Kingdom Hearts- Return of the Heartless-The Sequel

[neji]

Kingdom Hearts- Return of the Heartless
Chapter 1- Tearing Away From Bliss

Fate.......
Such a strong word.....
but, those four letters speak the truth of everything.
Everything that has happened, or that is going to happen.
It's all because of that simple word.
Their world, shaded in the darkness, away from fear
their hearts torn in all directions.
One lost in the vast grayness of the forgotten world....
one simply at home......
and one wandering, in search of himself....
but all are alone.
Or, at least it feels that way.
What is going to happen?
Or the better question,
what has happened.................


"What? What is this place? Where am I!" Kairi searched the area around her frantically. The dark, heavy clouds around her were beginning to close in, as she took a deep breath of air. The fog was feeling as if it were trying to suffocate her, and suddenly, it disappeared. "Riku? Sora? Anyone, where are you!!" she yelled into the night sky. Stars began to shoot everywhere. "Meteor shower?" she asked herself. Plummeting down from the sky, the twinkling wonders slammed hard against the sand. Kairi fell to her knees, and looked up. "My daughter, how could I have lost you..." Kairi shook her head. "Ansem?" Suddenly, the ground shook, and Kairi's fingers clawed into the ground beneath her. "What's happening?" she asked. The sand beneath her turned concrete, and she felt the rain pouring down on her back like a thousand needles. "Kairi, you can't be here. Not now, go home!" She recognized him. "Please don't make me go. Riku, I'm scared." she quivered. Riku's soft hair brushed lightly across his face as he knelt down. "This isn't our world. You have to run, and don't stop, ever..." he whispered. Kairi looked up. "Why run from someone I love so much." she remarked. Riku shook his head. "Please go, they're coming." he said. Riku swung his keyblade over his shoulder, and walked down the rainy streets. Kairi felt the wet breeze across her face, as her world transformed once more. The ground beneath her was no longer hard, but muddy, and damp. She could hear eerie sounds from all around her. She buckled her knees, and forced herself to stand. A cloaked figure stood in the mist. And in that instant, she knew she'd found him. "Sora..."she said. He turned around to face her. Kairi gasped as she almost fell backwards, but braced herself on a near-by rock. Sora's face was grim, and evil looking. "Kairi, help me, they're taking my heart, I need you." he pleaded. But Kairi shook her head. "I can't, I can't give you my heart." she whispered, backing away. "But, I thought......well, never mind. I guess, you don't love me anymore. You are letting me fade away from you slowly, out of your life, because you have forgotten. You have forgotten everything. But Kairi, I am a star. You may not always see me, but I'm always out there, floating in the darkness." he said solemnly. Kairi felt her heart pound. "Oh Sora, I haven't forgotten." she whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek. "But you have.....you have. And, you're the only one who can save me..." The background faded, and Kairi turned around to face a looming cloaked man before her. "It's too late princess. The worlds have fallen apart. You can't piece them together as you did last time. They are shattered, and among them are the pieces of your beloved's heart. But, it's too late. Sora's heart has fallen into an abyss of darkness and shame. And soon enough, Riku will join him in this realm of terror. Nobody can stop it. Not even the fierce and mighty Riku. And once again, as you were when your world as a child was destroyed, you will be alone. And that, my little princess, is your fate.........

[neji]

