Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 5
He stared down at the almost corpse like body, but even in such a state, he could sense the strong Heart slumbering within. But that strength meant nothing when under a curse like that. He had planned on using the older boy but now, this one was the easier target. Riku wanted power to protect Sora and that would make him less open to him, more able to fight him. Sora would be unable to fight him in his current state and by the time he woke it would be too late.
No one was there to witness as the brown robe dropped to the ground before fading away, Darkness writhing around Sora's body before sinking into it.
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Riku paced the deck of the ship, they were heading for somewhere called Neverland to pick up a possibility for the last Princess. He hated being away from Sora, but in his current state he couldn't die or anything, Maleficent had discovered that much. And yet he couldn't get rid of the idea that Sora was in danger. He hoped they could discover exactly which curse it was and how to break it soon, Sora was going to be so upset over falling asleep again. He just wanted Sora safe and at his side. Sora would love seeing all of the different Worlds and they would be better with him there.
He trusted Hook even less than he trusted the others and didn't like being on his ship, but for Sora he had to keep in the groups good graces. Once he was awake they could leave, travel on their own or find a new World to call home.
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Kairi grimaced as she dodged, this was disgusting! She leapt up to another ledge, spotting one of the oozing spots of Darkness on the massive form Oogie Boogie had taken after they had beaten him the first time. She'd taken out two of the spots so far but she had the feeling she had to take them all out to end the fight. Donald, Goofy, and Jack were doing their best to keep her free from the Heartless that kept trying to attack, but the fire Oogie kept shooting at her was a pain!
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Riku slipped into the room, seeing the girl dressed in blue, not much older than Kairi, maybe his own age? He felt that same twinge of reluctance as he had with Alice, due to their age? Or because they reminded him of Her, unlike Jasmine. He squared his shoulders and stepped out of the shadows, casting the spell, and the girl collapsed into his arms. He picked her up and moved back to Hook's ship, settling her down on the bunk in a room before locking her in.
"Well laddie?" Hook asked as Riku joined him in his cabin.
"I got her, she's asleep and locked in downstairs."
"Good work," he nodded, and Riku went back out on deck.
"Ship ahoy!" one of the crew called a while later, and Riku looked out into the darkness of the lanes between Worlds. He leapt up to the crow's nest, for a better look and then snarled. He recognised the ship….Kairi and her new 'friends'.
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"Uh, a big ship is catching up to us," Goofy called and Kairi grimaced as a ship flew passed, its sails clearly visible.
"Quit gawking! That's a pirate ship!" Donald squawked in alarm even as she worked to change their course. The Jolly Roger turned and headed straight for them, even as she tried to evade.
"It's going to ram us! Hold tight!" she yelled in warning.
Kairi groaned and sat up, rubbing her head. She got up and realised she was on board the ship that had rammed them, walking along the deck, feeling eyes on her she turned around, staring in shock.
"I didn't think you'd come, Kairi," Riku told her coldly. "Good to see you again."
"Riku!" she called in relief. "Where did you go? Where are Donald and Goofy?"
"Are they that important to you? More important than old friends? Instead of worrying about them, you should be asking…" he held up…a mirror? He tossed it to her and she gasped. It didn't show her reflection but an image of Sora, lying utterly still. "...about him."
"Sora!" she gasped.
"That's right. While you were off goofing around with your new friends, Sora was attacked and cursed. He won't wake up until we work out what curse was used and how to break it."
Kairi started to run towards him, when a hook blocked her path.
"Not so fast. No shenanigans aboard my vessel, girly."
Kairi looked up to see the pirate captain smirking as she was surrounded by Pirate Heartless.
"Riku, why are you siding with the Heartless?" she demanded, begging him to explain.
"The Heartless obey me now, Kairi. Now I have nothing to fear," he smirked, and she glared at him, the Heartless were not something to joke about!
"You're stupid. Sooner or later they'll swallow your heart," she warned.
"Not a chance. My heart's too strong."
"Riku..." she whispered, shaking her head. What was happening to him?
