Chapter 1
Realization
Destiny Islands…the final piece in this puzzle. Sora had been dreaming ever since he and Riku had returned to their childhood home only a week ago. Has it truly been that long? Or is that what my memories are telling me? There had been so many dreams, too many to count, but they were always the same. Nothing ever changes here. Roxas…he is gone, yet he's always here, in my heart. And Namine, she's always with Kairi.
In the dream, Sora was with Riku confronting Xemnas in the Dark Realm. "This place is perfect for me." Sora remembered Riku saying that before the door to Light had appeared before them. "I've got something you could never imitate. Having a friend like you." Perhaps it was that statement that had made Sora believe again; believe that he and Riku really were friends; believe that the Light would appear; and believe that together they would vanquish the Darkness forever. It was not meant to be so.
The sunset over the Islands was always the most beautiful thing to Sora. He often spent his evenings sitting on the paopu tree with Kairi and Riku, watching the sun's watchful eye leave them for night. Although Donald, Goofy, and the King had stayed for a few days after the battle, they soon were called back to their own home, Disney Castle. Sora remembered the day perfectly. King Mickey had looked nervous the entire morning, and at noon, when the sun was directly overhead, he had told Goofy and Donald something that made them just as nervous. "What's going on?" Sora had asked when their gummi ship arrived on the beach of the Islands. "The Queen sent me a message and I must return to the Castle immediately," had been the King's only reply before making a hasty leave. It was a few days later, watching one of those beautiful sunsets that Sora found out the reason for the King's need to return home.
"Sora! Riku!" It was Kairi. She had come from the backside of the island with a bottle in her hand. Inside the bottle, Sora noticed a paper note with the King's seal on it.
"Is that from the King?" Riku asked.
"I think so. Let's see it." Sora took the bottle from Kairi's outstretched arm, opened it, and unrolled the small paper scroll inside. It was obviously written quite fast, for the handwriting was extremely sloppy and large.
To Sora and Riku
Emptiness is coming to your Islands and will arrive within the week. Please be careful of the Chasers. Do not bring Kairi, for she is in enough danger already.
The King
The three friends were silent for what seemed like an eternity. Finally Riku spoke. "What does he mean by 'Emptiness'?"
"I have no idea," said Sora with a hint of fear in his voice. "What about 'the Chasers'?"
"Never heard of 'em." Riku started to say something else but froze. He grabbed the note from Sora's hands and turned it over. On the back were scrawled three words in minute handwriting.
Xehanort is alive.