Kchan929: Hello everyone one! Welcome to Ch 4 of BDW!
Naomi: Woot.
Kchan929: We're sorry for the wait, but boy do we have something special for you guys!
Naomi: Two parts
Kchan929: That's right! Ch 4 is a two parter! So why don't we just go ahead and get started!
Naomi: Read.

Chapter 4: Part One
Day of Destiny

A normal day in Destiny Island. Or at least that's what the people on Destiny Island thought. Sora had yawned and jumped on his spot on the paopu tree next to Riku. "Another boring day," he sighed. "Looks like it," Riku said stretching. "Everything's changed. You and Kairi too..."

"Oh, ya think so?"

"Yeah I do!..."

"Really? How so?"

"You're no fun anymore...and Kairi...she has boobs…"

Riku laughed. "Me? No fun? I guess we'll have to change that then! And yeah, she does have boobs now..." "How are you going to change your boring self?" Sora asked with curiosity. "Well, you're just gonna have to wait and see, now aren't ya?" Sora pouted not wanting to wait. "Fine. I'll just go... hide. And…you won't find me…Then you'll wish you had told me what you said." "Oh yeah, Sora! I'll totally regret it then!" Riku said sarcastically. "Hmph. I'm going to talk to the girl with the boobs!" Sora said meaning Kairi. Though he wondered to himself if Riku had any guilt in his heart what so ever? Making poor Sora doubt he'd ever have his old friend back! He jumped off the tree and walked off only to soon meet with Kairi.

"What's wrong? You two get into a fight?" she asked. "He's just being mean. I miss the old Riku." "I'll go talk to him!" Kairi suggested and she ran towards him. Sora just watched.

"Hey Riku!" she called to him cheerfully. "Hey Kairi," Riku said plainly. "What's wrong with Sora? What is it this time?" she asked knowing it was probably something silly. "Oh, he asked me something and I said he'd have to wait to get the answer." "What did he ask?" Kairi said curiously. "You're just gonna have to wait and see."

"You're way too mature!" Kairi laughed, "No wonder Sora is upset!" Riku pouted and crossed his arms. "Not like it's my fault. You guys are too immature!" "No, you sound like a kid!" Kairi giggled at his pout. They look more like they're flirting with each other! Sora thought while watching them.

"Hmph! Look who's talking!" Riku said to Kairi. "Oh I'm sorry! Am I making you mad?" Kairi teased as Sora was waving his hands angrily in the background. Riku just remained silent and pouted looking as if he were 5 years old.

This is so unfair! They're leaving me out on all the fun... Sora thought until a sly grin graced his face.

"Oh, I'm sorry" Kairi said playfully, enjoying how much she was getting to Riku as if he was Sora. "HI RIKU!" Sora yelled while pushing him on the back off the paopu tree.

"Whoa!" Riku lost his balance and fell into the ocean below. "SORA!"

Kairi watched in pure shock as the older teen was yelling at the younger one. "C'mon! You know it was fun! Or are you getting old, grandpa?" Sora teased as he ran away.

"You are so DEAD Sora!" Riku yelled getting out of the water and chasing after him.

Wow, he's gotten faster! Gotta try to lose him! Sora thought while he ran to the other side of the island. "You're gonna have to run faster than THAT if you want to live!" "No I love life!" Sora yelled as he climbed a tree then grabbed a seagull egg. "Hey catch!" he screamed to Riku as he threw the egg.

"What the-" he easily dodged the airborne egg and continued to chase him. "Ooooh! Riku made an egg drop!" Sora said as he pointed to a "soon to be coming to its nest" seagull.

"You're the one who threw the egg in the first place!" Riku said running from the scene of the crime.

"Bye!" Sora: 1 Riku: zip nada zilch zero! I reign supreme! Sora thought as he jumped down and started to head for the secret cave.

"I will GET you for that!" Riku yelled as the angry mother seagull was chasing him. He made his way to sanctuary inside the secret cave. "Wow, that took you long enough," Sora said with one of his trademark smiles, "You tired, grandpa?" Riku caught his breath. "Shut...up...and c'mere!" He wrapped his arm around Sora's neck and gave him a noogie. "Owwww!! I'm sooorry!! Truce! White flag!" laughed Sora.

