Chapter 4: Sacrifice Anyone?

The next day, Noah woke up before dawn again. He had trouble staying asleep. He kept dreaming about Sora and the things he and his friends had done and been through. He spent most of the night staring up at his ceiling in the dark, wondering about what was happening to him. He couldn't grasp it. Was he really destined to save this, Kingdom Hearts? He hadn't the faintest idea of what Kingdom Hearts even was, let alone what to do or even where to start.

That morning he didn't make breakfast. He didn't even eat anything. He took a shower, got dressed, and left. He hung out at the fort until dawn then made his way to the top of tallest abandoned building on the peek to watch the sunrise. Sunrise was always beautiful in Silvervale. Noah enjoyed observing different landscapes and such from tall points around town. He liked the peace and tranquility of being up so high all alone. Sunrise only made the experience that much more special, worth it, and appealing to him.

He sighed as he crossed his legs Indian-style and just gazed out over the sleeping town. It was so quiet early in the morning. Experiences such as those would definitely be something he'd miss if he left. He didn't necessarily want to get out of Silvervale, but he also really wanted to explore the world and see all the vast and different places, far and wide. He wanted to travel to the ends of the world and back. Nothing would make him happier, except, having his friends beside him along the way.

They were all heading in different directions. Though Jack and Riley always assured him that they'd always be together, Noah feared for the worst. He knew how things worked. People grow apart as time goes on. You make new friends and lose some. He was going to travel the world and write about his experiences and illustrate his books with his own sketches of landscapes and such. He was an artist at heart, with a thirst for adventure as well. Kaycee was going to be a wildlife expert, wanting to help endangered species in captivity from going extinct. Riley wanted to invent and build things. He was definitely smart enough and patient enough to create something amazing. They all truly believed in him, as well as each other. Jack, well Jack just wanted out. He never much liked being isolated in one place for long. He wanted to go places as well. He was a thrill-seeker. He was thinking of doing something along the lines of being an adventurer. He'd go make discoveries and uncover things that dwelled deep in caverns and tombs all around the world for whomever.

He figured that since both he and Noah wanted to travel, they'd travel together so at least they'd always be with each other, best friends to the end. Noah wasn't so sure though. He wanted to believe that it could happen. But he had his doubts. He never voiced them though. Whenever it was brought up, he merely smiled and nodded in agreement to whatever was said. He was much too thoughtful and loving of his friends to say anything to crush their dreams or beliefs.

After sunrise, Noah went back down to the fort to wait for the others. They'd come within a few hours. He wondered what they would do that day. Maybe they'd want to try to go to the park again? Noah was a bit wary of the idea. He'd prefer to skate down to the beach at the bottom point of town. Or maybe they could take the ferry to the amusement park and have fun there. They wanted to do all those things before summer ended after all. One could only hope. The park could surely wait.

"Noah! Noah, you there!?" Jack's voice rang out.

Noah stood up inside the fort. "That was fast." He said to himself.

The fort door flew open and Jack stood, panting in the doorway. "Come quick! You've gotta see this!" He cried before turning and bolting out again.

Noah raised a brow and shrugged, curious to see what all the fuss was about. He raced after Jack. "Where are we going, Jack!?"

"The beach!" Jack yelled in exasperation.

Once they reached the boardwalk, Jack passed out in the sand, breathing heavily. Noah was only slightly winded. He looked down at his friend. "So, what's up?" Jack merely pointed behind Noah, toward the sky above the water. Noah turned to look and was overcome with shock. His jaw dropped at the sight.

"Jack! Noah! Over here!" Riley called from further down the beach. Kaycee was clung onto his arm.

"What's happening!?" Noah shouted to Riley.

"I have no idea!" He replied.

Noah and Jack joined their friends, gazing at the sky in both awe and terror. It looked as though something made a tear right through it, and blackness was seeping out into the world. The wind began to blow wildly, towards the black abyss.

Riley pulled away from Kaycee, taking a few steps toward the waves that were violently crashing onto the beach. Kaycee tried to grab his hand to pull him back, but he only jerked his hand away. She grabbed onto Noah's arm, hugging it tightly. "I'm scared."

