Disclaimer: Not mine, yay!
Chapter 15- Sora's Realisation
Glowing blue butterflies flittered around the party as the Keyhole gave a click and locked. The waterfalls echoed through the tunnel and into the cave, creating an eerie presence.
"See, we found a Keyhole without Iji's help." said Sora proudly with a smile.
They were strolling back through the jungle to their ship. Tarzan had been a big help to them although. Sora stopped walking as he remembered something the jungle-man had said.
'Friends in our Hearts... No Heart, no friends.' Sora's smile faded. 'Iji…' he thought. 'You said you wanted to help, but all I did was ignore you…'.
"Ahyuk… Sora?" called Goofy from ahead.
"Arg!! I've been such an idiot!" Sora shook his head. "Donald! Goofy! We gotta get back to Traverse Town and get Iji!"
"Huh? What's with you all of a sudden, Sora?" asked Donald.
"I can't believe how stupid I've been! Great friend I am to Iji! Not even letting her travel with us! I haven't even been helping her regain her memories!"
Sora raced towards the Gummi Ship, eager to leave.
"Hey! Wait for us!" yelled Donald and Goofy.
*****
Sora burst in through the hotel doors and proceeded into Iji's room. Leon was sitting on the bed, looking dead serious, even more so than usual.
"Where's Iji?" asked Sora.
"She's gone, Sora." Leon looked up into his eyes. "Someone took her when you were out exploring. We think it was the Heartless, but also that Maleficent was behind it too."
The boy fell to his knees. "Whaa? Why Iji…? Why'd you let them take you?"
Leon picked up his Gunblade and went to leave. He paused at the doorway. "Well Sora, it's your choice." He disappeared, leaving Sora to mull over it.
Sora smacked the ground with a fist and stood up. "I'm coming for you Iji. Just hang on."
*****
Iji slept soundly on the bed in the grand bedroom. Riku watched on from his place in the corner and thought about how alike they both were. He gazed at her closed eyes for second, wondering why they made his Heart feel funny when she looked at him and smiled.
"You've done well, child." Maleficent stepped out from the shadows.
"Why exactly do you want her?" asked Riku. He had a feeling something was up.
"She is a very special creature, this girl is. She possesses powers that neither you nor I can imagine." The witch approached the bed to look down up Iji.
Riku contemplated. "Why did Sora leave her behind then if she has such powers?"
Maleficent stroked her pet raven. "You see, child, this girl-"
"Her name is Iji…" interrupted Riku.
"…Iji, how very appropriate… Named after the memories she no longer has." Maleficent mused.
"She's lost her memories?" asked Riku.
"Undeniably," She nodded. "Her powers are lost within herself, unable to awaken until she has regained her memories."
Riku walked up to the bed to look at Iji in wonder. "How'd she lose her memories though?"
Maleficent turned her back to the silver-haired teen. "That I do not know. Now if you will pardon me child, I have business to attend to."
The door slowly opened and Maleficent motioned for Riku to leave.
"I think it would be best if we had no interruptions."
Riku frowned, but did as he was asked and left. 'Iji had better be okay after your 'business', Maleficent.' he thought.
"Awaken, dear child." Maleficent turned back to Iji and waved a hand over her.
Iji slowly opened her eyes and spotted the witch. "Are you the friend Riku said could help me?"
"Indeed I am, child. I can help in aiding your companion." The witch hid a devious smile behind her hand.
"You can?" asked Iji eagerly.
The witch nodded.
"But of course, child. We'll have to carry it out in secret however."
"That's okay. I just want to help." Iji smiled.
Maleficent stepped closer and bent down to whisper in her ear. "You are a good girl for wanting to help him."
Iji blushed as she saw a vision of Sora's smiling face.
"Now, if you wish to help him, here is the arrangement; I am going to send you to a world called Agrabah. There you will meet a comrade of mine called Jafar. He shall guide you and clarify the rest of the plan to you when you arrive."
Iji nodded enthusiastically. "Okay."
"If you are a good girl and help Sora to find the Keyholes, you may find that your memories will return to you." Maleficent lied, but she knew Iji was too naïve to know any better.
"Find… Keyholes…? How do I do that?" Iji blinked.
"Why, child, deep down inside you there is a unique and great power. By using this power, you can locate a world's Keyhole. That is how you can help Sora. Let us go now. The quicker we get to Agrabah, the quicker you can help him." Maleficent opened a portal and lead Iji inside.
Riku frowned as he watched from a crack in the door. "I shouldn't have let her leave." he growled.