A/N: Welcome one and all to Arc 2 of The Angel's Keyblade: Making Memories. I hope you are all enjoying Hikari's story so far. I've so been looking forward to starting up this arc, now that Riku has joined the team. However, Sora, as well as Hikari's parents and brothers are still missing, and with the suspicion that Genji is working for Xehanort, time is running short for our heros. Now, without further ado, here it is! Arc 2: Making Memories

Chapter 1: Beyond the Lanes Between

Riku and I bowed upon entering Master Yen Sid's study.

"It's good to see you both safe, Master Riku and Hikari," the sorcerer stated.

We lifted our heads and relaxed slightly.

"Mickey explained to me what took place in Enchanted Dominion," Yen Sid continued, looking directly at me. "I am relieved to know that, despite your descent into the Dark Margin, you have returned without incident."

"Thank you, Master," I said, dipping my head.

Yen Sid nodded. "Now, the reason as to why I called you both here. As you know, I share many connections with the different worlds and some of their leaders. A dear friend of mine whose world has long since been disconnected from the Lanes Between recently came into contact with me, asking for assistance in her world. Since her world was severed from the normal ties between other worlds not long after the Keyblade War, the Heartless can not reach that world. However, a form of Darkness that had been thought to have been snuffed out over a decade ago has found its way inside."

"What is this new Darkness?" Riku questioned.

Master Yen Sid waved his hands and a projection of a strange creature appeared on the table before us. This thing was much different than that of a Heartless, for it was a dark purple shade with a sharp-edged body and glowing red eyes. "This is what is called an Unversed. While Heartless are created from the Darkness of one's heart, Unversed are bred from the negativity of the heart. Grief, anger, and hatred are but a few emotions that spawn these beings of Darkness." He waved his hand over the projection, causing it vanish.

"So, what you're saying is that the Unversed have invaded this severed world and your friend needs help dealing with them?" I inquired.

Yen Sid nodded. "However, I will not force you to take part in this, as you already have your mission to save your family."

I looked down, thinking over my options. However, every angle I went for led me back to one decision. With this in mind, I looked back up at the sorcerer and replied "Although the world may not be connected to the others, my responsible as a Keyblade Wielder compels me to help wherever Darkness threatens the Light. I will answer your friend's call and put a stop to these new creatures."

"Then I'm going with you," Riku stated, bringing my eyes to him. "I have the same obligation to protect the Light."

"Very well." We looked back to Yen Sid. "Head into the Lanes Between and my friend will open a passage to her world."

"Yes, Master Yen Sid," Riku and I said in unison, bowing once more before leaving the tower.

Once outside, I changed into my True Form, while Riku slapped his hand again the piece of metal on his left glove, summoning his armor, which was mostly black with some grey and light-blue, giving him the appearance of a sort of knight. While I summoned a portal to the Lanes Between, Riku tossed his Keyblade into the air and it transformed into a sort of motorcycle-shaped vehicle the same color as his armor with a guard surrounding the entire glider. He leaped into the air and landed in the seat, nodding his head to me.

I took the lead as I rose into the air and shot for the portal, Riku right behind.

In The Castle That Never Was…

"Master; the girl and young Keyblade Master are headed for the new world, just as you anticipated."

"Good. See to it that no advances will be made until the time deems fit."

"Yes, Master."

When I first came to, I noticed how much my head was hurting. I opened my eyes to see overhanging tree branches, tiny pockets of sunlight poking through the leaved that swayed lightly int the soft breeze.

Where am I? I asked myself. My only reply was a rush of new pain through my already throbbing skull. I gritted my teeth as I tried to ignore the migraine and got on all fours. Wait, fours?

I looked down and gasped when I saw that instead of hands, I had alternating black-and-white tipped paws. I saw a nearby lake and rushed over to it, albeit wobbly. When I lowered my head to see my reflection, I was met with a somewhat cat-like face with cream fur, two tufts of fur sticking out on both cheeks. From right between my eyes and arching outwards -which gave my face a sort of heart shape to it- my fur was a dark-grey. I also had large ears of the same color, a butterfly-like bow on my left ear, white on the edges and light-grey in the center, ribbon-like appendages attached to them that floated around my ears. Another bow and ribbon was located just below my chin, the ribbon circling my body and dark-grey shepherd dog-like tail.