Noah looked at her. "I know. It's okay. Everything will be fine. I promise. Nothing will hurt you." He told her, giving her a hug then breaking away from her.

"Noah!" She cried, reaching for him.

Noah ran up beside Riley. "We have to do something to stop it." Riley stated bluntly.

"But what can we do?" Noah questioned.

"All we can do is try something, anything!" Jack shouted, approaching the two. "I'm ready. How about you guys?" He said boldly.

Without warning, the black creatures from Noah's dreams began to form all over the beach. There were tons of them, everywhere. The storm grew worse. It started to devour the sky and anything that the wind pulled into it. Kaycee screamed.

Noah whirled around to discover some black creatures surrounding her. "Hey! Get away from her!" He yelled as he charged toward the creatures.

"Noah! Kaycee!" Jack called, following after him. Riley too, chased after him. Just as they reached Noah, a ring of fire burst through the sand, enclosing the group along with the black creatures. They were dancing around the group, surrounding Kaycee for the most part. Noah grunted and gritted his teeth. He clenched his fists and stood his ground before the creatures, readying himself for attack. Jack and Riley stood with their backs to Noah, watching the creatures behind him. "What are we going to do!?" Jack shouted, clenching his own fists in frustration.

"Leave her alone!" Noah growled angrily at the creatures. They ignored him. "Come on, where is that giant key when I need it!?" He yelled out loud to himself.

Jack looked over his shoulder at Noah. "What are you talking about!?" He called back. "You're losing it man. Keep it together Noah!"

"The key from my dream!" Noah shouted back at his friend, clenching his fists tighter.

"This isn't the time for arguing or for made up fantasy keys you two!" Riley shouted over them.

Kaycee dropped to her knees in the sand, covering her head with her arms. "Help me!" She shrieked, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Noah couldn't break his promise; he refused to even allow the possibility. In doing so, he lurched forward toward the creatures that were right around Kaycee. "Get away from her!" He boomed, throwing all his weight into a punch at the nearest creature. At that moment, the giant key emerged from a flash of light that originated within his fist as it was heading for the creature. The key made contact with the back of the creature and it burst into black mist that quickly dissipated into the air.

Jack and Riley had whirled around in an attempt to grab and stop Noah but they were too late. They stood frozen in place, shocked at the sight of their friend with the giant key that caused the creature to disappear. That was the answer. They couldn't comprehend it at the time, but soon they'd know.

Kaycee too was gazing up in awe at Noah as he fended off the rest of the creatures. Once they were all gone, the key disappeared in another small burst of light within his hand. He then bent down and reached a hand out for Kaycee. "You alright?" He asked warmly.

"Uhh…" She was still a bit startled by what had happened. She grabbed his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet.

He smiled warmly at her, not letting go of her hand right away. "I told you that nothing bad would happen to you. Didn't I?"

She merely nodded and they rejoined Jack and Riley. The ring of flames had vanished as well. But the tear in the sky was still emitting darkness and sucking in the world.

"Come on guys, we have to warn everyone and stop that tear!" Noah said to the group, motioning for them to follow him back into town. They looked at each other then ran after Noah.

"So what the hell was that Noah?" Riley questioned, running alongside him. His tone was stern yet there was worry in his eyes.

"I've been having these strange dreams and illusions lately…I swear they're real though. Those creatures and that key have been in them. I'll explain later though. Right now we have to do something about all of this." Noah nodded to his friend.

Riley nodded back. "So what do you suggest? I mean, you seem to know at least a little something about this."

"Not really." Noah admitted as they stopped in the middle of the town. It was strangely empty.

"Guys, where is everyone?" Kaycee asked, scooting closer to Noah.

"Look! There!" Jack pointed toward the top of town, near their fort. They all followed suit and looked upward, stunned by what was there. The giant black human-like creature from Noah's latest dream was destroying the buildings, seemingly looking for something…or someone. They all gasped at the ghastly sight.

"Oh no!" Noah shrieked. His house was very close by to the creature and seemed to be right in its path. He grunted then took off running up the street toward the creature.

