Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 3

Sora walked along the deck of the pirate ship, subtly scenting the air for any trace of his friends, and then turned around, smelling a scent that reminded him of Home…and Darkness, could it be? He looked up and met familiar cyan eyes, although the emotion in them was not something he'd seen before when Riku looked at him.

"I didn't think you'd come, Sora," Riku smirked. "Good to see you again." Funny, he didn't sound all that happy to see him.

"Where are Donald and Goofy?" he asked warily, using his other senses to check for others, he could smell the crew, but they were remaining out of sight, Heartless, and…he sniffed again…human female.

"Are they that important to you? More important than old friends? Instead of worrying about them, you should be asking..." he shifted over and Sora's eyes widened, "about her."

Kairi was slumped on the deck beside Riku and for a second his dead heart felt like it beat in joy. She was breathing…but making no reaction to anything around her, dull eyes staring through the deck.

"Kairi!" Sora yelled, but there was no reaction.

"That's right. While you were off goofing around, I finally found her."

That hurt! He hadn't been messing around, he'd been looking for both of them while fighting the Heartless, working to save worlds…and then trying to deal with being a vampire! Sora started to run towards them, when a hook blocked his path, and he barely held back a snarl of rage at someone daring to try and keep him from them.

"Not so fast. No shenanigans aboard my vessel, boy."

Sora looked up to see the pirate captain smirking as he was surrounded by Pirate Heartless. "Riku, why are you siding with the Heartless?" He didn't understand why Riku would do that, especially…if they'd taken Kairi's heart. It didn't make any sense to him. What was going on with Riku?

"The Heartless obey me now, Sora, I have nothing to fear," Riku boasted with a smirk.

Sora glared at him and his apparent carelessness when it came to the creatures. "You're stupid. Sooner or later they'll swallow your heart," he warned, he was immune, Riku wasn't!

"Not a chance. My heart's too strong." Did he have to sound so smug? What had happened to the Riku he remembered?

"Riku..." he whispered, scared for his friend and how he was changing.

"I've picked up a few other tricks as well. Like this, for instance," Riku waved a hand at him and Sora felt the Darkness.

Sora tensed, ready for an attack as much as he didn't want to believe Riku would do that. He stared in shock as his shadow lifted out of the ground. How?

"You can go see your friends now," Riku taunted and Sora felt the deck vanish under his feet, hovering for a split second before letting himself fall, knowing it wasn't a good time to act. He was too outnumbered, with no idea what the Captain or even Riku was now capable of. Fighting without backup would not be smart.

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Peter landed beside him and Sora smiled at him. "Heading back to Neverland?" he asked, and Peter nodded.

"You could come too, if you'd like. Tinkerbell doesn't think you're dangerous anymore even though she's insisting you're not human."

Sora froze in shock; how could she know? And she'd still agreed to come with them as a summons? "I, uh… I used to be," he admitted softly. He had the feeling Peter Pan wouldn't care. "I was attacked, and she changed me. Tinkerbell was right about me not needing the pixie dust to fly," he'd wondered why she hadn't put any over him, now he knew she knew he wasn't human.

"So how do you fly?" Peter asked curiously.

"With wings." Sora glanced around but it was just the two of them on the clock. "I…can show you? I don't want you to be scared of me."

"I won't be! You're my friend Sora."

"Okay," Sora nodded and then took off his jacket to reveal the band of metal around his upper arm. He took a deep breath and then slipped it off, removing the illusion. He shifted nervously as Peter studied him and then a hand pressed curiously to his chest. "It doesn't beat anymore," he whispered.

"Silly, your heart is strong," Peter grinned at him. "You'll always be welcome in Neverland Sora. No one ever grows up there, you'd fit in."

"Thanks Peter, but I can't right now. I have to save Kairi and Riku."

"Good luck."

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"It was reckless to bring her here without at least using a vessel. Remember, relying too heavily on the dark powers could cost you your heart," Maleficent chided as he shook his head to focus, pushing the memories of simpler times away, unable to get off his knees.

He relaxed a little when her hand ran through his hair soothingly, enjoying the contact, taking his time to catch his breath. She was right, he had taken too big of a risk. Riku was about to answer when a booming roar resounded from outside the castle, causing him to stand and look toward the source of the noise.

Maleficent smiled and looked towards the entrance as well. "A castaway. 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?" he asked.

He didn't think he was all that powerful with the Darkness, not yet anyway. If he was, then surely Sora wouldn't have beaten the shadow he'd made. Sora…there was something different about him, but he wasn't sure what. Was it just because he'd barely seen him since leaving the islands?