Riku let go. "Now how ya like that?!?" he laughed. "My head hurts! ALOT! You should be feeling guilty!" Sora joked rubbing his head. "Yeah, well I don't! You sent a seagull after me so I feel I got my revenge!" "Well you deserved it! First, you act all high and mighty then you got Kairi at all your jokes! Jerk!" Sora pouted. "Oh really?" He pats Sora on the head. "I'm sooooowwy!"

Sora slapped Riku's hand away. "Stop treating me like I'm a baby because I'm not! I've grown a lot!" "Well, excuuuse me, sir!" Riku joked. Sora stuck out his tongue while walking over to the drawings he and Kairi use to make.

"This brings back memories. Remember when we went here and talked about monsters...?" "Yeah, and you were scared of the monster I told you about."

"That was a long time ago!" Sora said being red in the face. Riku laughed. "Of course, of course." "I've fought worse! Like you!"

"True."

"I almost miss going on adventures."

"Yeah, I kinda do too..."

Sora then walked over to the door knocking on it. "I always thought it was strange having a door inside a cave..."

"But then we learned why it's here!"

"Yeah... I can't believe it's been almost year already...since it all happened..." "

Yeah! Now we have to make up a year's worth of things! Like everybody's birthdays! So whad'you get me?"

"What? I haven't had time to buy any presents, you dweeb!"

"But I got you one! And I've been sleep for most of the year!" Sora complained. Riku sighed. "Alright, we'll go to the store one day and I'll buy you whatever you want. Ok?" Sora eyes lit up. One good thing about Riku was he was always so lazy with buying presents so he usually did shopping sprees. He's lucky it's not Kairi asking or he'd be in there all day! Sora thought while snickering to himself.

"Riku!" a voice known as Kairi's called in the opening of the cave, "My boat got stuck to the dock again!"

"Oh boy, not again! Looks like it's up to us again, huh?"

"You go ahead, I'll meet you there!"

"Alright. Let's go then Kairi!" Riku said walking out of the cave with her. Sora smiled until they walked out. He sat down. "Sure I've saved everything... somehow it doesn't seem worth it..." he muttered as he picked up a stone and threw it at the wall full of pictures.

Once the stone hit the wall and landed on the floor it split. "Weird...huh?!" Sora yelled as a violent spiral portal appeared.

"Ah, what a lovely day this turned out to be," Rhea said to herself as she stopped to take in the scenery. She stood atop a grassy hill that overlooked Castle Pherae. "...Brings back so many memories...This was definitely a good time to visit."

It has been almost a year since the defeat of the dark druid, Nergal. After the battle was over, Rhea decided to go traveling on her own once again. "I need to train just a little bit more. But don't worry, I might be back!" she had told her companions. Though she knew not everyone would be there, she thought it'd be nice to see some of her old friends.

"It's been so long...I hope they received the letter I had written..." Rhea had sent a letter in advance to Castle Pherae. She felt that it would be better for Lord Eliwood and the rest of her friends at Castle Pherae to know earlier that she'd be in the area around that time instead of surprising them. That way, they may prepare a nice meal! She thought.

Combing her long brown hair with her hand, she pulled her new blue cape over her head and started walking.

The same spiral portal that appeared in Destiny Island had appeared in the sky above the trail Rhea was walking. Rhea stopped to look up at the sky. "What in the world is that?" she asked to herself.

Before she knew it, a kid flew from it. "AHHHHHH!" "What in the-" was all she could say before the kid landed on her. "Ow!" was all the kid could say before he got up.

"Oh, sorry!" he said then started to look around. "Ow...ok, it didn't say anything about the sky raining kids. I'm gonna have to give that fortune-teller a piece of my mind!" Rhea said sitting up and brushing off dust. "I'm not a kid! And you don't look any older!"

"I'm 17, mind you!"