"Noah, don't!" Kaycee cried, reaching for him but missing his arm entirely.

"Where are you going!?" Jack yelled, chasing after his best friend.

"Guys stop!" Riley called after them. He then turned to Kaycee. "Stay here!" He demanded her then whirled around and raced after the two boys, pushing himself to run faster and faster in order to catch up to them and stop them.

"Riley! Come back guys!" Kaycee shouted both firmly and fearfully. She didn't want to be alone, but she also didn't want anything bad to happen to her friends.

Jack nearly caught up to Noah, trailing just behind him, almost within his reach. "What do you think you're doing Noah!? You're going to get yourself killed!" He growled at him angrily. He too didn't want anything bad to happen to his friends.

A flash of light burst from Noah's fist and in it formed the giant key that he had used to fend off the smaller black creatures before. Noah ignored his friends, focusing all of his attention on getting to his family on time and saving them from doom. He had no intention of dying himself, nor did he even consider the possibility. All he knew was he had been given something special and their world was turning upside-down. He had to do something about it.

Riley, though, being faster then Jack caught up to Noah just they were approaching Noah's street. He ran up alongside Noah and extended his arm toward him, reaching for his arm or shirt, or whatever he could possibly grab in order to stop his friend. He succeeded in grabbing Noah's arm, just above his elbow. He jerked him back roughly, causing his feet to fall out from under him.

Noah fell to the ground, landing with a thud on his butt. He grunted and immediately leapt to his feet. "What was that for!?" He growled fiercely at Riley, clenching the key tightly in his right hand and rubbing his butt-cheek with the other hand.

"Are you crazy!? You're going to get yourself killed!" Riley reprimanded him. "You won't be able to save anyone if you go and pull a stupid stunt like that! Think about it Noah! That thing is huge!" Riley was serious and not letting his guard down in the least…he wouldn't allow his friend to run straight to his death. He wouldn't back down.

Noah growled, gritting his teeth. Just then the creature turned toward the group and roared, causing the ground to shake and wind to whip past them. Jack gasped as the creature began bellowing towards them down the hill. Noah's eyes widened and he froze in place.

"Come on Noah!" Riley yelled at him, tugging on his sleeve. Noah didn't budge. "Come on!" He growled, pulling Noah roughly backward. Noah stumbled back a few steps then gasped, coming out of his frightened stasis. He whirled around then began racing in the opposite direction of the giant creature hurdling down the hill. Riley did the same, staying alongside his friend.

The creature roared again but stopped immediately as it reached the bottom of the hill. Jack pointed behind Riley and Noah just as they reached him. "Guys look!" They stopped short and looked over their shoulders to the creature.

"What the hell is he doing?" Riley asked aloud in confusion.

"I have no idea." Jack was equally confused, scratching his head a bit.

Noah just turned toward the creature and stared silently, expressionless, and seemingly emotionless. Everything fell silent around him, at least to him it did. It all slowed down. He had to do something. He had to stop it. But how? The key maybe? The creature was just so enormous and destructive. It seemed impossible to defeat.

Suddenly, a black cloaked figure appeared before the creature, facing the group menacingly. Noah was stunned. Riley grunted and Jack just stared, wide-eyed at the figure.

"You seem surprised to see me young Noah." The figure stated bluntly. "Did you really think I wouldn't keep my word? I told you I'd be back…I wasn't finished with you yet."

"Noah, you know this joker?" Jack asked his friend. No answer. Jack looked at the figure. "Alright, just who do you think you are messing with my best friend!?" Jack demanded of him.

"You dare to interfere, boy!?" The figure snapped, jutting forward. In an instant his gloved hand was wrapped around Jack's throat, lifting him into the air. His black hood covered his face, making him impossible to identify.

Jack choked, grabbing the figure's wrist tightly in both hands. Riley growled and lunged forward, aiming to punch the cloaked menace in the head. The figure immediately side-stepped Riley's attempt to hit him, still holding Jack within his grip. Riley stumbled past the figure and tried to counter with another punch. The figure slammed Jack to the ground in one hand and whirled around just in time to catch Riley's fist within his other. "Argh!" Riley cried out in frustration. "Noah! What are you doing!? Help us!"

