A/N: Welcome to my first fic! I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, and I think I will with the ones to come! It's an AU and takes place in a world sorta like ours, but not ours… k? Anyways, on with the fic!

Summary: AU: Riku's band has the chance of a lifetime--they've finally made it to the Nationals. Between a wild road trip to the finals, band bonding and heated rivalry, which band will rise above the rest for a shot at fame? Sokai, Namiku, AkuRoku. Rated for strong language and suggestive themes.

Disclaimer: I own nothing! Disney, Square-Enix and those lucky people get everything!

LiD: Rise and Crescendo

Chapter One: Sealing the LiD

Sweltering heat was beating down on the band, along with the roars of a pumped up crowd. A light breeze picked up, but it did nothing to calm the crowd down. Although, it's refreshing touch was enough to cool down the anxious musicians on stage, and finish their song with ease.

Strumming out the final chords on his guitar, Riku let out the finishing lines with extra power.

"Let's take it all and leave it brittle

Is that the answer to your riddle?"

His feet planted firmly on the stage, Riku let his last note on his electric guitar ring. The crowd went absolutely wild for the star of the show, not that Riku had done it all by himself of course. Sora held a firm support for Riku with bass; Kairi had held strong and accented with her keyboard, and Tidus kept the beat going on drums to the fans' delights. Turning briefly, Riku exchanged an encouraging grin with his band mates.

Not that anyone in the crowds below the stage actually knew who these teens were; they had just come for the show.

Whatever, Riku thought passively to himself. This isn't about the fans; not yet. This is about making sure we're at least better than the other guy. Though he hated to sound conceited, Riku was pretty confident in his band, Light in Darkness.

Kairi, coming up with the name, had said it was "poetic", when she enthusiastically went ahead and filled in the name on the registration form. As annoyed as they were, the guys hadn't had the heart to break her spirit for the new band name. In the hopes of not coming off as another angsty, complaining, punk rock group, the boys had shortened it down to LiD.

But still; they sounded like some damned devout religious rock band in Riku's opinion, but it was too late to change that now.

Riku eyed the crowd. Their performance had gone well. The Riddle had definitely been a great song choice to end everything with. Thank you Kairi for that one… her choices weren't so bad, all the time then.

The crowd was still going wild, and a few had even started moshing. Even though he was grateful for the show-out, Riku couldn't help but groan at the crowd's behaviour. Just wait till we're outta here… He reminded himself that they very well may not be.

As if he had read the teen's mind, the judge for the competition stood up. With bated breath, Riku didn't allow his eyes to wander from the man standing there. To somewhat of his relief, he saw a twinkle in the man's eye as he beamed down at them. The man spoke.

"Everyone, settle down for a few moments!" he roared unnecessarily into his microphone. Riku cringed; at least I learned how to sing into a microphone without blowing anyone's eardrums… Riku stopped thinking quickly, for the man was speaking again.

"After some discussion with my fellows, we have come to one unanimous conclusion!" This time, the crowd really did go silent, and Riku fingered the strings on his guitar nervously, now dropping his gaze as the man spoke again. Come on…

"This year's winner of the State Band Battle is… Light in Darkness!" If possible, the crowd roared even louder than before. Riku felt an immense amount of relief flood through him. Of course, he was happy too, but worry had been stronger in his mind. Now he could rest easy… this is it… so far.

After weeks of practicing, tons of scrapped lyrics and tunes, we did it. We're the State Champions.

Despite his normally indifferent attitude, Riku let a smirk make its way on his face when he felt his band mates swamp him in a massive bear hug as the crowd continued cheering. Indeed, the silver haired young man even returned some of the emotion for once. The crowd of people had even started to make its way on stage; just as a man in a black suit appeared next to the band.

"You guys… out of here. We need to get you backstage to talk to the judges about details." Nodding numbly, LiD weaved their way through the crowd behind the man. Finally, they reached backstage and all in one piece. There the judges stood; Riku did not know any of their names, but he could care less. If all went well at the nationals, then he wouldn't ever see this place again.

That was the whole reason Riku had worked his band so hard for these State Finals. Getting out of the small town and making it big, on his own terms. His way. No stupid Dad telling me where or why… Winning in their school had been a piece of cake, and the Regional level was hardly anymore difficult. The state level hadn't proved to be extremely hard either, though they did actually meet some competition.

"You guys did amazing. There was almost no competition," one of the judges said, still beaming. Riku almost rolled his eyes.

"We know you'll do us proud at the Nationals," another added. The one who had announced their victory approached them with his hand outstretched, which they all shook. Pulling something out of his briefcase, the man handed them a two passes each with an envelope of information and more forms.