"Yes, the untapped power that lies within you. Now, child, it's time you awakened that power and realized your true potential." She tightened her grip on her staff, the stone glowing.

A green aura surrounded Riku and he straightened up, staring at his hands. He felt… stronger. This…this was the power he needed to save Kairi, to prove to Sora that he was right. He would show him that he shouldn't have given them up for those new friends.

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Sora leant back in his chair, listening to Merlin as the Wizard puttered about preparing the tea…not that Sora could drink it, but it was the thought that counted. Once Cid had the new navigation gummi installed they would be leaving for one last tournament at the Coliseum and then on to the last world, the world where he was hoping he'd find Riku and Kairi, Hollow Bastion.

It was weird, he hadn't remembered at first but now he did. He knew the fantasy she had trapped him in while turning him and if he could still blush he'd be beet red even thinking about it. Was that…really what he wanted? Or had it just latched on to his wanting them back and made more of it to keep him from fighting? That was the thing, he'd definitely been enjoying himself until it had stated to change, and he'd heard others calling him, even if he still didn't know who that last voice had been.

He smiled and took the tea cup of blood; it was nice to drink it from something other than a pack for a change. Instinct screamed it would be even better from the source, but he didn't trust himself to bite someone, and who would he do that to anyway? He couldn't see himself asking Leon for a sip or two.

He sipped the warm fluid and laughed as Merlin nearly spilled his tea everywhere, too busy making grand hand gestures to make his point. Merlin laughed as well but then things quieted down, and they enjoyed the peace.

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Herc watched Sora fight and frowned; his fighting had changed a lot since the last tournament. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, he had a lot of rough edges and it was obvious he was new to battle back then and that he'd gotten more experience since. But no, this wasn't the kind of change brought about by training or fighting many battles, it was something else that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He…felt different to Hercules' senses.

Donald and Goofy had improved too but they weren't changed like Sora was. It wasn't just the wardrobe change, although he could feel the magic in the new clothes which was good, the kid needed some kind of protection when fighting, no it was something more. He saw Sora get knocked flying and the boy corrected in mid-air…for just a second Hercules would have sworn he saw a pair of black leathery wings coming from his back! He blinked and they were gone, Sora landing in a roll, coming up swinging.

The three won the tournament, as he'd expected, and he clapped Sora on the shoulder, watching his strength as he did, feeling the boy tense under his hand and…did he just growl softly? Sora turned and looked a little embarrassed before grinning at him and Hercules saw it, Sora was no longer human. With that realisation he could suddenly see exactly what Sora now looked like, nothing like any being he knew of. He was beautiful in a way that he knew was meant to draw in mortals, even as the fangs and claws should warn them of the danger. His eyes were mostly the colour of fresh blood but with enough hints of blue to remind him of the human boy he'd first met not so long ago.

Sora's eyes went wide, pale skin blanching further, even as he backed away from him, and Hercules raised his hands. He wasn't going to hurt Sora, not when he'd offered no threat to anyone except the Heartless he was meant to be fighting anyway. His two companions instantly moved in protectively so they must know which was good, Sora would need support.

"Easy guys," he spoke calmly and quietly, not wanting to garner attention from the still dispersing crowd.

"You…but how…Merlin…" Sora stammered, eyes darting around.

"Sora," Hercules called his name and the teen hesitantly met his gaze. "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you," he swore. Obviously the changes had been hidden behind powerful magic which was part of why he was so scared, more powerful than he'd felt from anything mortal before, but he was still the son of Zeus. "Come on, let's go inside and talk, alright?" he offered, and Sora glanced at Donald and Goofy.

Goofy shrugged while Donald glared at Hercules for a moment before nodding, staff in hand, threat clear. Herc wasn't offended, it was good that they'd stood by Sora through whatever had happened to him and it was a good indication that the 'junior hero' hadn't changed, because they wouldn't have stayed if he'd become evil.

He led them into the competitors break room and took a seat on a bench, the other three sitting on the one opposite him. "That's some very powerful magic someone gifted you with Sora. I didn't notice anything until you got blasted up into the air."

"You saw my wings?" Sora asked quietly, and he nodded.

"I can see past the illusion now. Sora…what happened to you?" he asked gently, and Sora flinched, looking away. Hercules clenched a hand into a fist, angered. "You were attacked, weren't you?"

That got a jerky nod, Sora appearing ashamed. "I…I couldn't…"

Hercules slowly reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "No matter how strong you are, you can still be attacked Sora, there's no shame in that."

Sora looked to Donald who nodded and began explaining what had happened and what Sora had become. Hercules was glad that Donald and Goofy had dealt with her, even if it may not have been permanently. He wasn't at all shocked to learn Sora was now almost two years older thanks to magic, his family got weirder.

