Disclaimer: The Mad Doctor claims no ownership to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. It belongs to Disney and Square Enix.
Notes from the Mad Doctor: Greetings readers. I'd like to apologize for deleting the initial posting of this story. But since I made the mishap of posting a review meant for a different story to it, it was the only way to get rid of it. So, to those who were following this story as well favoriting it, I am sorry for its abrupt disappearance. I sent out private messages to notify of this development so you can re-follow and re-favorite. Anyway, on with the show! Enjoy!
Chapter 5: A Gift for the Princess
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"Child? Why do you weep?"
"Huh?" asked Kairi as she ceased crying and raised her head. She looked around for the source of the mysterious voice. But there was no sign of anything in the darkness.
"Who's there?" she asked.
Suddenly, a beam of light shone down upon her from above. She looked upward and saw a glowing portal of light hovering in the air.
Within it was the silhouette of what appeared to be a woman. But the light was so bright that Kairi couldn't make out any discernable features
"I believe I asked you a question first, my dear. Tell me, why are you so sad?" she asked in a gentle tone of concern.
Kairi hung her head down. "It's because I'm responsible for something awful."
"And what may that be?"
"My friends and I were in a great battle to save the worlds. Though we won, I was killed and someone very special to me had to trade his own life to bring me back," said Kairi.
"Sounds like you think very highly of this person. Especially if his loss is causing you such great sorrow," said the woman.
"He was one of the best friends and people I ever knew. It's not right that he helped so many and saved the worlds and doesn't even get to enjoy his victory."
"And why do you shoulder the blame for what happened to him? Truly, there must be someone more responsible than you."
Kairi's eyes narrowed in anger. "Oh, there is. The man who set all this pain and suffering in motion: Xehanort. He hurt so many people including many of my friends. He's the one who killed me and left me with this horrible scar on my back. Now I can never forget him or everything he took from me."
Kairi's eyes then turned sorrowful. "But still, he wouldn't have been able to get what he wanted if I had been stronger. I trained as hard as I could and in the end, Sora still had to save me. This time, at the highest cost ever."
She gazed downward again. "All I ever wanted was to be part of his life for all time. There was so much I wanted to tell him. That I wanted to do with him. And now thanks to my uselessness, I'll never get that chance. 'And the Princess of Heart lived unhappily ever after.' Some ending to our story."
"Now child, don't speak so harshly about yourself. And who's to say that your story is over now? Perhaps it is merely the beginning of a whole new chapter for the both of you. I have a gift for you that may be just what you need to get started on it."
"Huh?" asked Kairi.
"Hold out your hand, my dear," said the woman.
Kairi said nothing but did as she was told and held out her right hand. As she watched, the woman extended her hand toward her. White light gathered in the palm of her hand and formed into a ball. The ball of light then floated from the woman's hand until it stopped just above Kairi's outstretched hand. The ball then shone brighter and brighter causing Kairi to cover her eyes.
When the light died down, Kairi felt something had entered her hand. She uncovered her eyes and her jaw dropped in surprise.
Sitting in her palm was what appeared to be a star made out of white crystal. It was slightly bigger than her palm, but not overly large that Kairi couldn't wrap her fingers around it. A gold chain was looped through one of the points indicating that it could be worn like a necklace or medallion. In the center of the star was a carved image of a flower with four petals and within the center of the flower was the shape of a heart.
"What is this?" asked Kairi.
"A very special talisman," replied the woman.
"It looks like a Wayfinder like my lucky charm that I gave to Sora or what Terra, Aqua and Ven had," said Kairi.
"I guess you could call it that then."
"What does it do?"
"It has the power to traverse the worlds and guide you to where you need to be."
"Where I need to be?" muttered Kairi before she let out a gasp. "You mean it'll take me to Sora?"
"Perhaps it will. But whether or not he is able to be saved will all depend on you," said the woman.
"What's that supposed to mean? Is there something I need to do? Because if there is, I'll do it! Just tell me!" demanded Kairi.
"You will have to forgive my vagueness, Kairi. I do wish I could tell you everything. But I can only get you started on this journey. There are some things you just have to discover and do for yourself. But trust me when I say that I have nothing but your best interests at heart and a sincere desire for you to be happy again," said the woman.
Kairi was still a little skeptical. She wished this mysterious benefactor would be clearer. But still, there was something about this woman that made her want to trust her, so she calmed down.