Sora's eyes widened. NO WAY! It was hard enough having Riku being older than him but now this mean lady! "S-so am I!" he responded. Rhea could tell he was lying, "Yeah, ok..."

Sora was getting angry. She was as bad as Riku! He got up and started trailing around. "RIKU!!! KAIRI!!" Where the heck was he?

Rhea stood up. "What in the world are you doing?" she asked. "I'm seeing if my friends are nearby! They can't be far!" "Um...if I'm not mistaken...you just fell from the sky...out of some weird...portal thing..." Sora looked up to see no portal. "Oh yeah. Was I the only one who came out!?" "I probably would've been in much more pain if any more came out..."

Sora looked disappointed. Was he all by himself? Would Riku and Kairi notice? "So...um...why DID you fall from the sky like that?" "I guess because of the portal." "I see...so then...I guess you're not from around here?" Sora shook his head, "Where am I?" Rhea blinked. "This is Pherae. It's a part of the continent of Elibe," she answered. Sora blinked. "Yeah, you're definitely new around here." "Can you help me? Please?"

Rhea never could resist someone in need. She thought for a moment. "Well, I'm not sure what I could do exactly, but alright. You should probably come with me. I'm on my way towards Castle Pherae," she finally said. Sora nodded. He had no idea what that was but he's been in situations like this before. "Well, alright then. Let's go," Rhea said starting to walk. Sora nodded as he followed.

They were walking quite a way so Sora decided to introduce himself. "I'm Sora," he said while walking. "Oh! I'm sorry, I hadn't realized that I hadn't introduced myself," Rhea took off her hood, "I'm Rhea. Pleased to meet you." Sora stared at her for a minute. She looked kinda pretty for a serious person. "Same here." he smiled. "Alright. Let's go," she said, smiling a little bit.

As they walked no more words were exchanged until they reached their destination. "Here we are," Rhea announced. Sora looked at it. "I really am in a different world…" They approached the gate, which was guarded by two soldiers. The soldiers looked at them skeptically. Rhea stepped forward. "I am Rhea. I believe Lord Eliwood received a letter upon my arrival?"

The two soldiers looked at each other. "THE Lady Rhea? The same Lady Rhea who helped Lord Eliwood?" one soldier said. "Ah, yes, that's me," Rhea said. The soldiers gossiped amongst themselves.

Sora blinked. Was this lady THAT popular?

Suddenly a voice boomed from behind the soldiers. "Oh, just let her in already!" Rhea smiled," I know that voice..." "Y-yessir, Sir Marcus!" the soldiers cried.

As the gate was opened by the guards Sora stared at the person assumed to be Sir Marcus. He was followed by a young man with shaggy hair that covered his face. "Well now, if it isn't little Miss Rhea!" Marcus said. "S-Sir Marcus! Sir Lowen!" Rhea exclaimed. "Rhea? Is it really you? It's an honor to see you again!" the shaggy-haired one known as Lowen said. "Likewise, Sir Lowen!" Rhea said happily.

"Rhea," Sora finally decided to speak up after they said their greetings, "Is there anywhere to get a map?" Marcus looked down at Sora. "Eh? Who's this kid?" "Don't call me a kid! I'm a teenager!"

Rhea sighed and said, "His name is Sora. He's... not from around here..." "Well that's apparent what with those garments," Marcus said. "What's wrong with my clothes?!!" Sora instantly snapped back, tired of the snobby people he's talked to so far. "You guys are the ones dressed like you belong in a medieval fair freak show!"

They all stared at each other, clearly unaware of what he was talking about. "Freak show or not, it is clearly your attire that is not from around here," Marcus said.

"Hmph!" Sora blandly said looking away. "Anyway, he's trying to find his way back home so I guess he needs a map," Rhea said. "And you're helping him, Lady Rhea?" Lowen asked. "Well, yes, I would like to help him," Rhea responded. "I'm right here you know!" Sora yelled. These people were so rude. He couldn't wait to find Riku and Kairi and get out of here! But how? This place looks so old! "Is there a payphone here?" Sora asked. They all stared at him. "Pay...fone?" Lowen repeated.