"I've picked up a few other tricks as well. Like this, for instance." He raised a hand and Kairi gasped as her shadow lifted out of the ground. She stared at it in astonishment. "You can go see your friends now."
A trapdoor opened underneath her and she fell through.
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Inside of Sora's Heart, another stirred, feeling the invading Darkness. As Sora floated over his Station of Awakening, metal flowed over his form, sealing him within armour, trying to protect him, protect them both.
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"So, uh, how come you can fly?" Donald asked as they made their way through the ships lower levels.
"Anyone can fly. You wanna try?" Peter asked them, whistling to call Tinker Bell to his side. She crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Aw, haven't you cooled off yet, Tink?" He took her by the wings and held her over Kairi, Donald, and Goofy, sprinkling magical dust on them. "Just a little bit of pixie dust. There. Now you can fly."
Donald eagerly jumped into the air, swinging his arms up and down, but he fell to the floor. Tinker Bell flew down and laughed at him, as he tapped his finger on the floor.
"Be nice," Kairi told the fairy who turned her back on her. Sora…Sora would love this World, the chance to fly.
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"What? So Wendy's not one of the chosen ones?" Hook demanded as they stood in his cabin, Riku leaning against the desk with his arms crossed.
"There are seven, supposedly, and Maleficent says she's not one of them," he shrugged slightly before moving towards the door. "Hoist anchor as soon as possible. Leave all the dead weight behind, including her."
"After the trouble of capturing her? And why those seven? What is Maleficent planning, anyway?" Hook snarled.
"Who knows? As long as it means getting Sora back, I couldn't care less."
"You're wasting your time! Curses like that don't break easy lad. I'll stake me other hand he's lost forever."
Riku spun around, snarling in rage. "I will find a way, no matter what."
"Uh, Captain..." a voice interrupted and Riku turned around, taking deep breaths to try and calm down.
Hook walked over to a speaking tube, where Smee's voice was coming from. "What?" he demanded.
"The prisoners have escaped. What's more, Peter Pan is with them."
"Blast that Peter Pan!" Hook yelled in frustration, and Riku smirked. "All right, then! Bring the hostage to me cabin, Smee! Hop to it!"
Looked like this Peter Pan was interesting. He'd stay for now, to keep an eye on Kairi and 'friends' and then he'd return to Sora.
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Kairi panted as he shadow returned to where it belonged, very glad that was over. Seeing Riku leave like that, walking backwards into Darkness…had she lost her friend for good? was he lost to the same Darkness she'd seen consume others on various Worlds? But…he wanted a cure for Sora…if Sora woke up then maybe he could bring Riku back? Unless….no, not Sora, he'd never give into something like that.
They moved to the other trap door in the cabin and opened it, dropping down through the floor into Wendy's room. They found her laying on the floor with her eyes closed.
Peter floated down next to her and gently lifted her head up. "Wendy!" he called in alarm but she didn't wake. Tinker Bell flew around in the air above him. "Come on, Tink! Not now!" He waved her off and she flew away. "Well, this is as far as I can go. I've gotta help Wendy." Peter told her and Kairi nodded, understanding he needed to protect her. He picked Wendy up and flew out of the room, leaving Sora, Donald, and Goofy by themselves.
The headed back up to the Captain's cabin and then out onto the deck, only to find Hook, his crew…and a horde of Heartless.
"Quite a codfish, that Riku - running off without even saying goodbye. Still, he is rather concerned for poor Sora," he smirked, waving his hook in the air.
"Run off where? Tell me, where did he go?" She demanded, Keyblade ready.
"To the ruins of Hollow Bastion, where Maleficent resides and Sora sleeps. But you won't be going there." He took an unlit lantern from Mr. Smee, holding it up. Tinker Bell was trapped inside with her hands on the glass.
Kairi gasped in alarm. How?
"Unless you intend to leave your little pixie friend behind?" Hook taunted, holding his hook up to the lantern, scraping the glass with it, scaring Tinker Bell.
Kairi grimaced at the threat but nodded, dispelling the Keyblade. The Pirate Heartless surrounded them, knives bared.
