Re: Inverted Sky - Kingdom Hearts I
This story idea was made possible by Bighead98, I hope you all enjoy.
Summary: A retelling of the Kingdom Hearts series with the following requested alterations to the character of Sora; they are the natural born wielder of the Kingdom Key-D, and was born as a girl.
There will be additional changes to the story as a whole, which will mainly alter (or help make sense of) certain aspects of the canon. I will include other changes as well to truly make this story my own, all while still staying true to the spirit of the Kingdom Hearts series.
This is a remake of my previous Inverted Sky story, which I had unfortunately decided to abandon. After learning from my many mistakes, and having a clearer vision and direction of the story, I decided to start over. Therefore, I hope everyone enjoys this version equally, if not more so than the prior one.
Chapter 1: Dive into the Heart
I've been having these weird thoughts lately.
Like is any of this for real or not?
Floating in endless darkness. No up. No down. No direction of any kind. Nothing visible, save for a single lone figure.
A young girl slowly opened her soft blue eyes, gazing out to the void-like expanse around her. Blinking and squinting, she could only make out an ever so faint outline of herself and something large from below. Or perhaps it was above her. The only thing she could understand, was that she was slowly coming closer to it.
Was she falling? Or flying?
The teen gradually drifted until her feet touched whatever surface lay ahead. It was vaguely soft, almost like sand. A familiar and comforting feeling, reminding her of home. But as she gazed in every available direction, nothing else could be seen. With a strained breath, the girl took a step forward in the hopes of finding something more in this oppressive darkness.
Upon which, a sudden burst of energy echoed out from this point of contact. The sand-like ground rapidly dispersed in a blaze of black fire, yet there was no heat or light that would denote real flames. As the blaze ringed outward, it revealed a massive platform of stained glass just beneath. Of which emitted its own light, showing the circular image it portrayed with great clarity.
It was simplistic in appearance, only holding circles of various shades of blue. These shapes also varied in size, having several smaller rings within or between the larger ones. While it seemed blank at first, the girl swiftly saw how the glass beneath her began to shimmer. Taking a swift step back in confusion, she watched as the entire image started to shine like a sun's reflection off a body of water.
After just a few seconds, the glass returned to normal, but the depicted picture had not. It now contained a somewhat plain, yet beautiful background of an ocean and morning sky. In the very center, was an image of the teen girl herself.
Both eyes were closed, with her spiky brown hair drifting just past her shoulders. These locks hung past the collar of her red one-piece skirt, while similarly colored sport shorts could be seen beneath. Over her skirt, was a black and white jacket, a blue belt, and even a short silver chain that dangled on her hip. Her yellow running shoes hung over one of the circles of the image, giving the perspective that she was sitting on it. Meanwhile, one of her white gloved hands seemed to be reaching up toward the silver crown necklace around her neck.
An action that the girl herself mirrored, as though wondering if there was some sort of significance to it. But as she gazed at the image, the teen wavered on her feet slightly. Overwhelmed and unable to make sense of what she was seeing, her eyes began to dart from side to side. Examining anything and everything there was to see in this void-like place.
What sort of dream was this? Was it actually a dream? If so, what did it mean? If not...then where was she?
As she shifted her stance to regain balance, a voice echoed out from the area around her. Though there was no visible source, the girl couldn't help but look for one.
So much to do, so little time...
Take your time.
Don't be afraid.
The door is still shut.
Now step forward.
Can you do it?
As these words were spoken, the teen almost found herself smiling. The voice was gentle, calm, and higher pitched than anyone she had heard before. While this was clearly a stranger speaking to her, she didn't feel worried or panicked. If anything, she felt peaceful. As though she could sense this individual wanted to keep her safe. So with a soft breath, she moved forward a few steps.
Power sleeps within you.
If you give it form...
It will give you strength.
Choose well.
After the voice finished with these words, the girl felt something deep inside her rising up. It was energy. Like the biggest sugar-rush she had ever experienced was bubbling on the surface. Rather than feeling extremely active however, it was more as if she could release it externally somehow. The teen blinked a few times, musing about what the voice could have meant.
"Give it form..." she whispered aloud, sounding soft and thoughtful as her hand extended slightly outward.
The power of the guardian.
Kindness to aid friends.
A shield to repel all.
The power of the mystic.
Inner strength.
A staff of wonder and ruin.
The power of the warrior.
Invincible courage.
A sword of terrible destruction.
Though these words came to the girl's mind, she still wasn't entirely sure of what it all meant. But one thing felt absolute, this choice would have a great impact on her going forward. So the question she needed to answer was; what was most important to her?
She loved the idea of being a guardian with the strength to protect others. Though, she couldn't deny the excitement at the possibility of having mystical abilities. There was also a big draw of being a warrior however, especially with all the stories she had read throughout the years.
As she considered what choice she should make, it was merely a front. Deep within the girl's heart, the decision had already been made. Which led for the voice to speak up in the midst of her contemplation.
Your path is set.
"Huh?" the girl uttered aloud, looking upward in confusion.
Now what will you give up in exchange?
"W-Wait...but I..." she continued, as though ready to bargain for another chance.