Kingdom Hearts- Return of the Heartless
Chapter 2- Fading Memories

Kairi awoke form her vision. The breeze swept across her face gently. She thought about what might happen. Was Sora really falling from her? She knew she had to find him. But, she wasn't sure who's journey it was. But, things would come together again, and she wasn't about to give up now. Kairi stood. “We made it. Okay, now we just have to look. I’m not quite sure where it is, but the Disney Castle is near. We need the King’s help.” She said. Tidus sat on the grass thinking. “We should split up. In groups of two. Or, maybe just into two groups.” He said. “Right. But we need to find the castle first.” She said. She looked around. “When we do find the castle, we will split up. Let’s see. Wakka, Rikku, and Riku. Me, Yuna, and Tidus.” She said. “Kairi, I want you to be with us. Plus, we need to find our friend together.” Riku said. Kairi nodded. “Okay, then I’m with you guys, and Wakka, you are with Tidus and Yuna.” She said. Wakka nodded. They walked across the fields looking for the castle. “Over there!” Yuna pointed. The Castle was sitting neatly on the hilltop. “Let’s go!” Rikku said. The group ran to the castle. Max and Goofy were talking at the gates. “Kairi!” Goofy shouted. She ran up to him. “Sora is missing! The heartless are loose again! We have to find the door, and re-seal it.” Kairi said quickly. They all ran up to the castle. They were all sitting in the Royal living room. Kairi had explained everything to Mickey, Max, Donald, Goofy, Minnie, and Daisy. “Well, we have to look for them then. Okay, since you have groups, then so will I. Goofy, Donald, you are with me. And, Max, sorry, but you must stay here with the girls.” Mickey said. “But, Dad, will you come back?” he asked. Goofy nodded. “I promise son. I won’t stay away for too long.” He assured him. “Tidus, I’m sure you remember this from some time ago. I want you to take it on your journey.” Mickey said. He handed Tidus a sword. It was crystal blue. “It’s the one Wakka gave me. Brotherhood. It's been quite sometime since I've fought.” He said. Mickey nodded. “Wakka, you have your blitzball. And Yuna, you have your staff. Now, for the next group.” He said, his attention shifting towards them. “Riku, you can have the warrior’s sword. Uh, Other Rikku, you have your grenades. Kairi, you have this.” He said. He cast his hands towards her, and the kingdom keyblade appeared in her hands. Kairi started to cry. Tidus went to her. “What’s wrong Kat?” he asked. She wiped her eye. “It’s just, I remember the day me and Sora opened the door. We both had a keyblade. Our destinies were inter-twined. So, now what? I don’t know where he is, or if he is safe. And, I couldn’t protect him like he always did for me.” She sobbed. Tidus hugged her, and said, “We will find Sora Kat.” Riku turned to face the valley. He looked back. “They’re coming!” he shouted. Everyone was alerted. Kairi stood strong, and said, “If they will take me to Sora, then that’s all I want.” She said to herself. “C’mon Kairi!” Wakka shouted. She stood stiffly. She shook her head slowly. There was no time. The darkness covered the valley. Its shadow crept up the hillsides. It took Kairi with no trouble what so ever. The rest were running. “We can’t fight it!” Riku said. He held Rikku, and tried his best to protect her. It may have only been a year since they met, but they were really close. In spite of his lost feelings for Kairi, he restored them with Rikku. He wasn’t quite sure if he loved her or not, but it was pretty close to it. “Riku!” she shouted. He brought her closer to him. The shadow swept over them. It eclipsed the whole valley. All was lost. Except, Riku remained. He stood. He was wearing a dark and mysterious cloak. Two keyblades appeared in his hand. A voice said “To truly be a hero, you must sense the heartless. You shall be blinded until you defeat them.” It said. He looked at his blades. They were The Oathkeeper, and the Kingdom Key. He listened carefully. Heartless were everywhere. Riku wanted to be serious. No more happy go lucky. He had to really buckle down. He swung the blades around, destroying all of the heartless. But they reappeared. He sensed the tall buildings around him. He decided to quickly jump up the front of one. Even though he was still fighting the evil heartless, he couldn’t help but have that little smile on his face. He stood atop the building. What was this place? Why was he here? He sensed Sora inside of him. His figure changed. “What?” He saw Sora run up the side of the building. Riku’s keyblades were gone. Sora was running. He had Oblivion in his left hand, and Oathkeeper in his right. He was running, faster, and faster. He threw a keyblade to Riku. Riku somehow could feel it. He dove off of the building. He caught Oblivion in his hand. He wisped past Sora. It was so unreal. What was happening? “Sora!” Riku shouted. Sora kept going into the endless sky. Riku just kept falling, not even trying to stop himself. Right before he hit the ground, he stopped. He was floating two inches from death. He realized that something had saved him. But what. He rested gently on the ground. He stared at the night sky. What a horrible time to see Sora. In the rain, at night, in the cold. Riku stood. “How is this real? It just, doesn’t make sense at all.” He thought.