"Hand over the Keyblade and I'll spare your lives. Be glad I'm merciful, unlike the Heartless. So, which will it be? The Keyblade, or the plank?" He pointed his hook in the direction of the plank, a wooden board hoisted off the side of the deck. He suddenly tensed, as if he heard something, and Kairi concentrated, only to hear a faint ticking noise. Hook looked down into the water, and Kairi shifted enough to see a sharp-toothed crocodile in the water, the sound of a clock coming from inside it. "It's him! The crocodile that took me hand! Oh, Smee! He's after me other hand! I can't stay here! Go away! Oh, I can't stand the sight of him!" he retreated towards his cabin. "Smee, you take care of them!"
The Pirate Heartless forced Kairi onto the plank, making her back slowly towards the ocean. When she reached the edge of the plank, the crocodile opened its wide mouth and Kairi stopped as she heard Peter Pan's voice.
"Fly, Kairi! Just believe, and you can do it!"
She closed her eyes and leapt backwards off the plank. She dropped towards the crocodile, who jumps at her, but at the last second flew into the air over the deck. Peter swooped down and took Tinker Bell from Smee, who was distracted by Kairi. They both landed on the deck in front of the flabbergasted first mate. Peter opened the lantern, setting Tinker Bell free.
"Thanks, Peter." She grinned at the strange boy and he shrugged.
"Hey, don't mention it. You didn't think I'd leave you and Tink behind, did you?" he grinned as Tinker Bell floated down next to them and Smee ran away, leaving them to deal with the Heartless swarming the deck.
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Riku knelt on the floor, entirely out of breath. He breathed heavily as green torches burned on the walls. Maleficent stood over him, holding her staff, looking down on him with hard eyes.
"It was reckless to come so far without at least using a vessel. Remember, relying too heavily on the dark powers could cost you your heart," she chided, and Riku flinched, looking down.
A booming roar resounded from outside the castle, causing Riku to scramble to his feet, looking towards the source of the noise. Sora's attackers come back for more?
Maleficent smiled. "A castaway," she told him, and he frowned. "Though his world perished, his Heart did not. When we took the Princess from his castle, he apparently followed her here through sheer force of will. But fear not. No harm will come to you. He is no match for your power."
"My power?"
"Yes, the untapped power that lies within you. Now, child, it's time you awakened that power and realized your true potential," she told him, and Riku nodded. She tapped her staff on the ground and Riku's eyes closed as he was surrounded by a green aura, feeling stronger than ever.
"The curse?" he asked once it was over.
"I am close to the correct one, I have narrowed it to three possibilities, all with different cures."
Riku nodded, relieved they were getting closer to saving Sora.
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Kairi grinned at Leon who nodded and then they clashes. Leon was stronger than her, which made him a good training partner. They were heading for Hollow Bastion once Cid was finished installing the new navigation gummi in the ship. If she was going to face Maleficent then she had to be at her strongest.
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Riku gently brushed Sora's hair for him, not that it tamed it at all. He then dabbed the cloth in the bowl of warm water and ran it over his face and down his neck. Just because he was in a death-like state and therefore didn't need to eat or anything, didn't mean that getting a wash down wouldn't help him feel better when he woke up. It made him feel better to have some way of looking after him.
"I saw Her again," he murmured as he worked, filling Sora in on everything he'd missed. He didn't know if Sora could hear him but it helped to talk about things out loud. He washed all of Sora's exposed skin, not wanting to remove his clothes to wash the rest, giving him that privacy, not that he hadn't seen him naked before. "Maleficent's narrowed down the possible curses and their cures. You'll wake up soon and then I have so many Worlds to show you," he promised.
He pulled the covers back up over Sora, even though he knew he couldn't feel the cold at the moment, settling his hands over his stomach. "I'll be back later."
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"Gawrsh, look at that!" Donald pointed
Kairi stared up at the Castle and at everything around them. "I know this place..." she whispered, but…how? They walked closer and gazed up at Hollow Bastion, a ruined castle,
twisted by the Darkness inhabiting the world for so long.