Noah snapped out of his daze and panicked. "Wait, stop! Please!" He pleaded of the menace.

The figure released both the boys and stepped towards Noah, stopping a mere foot away from him. Noah looked up into the darkness where his face should've been. There was nothing there. "Take me." Noah said, trying to unlock the key again. It refused to appear for some reason. His head dropped in defeat and he held both arms out to his sides in surrender.

"Ah…so you do have some sense in you…" The figure chuckled evilly. "Come quietly now." The figure instructed, walking passed Noah and motioning for him to follow. "Your friends stay here."

"No way!" Jack protested and Riley held him back.

"Unless you want them all to die, Noah?" The figure challenged Jack's outburst.

"No!" Noah stated firmly, slowly following the menace. He looked back over his shoulder at his friends, tears welling up in his blue eyes.

"Forget them Noah. You're better off without them. They'll just hold you back." The figure sneered. He stopped just before the giant creature. It towered over Noah, gazing at him with its bright yellow eyes. It hissed and Noah winced slightly. The figure held his hands up above his head, as if conjuring something. A dark rip in the atmosphere appeared on the ground before them, brimming with purple electricity and dark mist. "Come now boy. It's time to reveal your destiny…Kingdom Hearts will be no more!" He cackled loud and sinisterly.

Noah just held his head low, feeling helpless and cold. What was he doing?

Jack broke free of Riley's grasp and charged toward Noah, the figure, and creature. The creature roared and went to charge forward to crush him, but the menace stopped him and just waited. Noah went to race forward to meet his friend but the figure lashed his arm out in front of him, stopping him. He grunted in frustration. "Jack, don't! Go back!" Noah shouted but Jack was much too thick-headed to listen and just kept coming.

"Leave him alone! Take me!" Jack yelled at the figure, stopping just before the dark portal torn thru the ground.

"Why in the universe would I take a rat like you?" The figure protested calmly.

""I'm the one with a dark heart! I want power and control! Noah's a goody-goody, a wimp, he'd never succeed! Kingdom Hearts will be mine!' Jack growled.

The figure took great interest in Jack and what had just been said by him. He looked at Noah then to Jack, gliding forward to him effortlessly. He moved around Jack, inspecting him. "Prove it." The figure finally sneered. "Give up this life and what's left of the pure portion of your heart, let the darkness and greed take over—fill it with hate and forget those that you care for the most." He chuckled.

Noah couldn't move, couldn't react, or speak. The cloaked menace had done something to him, sealed his feet to the ground with chains of darkness and bound his mouth shut with an unseen force as well.

Riley couldn't comprehend what was going on and refused to believe what his so-called friend was saying. Had he betrayed them all? Or was he sacrificing himself for them? His next move would reveal his true nature and values.

Jack didn't hesitate with his answer. He lifted his arms out just as Noah did before, surrendering himself to the darkness willingly. "To the darkness." He stated as if he worshiped it blindly.

"So be it dark one. There's hope for you yet. Come." The figure went over to the tear in the ground. The creature roared and allowed itself to be consumed by the dark portal as did the figure, slowly disappearing into the darkness as if he were sinking into quicksand. Jack followed after, not turning back to see Riley. He stood upon the portal and slowly sank into it, locking his gaze onto Noah which had turned to ice. This was not the Jack they knew.

Just as Jack was almost fully submerged, Noah broke free and shouted for his best friend. "Jack, come back!" But just as Noah reached the dark portal, it obliterated and he was thrown back to Riley. He grunted in pain, kneeling. "Jack…" He murmured unhappily.

--

Just thought I'd finally give my own input, being the author of this fic and all :P

I do plan on adding tons more over time…I just hope I get some feedback soon… It's really discouraging when no one says anything after reading. I never know what my readers like or dislike, what I should consider to change or take into consideration for the future. I wrote part of another fic a long time ago but my muse for that died…although a lot of people liked it. So tell me what you think so far, please? Thanks to all that take the time to read and/or review/comment. Just thought I'd take the time to say something myself.