Sora stood overlooking the forgotten lake. The world in which he was, the Forgotten world. A world between worlds. The darkness was everywhere. A figure walked out of the shadows. Its yellow eyes glowed. Sora just stared at the lake. He wasn’t happy anymore. His world, was gone. His friends were nowhere to be found. He was depressed. The figure spoke. “Your Riku has a limited time to save you. Or, you will never see your world, your friends, or anything of the normal.” Sora looked at him. “He will. I know Riku.” He said solemnly. The figure chuckled. Sora had no smile on his face. “You’ll see.” Sora said.

18 months later.........

Kairi stood on the beach, wondering why she was once again in the same position. After two years, her hair had grown long and silky. It followed the swift ocean breezes, and she closed her eyes as it lifted every strand from her back. She walked across the shoreline, pressing each foot firmly against the damp sand. “Ouch!” she exclaimed. She knelt down to the ground, and examined the object she had stepped on. Small tears started to trickle down her cheek. She held a silver ring in her delicate hand. Kairi closed her eyes, and recalled the memory……..

“Sora, come on! Riku wants us to go swimming with him!” Kairi shouted, her small voice echoing down the beach. Sora stood with his short fly-away hair blowing astray in the wind, with his hands behind his back. Kairi finally reached him. “Watcha got?” she asked sweetly. Sora held his little hand out to reveal the secret that was behind his back. “For you.” He said, his cheeks red with embarrassment. Kairi smiled. “It’s pertiful.” She giggled as she took the ring. “I know, let’s bury this. And when we find it someday, that means that you……hmm……you gots to marry me!” she proclaimed. Sora scratched his head. “That’s silly Kairi, we’re only eight. But…..I promise that when we find it again, I’ll marry you. Kay?” he said. Kairi nodded, and buried the ring deep in the sand. “Let’s go swim with Riku!” she said finally. Sora smiled and took her hand. They took off running, their small feet carrying them swiftly across the beach.

Kairi’s memory blurred. She smiled softly, and held the ring close to her chest. She gazed out at the sunset, hoping her little hero would be shooting down from the sky. Faint memories of being swallowed by the darkness still clouded her mind heavily. Why did they end up back where they started? She guessed that maybe it was Riku’s journey to find Sora, wherever he was. Kairi collapsed to her knees, and began to cry. Her tear drops hit the sand softly. She wanted to run, but where? Where could she go? She was stranded on the island, and her beloved Sora was melting away from her slowly.

Riku stood atop the building, his hair blowing in the rainy breeze. Lulu approached him. Riku quickly turned to face her, and instantly sensed that she knew what was happening. “Where’s Sora?” he asked. Lulu scraped the braids from her face with her long violet fingernails. “His heart is lost……something once very, very sweet, had become so bitter. He has become a shadow, searching for the light.” she explained in a hushed voice. Riku turned away. “This place…..where are my friends? Where is Rikku?” he asked. Lulu reached into her pocket, and revealed black, hazy dust. She stretched her dainty hand out with her palm facing up, and with her other hand cast the dust towards it. A dark sphere slowly formed out of the dust. And he saw Rikku, trapped behind bars, screaming for help. “No!” Riku said, trying to reach for her. Lulu clasped the sphere, and pulled it away. “Sora has a certain amount of time in which to find his heart. But, Rikku also has a time limit to her rescue. So who will it be? Sora? Or Rikku?” she asked. Riku stared out into the blackness of the cold, eerie night. He had to choose. The love of his life…….or his best friend.

