Here we go: Chapter Eighteen.

Y'know what: I might just finish this story tonight. Seeing as how it's New Years. I have all night, you all can read and review at the end of it.

This one's a Corey and Xadmain interaction scene. Corey's basically the Riku of the story, though it's not a confrontational role between him and Ned or anything. On the contrary, they won't meet again until much, much later. He'll just have his own side story to work out, his own issues.

Enjoy this pretty short but satisfying for me chapter.

Chapter Eighteen: Darkness Wave

What a dark, dreary place, thought Corey to himself as he walked down the long hallway.

It was a hallway of complete shadow. No lights or anything. It was so dark, he could barely see a foot in front of his face. He held out his hands and could only vaguely read out the outlines of them.

I guess somebody forgot to pay the electrical bill or something.

He kept walking forward, even though he felt it hopeless. He had been walking this hallway for at least half an hour and still, he had not found an exit. If he walked into a dead end, he would be so pissed.

"Man, this place sucks," he said aloud.

"I take offense to that. It is my castle, after all."

Corey whirled around. The voice belonged to a figure. Who it was was hard to tell, what with the darkness and all. All he could tell was that he was yea high and was broad, judging by the outline.

"Who's there?" he demanded.

"A friend," came the cold voice, "No one but a concerned friend."

"You're no friend of mine," said Corey firmly.

"Oh, but I am," said the voice, "I'm a friend who's appalled that you allow your so-called 'friend' to go in and take the spotlight all the time."

"Ned? He does not."

"Oh, but he does."

"Does not."

"Does too."

"Does not."

"Oh, I am so not gonna play that game."

Corey was confused. Ned never took the spotlight from him. If ever, he took the spotlight from Ned. He was always kinda the one who took center stage in everything they did. What was this guy playing at?

"Ned doesn't get more attention than me," he stated firmly.

"Oh? So being missing for two months and then being in a coma made him invisible, did it? And even now, he wields that powerful Keyblade and makes you look like a back-up, second string fool."

Ouch. That was true; Ned was getting the spotlight these days, and Corey couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous. But still it was ridiculous, and he quickly dismissed it.

"Oh, like he had a frikin choice," snapped Corey.

"But he did have a choice. And so do you."

Maybe it was just his eyes, but Corey thought everything was darker, and getting more so fast. Whoever he was talking to was lifting out his arms.

"You have a choice, Corey. You could choose to be the sidekick… or the hero."

"How do you mean?" he asked.

"I can help you. With the power of darkness on your side, you can become much stronger. Stronger than Ned, stronger than any that walks this earth."

"You seriously think I'll listen to you?" Corey demanded.

The man laughed. The laugh was just as cold as his voice.

"Whether or not you choose is up to you," he said, "I wouldn't want to control your life for you."

It was so ridiculous. And yet, Corey couldn't help but get drawn into it. A chance to be all powerful… all his life, he and Ned had been equally matched. They had pushed each other long and hard, often to the point of break. And despite their friendship, they had always been rivals. Rival over strength, over grades, over who was best at what. Over Ren, even, for Gods sakes. And for what? Neither would win at the rate they were going. And if he had to have been truthful, he didn't want Ned to win, get the girl. He wanted to.

Jealously and pride were starting to take over him. He wanted it, so badly, it hurt. But he didn't trust this stranger. Though it was too good to pass up. He would do it. He would take what this man had to offer him. And see just how good it was.

"OK," he said, "Lemme see it."

The man chuckled in the dark. An omnipresent, eerie grin.

"Then, my friend, receive your weapon… AND it's power!"

From the darkness, a new power was forming. The darkness was turning itself into a blade; a large, jagged weapon, dark purple in color, but nice and razor-sharp. The handle curled a bit, and, as Corey snatched it, fit nicely into his hand. As if for him it was for all along.

"You hold the Soul Eater in your hand," said the voice, "this weapon was forged from the depths of the darkness ten years ago for someone much like yourself. With this weapon in hand, you now allow darkness itself to sweep through your veins."

"Huh? Wait a minute-"

"DARKNESS WAVE!"

Suddenly, Corey was on the ground, crying out in pain. This "power" as it was called, was too much. He was starting to feel faint, and dizzy. It was killing him, this darkness. He couldn't handle it.

"What are you doing to me?" he hissed, his voice deadly.

"The trial of the darkness fusion does not come without pain," said the voice, "This is why you must enter step 2."

"What's that? Lose my heart and memory? If that's it, then my answer is FUCK YOU!!" Corey screamed, his voice echoing off the shadows.

The voice boomed with laughter.

"No, no," he said, "All you must do is submit to sleep. By allowing that, you can allow the darkness to run its full course on you."

"And… and the pain'll go away?"

"Yes."

"Anything to make it stop. Please!"

"Granted."

Fatigue crept over Corey's figure. He tried to focus, but he couldn't. The darkness was just too overwhelming.

In the end, he gave in.

-----

"Too easy," Xadmain laughed, standing over Corey's unconscious form, "Two down, one left."

"How you gonna do it?" asked Xoej.

"I think I'll just talk to him and see where it goes… and maybe test his strength."

"A fight. Man, you get all the fun. I get nada."

Xadmain just smirked. Xoej looked at Corey.

"What about him?" he asked.

"Dump him in the basement at the Fortress. We'll deal with him later."

"And he'll have darkness when he wakes up?"

"Perhaps… if he can overcome the trial first. Or I should say… if he lives through the trial…"

Next chapter: Fight Scene

Dun dun dun!!!

Review at the end of the story, cause this ends tonight.