Oh please; I hope I'm not what I think I am, I prayed silently.

My hopes were dashed, however, when there was rustling in the tree I had been sleeping under and a flock of birds that seemed to be made of clouds took to the sky. As if in a chain reaction, the forest around me came alive as deer-like creatures of cream and green came out to drink from the lake, ladybug and beetle-like things buzzed from tree to tree, and goldfish of white bigger than my head leaped out of the water before splashing back in.

I gave a heavy sigh and plopped onto the ground, covering my ears with my front paws in dismay. Of all the video-games that Arashi plays, why did it have to bePokémon!? Screaming to the heavens I said aloud "Why did this have to happen to ME!?"

XXXXX

Well, after gaining a few stares from the local wild Pokémon - and running for my life from a swarm of extremely irritated bee-like Pokémon (while I believe were called Beedrill)- I was resting under a bush, trying to catch my breath and piece together my current situation and the events that occurred prior to me waking up as a Sylveon.

Riku and I hadn't been traveling the Lanes Between for very long before a dark portal had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. We were both sucked in and tried to hang on to one another, but the wind was too strong and we were separated.

I sighed and climbed out of the bush, shaking off the twigs and leaves that had gotten caught in my fur. I looked up and saw that the sun was close to setting. Well, I'm not gonna find Riku at this hour, I thought to myself. I should find some shelter and search again in-

My thoughts were interrupted when I began to hear voices down the dirt path in front of me. I turned to see a group of four kids heading up the road, talking amongst themselves.

Skipping a few paces ahead was a blond-haired girl who couldn't be older than Chise. She wore a brown blouse and white frilly skirt with black undershorts, a large yellow messenger bag on her shoulder.

She seemed to be humming a tune when she saw me and stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes growing wide.

"What's wrong, Bonnie?" One of the boys - who no doubt was her brother based on the matching hair alone- asked.

The brunette girl and black-haired boy - who looked to be a few years younger than myself- stopped their conversation and looked at the youngest of the group as well.

"Look," the girl called Bonnie said, pointing directly at me.

Crap. I had hoped to go unseen. I noted the yellow mouse-like thing sitting on the older boy's shoulder, instantly recognizing it as the iconic Pikachu, for which I had bought a action-figure of for Arashi's 10th birthday. If I've learned anything from Arashi's love for the game and show, I know those kids might try and catch me.

"Is that a Sylveon?" The older girl inquired, a puzzled look on her face.

The boys also had similar looks on their faces.

"It looks like one, but certainly not like the one Penelope has," Bonnie's brother stated.

"Maybe it was recently taken to a Pokémon stylist in Lumiouse City," the raven-haired boy commented.

"If that's true, then its trainer can't be too far away," the brunette concluded.

"Aw; it's so cute." Bonnie skipped over to me, crouching down so her eyes leveled with mine. She reached out a hand towards me, a kind smile on her face.

At first, I wanted nothing more than to flee from that place, but when I saw that sweet expression, my mind immediately went to Chise. They were comforting; Bonnie's eyes, almost as if they were saying that she could be trusted and I had nothing to fear.

"It's alright," Bonnie reassured. "There's no need to be afraid."

For a moment, Chise's image replaced Bonnie and I found myself smiling and nuzzling her hand much like a cat would, eliciting a light laugh from the child.

"It seems to like you, Bonnie," her brother pointed out.

That word! I stopped rubbing my head against Bonnie's hand and glared at the boy. "For you're information, I am a she; not an 'it', thank you very much."

Bonnie stopped giggling and the others stared at me in disbelief.

"Did that Sylveon just talk!?" The older girl exclaimed.

I blinked in confusion, caught by surprise. "Wait; you can understand me?"

They all nodded slowly.

"It's telepathy," the older boy explained, being the first to recover. "I've met a few Pokémon in the past that can use it, but how did you not know that you can use it?"

I looked down at the ground, thinking hard. Maybe because I'm from a different world, I'm able to still communicate to those that speak English. With this in mind, I brought my eyes back to the children and stated aloud "I guess it's been so natural to me that I never knew the difference. However, maybe you four might be able to help me. I was traveling with a friend of mine but we became separated. Have you by any chance see a tall boy with silver-hair and aquamarine eyes like mine?" Although, now that I think about it, Riku very well could have been turned into a Pokémon as well.

