Title: Fire, Light, and Floodwater's Height
By: Dr. Kim-chan
Me: Great. Now that my muses are sober again, we can get back to the—
Axel: What was with Vexen all theorizing and stuff in the first chapter? Isn't this story about us?
Me: Well, it actually involves everyone, so…(snaps fingers and all members of Organization XIII drops in)
Larxene: What in hell—? Didn't we die? (looks around) Damn. This is another fanfiction, isn't it?
Me: Yes, but I'm a nice one! I have presents for all! Xemnas, a dark dimension to brood in is over there. Xigbar gets a shooting range. Xaldin has a private jet on the roof. Vexen has a laboratory in the basement. Lexaeus, a gym's across the hall from Vexen. Zexion, an endless supply of scratch n' sniff stickers for you. Saïx, you get an observatory, provided you lock yourself in the padded cage when you feel an "episode" coming on. Axel gets a door to the center of the earth. Demyx has a recording studio, Marluxia has a greenhouse, and Luxord has a personal casino and bar. Larxene, there's a torture chamber in the dungeon, and for my little Roxie-woxie, a bedroom!
Roxas: What's so great about that?
Me: (pulls him aside) It has Axel posters, Axel bedsheets, all gaming systems known to man, and a chibi Axel plushie. (he faints) Yes, I know I spoil my muses, but it's the one surefire way to make sure they don't escape…poor fools. And change of plans! I'm going to start from the end of Kingdom Hearts II instead; it'll be easier. It'll be like my own Kingdom Hearts III.
Axel: (mutters under breath) Copyrights…copyrights…
Me: I already said I don't own this stuff! I'm just saying it's my concept. They can't hold me for that. Freedom for ALL! (everyone looks at me strangely) Heh heh…on with the fic!
(Begin Chap. 2)
…The pristine, blue waves rolled in and out, lapping at the white sand. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the palms and other assortment of tropical trees. The sea appeared to stretch out past the brilliant sunset and into eternity. For most of the people who lived on Destiny Islands, they had no recollection of the events which took place after their world was taken in by the darkness that fateful night. Therefore, they didn't know any more than before the chaos began. They either believe there were no other worlds or they didn't care to know. At least they had this little, peaceful place.
But three good friends knew better than that.
For the past year or so, Sora, Riku, and Kairi had been through enough trials and tribulations to strongly account for the fact that beyond this sea, there were many other worlds besides theirs. While their first plan—to build a raft and drift aimlessly—didn't go so well, and while sightseeing had been a dead second priority, they had met friends and made connections that would last a lifetime.
Off the main island, where the town was, there was that smaller island—the one all the kids loved hanging out at. That was where they had built the raft. That was where Sora first encountered Ansem (the false one, anyway). That was where they left that world to start their own journey.
And, just a few days ago, this quiet little shore had been alive with celebration as they returned.
A pair of large blue eyes stared off into the glowing horizon. Sora sat on the bench-like paopu fruit tree on a familiar tiny patch of land. Next to him stood a silver-haired boy a year older than him. There was nothing much to say, really. After those first few seconds of unsuppressed joy, reality hit harder than a sack of bricks. King Mickey, Donald, and Goofy had to return to Disney Castle, and they were sad to see each other (and let each other) go. Sora had been through the worst with Donald and Goofy, the same for Riku and King Mickey. But world order had to be respected, and both a concerned Queen Minnie and an angry Daisy had to be dealt with.
"Nothing's changed, huh?"
"Nope, not really."
A small world, but part of one much bigger…Sora thought deeply upon the words he and Riku had shared a day ago. Yes, a much bigger world…
"Hey, guys!"
The two heard Kairi's close voice and turned around to see her running towards them…
…Sora woke up with a start.
He looked around wildly. Nothing changed about his bedroom, either. Clothes were still strewn around, his toys and wood carvings put together on the shelf.
The letter.