"Well, when you put it that way, I guess vague help is better than no help at all especially after seven months with no leads on how to help him. So how do I use this Wayfinder?" asked Kairi.
"That I can tell you and it is actually quite simple to use. All you need to do is hold it to your heart and will it to take you where you need to be. And after you've done what you need to do in the world that it takes you to, it will glow and that's when you'll know it's time to move onto the next world," said the woman.
"That simple, huh?"
"Just keep in mind that wherever you go, you're there for a reason even if it's not apparent. But I must warn you, Kairi. Once you start on the path that the Wayfinder guides you on, there will be no turning back. And though the various threats to the worlds such as the Heartless, the Nobodies and the Unversed have vanished for now since the defeat of Xehanort, that does not mean that there won't be any danger. There are still many evildoers and villains that you may encounter. So, ask yourself this, Kairi, are you prepared to take that risk?" asked the woman.
Kairi didn't have to think twice. "I may not fully understand what you're trying to do. But if there's even a slim chance that this Wayfinder will lead me to Sora, then I'll take it. He risked everything to save so many including me. It's time someone did the same for him."
"You are a very determined young lady, Kairi. That will serve you well on your journey. Now one final piece of advice. Throughout your travels, heed these words: follow in the footsteps of your special one and a broken heart may be healed. I wish you the best of luck," said the woman.
Suddenly, the light from the woman's portal began to glow brighter until the whole void was immersed in bright light. Kairi could no longer see any sign of the woman. But looking ahead, she saw a most welcome sight.
Standing with his back to her, was Sora. Slowly, he turned around and gave her the smile that she often believed that would reach any heart.
As the light increased, Sora began to fade from view. But before he vanished completely, his mouth moved as if speaking though no sound came out. But Kairi could read his lips and knew exactly what his message was. It warmed her heart to no end.
"See you soon."
Destiny Islands
Back in her bed, Kairi awoke. As she sat up, Pluto awoke as well and crawled up to her with a look of concern on his face.
Kairi let out a deep sigh. "That definitely was the worst dream yet, Pluto. It's bad enough that it started with such awful things. But then it torments me further by pretending to give me something that can guide me to Sora. I really must be going crazy," said Kairi as she rubbed her temple.
Suddenly, her other hand brushed up against something under the bedcovers. Upon noticing, Kairi pulled them back and her eyes shot wide open as did Pluto's.
There, sitting on her bed, was the Wayfinder from her dream!
Kairi couldn't believe her eyes. "I-It's here! It's real!"
'If it's really here when I'm awake, does that mean that it really will lead me to Sora?'
Cautiously, she reached for it. Now that she knew it really existed, she was a little more hesitant. For all she knew, it could be some kind of trap.
Finally, her fingers touched the center of the Wayfinder. A warm feeling suddenly surged through her. It felt shocking but at the same time, it almost felt reassuring.
It was as if the Wayfinder was bringing back something that she thought she was losing: her hope.
Kairi picked up the Wayfinder by its chain and gazed at it. Pluto gazed at it too with a puzzled look.
"This is it, Pluto. This is what I've been waiting for. This is what's going to help me get Sora back!"
Pluto still looked confused. He didn't know what Kairi was talking about. But that trinket she was holding definitely hadn't been in the room when they had gone to bed.
Kairi immediately leapt up from her bed and started pacing around her room. "Oh, there's so much I need to do, I don't know where to start. I've got to get dressed. I've got to pack. Oh wait. That's already done. I've had my knapsack packed for months. I've got to leave a note for Mom and Dad. I've got to call Riku and…"
Kairi stopped herself. In all her excitement over the Wayfinder, she had completely forgotten two things: that she had left her Gummi Phone in the Secret Place and that she wasn't currently on speaking terms with Riku.
Kairi brought the Wayfinder up to her eyelevel. 'Should I go tell him and the others about this?'
Then Kairi remembered how Riku and the others reacted when she told them she felt Sora a month ago. A bitter feeling came over her.
'And tell them what? That you were given this talisman that'll lead you to Sora by a mysterious woman in a dream? They'll think that you're losing it, Kairi. They didn't believe you before, so they certainly won't believe you now.'
Kairi walked over to her window. Looking through it, she saw the dawn beginning to break over the horizon where the sky and sea met.