"Nooooooooooooooo!" Sora moaned to himself while holding his head, "I'm stuck in the boonies with underdeveloped people with no Donald or Goofy or Riku or Kairi! I hate this!" "Anyway, come inside, Rhea! You must be tired from your travels! " Marcus said. "Well, just a little…thanks," Rhea said then addressed Sora, "Come on, they should have a map inside."

Sora nodded and attentively followed.

The castle still seemed the same to Rhea. Big and elegantly decorated. The perfect place for a royal like Lord Eliwood. Definitely not the life for her. Being cooped up in a huge castle everyday just wasn't her cup of tea.

"So Lady Rhea," Lowen decided to ask, breaking the silence," What exactly HAVE you been doing these past months?" Rhea smiled and simply said, "Training." Sora decided to listen to see if he could find out more about this area he was in. Just by looking at the castle everything looked so royal. "Ah, so you went back to your master then?" Marcus asked. "Well, just for a while. Afterwards I started traveling on my own and later joined a small group of mercenaries," Rhea explained.

Small group of mercenaries? Rhea barely looks like she could hold a sword! Sora thought. But it wasn't his place to think that. I mean Mulan was a great sword fighter. And Kairi was pretty good too. "Ah yes, that's just like you, Rhea!" Marcus said, "giving out commands to others..." "...I fought too," Rhea said. "YOU FIGHT NOW?!?" Lowen and Marcus exclaimed. "I guess the dagger attached to my belt isn't very noticeable then." "Really, where?" Sora squinted his eyes, "OH THERE IT IS!" "I thought that was just a little knife for cutting food and such things," Lowen said uneasily. Rhea sighed. "Is the idea of me fighting just that unbelievable?" "No, it just looks like a butter knife, really" Sora said not making things any better.

Rhea quickly glared at him then turned her attention back to the two knights of Pherae. "I guess I'll have to show you guys what I can do then." "How?" Sora asked wondering if there were any heartless here in this world. "You ask too many questions, boy," Marcus said before Rhea could respond. "If Lady Rhea says she can fight now, then she most certainly can, and magnificently at that I'll bet!" Lowen added in. Rhea blushed, "I'm not THAT good..."

"Here we are at the throne room!" Marcus announced, as they approached two giant doors. As he opened them, Rhea whispered to Sora, "Ok, right now I advise you not to speak unless spoken to, and PLEASE, don't do anything weird."

The throne room was as elegant as Rhea remembered down to its decorated pillars and large stained glass windows. Sitting on the throne was an elegantly dressed purple-haired woman. Marcus and Lowen walked up to the throne and bowed to her. "Lady Eleanora, we have brought Rhea, and um... a guest of hers," Marcus said to her. The marquess's wife stared at Sora warmly expecting some kind of introduction.

"..."

"..."

"...?"

"..."

Rhea sighed then walked up to the throne (dragging Sora along), and curtsied. "It is an honor to see you again, my lady. Ah...this is..." "..." Rhea twitched. "Introduce yourself please..." "THANK YOU. For TALKING to ME, RHEA, THE HOLY GREAT ONE. I wouldn't want to be out of line! I'm really nobody, really," Sora said with a definite attitude. "Eheh, he's not from this world, my lady," Rhea explained trying to hide her twitching eye. "Not from this world?" Lady Eleanora asked. "No, not really. See my clothes are made out of more than green cotton as if I were an elf," Sora said obviously making fun of Rhea's clothes. It wasn't like him but he was mad and confused and embarrassed at the same time. "But of course, I'm stupid for even thinking about things that don't exist right, Rhea?"

Rhea remained silent; something she tends to do when she's angry. "Is that kid gonna be alright?" Lowen whispered to Marcus. "Well, we'll see when Rhea explodes and he's still here," Marcus joked. "I see..." Sora smiled proud of his accomplishment, not knowing later on he'd feel guilty. "I'm Sora!" "Sora, what an interesting name..." Lady Eleanora said. "It means sky!" "Sky?...the fortune teller was right..." "Fortune teller?" Rhea asked. "Yes, a very shady man told me that the person from the sky would come and save us from chaos!" Yes finally! Recognition! Sora thought in his mind.