Bonnie got to her feet, bringing my attention to her. "Is he your trainer?" She inquired.

I couldn't help but laugh a little at this. "He may have the title of Master, but I'll kick his butt into next week before he claims supremacy over me," I explained.

"Oh, I get it," the Pikachu's owner said. "It's like with me and Pikachu; we see each other as equals and work together as a team, right buddy?"

"Pika chu," the Mouse Pokémon chirped, and I was somehow able to understand what he said and translate it a simple "You bet."

The duo sparked a sense of familiarity and I suddenly remembered a certain character from the show as well as the many movies that came with it. The story had mainly revolved around a young man and his partner Pokémon, Pikachu, as they traveled the world, battling foes, making friends, and training to try and become the best team that ever existed. The boy's name usually escaped me, but then I remembered that he was named after the color of his hair; Ash.

"I'm afraid we haven't seen anyone like the person you're talking about," Bonnie's brother stated, finally snapping me back to reality.

"I see," I lowered my head, disappointed. "Well, thanks anyway." I turned to leave.

"Wait," Bonnie called, forcing me to look back. "Why don't you stay with us?"

I shook my head. "I apologize, but I must find my companion as soon as possible. We came here to help someone in need of our assistance."

"Well you're certainly not gonna find them at this hour," the brunette pointed out, looking up at the sky.

"Yeah," Ash joined in. "You can stay with us the night, then we can help you look for your friend in the morning."

I blinked a few times, not quite sure if I had heard right. "You would do that? For me?"

Ash nodded. "Of course. I don't know iwhat/i I would do if I didn't know where Pikachu was, and besides; with the five of us, we should find your friend in no time."

I almost felt close to tears I turned back to them. "Th-Thank you so much."

"Well then, if we're going to work together, we should know each other's names." Bonnie grinned. "I'm Bonnie and that's my brother, Clemont." She indicated to the blond youth.

"A pleasure to meet you," Clemont greeted.

"My name is Serena," the brunette introduced, giving a traditional Japanese bow.

"And my name's Ash." Ash gave a giant grin that was very contagious, for I found myself smiling as well.

"Pika pika chu." Nice to meet you, Pikachu greeted.

I dipped my head at each individual. "Thank you, everyone. My name is Hikari Kurai."

Bonnie's eyes shined with interest. "Such a pretty name," she complimented.

I laughed lightly at her statement. "Yes, my grandmother chose it well."

We set up camp not too far from the lake (thankfully on the other side where Beedrill were not present) and had dinner. It was at this time when I met the other Pokémon that were traveling with Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie. There was a blue, frog-like creature called Froakie and a large, robin-like bird called Fletchcinder that were with Ash and Pikachu. Serena's only Pokémon was a cute red and yellow fox named Fenniken. Clemont had a rabbit-like creature called Bunnelby and what I thought to be a cross between a woodchuck and a hedgehog named Chespin. Although Bonnie wasn't a trainer, being she was too young, she had a tiny, mouse-like thing similar to Pikachu called Dedenne as a companion, who had been asleep in Bonnie's bag the entire time of the first encounter.

When the humans served us Pokémon pellet-shaped food (which they called - unoriginally named- Pokémon food), I was a little skeptical at first. However, when the others showed me that it was good (and the fact my stomach was growling loudly,) I gave in and tried one. I was surprised to find that it tasted like dried fruit, but still containing a moist taste. Soon, I found myself popping another into my mouth using the ribbons on my body, then another, and another. Before I knew it, my bowl was empty and my stomach full.

After dinner, Bonnie went to work grooming all the Pokémon, taking special care of each and every one of them. After she had finished with Chespin, she insisted that she clean me up too. I tried to kindly refuse, but I was no match for her puppy-dog eyes. To be completely honest, the grooming was quite soothing, and I found a deep fondness of having my ears rubbed.

Soon after, we all crashed for the night, the trainers in sleeping bags and their Pokémon curled up beside them. I slept between Bonnie and Serena, enjoying the warmth Fenniken gave off. However, it took me a while to actually fall asleep, for my thoughts were filled with concern for Riku.

