Chapter 4: A Chain of Memories
The room that we found ourselves in was vague and white, misted over and limiting our vision to only a few feet in front of us.
"I remember this place." Riku observed, carrying Sora's limp body in his toned arms, our footsteps the only sound accompanying his voice.
"I would imagine…" Namine responded, leading us forward.
"Riku, what's happening to Sora?" I whispered quietly, peering over to him.
"I'm going to try and return his memories…piece together the missing ones." Namine replied.
"Well, I know that, but how? I mean, is he-"
"We have to go and find them, Kairi." Riku looked down at me, patience draining from his eyes.
"Yes. I can piece them, like a chain."
"A chain of memories?"
"Exactly." Namine and Riku chorused.
Namine stopped, as my eyes took in a huge, glass pod that was empty. It seemed fairly large, raised a foot or two above the ground.
"What's that?" I asked, looking inside the empty shell.
"It's where Sora will be." Namine nodded to Riku.
"Oh. So…"
"He'll be sleeping." Namine said, watching Riku lift Sora's body into the machine. His body lifted into an upright position, still tranquil in his rest.
"Ah." I nodded sadly, as I looked at Sora's long eyelashes that rested at the tip of his cheekbones. I now realized it would be a while before they lifted.
"A few years ago, Sora lost his memories. But it was my fault." Namine looked up at Sora's suspended body, gripping the bottom of her white dress guiltily.
"I broke him. I manipulated him. I lied to him…I deceived him…" she bit her lip, eyes watering. "And…I brought back his memories of you…and the islands, and everything…and now it's all gone again." She shook her head, disappointed.
"Namine, it's not your fault," Riku stepped forward, putting a calming hand on her shoulder. "If it's anyone's fault, it's that damn Organization. They came back. They weren't supposed to."
Namine blinked, nodding slowly. "Yes. I suppose you're right."
I quietly stood there, hands at my sides. It felt so strange, that he was so lifeless. He was supposed to running around with his silly jokes and his boyish grin, the one he always wore. Now it was a neutral peace. Something so unlike Sora.
"All you need to worry about it staying here with Sora and piecing back his memories," Riku assumed responsibility to start a pep talk. "Leave the rest to us. We'll be fine."
He triumphantly glanced up, looking up to his sleeping friend.
"Don't worry Sora, we'll kick those nobody's asses for you. We'll bring your memories back. No matter what it takes. They don't stand a chance against us."
I rolled my eyes. If that were true, then they would have been lying on the ground in agony…not us. We lost.
Organization XIII: 1
Keyblade Masters: 0
"Those memories will be yours again in no time." Riku crossed his arms confidently.
He turned back to Namine, blue-green eyes lit up with inspiration. "We're counting on you to use your talents. We'll go after the memories. We can do this." He offered a smile.
"Where do we even begin?" I asked him, folding my arms with an exasperated sigh.
Riku turned around to face me, his smile growing wider.
"We can start here, in Twilight Town. I'm sure some memories have scattered to here."
"What makes you think that?" I cocked my eyebrows at him.
"Uh…" the corners of his mouth slide downward.
Namine turned around, long blond hair whipping over her shoulder.
"Sora has collected memories over the course of his lifetime, and if they're lost, then they either go back to where they were created, or…"
"Or?" Riku and I implored the answer out of her.
"Are randomly scattered."
"Are you kidding me?" I asked her, gripping the side of my hair and tugging on it.
"Seriously?" Riku followed, throwing his hands to the sides in disbelief.
Namine shook her head innocently.
"So that means they could be anywhere!" I gaped, not prepared for this kind of task.
"Great…" Riku paced around a bit. "It was too simple to be true…"
"Riku, it's not that bad. I'll find out how many memories are missing, and you can keep searching. I thought we said we could do this." She smiled.
"I never said we couldn't," he turned around, looking at her sincerely. "It's just that there could be hundreds."
"Or thousands."
"Or millions…"
Riku and I looked at each other.
"Oh Kingdom Hearts help us."
Namine stared at us, sighing.
"Look. Sora's here, helpless. We need to restore him."
I smiled, nodding, determined to see my best friend again.
"It looks like we have work to do, Riku," I turned to him and nodded. "We can do this!"
Riku looked to me, nodding in return.
"Yeah, what are we complaining about?" he questioned. " I mean, we're not the ones stuck in a space pod." He laughed jokingly.
"Haha, yeah…" I replied, guilt washing over me.
I recalled when Sora jumped in front of me, his scream of pain, the Keyblade in his heart, memories flying everywhere. And then his fall to the ground, lifeless. Only air meaninglessly coursing through him.
"I'll be here." Namine giggled, standing next to Sora, activating the transparent doors to close around him. "Go after the memories."
"Okay. We'll be back soon." I beamed, turning around, following Riku who was already departing.
"Hey, wait." She called, stopping us both in our tracks.
"Yes?" Riku blinked in confusion.
"Stay away from Organization XIII. If you get caught or worse…" she didn't voice her fears, but continued warning us. "Just focus on the memories. Talk to people, blend in. You may have to go to other worlds, and some may not be easy to find. Come back here every so often and give me the memories. Collect them in these bags," she pulled two blue bags from behind her, handing us the draw-string style sacks.
"Don't. Lose. These." She commanded clearly and slowly.
We both nodded.
"But, what are you going to do while we go after Sora's memories?" I asked her.
Namine shrugged. "Draw I suppose." She gave a smile.
I gave a small laugh, and turned after Riku.
"We'll be back!" I waved, excitement pulsing through me for our new journey.
"See you soon." Namine smiled, and turned back to Sora, folding her hands in front of her.
"Okay, let's try the Plaza first," Riku offered, walking through the mist, leaving Namine and Sora behind. "That way, we have direct access to other sections of the town"
"That sounds good." I replied, squinting my eyes as the afternoon sun of Twilight Town filled our vision, bright and sudden.
Our escapade had begun.