Rhea crossed her arms. "Hmm... well, it does fit. He DID fall from the sky...on me..." But still...HIM? Save US from chaos? THIS little foul-mouthed lout? Unbelievable.

"I accept-" Sora began. "Milady, surely it's another someone who is supposed to fall from the sky?" Marcus asked curiously. Rhea tried not to laugh. Took the words right out of my mouth. She thought.

"If it was, the person would be here instead of me, ok!? It has to be me! I've been doing this since I first got my blade!" Sora protested. "Your blade? You must be the person then. To be at your age and to fall from the sky. Not only that, but to have a blade!" Lady Eleanora said happily. If the prophet were right then he'd be able to help with whatever was to come.

Rhea looked away a little bit. "Say..." she began, "where's Lord Eliwood if I may ask?" "Tending the garden with Ninian." "Ah, I see..." "As we wait, milady, I shall attend to the 'other thing,'" Marcus said, winking at Rhea. "And I'll go prepare the feast!" Lowen announced. After bowing to Lady Eleanora again, they quickly departed.

The queen looked at Rhea and Sora who remained standing there. "Rhea, why don't you show Sora around town. I'm sure you guys didn't look around much while coming here," Lady Eleanora suggested. Sora cringed at the thought of putting up with Miss Mean. "But...sure...let's go..." Rhea said heading towards the door. Sora followed her but not without looking back.

The town was as lively as it always was: People talking, chatting with friends, children at play, merchants selling their merchandise. Rhea walked ahead of Sora at a somewhat quick pace, not even bothering to see if he was behind her or not. The town seemed awfully busy to Sora as well: People talking, chatting with friends, children at play, merchants selling their merchandise. Even if Sora was lagging behind to take in everything.

Rhea finally decided to slow down a little bit. "Busy, huh?" she said trying to start a conversation. "Yeah, is it always like this?" Sora asked deciding it must be hard living life in the fast lane. "Pretty much. All towns are like this, even the smaller ones," she responded. "Wow. Do you think we can find Riku and Kairi?" "Your friends? Well...maybe..." "Great, let's start!" Sora said now in a happier mood. With a bit of hope they could be in this bustling town. "Alright," Rhea agreed. Not like there's anything better to do...

"Ok, say if somebody was lost where would they go when they reached here?"

"Well, I'm not sure, the town is mostly shops, houses, and inns here."

"Well... where would you go?"

"I guess I would check the inn and ask questions there..."

Sora smiled. "Ok," he said while putting his hands behind his head, "Lead the way." Rhea nodded and did so.

"Ha...I guess they're still in business here," Rhea said as they arrived at the inn, "This is the inn I stayed in when I first arrived in Pherae almost a year ago...that was when the city was attacked by bandits..." "What happened a year ago?" "Well, I stayed here and met a girl named Rebecca-I wonder if she's still here since her father runs the place-and the next day, the town was attacked by bandits. That's when I first met Sir Lowen who rescued us and took us to Lord Eliwood," she explained. "We should check!" "Mmhmm," Rhea agreed quietly.

Sora ran to the counter "Hi is Rebecca here?" "What do you want with my daughter?" the innkeeper asked. Rhea walked up. "Please don't mind him," Rhea said. "Rhea! Good to see you again!" the innkeeper said cheerfully, "Wanna book a room?" "Likewise, and no, I'm afraid. We're looking for friends of his, but is Rebecca here, if I may ask?" "Rhea?"

Sora looked over to find a green haired girl standing next to a door. "Rebecca!" Rhea said. "Ah, there you are Rebecca!" the innkeeper said, "We have guests that aren't staying here, but they're still guests!" "Rhea!" Rebecca said while pulling her into a hug, "It's been too long! Father! When did she get here? How long are you staying here? How have you been!?" "I've been great I suppose," Rhea said smiling lightly. "I'm so happy!" Rebecca then turned her attention to the oddly clothed boy. "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you here to stay the night?" she asked not wanting to ask the weird question of what his clothes were made of.