"How'd ya see through the magic?" Goofy asked once Donald was done, a hand resting on Sora's shoulder.

Hercules didn't even hesitate to explain his own mess; born a god only to become mortal and be raised by mortal parents, and becoming a hero to earn back his godhood.

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Sora felt a lot better after talking with Hercules; the more people accepted the way he'd changed the easier it was to deal with. Still, it wasn't something he wanted to just tell people and the Traverse Town gang had warned him; there were a lot of people who would judge him on what he was and not who.

For now, they were finally on the way to Hollow Bastion where everyone believed Maleficent was making her base. That meant Riku and Kairi were probably there and while he wanted them back so badly…he was scared. What if Kairi couldn't be healed? If her heart was lost for good and she was left a lifeless doll forever… And Riku…could they free him from the Darkness? He'd changed so much every time he saw him. Would there be anything left of his friend by the time he found him again?

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He was cold, always so cold now. He guessed it was because he was so used to the tropical heat of the Islands and the castle was nothing like that. He lay on the bed in the room she had given him, staring across at the other bed he'd had brought in, where Kairi lay seemingly asleep, but only because he'd closed her eyes before lying down. At least she didn't need food, water, or…personal needs seen to the way she was, that would be very awkward. Nothing about her changed at all and it scared him. He hated seeing her like that, but he didn't dare leave her unguarded. The Heartless wouldn't touch her, they'd already taken her heart after all, but there were others in the Castle, and he wouldn't trust them near her.

Sora might care more for his new friends then them, but Riku would do whatever he had to, to keep her safe and get her heart back. He…he missed Sora, more than he'd have thought with how Sora had acted since they'd been separated. He knew Sora had been reaching for him back on the Island, he'd wanted to come with him into the Darkness, to stay together. Maybe…maybe he could be convinced to join them? There'd been something different about him on Hook's ship, Riku didn't know what, but there had been something in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

Riku hated the Islands but he found…he wanted Kairi and Sora back with him. He shouldn't, he should be passed that weakness. How could he remove that weakness? Was it weakness? He was so confused. A lot of what Maleficent said made so much sense but there was some that made him wary. She'd done so much for him but part of him couldn't stop wondering what the catch was…no one gave so much for free, did they?

Riku rolled over and stared at the ceiling until he finally fell asleep, Sora was coming, he could feel it. and when he did…he could claim the Keyblade from him.

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She watched the child sleeping in the room she had given him, his sleep troubled which she did not like. She knew some other Dark force was trying to influence him, to take him from her, and she would not allow that. Riku was hers, the child she had been denied for centuries. She knew he didn't fully trust her, despite how eager he was for praise and acknowledgment, but that was to be expected, she was a dark faerie, and he was still human, for now.

Maleficent doubted very much that the girls' heart could be returned to her, but she did not wish to take that hope from him, it was what kept him from sinking too deep into the Darkness. The Keyblade bearer was an issue, she knew Riku still cared for the boy no matter how he denied it. If he could be brought into the Darkness then perhaps he could be useful, but the boy practically glowed with how Light he was. Still, it would make Riku happy and keep him from succumbing like many of her so-called allies already had.

As she watched, Riku began to move restlessly in his sleep, face twisting in anguish, and she approached the bed, laying her hand on his forehead. "Hush child," she murmured, weaving magic about him, watching as he relaxed into a dreamless sleep. She gently nudged his growing power, giving it another small boost, proud of how far he had come but there was still so much for him to learn.

She left him to sleep, there was still much to do, one last Princess to find in order to complete the Keyhole and unleash the Darkness fully on the world. She did not care if the Heartless consumed Hollow Bastion, so long as her plans were fulfilled. She would conquer all of the worlds and teach Riku all he would need to know to one day inherit it all.

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Sora stared at the world before them and then carefully brought the ship in to land. It…gave him the chills just to look at and he'd rather go to any other world but there was no choice. If he could feel so much Darkness before even setting foot out there no wonder Riku was so badly affected! How was it affecting Kairi?

They exited the ship among a group of waterfalls, the air misting from the cool water and general cold temperature. Thankfully, Sora no longer had to worry about feeling cold otherwise he'd probably be shivering.

"Gawrsh, look at that!" Goofy pointed up and to the distance and Sora stared at the castle.

"I know this place..." he whispered, staring at it, able to see it in much clearer detail than the others. The castle was a twisted ruin and it made him feel sick to look at even as it called to something in him, the vampire side of him that he fought against every day, that said humans were nothing more than food. There was something else though that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Hmm, that's strange."

