be the same, she had the same white lab coat, the coke bottle glasses, and the wiry hair, but her eyes held…worry?
"You went back in the game didn't you Bella-Donna." at this question, B.D. cringed. Auntie Albie only called her by her full name when it was important, and the tone of her voice suggested that it was so.
"Yeah, so?" the girl shrugged causally and started taking things out of her drawers and stuffing them into her bag. She averted her eyes, trying to ignore the feeling of Albies steady gaze on her.
"I can not let you go back in there Bella, its not safe."
"What's the big deal Albie? You said yourself that no one could really get hurt in there. I get some bruises, a few scrapes, big whoop." B.D. argued with her back still turned.
"No, Bella. It is a huge deal." Albie continued in a steady voice. "You and that Riku boy…have become very close, have you not?" at this remark the Egyptian turned toward her aunt.
"What does that have to do with anything. We're friends."
"Child, you are becoming closer and closer to him every time you go in there, I've seen it. Now that the game is going to play full circle this 'friendship' could prove to be extremely fatal to you."
"Oh, do tell." the girl rolled her eyes and sat down on her mattress, still cramming various needed items into the pack.
"B.D., if things continue to go the way they are now, you will eventually side with the boy, opposing Erin."
"Hey, Erin's my best friend. It's a video game Albie I'm not stupid, I won't get that caught up." she snapped.
"Oh, is that so? Then tell me Bella, why did you feel compelled to follow Riku into the darkness?" the woman asked while looked down on her niece. Bella-Donna sat staring back blankly. Why did she follow him?
"You see? This is one of the reason's I was hesitant about you going in. My dear, I know what happens to the boy as much as you do. The darkness takes over him and in the end, it eventually leads him into the hands of that awful man. And with you there with him…you won't betray Riku, I know you won't, and that is what worries me." she paused and began to wring her hands together. "B.D., the way you are now, the Heartless will have no effect on you, but as time passes and as you and the boy grow closer you will start to, well…change."
"Change? Unless you mean another puberty you'll have to elaborate." Bella had long since stopped her packing and had given her explaining aunt her full attention.
"Bella-Donna, if your level of involvement continues you will become part of the game." Albie said straight out. After this, the same silence that inhabited the house before her aunt was found spread over them again.
"Involvement? Ha, please Auntie Albie." she shook her head with a fake laugh. In all actuality this news was a bit disturbing to the teen, but she put on a front and continued gathering things in her room.
"Your going to try and change the game aren't you Bella?" the question came as a bit of a shock to B.D., but she only paused before going back downstairs without a word.
"Bella-Donna, you can't change it." Albie followed and spoke on. "No matter how much you want it to happen, the fate of the characters can't change!" she argued.
"Why not?! Its just a game right?!" the girl retorted while pulling food out of the refrigerator.
"The game is set, and there's nothing anyone can do." she started and closed the fridge door from beside B.D. "Sora will overcome the Heartless, Ansem will be destroyed, and Riku will be locked in Kingdom Hearts. You can't change it."
"Yes. I. Can!" the sixteen-year-olds voice raised as she spoke, and for the first time in a long while she felt a small fragment of anger toward her guardian. Swinging the bag over her shoulder, B.D. began making her way back to the lab. However, before she could make it past the door way her aunts voice stopped her.
"This little idea of yours will not, and cannot work. If you even try you will only be guaranteeing your fate as a game character. You'll come involved with too many people and places. Right now your like an immortal there, but when you become part of Kingdom Hearts…You will bleed, you will be fair game to the Heartless, and its almost and absolute that, you will die. If you go through with this…the only protection you will have will be that boy, and he will not stay sane forever Bella. You will choose the side of darkness, and you will turn on Erin, Sora, and in time you might even forget where you really came from. With that you won't know how to get back home anymore. All you will know is how to fight for the darkness." she stopped and shook her head. "You won't even be you anymore."
Leaning against the door frame of the basement, B.D. absorbed all that her aunt told her. Becoming part of Kingdom Hearts. Before she probably would have welcomed the idea, but the image that Albie gave her made fear consume her heart. Not be able to come back? Turn on Erin and Sora? Side with the darkness, with Ansem? The loony woman must have been exaggerating. She would never let it get that out of hand…would she? Though she thought Albie was half crazed most of the time, she knew that the old women knew when to be serious and when to goof around. Looking back over at her aunt Bella-Donna could tell by the look on her face that this was indeed a serious situation..
"Bella, dear, I know I'm not your parent, so I'm not going to pretend to be," the woman started up again and walked up behind her niece, putting a hand on each of her shoulders. "but, you and Charlie…you two are all this old woman has left. I realize I don't show it much, but I do love both of you and if anything happened to you in there…"
"It wouldn't be your fault Albie, so don't say that." B.D. interrupted. "I gotta do this, I've gone to far now. Besides, my parents had their brushes with danger and I want mine." she turned and raised a hand to stop her aunt from saying anything. "Don't say that I have the rest of my life to work in my dangerous streaks, I don't wanna wait that long." the girl finished with a small grin. It was an odd sight to see either one of the females so caring, but these were things that had to be said. Looking down at her blue eyed relative, Albie shook her head a bit.
