Kingdom Hearts: Kairi's Story

Brother Bear

This is fan story of what may or may not happen in Kingdom Hearts

2024 EDIT: I watched "Brother Bear" again recently, and I got inspired to write this story again. However, the first draft is a few years old, and given all that has come out in Kingdom Hearts, I decided to re-write the story a bit. Fortunately, I didn't get far enough that I would have to alter the story entirely.

That said, I also wanted to touch up on the writing because OH BOY, is the first draft choppy. I can do better than that, and I want to.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Kingdom Hearts" or "Brother Bear"; I am merely exploring a possible story.

With that said, let's begin.

Kairi has been training under Master Aqua to become a Keyblade Master so she can be strong enough to find and rescue Sora, wherever he may be. Now, Yen Sid has called upon her to send her on her first world visit. There, Kairi must help Kenai and Koda reach the Mountain Where the Lights Touch the Earth, as well as keep the Heartless from devouring the hearts of her new friends. Along the way, she will discover a darkness more dangerous than she ever expected, and just how powerful love can be.

The Mission

Up in the highest room of the Mysterious Tower, a wise old wizard donned in a blue robe and hat sat down in his chair. On the other side of his desk were two people. One was a young woman with short, sky-blue hair and dressed in a black and blue outfit. The other young teen girl with auburn red hair, dressed in a sleeveless pink dress with plaid ruffled trims.

"Master Yen Sid," said the blue-haired woman, her voice soft and wise. "You summoned us. Is something wrong?"

"Something has indeed come to my attention, Master Aqua," replied the man, his voice gruff yet kind. "I've been keeping a close eye on the worlds. Recently, a great darkness is growing again. With Xehanort defeated, I can only suspect a new kind of threat has emerged. Which is why I summoned you here. Specifically you, Kairi."

"Me?" said Kairi, surprised.

"Master Aqua has kept me informed about your training," Yen Sid explained. "You certainly show to have great skill in magic. You've already mastered all the simple spells. And some of them are ones that Sora and Riku have yet to learn. You're combat techniques are also worthy of praise. You show fierce determination and hard work. I have no doubt you'll become a powerful Keyblade wielder someday."

Kairi smiled and humbly bowed her head. "Thank you, Master Yen Sid."

Ever since Riku left to find Sora in the world of Quadratum, Kairi pushed herself to become just as skilled with a Keyblade as the two of them. She wanted to do everything in her power to help them, and the only way she could do that was to master her Keyblade training as soon as she could.

Of course, she knew she couldn't take all the credit.

"Master Aqua has been a great teacher," she said, turning to her mentor. "I couldn't have gotten this far without her."

"I appreciate the praise, Kairi," said Aqua humbly, "but your achievements are of your own doing. I merely gave the guidance." Aqua then turned back to Yen Sid. "All that aside, what is it you need Kairi for, Master?"

Yen Sid stroked his beard thoughtfully and said, "Her powers as a Princess of Heart. This incarnation of darkness is much more subtle. Even a skilled Master like myself has a hard time pinpointing its location. I have managed to track them to worlds beyond our known boarders. With Kairi's innate powers, I'm sure she will be able to sense it with little trouble.

"Also, you have the unique ability to drive off the darkness, no matter how firm of a grip it may have on someone. As we speak, there is a world that is in dire need of that power. The light of that world reached out for help. When I heard its call, I knew it was you that it needed. There is a terrible darkness that is threatening to devour the hearts of the worlds' residence. Kairi, the time has come for you to journey to other worlds."

Kairi stared in surprise for a moment, and then hopeful smile came across her face.

"With your power to repel the darkness," Yen Sid continued, "you should be able to keep them safe, and drive out the darkness that threatens to consume them."

Kairi bowed respectfully. "I understand, Master. Will Master Aqua be accompanying me?"

Yen Sid shook his head. "I need Aqua to remain here with Terra and Ventus for an important task."

"Master?" Aqua said, concerned.

"If there is new threat growing, then we will need all available Keyblade wielders to fight for the worlds within our boarders as well as beyond," Yen Sid explained. "You, Terra and Ventus will be needed here should that happen. We will also need to alert the others in Twilight Town. Besides, I trust you believe Kairi can handle this on her own."