"I wonder why... I feel this warmth inside, right here," he pressed a hand to his silent heart.

"Aw, you're just hungry," Donald teased.

"Hey, I'm serious!" Sora told him even as Donald offered him a blood pack.

He hesitated but then took it and downed the contents quickly, best to be at full strength in a place like this. Last thing he wanted was to find Riku and Kairi only to try and drain them! A loud roar erupted from further ahead, startling them, and Sora focused that way, able to see two figures, one animalistic and the other…Riku!

"Let's go!" He took off running and jumping, fighting not to pull too far ahead of the others because he was faster than them now.

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Riku glanced down, hearing a noise, and there was Sora and his new friends, rushing up the falls towards them. His attention was forced back to the Beast as he roared, leaping up at Riku. It swiped at him with its sharp claws, but he flipped backward, dodging the attack completely. The beast's cloak settled to his side as Riku landed easily on his feet. With lightning speed, Riku charged forward at the beast, delivering a nasty but non-lethal blow.

The beast fell to the ground with a pained noise as Sora reached the ice platform they stood on.

"Stop!" he called, moving in front of the beast, and Riku smirked at them confidently.

"So, you finally made it. About time. I've been waiting for you," he teased like he used to, unable to help it. "We've always been rivals, haven't we? You've always pushed me as I've

always pushed you."

"Riku..." the look on Sora's face was not at all what he'd expected from those words.

"But it all ends here. There can't be two Keyblade masters," he continued, shrugging off the strange reaction to the mention of their rivalry. They'd always competed for everything, so why would Sora expect this to be any different?

"What are you talking about?" Sora demanded.

"Let the Keyblade choose..."he held a hand to his chest, "...it's true master."

He extended his hand out toward the Keyblade, which began to shake violently in Sora's grasp. Sora grabbed the blade with two hands as it started to pull itself toward Riku. Maleficent was right, the Keyblade was his! Sora had taken it from him somehow. Well now he'd take it back and then he'd take Sora to Kairi…what? Why? His head and heart hurt, so many conflicting thoughts and feelings…he stared into wide blue eyes.

"Riku…please," Sora whispered, struggling to hold on to the weapon.

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Sora felt something pulling in his chest, all the self-doubt over the Keyblade, especially since he'd been turned. Was he still worthy? He…he didn't know… He gasped as it vanished, reappearing in Riku's hand.

"Maleficent was right," Riku smirked darkly, and Sora despaired that his friend was lost for good. Maybe he wasn't worthy anymore, but neither was who Riku had become! "You don't have what it takes to save Kairi." Riku broke their gaze to look up at the sky. "It's up to me. Only the Keyblade master can open the secret door..." he held the Keyblade high, still grinning, "...and change the world."

"How did this happen? I'm the one who fought my way here with the Keyblade!" Was it…his own doubt in himself that had let the Keyblade go to Riku?

"You were just the delivery boy," Riku scoffed, dispelling the blade and pulling out a wooden sword…one Sora would recognise anywhere. "Sorry, your part's over now. Here, go play hero with this." He tossed the sword to Sora, who let it land on the stone platform with

a clunk, falling to his hands and knees in defeat as Riku left.

He had work to do in order to save Kairi.

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Donald stared at the retreating boy and then back at the defeated teen. Their mission….no! The King wouldn't want them to abandon Sora after everything…would he? He'd said to follow the Key but how could this Riku do anything good when he worked with the Heartless? He looked at Goofy who stared back at him before moving to Sora's side, gently pulling him to his feet, both hearing the soft, heartbreaking, whine the kid let out. How did Sora hold on to any hope when it came to Riku?

They were all surprised when the beast began to walk passed them, obviously wounded, half collapsing after a few steps.

Sora stared and then shook himself, wiping away red tinted tears. "Hey, don't move. You're hurt."

The beast looked over at Sora, Sora who now had no weapon but his own fangs and claws which were tiny compared to the beasts. "Why... Why did you...you come here? I came to fight for Belle." He looked up at the castle and stood up again, 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."

Sora turned around, staring at the wooden sword on the ground. He picked it up and looked at them before nodding and walking back to the Beast's side.

"Me too. I'm not gonna give up now. I came here to find someone very important to me. Guys?" The question to them was quiet, Sora knew their mission after all. He was obviously scared they'd leave him too.

"Let's go save Kairi, stop Maleficent and get Riku back!" Goofy announced and Donald nodded.

"First, hold still," Donald told the beast, sending a healing spell over him.

"Thank you," he sounded surprised and gruff, but the thanks was genuine. They moved upwards until they reached a moving platform that carried them towards the castle.

TBC…