"They're the passes for the Nationals," he said as they examined everything. "They should also to get you in the Hotel you'll be staying at while down there."

"Why do we have two passes each though?" Tidus asked, puzzled. The man grinned,

"You each get to bring one V.I.P. guest when you go down to Twilight City—someone like a parent." All the band mates made a face at the suggestion, and the man laughed.

"Yes… since summer vacation has just started, I suppose the last thing you'd want is to have them tag along on your big chance, right?" You don't know the half of it… Riku thought bitterly as he tucked the passes into the back pocket of his navy jeans. His band mates followed, stowing the passes away.

"That all?" Sora asked with excitement clear on his face. "We're set?" The man nodded cheerfully. Although he did say one thing to startle the group,

"Just make sure you get there in time. You've got to be there in about ten days." Riku raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Kairi—as Riku had expected—spoke instead.

"Wait… we have to get there ourselves?"

"Yes you do… well… where do you all live?" he asked.

"Destinyville," they answered in unison. The man shrugged.

"It's not too far a drive from there. About less than a week with stops I think—you have those passes… maybe your mom or someone could take you there?" The group nodded dully in response. How old does this guy think we are? Taking control, Riku told them,

"Hey, don't worry about it—we'll think of something. We'll talk about it during the ride home on the train, okay?"

"Right!" Sora said brightly. Kairi nodded as Tidus also agreed. Turning, they made to leave. That was, however, when standing at the backstage door Riku saw a strange blonde girl.

She was dressed simply, and her blonde hair shone gently like the sun. He could not make out her face though—it was shadowed where she stood, holding a notebook and pen tightly in her 

hands. Probably a fan that made it past the security. Behind her however, were screams of fan girls itching to make it through the door as well.

"Riku, we love you!!"

"Tidus, CALL ME!!"

"NO! He's MINE!!"

"Come back SORA!"

"AHHHH!! IT'S KAIRI!! MOM!! Let's get her autograph!!"

Riku rolled his eyes towards his bandmates, who were humouring the psychotic fans, still ecstatic from winning.

Tidus, in particular, seemed to be enjoying himself.

"We're going to the Nationals!" the blond drummer roared out, pulling his shirt off and swinging it around in victory. The fans responded by soaking him with water and squealing with delight ("Ti-dus! Ti-dus! Ti-dus!" they chanted. "TAKE IT ALL OFF!"). Shaking his head, Riku made to leave through the exit that lead straight to the stairs outside. He didn't feel like dealing with signing autographs and picture takings.

Making his way into the bright sunlight outside, Riku decided to simply sit on the stairs that still had some shade from the stage's roof. Plopping down, he didn't even care that the wooden stairs weren't even properly sanded—he'd spent enough nights sitting on his own deck outside his house, by himself. And his Dad hadn't exactly done a wonderful job putting that together either.

He'd never really done a wonderful job at anything. But then, according to his father, neither did Riku really. There was always something he had just messed up; always something he had just missed; just slipped up on.

Well at least I didn't mess this one up. No, he hadn't; they were heading to the Nationals. Battle of the Bands: Clincher. Not the most amazing title ever, but it gained enough attention from critics and musicians alike. As for the rest of Riku's state; they could care less. Only those interested in rock actually bothered with this massive competition, because to everyone else it was just another way to fritter away life without actually working hard.

Riku scowled. His father happened to be of that opinion. Doesn't matter. Once we win the Nationals, I'm outta there, once and for all. Hearing voices approaching the door, Riku shuffled over beforehand for the people. Beside him approached his best and oldest friend, Sora. The cheerful teenager dropped down beside Riku and grinned.

"Thought you were hiding here," Sora said.

"Had to," Riku grunted. "The swamp of fan girls was starting to suffocate me." Sora laughed.

"Probably. I had to practically fight my way over to find you—the others probably think I'm still following them through the masses of fans."

Riku arched a silver eyebrow at him.

"Isn't Kairi gonna be hounding after you for leaving like that?" Sora's grin shifted to a blank-faced shrug.

"Oh well. I'm sure she'll get over it—Kairi's good like that," he added fondly. A smirk making its way back on his face, Sora then said, "Besides, she's too busy dragging Tidus away from the groupies."

"Pffft… so surprising," Riku replied absently. His eyes had drifted to the clear blue skies above them, vast and endless in its height. Sora remained quiet for a few minutes—a new record, Riku thought wryly—before speaking up again.

"Uhh… don't you think we should get to the van? We need to be at the train station pretty soon to catch our ride back home." Riku didn't nod this time, but instead got up. Looking back, he offered a hand to Sora and the 16-year-old took it, jumping to his feet. The usual grin back on his face, Sora made his way at something of a run to the parking lot.