"Rhea," Sora said blandly not wanting to explain that he fell out from the sky. "No Rebecca, he's with me. This is Sora," Rhea explained, "He's not from around here." "No kidding," the innkeeper said as he had been staring at Sora since he suddenly popped up in front of him asking such a random question. "You're not?" Rebecca asked, "Where are you from?" "Over yonder," Sora said sarcastically. "Oh. How far..." "...Right, anyway, isn't there something you wanted to ask Sora?" Rhea said changing the subject. "Yeah! Um…have you seen two people in here with clothing like me? One's tall and has silver hair another one is in a pink dress with red hair!" Rebecca looked at her father. "Can't say that I have young man," the innkeeper said.

"Oh..." Sora said looking down then put his face up in a bright smile that could compare to the sun. "Thanks. C'mon Rhea, let's try a store or something." "Father could I come along?" Rebecca asked even more curious about what was going on. "Sure, I've got things pretty much covered around here, but make sure you're back by nightfall!" he said. "Yes father!" she replied then went to Rhea's side. "Ok let's go!" Sora was so confused.

"Hmmm, where shall we check next, then?" Rhea asked to herself. "Why don't we check the shops? If I were lost I'd want a map," Rebecca suggested despite Rhea doing her self-questioning. "Me too."

"Sounds good."

With Rhea in the lead again they found themselves heading towards the shops nearby. "Sora, is it? You're looking for your friends, right? Are you sure they're here?" Rebecca asked. "Well not really," Sora replied in a confused way. "We're just checking to make sure before returning to the castle," Rhea explained. "Oh! Did you get to see Lord Eliwood and Lady Ninian? They look so nice together!" Rebecca exclaimed. Rhea shook her head. "Not yet, but it's nice to hear that they're doing well." "The best! I wish they'd just hurry up and get married!" "Married?" Sora asked. "Yup." "How old are they?" "Older than us, that's for sure," Rhea said. "Man," Sora sighed. He hated being young.

"So Rebecca, do you fight too?" Sora asked. "Yeah!" "Rebecca is a very skilled archer," Rhea said. "Whoa, that sounds cool!" Rebecca smiled at the compliment. "Thanks! Rhea you're really strong too!" Again with the Rhea compliments… Sora though. Did they SERIOUSLY expect him to believe this girl was strong? I mean...a dagger? "N-not really, all I did was give commands! But," she looked at her dagger, "Hopefully I'll get...better..." "Without you we'd be attacking like a bunch of berserks Rhea!" Rebecca pointed out knowing how Rhea never gave herself enough credit.

"Half of them WERE berserk. Remember that one bandit with the berserk staff?"

"How could I forget?!?"

Sora admitted watching the girls chat away was pretty time consuming for the most part. "...I'm so glad we were able to finish him off before Lord Hector killed someone!" Sora gave Rhea a crazy look. "Lord Hector is rather…reckless," Rebecca explained. Rhea sighed. "Tell me about it."

Sora mused, "It's not like he's crazy, right?" There was silence for a moment before Rhea finally responded, "Of course not."

"….You don't sound so sure…"

"Lord Hector is a fine, um, person."

"If you say so," Sora still wasn't convinced though.

"Oh look! Here's a nice store with a couple of maps!" Rebecca pointed out. Rhea walked over. "Looks like one of your problems is solved at least," she said to Sora. Sora nodded and checked the store out. Not only were there maps but other tools for travelers. It was hard to just look at one thing. Rhea began looking at merchandise, picking out supplies she needed.

"Hey gramps," Sora stated to the old man running the shop, "Have you seen two people here one with red hair and a pink dress and one with silver hair and aqua eyes?" "Gramps?!?" the shopkeeper said angrily. "Sora!" Rhea said angrily as well. "Sorry, I mean sir," Sora said. Rhea sighed. "Nope, haven't seen anybody by that description," the shopkeeper answered. "We'd like to buy a map also. And these," Rhea added handing him the things she was purchasing. "Why certainly, young lady!" "Man. We're running out of places to go." "Don't worry Sora. If anyone can help you Rhea can! I'll try my best too!" Rebecca said.