'Looks like I'm on my own for this journey. And that's probably the way it should be. Sora's where he is because of me so it's my responsibility and mine alone to bring him home. And when I do, Riku and everyone else will finally realize they made a mistake and apologize for giving up. That's right. When I get Sora back, everything will be okay again'
Her mind now made up; Kairi immediately began her preparations.
Much later, now fully dressed with a knapsack full of shrunken supplies on her back and the Wayfinder hanging from her neck, Kairi opened up her window. Turning around, she looked at her bedroom door knowing that her parents, who were still asleep, would open that door in the morning and find her gone. She then turned to her bed upon where a folded piece of paper had been left on top of her pillow. A pang of regret shot through her.
'I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. I hate to run away like this. But I can't let anyone stop me. Hopefully, my note will provide a good enough explanation. I'll be back soon. I hope.'
She then climbed up on the window ledge and looked to the ground. Most people would have been afraid to jump from a second story window. But not her. She had jumped greater distances such as the giant leap she took in the Castle that Never Was when Sora was being attacked by the Organization's Heartless. Compared to that, this was nothing.
With a deep breath, she leapt out and dropped to the backyard below. She landed easily on her feet. Turning around and looking up at the window, she called up in a whisper, "Okay Pluto! Your turn! Come on down!"
In response to her call, the dog leapt out of her window. Like her, he landed on his feet.
"Nice landing, Pluto. You must be part cat."
Pluto suddenly gave a look of offense. Clearly being compared to a feline didn't sit to well with him.
"Easy, boy. I meant no offense," said Kairi as she held up her hands in defense.
Then she knelt down so she could look Pluto in the eye. "Pluto, you've been a great friend and a great comfort to me this last month. So, this isn't going to be easy for you to hear."
In response, Pluto gave her a questioning look. What was she about to say to him?
"Since I'm going off to find Sora, I think it's time for you to go home. So, I want you to go to Riku and he'll make sure you get home to Disney Castle."
Kairi then gave Pluto an affectionate pat on the head. "I really loved having you stay with me this past month. I'm really going to miss you."
With that, Kairi rose up and walked toward the gate that would take her out of the backyard. She opened it up and headed for the sidewalk.
But as she walked down the sidewalk, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Pluto following her.
"Pluto, this isn't the way to Riku's house," she said.
In response, Pluto just continued to walk until he reached her side. Stopping, he looked up at her and gave her a smile.
"I can't take you with me, Pluto. It could be very dangerous."
The dog just walked in front of her, turned around and sat down. His eyes contained a glimmer of determination.
'Seems he really wants to come with me. But I don't want to put him in danger. Sure, Sora had Donald and Goofy with him on his adventures and Riku had Mickey with him. But they all had skills and powers to protect themselves while Pluto has none.'
But then Kairi recalled, from what she had heard, that for the duration of the past adventures, Pluto had been off on his own doing something that was still unknown to them. And he had shown up in the nick of time to protect her from Axel when he had tried to kidnap her.
'Maybe he'll be able to handle himself just fine on the journey. Plus, it would be nice to have some company.'
Then Pluto gave one of the classic puppy-dog eyes looks to her. She had to cover her mouth to stifle her laughter.
'Oh, how can I say no to that face?'
Kairi smiled and scratched Pluto on the head. "Pluto, you are definitely the best dog in all the worlds. All right. You can come along."
Pluto barked happily and started licking Kairi's cheek. Kairi giggled for a moment before shushing him.
"Keep it down, Pluto. We don't want to wake anyone up especially my parents. Now let's get going. There's something I need to do before we leave the Islands."
With that, the two of them continued onward. Kairi didn't know what truly laid on the journey ahead. But with the Wayfinder in hand and Pluto by her side, she would explore any world, face any obstacle and fight any enemy that stood in her way.
Nothing would stop her in her efforts to reunite with the most special person in her heart.
Notes from the Mad Doctor: Our girl is on her way. As for her mysterious benefactor, you'll just have to stay tuned to find out her identity. But feel free to guess though I will not confirm nor deny. But should you guess right, you're pretty sharp. Next chapter will be the official departure from the Destiny Islands with the first use of the Wayfinder as well that something she needs to do before she goes which will be a recurring element that will happen upon each departure. Reviews are much appreciated! And again, sorry about the deletion. Stay tuned!