I knew I shouldn't worry about him, being he was the one with the title of Master, but this world made me uneasy. Despite having intel about the Pokémon world, as I watched many episodes and movies with Arashi when we were younger, I had no way of finding Riku, and the theory that Riku had also been turned into a Pokémon still lingered. Being that Arashi's vast knowledge of the world was unavailable at the moment, I had no way of knowing what kind of Pokémon would have been turned into and very well wouldn't recognize him, the same going for me if he found me. I also hadn't been able to communicate with Master Aqua, but that may be due to the fact I for some reason couldn't summon my Keyblade.

Nevertheless, I eventually managed to push my worries aside for the night and fell into a dreamless slumber.

When I awoke the next morning, the sun had yet to rise and everyone was still asleep. Unable to close my eyes again, I silently snuck away from the campsite and headed to the river that led eventually into the lake.. Once I reached the small river, I used the ribbons around my neck to scoop out water and splash my face, washing away the rest of my drowsiness. After I was finished, I shook off the loose water and just sat there, watching the sun rise over the horizon. I couldn't help but admire the painting the sun was creating, the few clouds in the sky turning from a soft pink to pouffy white.

"I wonder if Riku is watching this sunrise right now," I thought aloud. "I just hope we meet up soon."

After a few more minutes of gazing up, I decided that I should head back to the campsite, knowing the kids would be awake shortly if they hadn't already. I was but a few paces away from the clearing when a voice caused me to stop.

"Hey; you're Hikari, right?"

I looked to my right, just as a tan, cat-like Pokémon came out of a bush, a vertical, oval-shaped gold piece atop his forehead.

"Who are you?" I didn't quite know what to make of the newcomer, and being in a new world I was uncertain of, hostility was probably my safest option.

The Pokémon motioned his paws in a "stand-down" gesture. "No need to get all hostile-like," he retorted, surprising me when he spoke human.

"Y-You can talk!?" I exclaimed.

"Sure can. The name's Meowth and I've been looked for ya."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Why have you been looking for me?"

Meowth smiled. "I'm good pails with your friend, Riku," he replied.

My ears perked up upon hearing this. "You know Riku?"

"Sure do," Meowth stated. "I found him on the island in the middle of the lake, hurt real bad. Poor guy wanted to go find ya, but I told him to rest and I would look in his place."

"How bad are his injuries?" I asked with concern. What could have happened to him?

Meowth's face grew sad. "Pretty bad, but he said you might be able to help out."

I nodded in understanding. "Alright. Let me just let my friends know and we can-"

"No!" Meowth interrupted, sounding frantic. "We need to go now or the tide will be too strong for us to get to the island!"

At first, hesitation had its hold on me. I didn't want to worry Ash and the others by disappearing without a reason, but the well-being of Riku was pushing me to go with Meowth. "Alright. Take Take me to Riku please."

After hitching a ride on a log raft that was being pulled by a squid-like Pokémon called Inkay, Meowth and I reached the shore of the island. I rushed ahead, knowing I would find Riku easily as the island was extremely small, about the size of a normal-sized house.

I had reached perhaps the center of the island when I came upon a small shed of rusted silver. "Riku!" I called out and rushed into the structure. I searched around in the darkness, trying to find my companion.

However, he was nowhere in sight. Seeing how I wouldn't find any answers there, I turned to leave, when all of a sudden, metal bars shot out of the ground around me. I watched in horror as the bars rose above me, curling inward and creating a birdcage roof. Realizing I was trapped, I slammed into the sides of the cage, but yelped and leaped back when blue electricity appeared around the metal and shocked me. Shifting my gaze in all directions, I screamed out "What's going on!?" I was answered by laughter, coming from beyond one of the walls of the shed. "Who's there!?"

"Hahaha. Prepare for trouble," a woman's voice said.

"And make it double," a male voice joined in.

Oh no. Anything but this!

"To protect the world from devastation."

"To unite all people within our nation."

"To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

The shed walls collapsed, showing that I was in the center of the clearing. Standing but a few feet away were the two individuals I dreaded.

A woman with bright burgundy hair tossed her mane in the wind, a giant grin on her face as she posed. "Jesse."

A man with ocean-blue hair smiled and posed with the woman as well. "And James."

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."

"Surrender now of prepare to fight, fight, and fight."

Meowth jumped between the two and finished "Meowth, that's right."

A blue blob that I was surprised to see appeared out of nowhere and made a salute position, calling out "Wobbuffet."

I sighed heavily and rubbed my aching head. Of all the people I could have run into in this world, why did it have to be them?