"Thank you very much!" the shopkeeper said as Rhea handed him the money, "And here you go!" He gave her the map. "Thank you." "You think I have to travel that whole map?" Sora asked. "By yourself?" Rebecca responded.

"I've traveled before. A lot."

"That would be an impossible feat, Sora. It took us MONTHS to travel as far as we did." Rhea stated. "I'll still do it." Sora said determined. "Wow. You really care about your friends," Rebecca said shocked that he'd state something as daring as he did. It's sayings like that that get people killed by bandits. Rhea thought.

"Shall we head back to the castle then?" Rebecca asked. "Mmhmm," Rhea nodded, "It's been a while since you've seen everyone too, right?" "Yeah" Rebecca admitted. "Let's be on our way then," Rhea said smiling lightly.

They made their way to the castle to find Eliwood and Ninian with the queen. "L-Lord Eliwood! Ninian!" Rhea exclaimed as they approached the throne. "Ah Rhea, it's good to see you again," Lord Eliwood said with a smile. Ninian who stood by his side also smiled and quietly said," Hello." "I see you brought guests of your own," Eliwood continued, "Rebecca and...?"

"Sora."
"He's the one the prophet talked about," Lady Eleanora explained. "Ah, I see. It's a pleasure to meet you," he responded politely. "Yeah," Sora said blandly, in his heart hoping not all these people were the same. It would be nice to see someone with SOME youth in here.

Just then, both Marcus and Lowen returned to the throne room. "The feast is prepared, milord," Lowen said cheerfully. "And the other guests have arrived," Marcus added. "Other...guests?" Rhea said looking at Eliwood. "With an occasion as special as this, we had to invite the others!" he said with a smile.

"Oh! This is so great! It's been a while!" Rebecca excited exclaimed. "Yes, this will be interesting..." Rhea said. At that moment, the throne room doors swung open, and a pink-haired girl ran in. "RHEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAA!!!!" she squealed, pushing Sora out of the way and hugging Rhea so tightly they both nearly fell down. "S-Serra!" "Hey!" Sora yelled as he fell on the floor. It was like slow motion; out of nowhere he heard a noise and before he could fully turn around someone pushed him down. "Serra!" Rebecca scolded pointing out Sora.

"Oh he's alright!" Serra said cheerfully. "That's not for you to say, Serra," Rhea pointed out. "So how have you been, Rhea? It's been so long since I've seen you!" she said giving Rhea another hug. "Serra, stop being rude," came a voice. Everyone turned their attention to the door as a purple haired boy entered the room. "Erky! Look! It's Rhea!" Serra exclaimed. "Nice...to see you again...Erk," Rhea said in between breaths. "Likewise. And Serra, let her go," Erk commanded. "Oh, fine, you're so boring!" Serra said releasing Rhea.

"Erk! You look the same as ever!" Rebecca teased. "Uh, so do you?" Erk said. He then walked over to Sora and offered him a hand. "Don't mind her. She's a little...crazy," Erk explained. "Oooh, you're so mean Erk!" Serra yelled. Not as mean as you! Sora could help but to think. "Thanks!" Sora thought to himself again. He wanted someone youthful but not loud. Someone actually beat Selphie.

"Geez, what is with all this noise?!? Serra? Did you ruin something?" came a booming voice. "Who could that be?" Rhea said sarcastically. Through the door came a giant blue-haired man followed by a man in shining armor and a man in a red cape. "Lord Hector! Oswin! Matthew!" Rhea said. "Huh? I thought a heard a little voice," Hector said, "sounded a bit like a mouse..." Sora tried holding in his laughter at that comment.