Aqua closed her eyes and thought about Yen Sid's words for a moment. Finally, she smiled and nodded. She opened her eyes and looked to Kairi, who was looking at her with apprehension.

"Don't worry, Kairi," Aqua said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I've seen what you can do, and how far you've come. You can do this. And remember, you'll never truly be alone. We're connected, you and I."

Kairi smiled and relaxed. "That's right. Thank you, Master Aqua." She then turned to Yen Sid. "I'm ready. Just tell me what to do."

The wizard then got up from his chair and walked over to a small cabinet. He opened it and pulled out a shining teal crystal that was in the shape of a star. He then walked back over to Kairi.

"This is a Star Shard," Yen Sid explained. "This will take you right to that world. Listen to me carefully, when you get to that world, you must seek out a woman named Tanana. She will help you. Whatever she tells you to do, you must obey it. She'll explain everything you need to know. Do you understand?"

Kairi nodded, and Yen Sid handed her the Star Shard. She hesitated for only a second before taking it in both hands.

"Good luck, Kairi," Yen Sid nodded. "I wish you a safe journey."

Kairi gave Yen Sid a warm smile and gave a small bow. She looked back at Aqua, who gave her a proud smile. Kairi then held the Star Shard close to her heart and silently wished for it to take her to the world that Yen Sid had spoken of. In a swirl of flashing lights, Kairi herself turned into a small star before flickering out of the tower and into the limbo of the worlds.

Suddenly, Kairi found herself stumbling into a wood full of tall, redwood trees. After regaining her senses, she stared in awe at the landscape before her. She was so used to seeing a sandy beach with a sparkling blue ocean that this place was captured her amazement immediately.

All around her were countless trees as red as a sunset. In the distance, mountains capped with snow stretched for as far as her eyes could see. The blue sky above was streaked and dotted with fluffy white clouds. Beside her was a grassy clearing with river rushing through it. The air was clear, but at the same time rather chilly.

After the initial wonder of seeing this new world, Kairi became aware of another fact. She looked over herself and saw that she was now wearing a dark reddish-brown fur parka with a hood and white trims, fur pants, and animal-skinned boots.

"I guess this is more suitable than my other cloths," she said with a smile. She then straightened herself up. "Now, I need to find Tanana. I just wish I knew where to start looking."

Kairi was about to take a step forward when she heard leaves rustle behind her. She jumped in alarm and spun around. When she saw what had caused the noise, she stopped.

Standing just a few feet away from her was an old woman dressed a coat of caribou fur and animal-skinned boots. Her long, snow gray hair was done up into two braids that reached down to her knees. Her eyes dark brown eyes reflected deep wisdom and kindness. Across her nose, just between her eyes, were two thin red bands that looked painted on.

"Hello, my dear," said the woman in a gentle voice.

"Hello," Kairi replied. "Um, I seem to be lost. Would you be able to tell me where I can find someone named Tanana?"

"I am she," the woman simply said.

Kairi blinked in surprise.

Tanana then walked closer to Kairi. "But please, forgive me if this seems like an odd question, but…do you have a mystical weapon of some kind?"

"Mystical weapon?" Kairi repeated. "Do you mean this?"

She held out her hand and summoned her Keyblade. In a flash of light, the magical and mysterious weapon materialized. Tanana looked at it with amazement for a moment before smiling.

"Then you are the one the Great Spirits spoke of," the shaman said with hopefulness. "I have been waiting for you."

"You have?" Kairi questioned, dismissing her Keyblade.

"Yes," Tanana nodded. "The Great Spirits sent me a vision of a young girl with a mystical weapon coming to save our world from a terrible darkness. Already, dark creatures have begun to appear in the woods."

"Creatures of darkness?" Kairi said, becoming alert. "You mean the Heartless?"

"So that's what they're called." Tanana mumbled before turning back to Kairi. "Oh, forgive me, I got ahead of myself. You said you were looking for me?"

The redheaded girl nodded. "Yes. I'm here to save this world from the Heartless. But I was told they were going after specific people, and that you would help me find them."