Team Rocket seemed to pay no mind to me, for they were stilling laughing like a bunch of idiots.

"Excellent work, Meowth," Jesse commented, looking down at the feline Pokémon. "You played the fake friend bit to a T."

"Indeed," James concurred. "The boss will surely love this treasure of a find."

Meowth gave a proud smirk. "An odd-colored Sylveon that can use telepathy will surely get us a big promotion!"

I couldn't help but groan. "You know, you three have been saying the same exact thing for how long now? Tell me; how many Pokémon have you three truly and successfully gotten to your boss?"

I swore I saw steam come out of Jesse's ears and she stormed over to me. She pointed a finger at me, placing it inside the cage. "Now listen here, princess; I don't care who you think you are, but no one disrespects a member of Team Roc- OW!"

A sense of satisfaction coursed through me when she shrieked in pain upon me biting her vulnerable finger; well, it was more a nibble, but she was so full of herself that she would have probably screamed from being poked.

Eventually, I let go of her finger and glared at the red-head. "Call me princess again, and I'll really bite you," I threatened.

Jesse seemed horrified. "Hmph, the nerve," she spat before returning to her companions.

Meowth looked to the other. "Let's get outta here before the twerps-"

"Stop, Team Rocket!"

The would-be thieves - as well as myself- turned to see Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie rush into the clearing.

"Oh great," James muttered.

"Let Hikari go!" Serena called out.

"Not gonna happen," Jesse shot back, pulling down her eyelid and sticking out her tongue, only further proving my point of how childish they are.

"We'd love to stay and chat, but we must be off." Meowth pulled out a remote and pressed a button, causing my cage to rattle. I looked up as a familiar Meowth air-balloon inflated, Team Rocket quickly jumping into the basket as my prison lifted into the air.

"Pikachu, quick; use Electro Ball on the cage!" Ash called out.

The yellow mouse jumped high into the air, electricity gathering in his tail. He twirled in the and cried "Chuuu… Pika!" before shooting off a large ball of yellow lightning.

I quickly backed away from the bars as the Electro Ball came towards me. However, the moment the attack made contact with the metal, the same blue electric current from before appeared, absorbing Pikachu's Electro Ball. A moment later, the air around me crackled, just before electricity ran through the floor and rushed into my body. I screamed as pain took over, causing my legs to give out and I collapsed, gasping for air.

The sounds around me became faded and condensed, and I could barely hear the shocked statements from Ash and the others, as well as Team Rocket's laughter. I tried to move, but my body was numb and strength refused to come.

"R-Riku," I weakly called out, my vision growing hazy.

"HIKARI!"

I lifted my head just enough to see a shadow against the morning sun appear, right before the bars shattered. A white figure jumped into the cage and looked at me, but it took my eyes a moment to focus once more. However, when they did, I was met by familiar teal eyes. "R-Riku?"

The Pokémon before me had a sort of canine appearance with white fur and a grey face, tail, claws, and scythe-like appendage on the side of his head. A smirk appeared on its face. "You must have a sign on your back that says 'Damsel in distress', Hikari," the Absol said with Riku's voice. "What are you exactly? A cat?"

My demeanor changed in an instant and I slapped Riku across the face - albeit playfully- with one of the ribbons, my face heating up in embarrassment. i"I'm a Sylveon, you stupid jerk!"/i

Riku only laughed. "Coming from the girl in the cage."

"Hey! Get out of there!" Jesse screamed.

"Yeah. We aren't in the market for Absols," James retorted.

The cage started to sway back and forth, but Riku somehow managed to stay upright. "Hikari, do you still have your necklace?"

His question confused me. "Of course, but why-?"

"Just concentrate on the gem in the center," he stated sternly.

"Gem? What are you talking-" I looked down and saw, to my utter amazement, a rainbow-colored stone between the two wings of my necklace, a chromosome-like symbol in the center. I remember that Arashi had talked about this stone on several occasions and I had only seen an image of it once before, I knew without a doubt that the gem in my necklace was none other than the legendary Mega Stone. My eyes returned to Riku and, for the first time, I noticed the golden pendent necklace around his neck, a white gemstone in the center. Does this mean that Riku can Mega Evolve if I activate the Mega Stone?

The cage swayed once more, forcing me to my feet, Riku supporting me.