“Sora don’t dawdle! We have work to do!” Luka said. Sora turned to face him. His darkened grey eyes stared at Luka. “Not now.” He muttered. Luka rolled his eyes, and smoothened his cloak. “Very well.” He agreed. Sora turned to face the ocean, and realized where he was. A dreary grey world in which he imprisoned himself. He pulled his hood back slowly, as if to get a better view at the lifeless water. “Kairi, where are you when I need you.” He whispered into the wind. “A radiant light to shine the darkness away from my heart. I’ve now realized my fate. A washed-up has been hero who can’t save the world again. Every day I think of you, those bright blue eyes…man, I could stare into them forever. I’m so sorry…because this time, I can’t promise that I’ll come back to you. My heart has shattered knowing that I will never see your face again.” Sora sat on the black, mossy rock behind him. No tears would come to his eyes. Though he tried forcing them, nothing would come. He hated himself for his pride. Mister keyblade master is all he used to think about. The greedy and the boasting, their hearts shall be consumed by darkness. Sora knew this. He knew that was the reason he lost his heart. Another rule he knew very well…….within three hundred days if you shall fail to find your heart……you will perish.

The islands were silent. Sorrow and grieving had made it nearly impossible to smile or laugh. Once again, Kairi was on the shore gazing at the ocean. She stared thoughtfully at the full moon. This time, Riku would be the one to save Sora, and all Kairi could do, is wait. Kairi suddenly thought about wedding plans. Of course, she would wait awhile, after all, she was only sixteen. She thought about the day Sora would come home to her…the day her life would have meaning once again.

Riku sat on a park bench. The dead trees shook and rattled around him, as the chilly night air wisped by, causing him to shiver. He missed Rikku so much that he could hardly bear it. But, Sora saved him, so he had to return the favor. He would save them both somehow. Lulu returned to Riku, bringing the Oblivion chained to her wrist. “Who are you anyways?” Riku asked her. Lulu sighed heavily. “My name is Lulu. I am very close to Lady Summoner Yuna. As well as Tidus and Wakka. I’m sure someone must have told you about me. I helped Yuna on her Pilgrimage after all.” She explained. Riku nodded. Lulu unclasped the keyblade from her wrist, and handed it to Riku. “Here, you may need this. You have only forty days to rescue Rikku.” She said. Riku took the keyblade from her grasp. But before he could say another word, she snapped her fingers, and vanished

[neji]

Kingdom Hearts- Return of the Heartless
Chapter 3- Destinies Discrete

Thoughts raced through Kairi's mind. She had just realized she left the princesses alone. What if something terrible was going to happen? Wasn't she supposed to be there to stop it, since Sora had lost himself in darkness? Or was her vision even true about him...... She was confused. She didn't want to cry. She wanted to be strong, for Sora... for Riku. She knew something had to be done. She didn't want to sit around and wait again. She would ask Tidus to go with her. Yuna went back to Spira, and Tidus was depressed anyways. Kairi figured he would be happy to go along with her. She needed time with Tidus anyways. They drifted apart over the years, ever since Yuna came back. And since she went back to Spira, she had begun a new life, telling Tidus there was nothing at Destiny for her. Tidus told her he would stay. He would stay with Wakka, and all of his other friends. Spira offered nothing for Tidus, his father was dead, and he was only a dream. The fayth told him that it would be alright, as long as they loved each other. Yuna and Tidus still loved each other very much, together or apart, but they knew they had different destinies. Just as Kairi realized she had a completely different destiny from Sora and Riku. Just because she and Sora's destinies were intertwined, doesn't mean they were identical. Kairi had learned to be independent, and strong, and she knew her and Sora would be happy again. Time would go on, and everything would be in its place. Kairi sat in her room, and looked at everything around her. Pictures and memories of her, Sora, and Riku cluttered the shelves. She smiled remembering old times together, and that the memories would never fade, as long as she clung to them. The only way to go to the dark world though, was to give up her heart to darkness. Or drown her memories in sorrow. Those were the only two choices she had to leave the island. And suddenly, she realized Tidus would have to stay. She couldn't ask him to give up anything of his, unless he offered it to her himself. Kairi knew she had to depend on herself now, not Tidus, not Sora, not anyone. She had to finally at last depend on the only person that would be there for her, no matter what. She had to depend on Kairi. And she knew Sora wasn't there anymore. "His voice... its left me." she whispered. She fumbled the small silver ring in her hand, rolling it between her gentle fingers, and let it drop to the floor.