On his nightstand was a piece of paper with King Mickey's official seal on the corner. He groaned. No, that part hadn't been a dream. Only a couple of days after their happy return, trouble called the Keybearer forth to danger once more. The worst part was that he didn't want just Sora's help. Odd, considering the nature of the threat.
"Sora, you'll be late for school! Come and get your breakfast!"
Sora jumped at his mom yelling downstairs and looked out of his window. Being on an important quest for so long, and about to leave for another soon, school didn't even seem possible. Yet here he was, woken up and about to be late again. He climbed out of bed in near-record speed and hunted around for his uniform. Blue pants, matching blazer, white shirt, that god-awful blue plaid tie that annoyed him to the point where he always took it off after second class. He much rather preferred the outfit he received from the Good Fairies. That was the only outfit Sora made sure to take care of, putting it in the closet. But if Donald and Goofy weren't here, his Drive forms didn't really hold much purpose.
They would soon, though.
As he was stuffing who-knew-what in his briefcase-like backpack, he took a second glance at the letter. At the last minute he snatched it up and put it in his pocket. He had already reread it a thousand times, but he couldn't bring himself to admit it was true.
After mowing down breakfast, racing out the door, then coming back to retrieve his lunch from his mom's hands, Sora made a mad dash for the first signpost in town. They met there to walk to school together every morning, and he was always the last.
Eventually the buildings and two people standing on the first crossroads came into view. The first was a bemused Kairi, in her white blouse and plaid skirt; the second was Riku in his own uniform, looking none too pleased. Sora stepped hard on one of his feet to brake, bringing him to a less-than-graceful stop. Kairi couldn't hold it in anymore and giggled loudly.
"Why is it that fighting all kinds of evil comes easy, but getting up on time is a challenge for you?" Riku complained, reaching out a hand to help Sora up. The brunette brushed himself off and pouted.
"I just haven't got back into the swing of things, that's all," he explained.
"Your hair's a mess," Kairi pointed out, putting her hands in the brown mess and straightening it up as best as she could. Sora looked over at her and smiled, getting an even prettier one in return. It seemed he had traveled for ages to see that smile again.
Suddenly, as if he had forgotten it, Sora reached in his pants pocket. As they began walking towards the school at the edge of town, he unfolded the piece of paper and began reading. Riku looked over his shoulder when he heard the rustling of paper and made a face.
"You're reading it again? Sora, I know we just came back, but—"
Sora looked at him with a hurt expression. Riku's glare immediately softened. Kairi turned to look at the two of them, feeling another in-depth argument coming on.
"I know. 'We may not be gone for so long this time.' It is Maleficent, after all. But there's a few parts I just don't get."
"Read it again," Kairi suggested. "Maybe we missed something."
"How could we have missed something? He read it—"
Riku stopped in the middle of his complaint when the redhead gave him a hard stare, and he sighed. Somewhere along the way, she had gained a degree of confidence—or stubbornness, he really couldn't tell. Sora focused as he walked and read the letter aloud at the same time:
"Dear Sora, Kairi, and Riku,
I deeply apologize for calling you back so soon, but more trouble's brewin'. At first I wasn't too concerned; it seems Maleficent didn't go down so easy when she stopped the Heartless for us in the Castle that Never Was. She used her full power to do it, so she's weak, and as usual she got Pete runnin' around doin' the dirty work. I was gonna take care of 'em myself, but there's more to it.
Someone broke into Ansem's old laboratory at Radiant Garden and the mansion in Twilight Town. Leon said all the data relatin' to the Heartless-makin' machine underground was stolen from the computer. As for Twilight Town, all of Ansem the Wise's notes he kept while he was there are gone, and not just the Reports—everything! On top o' that Pete's been given new powers by Maleficent, and he's spreadin' Heartless and Nobodies throughout all the worlds. I dunno what Maleficent's planning now, but I have a feelin' it's serious.