"Now or never, Hikari!" Riku nearly yelled, snapping me back to reality.

I nodded and closed my eyes, concentrating hard on the power emanating from the Mega Stone. After but a few heartbeats, a purple glow emanated from the gem and I opened my eyes and watched as Riku was enveloped in that same light.

When the light faded, Riku had completely transformed. The fur on the back of his neck had exploded and taken the shape of majestic wings, the fur on his legs having a similar feather appearance. His left eye was completely covered by the fur and he had also grown another horn on the opposite side of his head and the tail had grown spikes. He'd probably kill me if he knew I was thinking this, but he was beautiful, almost like an angel of both Light and Darkness.

He smiled at me with those gorgeous teal eyes before nodding in approval. "Grab hold."

I pushed the thoughts of his new appearance aside before nodding back and wrapping my ribbons around him tightly. "I'm ready."

"Good. Then off we go~!" We both leapt at the same time out of the cage and sailed down towards the ground, Riku's "wings" acting like a parachute.

"Oh no you don't!"

I heard a mechanical sound behind us and looked over my shoulder to see a robotic arm shoot out of the balloon's basket straight for us. Before I knew what I was doing, a power rose inside me and I called out "Shadow Ball!" just as an orb of Darkness formed before my mouth and shot at the arm, colliding with it and causing the machine to explode.

We landed a moment and I turned completely around, stunned by what I had just done.

"Whoa!" I heard Bonnie exclaim.

"Such power!" Clemont commented.

Riku looked at me with a proud expression. "Seems you know your stuff." He then turned his attention back to Team Rocket before adding "Shall we finish this?"

I followed his gaze and nodded. "Let's."

"Uh-oh," Meowth said nervously.

"This is gonna hurt," James muttered pitifully.

"We're in!" Ash proclaimed, Pikachu on his shoulder. He grabbed a Pokéball from his belt and threw it into the air. "Fletchcinder, I choose you!"

Said Pokémon appeared from the light that poured out of the capsule, letting out a proud chirp. Pikachu jumped onto the bird's back and rose into the air.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail on the balloon!"

The Electric-type followed his partner's command and jumped off Fletchcinder's back, while at the same time using Iron Tail, his tail gleaming silver like metal. The attack pierced the balloon, causing it to plummet back to the ground, while Pikachu landed back on Fletchcinder and both returned to Ash's side.

As Team Rocket crawled out of the wreckage, Riku and I looked at one another and nodded, both thinking the same thing. Power washed over me once more and I felt the words fall off my tongue. "Dazzling Gleam!" Hundreds of glistening jewels of energy floated around me, lighting up the clearing dramatically. With the simple thought, I sent the attack towards the wannabe thieves.

At the same time, Riku twisted his head to the side as the scythe on the right side of his head glowed white. He called out "Razor Wind!" and shot a crescent-shaped beam at Team Rocket as well.

The two attacks combined, creating a powerful whirlwind of gems and light. The blast collided with Team Rocket, causing a minor explosion and dust to pick up, shooting the trio into the sky. As they disappeared into the distance, you could faintly hear their famous motto "Team Rocket's blasting off again~!" before vanishing completely with the twinkle of a star.

Once I knew they were gone, I let out a heavy sigh of relief and collapsed to the ground, exhausted. I felt a paw on my shoulder and looked up to see Riku, a concerned look in his eyes.

"You okay?" He asked.

I gave a weak, yet reassuring smile and nodded. "Yeah; just tired."

"You only just got back from the Dark Margin. Don't push yourself."

"I know. Thanks."

"Are you both alright?"

Riku and i turned to see Ash and the others rushing over to us.

"We're fine," I replied, slowly getting to my feet.

"Here, lean on me," Riku offered, pressing very close to me, taking part of my weight.

I did my best not to act bashful and instead gave him a thankful look. I then brought my eyes back to the children. "How did you find me?"

"Riku showed up at our camp, looking for you," Serena explained.

"I knew something was wrong when you weren't there; that's when I heard the commotion coming from here," Riku added. "But I'll tell you the rest later. For now-" He suddenly lifted me onto his back before finishing "-let's get back to the camp and see to your injuries."

"I told you I'm fine!" I miserably failed at trying to get off and we headed back to the coast. "Riku, put me down, you jerk!"

The Absol only laughed.