"Lord Hector! How can you be so mean! It's Rhea!" Serra pouted. Rhea sighed. "Not the same little kid who helped lead us to victory so many times? Not THAT Rhea!" Matthew walked up to Rhea and started walking around her then said finally, "Yep! It's her milord!" "You knew the whole time didn't you, milord?!?" Serra asked. "Of course I did! Who could forget this kid!?!?" "Nice to see you too, Lord Hector," Rhea said politely.

"This is so nice!" Rebecca added. "Great! Everyone's here! Now we can start the feast!" Lowen said. "Feast?!? Alright! Let's go!" Hector exclaimed. "Yay! C'mon Rhea! You have to tell everyone where you've been all this time!" Serra said wrapping her arm around Rhea's. "Sora, this is Lord Hector, Erk, Serra, Matthew, Oswin, Lord Eliwood, and Ninian" Rebecca pointed out. "Yeah I noticed" Sora muttered. "Who's Sora?" Hector asked. "That kid with the weird hair apparently," Serra replied. "Serra," Erk warned. Sora out of patience decided to ignore the pink haired chick and speak up. "I'M Sora and my hair is NOT weird!" he protested. "Whatever you say strange kid! C'mon Erk! Let's go eat! Lead the way Sir Lowen!" Serra said, grabbing Erk and following Lowen. "Alright! Let's go eat!" Hector said following. Everyone else followed suit.

Rhea who could tell Sora was upset put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Don't let her get to you. She's always like that." Sora shrugged his shoulder away walking ahead murmuring like a little child. "I'm not strange, shoot, I think your strange- who the heck has pink hair- I'm not strange..." Rhea sighed and followed.

After the feast, which consisted of mostly everyone explaining what they've been doing over the past months, and asking Sora odd questions. Soon, it was nighttime, and the rooms were being prepared for the night.

"Becca! Do you have to go so soon?" Serra asked Rebecca. "I'm afraid so! I promised Father I'd come home." "Aww, we HAVE to do something together sometime! And you're coming too Rhea! And you too Ninian!" Serra exclaimed. "I'd love to?" Ninian said confused. "Sure," Rhea answered.

"I'd love too! And...I really don't want to miss the opportunity. I guess I'll ask my father!"

"Yeah yeah! See if you can come back tomorrow!"

Rebecca nodded her head. "Right! See you guys! And Serra, you be nicer to everyone!" was the last thing she said as she ran off.

"What does she mean? I'm the nicest out of all of you! Except you Rhea!" Serra said giving her a hug. Rhea sighed. Sora kept in a sarcastic remark after all the ones he made at dinnertime. "Um, could I just go to sleep now?" "I'll escort you," Rhea said, eager to get out of Serra's tight embrace.

"Thanks," Sora muttered following her down the halls. "Don't take looooong!" Serra yelled after her. "Of course not," Rhea replied though she was thinking of taking all the time it took just so she wouldn't have to return quickly.

After a few minutes of them walking silently through the halls of Castle Pherae, Rhea finally decided to start a conversation. "This day has been pretty...eventful, hasn't it?" she asked. "I'd hate it if eventful is always like that but I don't care. As soon as I find my friends I have to find a way to leave this world!" Sora said only having that priority on his mind while being humiliated, insulted, and degraded. No other world would be THAT rude! Demented people Sora thought. Rhea sighed. "Look, I apologize for the rudeness, on behalf of them...and me. All those things I said, they weren't necessary. And they're really not bad people..."

Sora started feeling guilty. Rhea really was trying to make amends. He was even starting to feel the guilt for making fun of her earlier, he was really no better than the demen-...people. "I'm sorry too..." Rhea smiled. "Forget it... and…we'll find your friends... I'll make sure of it..." Soras smiled back noting her smiles were almost always sad. "Thanks, really." "Don't mention it. Ah! Here we are..."

Sora opened the door to find a luxurious room that would look even more like heaven with a ddr machine. "Wow...thanks..." "No problem...well...good night then..." Rhea said heading toward the door and slowly closing it.

Kchan929: Ok guys that's it for part one!
Naomi: R&R
Kchan929: That's right! Please rate and review guys! Later!