Tanana gave a worried face.

"It must be Kenai," she whispered.

"Kenai?"

That name was certainly foreign to Kairi.

Tanana hung her head sadly. "Yes. He is a youth f my tribe. Last night, he killed a bear out of vengeance."

Kairi's eyes widened in horror. "What? Why would he do that?"

The shaman woman sighed heavily. "Because Kenai lost his older brother, Sitka, in a fight with the bear. Sitka sacrificed himself to save Kenai and his brother, Denahi, by creating an avalanche to keep the bear from getting to them. Kenai was so consumed by anger and sadness that he went after the bear for revenge."

Kairi frowned and gripped her chest, as if she was gripping her heart, which was becoming heavy with sorrow.

"But when he killed the bear," Tanana continued, "the Great Spirits came down. Kenai's deceased brother, Sitka, now a Spirit, turned him into a bear."

Kairi stared, both amazed and slightly disturbed by the story. Tanana gazed over at the nearby river.

"I know he did it to teach Kenai a lesson," she said, "but something happened that Sitka did not intend. Mysterious and dark creatures started coming into this world. Just last night, after I found Kenai unconscious by the river, I saw that he was surrounded by those creatures; the ones you call "Heartless"."

Kairi tensed at the news.

"I was able to call on the Great Spirits to fend them off," Tanana went on, "but I'm afraid they will still be in pursuit of him." She then looked back up at Kairi. "That I believe that is where you come in, my dear. I assume that your weapon is the only thing that works against them."

"Yes," said Kairi. "And I promise I'll make sure that the Heartless don't take Kenai's heart. I just need to know where he is."

"He is heading for the Mountain Where the Lights Touch the Earth." Tanana said. "You should be able to find him on this path. But before you go, you will need some necessities."

Tanana reached under her coat and pulled out a large bag. She handed it to Kairi, who graciously accepted it.

"You will also need to be able to talk to Kenai when you find him," said Tanana. "But I'm sure the Great Spirits will help you with that. Seeing as you have a hint of magic about you already, it shouldn't be a problem. But there is something else you need to know."

"What is it?"

Tanana's voice grew into a more serious tone. "Kenai second eldest brother, Denahi. He thinks that Kenai was killed by the bear Kenai was pursuing. However, he doesn't know that he is hunting his own brother."

Kairi cupped her hand over her mouth. "Oh, no! I need to tell him."

"No!" Tanana quickly said. "You mustn't say anything. Sitka made it this way for both Kenai and Denahi's sakes. He needs to teach them both something important. You may protect Kenai from the Heartless, and from Denahi should he attack, but you mustn't let Denahi know that the bear he pursues is actually Kenai."

Kairi stared at Tanana with a worried uneasiness. Not letting Denahi know about his own brother just sounded wrong to her. This was the kind of information she wouldn't want to keep from anyone, especially from a brother who is unknowingly hunting his younger brother.

Despite that, she remembered what Master Yen Sid told her about doing what Tanana asked of her. Although Kairi still had doubts about this, she forced herself to put them aside. This was an important mission, and she couldn't make compromises. At least not yet.

"Alright," she said softly. "I'll do what you said."

Tanana smiled and took Kairi's hand. "Thank you. You should be able to find Kenai in that direction. May the Great Spirits be with you."

Tanana let go of Kairi and gestured over to the right, revealing a path leading through the forest. Kairi took a step forward before stopping. She turned around to thank Tanana, but the shaman woman was already gone, vanishing as mysteriously as she had appeared.

Kairi stared at the spot where Tanana had been for a moment out of confusion, then looked down the path. Uncertainty crept into her mind as she stared through the forest. This was her very first mission, and she had already been given a lot to think about. She knew that if she messed anything up, it could spell disaster for this world.

Could she face the journey ahead of her?

"Well, only one way to find out."

Throwing the satchel over her shoulder, and summoning all the courage in her heart, Kairi set out through forest, ready to take on the challenge before her. She didn't know what would happen, or what was awaiting her down this path. All she could do was hope that her courage would see her through, and trust her heart would not fail her.