"Hmm, that's strange," Goofy told her.
"I wonder why... I feel this warmth inside, right here." She pressed her hand to her Heart and necklace.
A loud roar erupted from further ahead, startling them.
"Let's go!" She called, taking off in a run, jumping to the next platform, making her way up. A familiar voice was carried on the wind and she swallowed, she'd known he'd have to face him again, but right away?
"No vessel, no help from the Heartless... So tell me, how'd you get here?" he was demanding.
She looked up, and then made out the two of them on a larger platform up ahead. Riku stood facing a figure much taller and massive than he was, draped in a ripped purple cloak.
"I simply believed. Nothing more to it. When our world fell into Darkness, Belle was taken from me. I vowed I would find her again no matter what the cost. I believed I would find her. So, here I am. She must be here. I will have her back!"
"Take her, if you can!" Riku challenged, and she recognised that tone from the last months whenever he challenged Sora to a race or spar.
The Beast roared and leaped up at Riku even as she leaped for the next platform. It swiped at him with its sharp claws, but Riku flipped backward, dodging the attack completely. With lightning speed, Riku charged forward at the Beast.
Kairi made the last jump, seeing the Beast collapse, wounded. "Stop!" She yelled as she got between them.
Riku looked them over as the other two joined her in front of the Beast. He smirked confidently. "So, you finally made it. About time. I've been waiting for you. You've always gotten in the way, pushing between me and Sora."
"Riku..." she shook her head, did he really believe that?
"But it all ends here. There can't be two Keyblade masters."
"What are you talking about?" she demanded.
"Let the Keyblade choose its true master." He extended his hand towards her Keyblade and she felt something briefly, but nothing else happened and he looked shocked. "No!" he shook his head. "I need that to save Sora."
"No Riku," she shook her head, but before she could say anything else he turned and fled towards the Castle. "Riku…" she whispered sadly. She looked up at the sound of pained movement, seeing the Beast had gotten to his feet and was trying to move towards the Castle too. "Hey, don't move, you're hurt," she told him.
He looks over at her. "Why... Why did you...you come here? I came to fight for Belle." He looked up at the castle and started slowly walking ahead. "And though I am on my own, I will fight. I won't leave without her. That's why I'm here."
"Me too, I'm not gonna give up now," she smiled. "I came here to save my friends and I will, even if I have to knock some sense into Riku first," she announced.
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Maleficent's fingers curled around her staff as she passed the capsule containing six of the seven Princesses and ascended the stairs. She whirled around to face the Princesses of Heart. "O purest of hearts! Reveal to me the Keyhole!" she commanded, raising her arms.
The Hearts of the six maidens lining the walls glowed in unison and beams of pink light shone out from them. The six met at a point outside of the room, outside of the Castle even, pointing a trail of sparkles to a great Heart in the room beyond. Maleficent watched, and smiled. The girl…it was the girl and she had come.
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Riku looked at Sora, reaching out to gently stroke a cold cheek, fighting the urge to shudder at the sensation. He'd seen a dead body once as a child, a fisherman who'd been lost at sea and had washed up on shore days later. Sora's skin felt similar to his, except dry but he clung to the knowledge that he wasn't truly dead. "Please wake up," he whispered, leaning closer. He hesitated but then let his lips touch Sora's, kissing him, surprising himself but…it felt right. "Come back." He begged before leaving the room.
He didn't see the colour coming back to pale features.
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The doors slammed, cutting them off from the Beast but then she turned and looked up, seeing Riku on the landing of the stairs.
"Quit while you can," he warned coldly.
"No. Not without you and Sora," she answered back.
"The Darkness will destroy you," he smirked even as tendrils of Darkness erupted around Riku and his clothes took on a darker quality. He clenched his fists and glared at her.
Seeing the transformation made her feel sick and she shook her head. She didn't want to fight him, why couldn't he see that?"
"Ri…ku?"
They all turned at the sound of the voice coming from the hallway. Could it be?
TBC…