Sora sat in silence as Luka explained the plan to him. "Okay Sora, you lead these heartless out to Spira. That's where most of the people can be consumed. And I will take the rest elsewhere." Luka said. Sora just sat back in his chair, and rolled his eyes as Luka droned on with his plan. His small golden crown fell down over his grey-brown hair as he closed his eyes. "You know that crown will be bigger if you will listen to me! Sora, you have a great power over the heartless now, and when Ansem finally passes over, then you will be King of Heartless." Luka said. A mischievous grin crept its way onto Sora's face. He thought of the great evil he could spread to all of the worlds, and chuckled lightly with satisfaction. Luka smirked. "That's what I thought." He continued to explain, until a small figure scrambled into the room, carrying parchments with him. "Luka! Luka! These are from his majesty!" the figure said in its squeaky voice. Sora looked at Luka with a puzzled look on his face. "How are you letting that annoying little mouse man tie in with this?" Sora demanded questionably. "Oh, I suppose I will tell you. Mickey has made agreements that if we let go a few of his soldiers, then he will give us the only copy of the map to Crystasia." Luka said. Sora thought for a moment. Crystasia. It sounded so oddly familiar. "The three main war fractions we have going on in this battle are Bevelle, Hollow Bastion, and Crystasia. You'd think after that old Zihloh king died, the civilization would fall with him. But they have a new leader. Her name is something like...... Keiah I think. Oh well that isn't important now." Luka said, flipping through papers to find the next article. Sora thought hard on that name. Where did he hear it from? And suddenly, his mind cleared. "The Legend of the Paopu." he said aloud. Luka looked at him strangely. "The Legend of what?" he asked. Sora began to ponder more and more. Where was he from? And what was so important that he left behind. And once again, he remembered. "Kairi..." he said accidentally. Luka glared at him evilly, crumpling his papers with his hands. "What did you say boy?" he asked. Sora shook his head. "Nothing, I said....nothing." he said, re-adjusting his crown. "Good, now let’s move on. We better get this done and finished, we meet his Lordship in and hour." Luka reminded him. And with that, Sora slumped down in his chair.