Yet she already knew it wouldn't do any good. It was only when she realized there was a cost, that the girl began to second guess her choice. The teen immediately fell silent once more, her eyes drifting downward in deep thought. She was trying to determine what would be the smartest thing to give up. But the longer she did, the more her thoughts drifted to a recent conversation.
"If we're finally leaving the island together...then..." the teen whispered to herself, while giving a slow nod of determination.
"Then I should keep everyone safe." she continued, gaining an almost excited expression.
"We can't always rely on 'him' after all." were her last words before this ultimate choice seemed to have been made.
Following this declaration, a sudden flash of black energy swirled in the palm of the girl's right hand. Within it, a long key-like weapon appeared. The blade was gold in color, with a silver cross-guard, a crimson rain-guard, and a dark brown grip. Dangling at the bottom of it, was a golden chain that jangled softly.
It was the end of this chain, along with the key's 'teeth', that drew the girl's attention however. The design was the exact same as her own necklace. Crown-like in appearance, with an identical outline and shape. A dozen thoughts rushed through the girl's mind, yet she could only blink many times while staring in confusion.
Was it a mere coincidence, or something more?
You've gained the power to fight.
The girl briefly tilted her head up from this voice, but the teen's gaze slowly drifted back down toward the weapon in her hand. What did it mean to have the power to fight? What challenges would lay before her?
You have shown to be afraid of being indecisive.
You want to see rare sights in life.
And your friends are what seem to be most important to you.
The voice spoke softly, having read the girl's intent from both her reactions and spoken words. Yet as she listened to this, there was a hint of hope in these claims. Almost as though, the voice sought to help her grow, using these points as a basis.
Your adventure begins.
But no matter the hardships, you can and will persevere.
The day you will open the door is both far off and very near.
However...
As the voice continued, the light emitting from the stained glass platform began to dim. A split second later, the light instantly brightened to the point of nearly being painful. Squinting and holding a hand up to block the sting of shine, the girl heard the voice speak further.
...the closer you get to light,
the greater your shadow becomes.
This was a warning. One that lead for the teen to swiftly turn around and toward where she assumed her shadow might be. As the brightness of the light returned to normal, the girl was able to finally see clearly. Which she instantly wished she couldn't, as her eyes widened heavily. What had previously been a normal shadow, was now lengthened and contorted in an unnatural manner. It was not merely a dark version of her anymore, but something far different that drove a shiver up the girl's spine.
The terror had only just begun though, as the shadow itself started to emerge from the glass floor and take physical form. Its body was that of a massive and muscular humanoid, with a large heart-shaped hole in its chest that went all the way through. Its legs appeared rather short, while its arms were long and powerful. Upon its back, just barely visible, were a pair of small leathery wings. But it was the head of this creature that truly invoked fear, appearing like something straight out of a nightmare. Covered in in dozens of twisting and writhing tentacles, with only its glowing yellow eyes being visible through the mass. Both of which were solely focused on the girl herself.
Whom wobbled slightly on her feet while taking steps backward. Though there didn't seem to be any escape in this space, it didn't stop the urge to run.
But don't be afraid...
And don't forget...
The voice spoke out, sounding more and more distant as this behemoth towered above the girl. Yet as she paused to listen further, nothing more came. A deep sense of dread washed over her, now feeling alone against this insurmountable threat. The teen's body immediately froze in place, all while shaking in fear and watching the creature lifting a fist up.
Move...
Run...
Get away...
Screaming within her mind, the brown-haired girl found herself unable to do anything. Her limbs felt heavy, as though she was chained to the platform. The beast then lifted a massive fist up and over its head, before swiftly swinging it down at her. Said teen felt her stomach drop, her throat tighten and her breathing to stop.
Was this it?
Was she about to be crushed?
She didn't even understand what was happening, yet she was about to...
The girl's grip on the weapon tightened ever so slightly. Whether out of fear or simply an instinct to survive, it caused the blade to shimmer briefly. Then, in one swift movement that the teen herself couldn't even see, she swung the weapon in an upward arc. Not only deflecting the enormous hand coming toward her, but also caused the creature to stagger backward on its short legs.
She had felt her muscles move, yet it didn't feel like she was the one to move them. As if the blade itself compelled her to move and defend herself. When her gaze found this key-shaped weapon, the girl realized that she was able to move again. Even with the binding fear flooding her mind, it no longer prevented her from moving, at least for the moment.
I can do this...
I have to do this...
...I will do this!
With this inner declaration, the teen gripped the weapon tighter once more and rushed forward. A loud yell of a battle cry escaped her lips, channeling all her fear and panic into attacking. Thanks to the massive creature still reeling from her parrying blow, she was able to leap up for another strike. Though she jumped far higher than she normally could, it would be the least surprising feat of strength she would experience.
But don't be afraid...
...for you hold the mightiest weapon of all.
And don't forget...
...you are the one who will open the door.
Darkness filled her vision once more before...the sound of the ocean gently crashing onto a shoreline filled the air.
Here we are again, the beginning. I will try to make the updates weekly to start off with, but we'll see how it goes. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter and will let me know what you think of it. Also, if you have any worlds you'd like to see in this series, leave them in a review or PM me directly. Until the next one.