"You remind me so much of your father…" she mumbled.
"Please, Albie, don't start with that again. This moment is corny enough." Bella laughed and made her way down the stairs with a shaking head and her aunt trailing behind.
"Is Erin back with that boy?" Albie asked changing the subject.
"She's in Traverse Town I imagine. I told her to go with Sora."
"You separated!" the scientist burst out. Words of stupidity and ignorance started running through her mind at this news.
"Don't worry Albie, if she stays with Sora like I told her to we're bound to meet up in Traverse Town pretty soon. Really Auntie Albie, I didn't know you were such a worried wart." the teen joked while gathering the rest of the things she needed. The aunt only watched as her niece continued packing her things without a care in the world. Even with the news of these dangers the girl was still determined to go through with it. The woman had to admire the determination of the teen, like she had pointed out earlier she had her fathers will.
"Well," Bella-Donna started as she turned around with her full backpack. "I guess I'm off." her words were almost cheerful but her face told otherwise. She didn't want to leave her aunt worried, but she didn't want to leave Riku stranded in that God forsaken place. So, walking stiffly over to Albie she stared at the woman for a while before quickly throwing her arms around her. It took the scientist a moment to figure out what was going on, but she eventually hugged back.
"Auntie Albie," B.D. mumbled. "I'll be back. I promise."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A chilling breeze swept over the sleeping boy who was still laying alone on the slab of stone. The waters around him sprayed outwards with the wind, sending light droplets of the moisture onto his still face. His pale features twist in his unconscious state, probably from a dream or a nightmare. With teeth and eyes clenched tightly, the calming silence that surrounded him ruptured as a strong scream escalated from his throat.
Throwing himself sideways and onto his back, Riku let his eyes fall open and he gazed up at the sky with an overwhelmed feeling clutching his body. His breaths came in quick sharpness, but the nightmare he just experienced left him feeling glad he was able to breath at all. In that surreal world he was yelling and yelling at the people who casually walked by him, but during all his shouting not one person turned their head to notice him. Then everything around him turned from light to dark and the people disappeared. In front of him a small light pierced the darkness and he began running for it, but no matter how long or how fast he ran, he could never reach the light. The last thing he knew Riku was calling out for help, pleading for anyone to help him out of this dream world. Then finally a voice came. A voice that seemed almost as miserable and painful as he was. He could tell that sobs were being choked back and the words it spoke were almost a desperate way of soothing both him, and itself. Even though, the voice brought him out of his near weeping sorrow and echoed around him, "Its alright. It'll be alright, it'll be over soon. Its all just a dream…its all just a bad dream…".
"Bella?" Riku said bringing himself out of this thinking. The dream, or nightmare, had definitely left an impact but right now he had something else to deal with. Bella-Donna was nowhere in sight. He vaguely remembered waking up once and seeing her blurred form hovering over him, sending him calming words. After that all he could see or remember were the images from the nightmare. Pulling himself off the ground, stumbling a bit at first, Riku blinked his eyes a few times before taking in his surroundings. Water. Lots of cold water. Instantly he made a mad dash for the cliff to gather the liquid his dry throat called out for, but he came to a screeching halt. Water flowing up, instead of down? A gloved hand reached out and brushed against the backwards water fall, causing the water to split and splatter in the air.
"W-Where am I?" he muttered to himself as he turned back to the pieces of land that seemed to be defying gravity. Obviously B.D. wasn't here, but Riku didn't think that she would just wonder off. He felt as if he should stay there and wait for her to come back from…wherever she went, but then again…It was like something was pulling the silver haired boy up those rocky clumps and onto that odd lift. The pull only got stronger as the twisted castle loomed over him, casting a menacing shadow over the wide eyed boy.
How was he to know that the missing girl was left back on the rocks watching him being lifted up to the towers? He couldn't have known the hallways that he walked down, the staircases that he took, and the electronic lifts he rode would lead him to a room in which decisions would be made, and his life changed. Riku couldn't have know that even though he had no knowledge of it yet, he was breaking a promise he made to a certain someone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the rusted lift made its way back down to Bella-Donnas level, her face drooped and paled. Everything was going all wrong. Maleficent, Jafar, Hades, Oogy Boogy, Ursula, Captain Hook, and possibly even Ansem himself was in there. Whether Riku knew it or not, he had just entered the lions den smelling of fresh meat. B.D. knew that he wouldn't fall prey to the Heartless during his wanderings so, all she had to do was find him before Maleficent did. That was easier said then done of course. The contraption below her shook as she stepped aboard and her legs grew wobbly when the force that powered it started to pull her upwards to Hollow Bastion.