I know Riku and Kairi have been chosen as Keybearers too. Just to make sure, I'd like you to bring 'em along, Sora. The less portals we open in interspace, the better, so when we figure out what to do, we'll come for ya. See ya soon."
It was signed with his seal.
"Let's go over this one more time," Riku said, finally giving into his friends' curiosity. "So Maleficent isn't dead—"
"And neither is Pete," Sora added, "and Maleficent has control over the Heartless and the Nobodies."
"How'd she do that?" asked Kairi. "Weren't the Nobodies on the Organization's side?"
"This one guy once told me that they follow whoever's the strongest. We took down the Organization, and since Maleficent survived in the end, I guess she gained their trust," Sora explained. "Then there's the thefts…no doubt Pete's work, though I'm surprised he was smart enough to pull it off. They got some data from the computer and all of the real Ansem's notes."
"So the question is what they wanted the information for, and what was on those other notes that was so interesting. You think they're going to make more Heartless from that machine?"
"I doubt it," Riku brushed off Kairi's question. "Besides…all you need to make Heartless…are people with darkness in their hearts."
He said it in such a distant voice, as if it were a second thought. Sora nodded, remembering that Master Yen Sid had told him the exact same thing. A second later he shook his head.
"Yeah, but…only Maleficent's like that, right? I took care of Jafar, Ursula, Oogie Boogie…all of 'em. Maleficent may be bad, but she couldn't make enough Heartless to invade all the worlds at once on her own. And why is she making Pete invade the worlds with Heartless and Nobodies, anyway? Is she trying to lure me out?"
Riku stopped walking, a cautious glint in his eyes.
"You're right, Sora. Nothing adds up. We better be ready."
The thunderous song of the school bell's melody shattered the still air and broke everyone's thoughts. School was starting. Kairi gasped and started to run.
"We're late, guys!"
Sora took off after her, and a second later, Riku wasn't far behind.
…That afternoon was much more slow-paced, although Riku was even more grouchy than he had been in the morning. They had been late, and because of that it was after-school cleaning duty for them. Fortunately it was a small school. But Sora knew not to take it personally; Riku was just as glad as the rest of them that they were home, but he was restless…probably too restless.
Meanwhile, Kairi had run farther ahead, trying to catch up with Selphie.
"Hey, Selphie!"
Selphie heard her name being called and turned around. She stopped and waved towards her as she waited for Kairi.
"…Thanks…" Kairi gasped, bent over and trying to catch her breath.
"What's up?" Selphie asked cheerfully.
"Do…you think…you could collect out schoolwork…for a few days?"
"You mean yours, Sora's, and Riku's? Sure, but why…?"
The idea dawned on her a second later.
"You're not leaving again, are you?" she asked mournfully.
Kairi gave her an encouraging grin. "Much shorter this time. We'll be back by the end of this week. Promise."
Selphie thought about it for a while. Whatever Kairi said, she followed through on it. Of course she could hold her up to that. She nodded, and Kairi asked, "So, are you going to the island today?"
Selphie frowned and shook her head. "I'd like to, but I have homework. I think Tidus and Wakka already went, though."
"We might go," Kairi said. "I'll have to check with Sora and Riku. Thanks, Selphie! I owe you one!"
Kairi ran behind her, moving towards her two friends. Selphie stared at her retreating back and sighed.
"Much shorter this time."
She hoped it would be true.
…An hour later, Riku and Kairi stood patiently outside of Sora's house, changed out of their uniforms, looking up at the balcony that was connected to his room. There was a private bet between the two about when, if ever, would Sora hurt himself jumping down from that balcony whenever he met them for going out to the island. It wasn't that far from the ground, but…this was Sora they were talking about.
The windowpanes clicked and swung open. All in an instant a black and yellow streak leaped from the edge and landed in front of them without any incident whatsoever.