Riku approached the Heartless Fortress. He knew that those evil creatures were holding Rikku hostage, and he had to save her. He came upon the looming doors that stood so tall, he could not see the small stone gargoyles placed neatly above the awning. He pushed on them, and no matter how much force he put, they would not open. As Riku pressed his hands against the smooth mahogany wood, he remembered trying to close the Door to the Light. He remembered the coldness of the white marble, his leather gloves slipping every time he applied pressure to the enormous door. And he knew now, that he was no longer behind that door. His memory was faint of what happened. He lost his body, but somehow, regained another one quite similar to it. Ansem used Riku's former body to use as a warrior for the dark side. But Riku was a creature of light. And he knew in his heart that his journey wasn't over until everything would be as it was before. And the first step towards that eternal peace, was rescuing Rikku. The door before him creaked open eerily. He looked inside the dark corridor cautiously. "I was expecting you." a voice said. Riku stepped inside, and the door quickly slammed behind him. "Finally, my brother, you have come to free us!" Riku saw a ghostly figure approach him. Riku stepped back. "Asher! What are you doing here?" he asked. Asher shrugged. "The heavens are gone brother. They are gone until The End." he said. "The end?" Riku asked, puzzled. Asher simply nodded. "Of course. There is an end for every journey completed. Not all are happy though, and unfortunately, this one will definitely not be happy." he explained. "What do you mean? What exactly is going on?" Riku asked. "The worlds are open. Two of the Four doors are opened. When the last two are finally open, chaos will befall us." he said. "The Four doors? What are you talking about?" Riku continued to ask. "The Door to the Darkness. The Door to the Light. The Door to the Norm. And, the door that leads to the ultimate Paradise. Paradise, a place that no man should ever reach while mortal. If that final door is open, the pureness of its aura will bleed into our other worlds, causing famine, confusion, death, and wars." Asher explained. "Who is going to open them? Ansem is dead!" Riku said. Asher shook his head. "No, no little brother... Ansem is alive and well. And as his secondhand to darkness, his partner in terror, his side kick, is the Keyblade Master." Asher said. Riku's knees began to shake, and he collapsed to the floor. "No...no Sora is stronger than that! He would never....." Riku's voice trailed off. He knew that Sora had been swallowed by that immense monster a few years ago. But could his heart have flourish into nothing? An oblivion of emptiness? Surely not.... but it was true. And deep down Riku sensed it. "I can't save him this time can I." he whispered. Asher looked at him. "No Riku, you can no longer fight his battles for him. And Kairi, has slowly drifted apart from him. And if the ties sever, nobody can save Sora but himself. And that my brother, is a truly difficult task." Riku finally understood that Sora was almost a man now. And he also realized that he was becoming a man himself. He had to set his ways, and continue on. He learned that he couldn't keep blaming himself for what happened. He blamed himself once, and now it was time to move on. "Asher, I need to find Rikku." Riku said at last. Asher nodded, and pointed down the empty corridor. "She's in the chambers. Hurry Riku, time is almost up for her." Riku stood quickly, and jolted down the hall. He knew he hadn't wasted time talking with his brother, but he should have come earlier, because it may be too late to save Rikku. He came across a sign with arrows pointing to the left. "Heartless Chamber Meeting- Sacrifice tonight- All Dark Lurkers must attend" "Sacrifice...." Riku whispered, as he headed left down the sandstone hallway. He reached the large chamber. A bonfire was glowing with embers floating about, and heartless were chanting, dancing around it in a circle. It appeared that their leader was standing by, mixing things in his cauldron. His brown hair dusted across his forehead, covering his hazel eyes. And Riku heard a scream. "Riku!" He looked above the fire, and in chains was Rikku, dangling helplessly. Riku tried to run to her, but an invisible force field blocked him. The leader looked at him. "Oh! Greetings mortal! Welcome to my feast. You understand heartless must eat too. They only feed on the heart though, which leaves the rest of this ugly corpse to waste." he explained. He strode up to the invisible wall, and tapped on it. "Quite clever of me, I didn't know my magic was this good. Well, it keeps the filth out. I see it works." he smirked. "I'd shake your hand, but as you see I can't. I am Chevin, a humble purveyor of darkness and shame. And you are?" he asked. "None of your business! Let her go!" Riku demanded. "Tsk tsk... what a shame. You have to see her die here. Why did you come? It is nasty business to watch friends die. That's why I love it so much." he replied with a wicked smile. He flicked his wand at Rikku, and she screamed with pain. Every bone and joint in her body was snapping loudly. "And now for the fun part!" Chevin yelled with excitement. He switched spells quickly. Gashes appeared on Rikku's arms and legs. And at last, Chevin cast out a sharp metal disc. It sliced across Rikku's throat, and she fell silent. "Oh I love torture." Chevin smiled. "No..." Riku whispered, his bitter tears stinging his face. Chevin snapped, and the heartless disappeared. The force field vanished. "Poor mortal. Oh well, you can't catch me, I'm already gone." And with those conniving words, he faded away. Riku pounded his fists on the ground. She couldn’t really be dead. He dragged himself to the fire, and saw Rikku's dainty hand stretching out from it. He gripped it softly, and pulled her out. Not an inch of her was singed. Riku swiped his hand through the fire, and felt nothing. It was merely an illusion. He looked down at Rikku, and held her head gently on his lap. He stroked her blonde hair away from her tear stained face. Cuts and bruises were clearly visible. Her lifeless eyes stared up at him. He felt them staring straight into his soul. He caressed her forehead with his thumb. "You can't be dead. You just can't be...." he whispered to her, expecting a response. She just laid on him, not a muscle of her made a motion. Riku shook his head. He gently laid her on the solid, hard ground, and ran. He didn't know where he was running to, but he was running. And he was going as fast as his legs could carry him.