Her nerves were put at rest for a time when she saw the outside walkways of the castle were deserted of any life, including the Heartless. She knew that she was invulnerable from their 'heart stealing' powers, but the whole idea of coming face to face with one still made he a little nervous. With that idea, she thought again of what her aunt had told her. Becoming part of Kingdom Hearts. Being able to die like any other person in here that wasn't immortal. Giving in to the darkness…that thought just made her angry. While playing the game and seeing Riku trust in the darkness so much and believing that sorceress' lies made her want to yell at the television, which at times she did. Even the mere inkling of herself falling into that trap angered her to no extent. This was no place to have a scattered mind though, in no time at all she was walking through the doors of the Entrance Hall.
The circular room sent a chill through the teens body and the music that kept playing in her head didn't help with the creep factor. She kept thinking back to all the times she would hum the theme of Hollow Bastion in school or during breakfast. Now she wished she didn't remember it. Bella's footsteps echoed off the walls adding to the soft sound of the water running from the fountain in front of her. Pulling her backpack further up onto her shoulders, she dashed up the stairs and through the narrow hall that led to the lift shop. It was strange how it was open now, but when Sora reached this stage of the game everything was locked up and complicated. Typical. Speaking of complicated, now was when B.D. really had to remember her gaming skills. It was real easy to go the wrong way on these lifts, or threw a wrong door in some of the other room.
Transporting from that small balcony type thing to the lift was much like the sensation one felt when going back and forth from the real world to the game, so it really wasn't anything knew to her. Her first encounter with a Heartless was though. She had been searching in peace for a good ten minutes, that is until she was entering the lift shop for what seemed like the hundredth time. The exact location of where she was she wasn't sure of, but she was fairly certain it was near the crest where the Wyverns seemed to be in an abundance. At first it started with a small whirring sound behind her that caught her attention, then clicks and clatters greeted her ears. Before she knew it, she had a Heartless Soldier running after her followed by two or three Wizards. Her adventurous side told her to stay and study them after all, they couldn't hurt her, but her natural instincts kicked in quicker and she high tailed it for the safety of the lift shop.
Safety, right. Shadows, lots and lots of Shadows. Oh, and a Defender to top it all off with. There they all stood, the only things between her and that dreadful Chapel, the only place she hadn't looked yet. Well, if there was any time to test Auntie Albies' theories, it would be now. Sucking up all the courage she had left, Bella-Donna waded into the ocean of ink black creatures and past the chomping Defender shield. She could almost feel the claws of the Heartless ripping through her and the teeth of the shield tearing her flesh to bits. She could also feel…nothing. Opening her previously closed eyes, B.D. glanced around to notice the devious creatures to be no where in sight. Albie had been right after all and, with hope restored, Bella strutted through the dark doorway not really giving any thought as to what room she was about to enter.
A smooth, carpeted hall lay before her, lit by peculiar green torches hanging from the stone walls. Wait, carpet, green fire…
"That little squirt took down that Heartless! Who'd have thought it?"
Oh no.
"Such is the power of the Keyblade. The child's strength is not his own." a slick voice added in. Then a stronger, though more feminine voice joined in.
"Why don't we turn him into a Heartless? Ah ha! That'll settle things quick enough." These voices were way to familiar for Bella-Donna's liking and she slunk into the shadows between the torches only to have another startle. Crouched down near the floor, Riku sat listening intently to the conversation between the villains. B.D.'s approaching brought his attention to her though, causing him to almost say her name. Panic rose in the girls body and she dove to cover his mouth. Placing a finger to her lips motioning for complete silence, he as well as herself turned their heads back to the conspiracy talk.
"And the brats friends are the Kings lackey's." Hooks voice bellowed. "Swaggle me eyes! They're all bilge rats by the look of them."
"Your no prize yourself!" another, more street like voice laughed
"Shut up!" Hook replied and lunged toward the bug filled nightmare man.
"Enough." a new cooler voice slid in along with a new figure from the darkness. B.D. new this voice and inhaled sharply. At this Riku looked back at his friend with concerned eyes. It didn't take the young man long to make the connection between this speaking figure an the description of the person Bella gave that day on Destiny Islands. For a split second his ocean eyes met with her icy Egyptian ones and as the velvet voice continued, Bella-Donna could feel Riku grab onto her hand comfortingly.
"The Keyblade has chosen him. Will it be he who conquers the darkness? Or with the darkness swallow him? Either way he could be quiet useful." a sinister smile slithered across the terrifying, yet graceful face of Maleficent as she finished. With that smile and those words, Bella-Donna only had one thought. 'Here we go.'
****************Phew, done. Well this is where the story begins and really starts to get interesting. I have some plans for our little characters…MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Whoa there, I've been hanging around ol' Maleficent to much. Anywho, your know what to do. Oh no, I'm speaking in rhyme! Just REVIEW DAMNIT!!!!!!