"You think anybody'll be there today?" Sora asked, dusting off his magically enhanced outfit. He opened one of his large red pockets to see if he forgot any keychains. It was a precaution. For the past five days they had staked out the island to see if anyone arrived to pick them up, by Gummi Ship or any other means. No one had come yet, but they still tried.
"We've been checking for the past five days. They must have thought of something by now," Riku answered, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
As soon as he said something, the smallest of dust storms began whirling on a single point on the road ahead of them. They turned around in surprise in time to see the small cyclone become increasingly bigger until a large puff of blue smoke and sparkles came from out of nowhere. Then they heard coughing and complaining, the form of a robed old man becoming more visible.
"Ugh…I told His Majesty we should've come by Gummi!"
"Merlin!"
The wizard adjusted his glasses and stared hard at the three friends standing in front of him. His bushy eyebrows raised, furrowed together, and then finally settled on a pleased expression.
"Ah, yes, Sora! Hello! Oh, and this must be your friends Riku and Kairi. The King mentioned them in much detail." He adjusted his glasses again and took in the view of the islands and the sea. "My, no wonder you three were so anxious to return. Quite a lovely world, isn't it?"
"Where's the King? Didn't he come with you?"
Merlin shook his head. "The less people I carried with me the first time, the more power I'd have to bring you all back. Don't worry. The King, Donald, Goofy, and everyone are in Radiant Garden, waiting for you. I'm afraid I'll have to tell His Majesty that all these Heartless and Nobody attacks will be too much for me to handle, though. You'll have no choice but to go by Gummi Ship."
He groaned and clutched his back. "Oh, I'm terribly tired..."
Sora showed him to the front steps of his house, where Merlin sat, still muttering under his breath about the complications of interspace.
"So, are there any Heartless or Nobodies in Radiant Garden?"
"Hm? Well, they've increased, but it's still nothing Leon and the others can't handle. We had a scare right before the theft; they wouldn't let anyone go near the promenade. After that, they disappeared as suddenly as they came. The thief probably got what they wanted by then."
"Is Tron okay?" Certainly that was a concern. After their final bout with the MCP, Tron had taken over the computer system so it could be free for the "Users", those who were in the outside world. Sora hoped the thief hadn't done anything to hurt him…
"He's fine. Leon went to check on things right after the Heartless and the Nobodies left. Tron said some information was missing from the database, and that was about it. Same with Twilight Town. His Majesty said nothing was unusual…except there's been a large increase of Heartless and Nobodies there as well. But he did say something was odd about how they were acting."
"Odd?" Riku asked suspiciously.
"Yes. As far as we can tell there's been no attacks on humans. It's as if they're not even interested in collecting hearts anymore."
Before any of them could respond to this alarming news, Merlin stood up and arched his back, finally feeling rested enough for one more trip through interspace.
"But I believe it's best if you come see for yourselves. Now, is everyone ready?"
Sora's stomach dropped. The joy of seeing Merlin again almost made him forget about the grim fact he was leaving Destiny Islands again. But there was a bright side: at least his friends would be with him this time. He looked at his friends to make sure that this was truly it. Kairi smiled cheerfully and Riku gave his usual confident smirk. Sora turned back to the wizard and nodded.
"All right then. Now let's see…"
He took out his wand and waved it about dramatically, closing his eyes for extra concentration. The whirlwind returned, engulfing all four of them in a show of blue smoke and sparkling effects. The last sight Sora saw was the early afternoon sun hovering over the blue seas and the tiny island off the coast, where this whole adventure began.
(End Chap. 2)
Me: I know, not much action. It'll get better soon, though. I believe in plot development; I have to. I want to be a real novelist soon.
Larxene: Blah, blah, blah…it's always about Sora, isn't it?
Me: Well, he IS the main character in the games, if not the most important one. Don't worry. First you have to be brought back to life.
Larxene: And how'll that happen?
Me: Not with a fingersnap, I'll tell you that much. Join us again for Chapter 3, won't you?