Once we were through the portal Riku was kneeling on the ground, completely out of breath. The Princess had slipped out of his arms and her head almost crashed to the floor but I leapt forward to catch it.
"Pay attention!" I yelled. He just sort of smiled at me.
"It was reckless to bring her here without at least a vessel. Remember relying to heavily on the dark powers could cost you your heart," Maleficent said. She appeared from the darkness. I looked at her.
"He didn't even call up the portal, I did," I explained. Maleficent nodded. "Well I'll just go put her in a safe place." Riku stood up to help, but just as he did a loud roar echoed from the outside, he looked at me first. "Don't worry I'll take good care of her." He smiled a thank you to me.
"A castaway. Though his world perished his heart did not. When we took the Princess from his castle, he apparently followed through sheer force of will. But fear not, no harm will come to you. He is no match for your power," Maleficent explained, her voice fading as I walked further away from them.
"My power?"
"Yes the untapped power that lies within you. Now child its time to awaken that power and realize your full potential!" A flash of green light exploded around me and lit up the tunnel. I fumed silently, the girl in my arms was as light as a feather, and maybe it was the soul that weighed down the body so much.
"Or it is the power that resides within you that gives you strength." I stopped. The deep voice was so familiar, like I'd heard it before in a dream.
"What power?" I asked.
"Have you not noticed?" He stepped into my vision range. He was in a cloak with the hood pulled up, covering his face. "Maleficent has only gifted you once and yet you are able to pull up portals and control the heartless as if you have been doing this since you were born." I had noticed that, but ignored it, figuring Maleficent had just been willing to grant me more power.
"Maleficent's powers are limited, she is only a puppet of the darkness and if she continues to waste her powers it will be her demise," He said, "You, though, have unlimited access to the darkness for a reason completely unknown to me. Help me find a way into Riku's heart and I will help you discover a way to unleash that power to the full potential."
"How do I find Riku's desire?" I asked.
"Find a way, for I have tried on many occasions to get him to open himself to me, bring him here when you have discovered what he truly wants." I nodded and took off running with the Princess. I put her in the seventh pod and sealed it shut. Then I raced to the lift and rose up to Riku's quarters.
XXXXXXXXXXX
He was just exiting his room, his head down and looking at the floor. I slowed to a walk and immediately slowed my breathing.
"Riku," I said slowly. He looked up, his eyes full of surprise. I hadn't seen myself in a few days and I had no idea what I looked like, even so, I think it was rather striking.
"R-Rachel," He stuttered. "Make it quick I have to go see to that beast."
"He can wait," I said, walking closer to him, he took in a deep breath, "What do you desire Riku?" I whispered, getting close to his ear. He was silent for a moment.
"The power to protect my friends," He answered quickly. I leaned back and looked into his green eyes. He looked down and then his eyes flew back up, "To be stronger than Sora."
"Ansem can give you that," I said, but he immediately shook his head.
"Ansem has already tried to get me to take that deal, if I do I don't know what will happen."
"You will be stronger!" He slid out from between the wall and me. He shook his head. I ground my teeth and made a portal.