"Hurry up, Riku!" He called teasingly over his shoulder. "We gotta get to the van before the fans do!" In spite of himself, Riku grinned and picked up his pace. The two of them shot towards the parking lot, and when they reached the van, jumped right in. Kairi let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness," she said. "I was beginning to worry that the fans would catch on that we'd left before you guys ever came." Apologetically, Sora wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and pecked her forehead gently.

"Hey come on," he said with a grin, seating himself down and pulling her to sit next to him. "Think I'd ever let a bunch of psychos get to you?" Kairi smiled and snuggled into her boyfriend's arms, resting her head in the crevice of his shoulder.

"'Course not," she mumbled contently. Tidus had settled himself in the far back seat, wearing a very dazed, happy expression. Noting a lack of shirt, open fly, messed up hair and to top it all off, lipstick smears everywhere, Riku rolled his eyes at the drummer.

"Did you get into Kairi's make-up bag again?" he said sarcastically as he smudge some of the lipstick on Tidus' collarbone with his finger. Completely unaware of the implied insult, Tidus pointed to a lipstick kiss on his forehead and goofily said,

"This one's from my mom."

Snorting, Riku nudged Tidus' shoulder before settling himself down in the back as well, giving the couple their space. The driver, who had remained silent finally asked,

"Everyone ready to go?" As a whole, they told him 'yes'. With that, he sped from the parking lot and made his way to the train station.

LiD

The train ride had not taken long—it had only been an in-state trip, and the four were now squashed in the back of a downtown taxi. Riku and the now fully-clothed Tidus had taken the sides, while Sora was squashed in the middle, Kairi in his lap. Money hadn't been the issue to get two cabs—it was more because it was rush hour, and they had been lucky to even get one.

Rolling down his window, Riku was taking in the fresh air—well, as fresh as downtown air can possibly be—before Kairi said suddenly,

"So how we getting down to Twilight City?" Riku felt Sora's shoulder attempt to move in what he guessed was a shrug-like movement. A slight laugh in his voice, Sora suggested,

"We could go like this." Riku didn't even bother to turn and glare at his younger friend, settling instead for fiercely nudging him.

"Hey!" Sora cried out. The movement had caused Sora to shove up against Tidus –

"Dammit!" Kairi cursed, when she slipped off his lap and collided into the back of the passenger seat. Poor Tidus was left smashed up against his door, cheek pressed against the glass.

"Riku!" Everyone cried out in annoyance from their awkward position. Tidus was courteous enough to add while righting himself,

"Ass-friggin'-hole."

Riku heard the taxi driver cluck his tongue and turn to look at the teens in disapproval.

"You four; behave yourselves—" Tidus snorted.

"Whatever, old man! We're paying you to drive, not baby-sit!" the blond snapped, helping Kairi adjust herself back into Sora's lap. Sora wrapped his arms around the pouting girl and kissed her jaw line, as if she had been damaged by the fall. Tidus was still glaring at the driver. Shaking his head, Riku sometimes wondered how such a cheerful fellow could become so cocky at times. But then, they had become friends with him a year ago when he had used that said cockiness to stick up for Riku.

Some punk had started making fun of him for sitting on a park bench with his headphones on and writing lyrics to songs, as he always did in his spare time. Called him a hippie, writing poems 

and strumming a guitar. Useless. Lazy. Sounds like good old Dad… But Tidus had been there, and made it his business, defending Riku while Riku himself had simply ignored the stupid kid.

Not that Riku needed anyone to stick up for him—but all the same, the sentiment had been nice.

That was when they had discovered he played drums, and Riku offered him a place in the band. Riku had been teaching himself guitar since he was young, and could sing rather well. Sora had picked up bass when his best friend took guitar, the two thinking they could start a band. Then Sora had met Kairi, who had just moved into the town a few years ago. She played piano very well, but was able to shift the skills over to keyboard. She, with Tidus' help, could mix songs rather well, too. After joining the band, Kairi and Sora had moved their relationship from friendship to dating soon after.

Riku didn't particularly care—he was happy for Sora, and as long as the two stayed focused on the music during practice there was nothing wrong with them dating. Sora staying on track… ha. Fondly, Riku turned back to look at his band.

While he had been strolling down memory lane, they had been discussing travel plans.

"So… what've we decided?" Riku asked softly. Tidus beamed and said perkily,

"We're gonna be taking my new convertible out and drive on down now that me and you have our licenses."

Riku smirked, trying not to roll his eyes at the juvenile yet playful fantasy. Cocking an eyebrow, he began,

"So that means we're going on a—"

"—ROAD TRIP!" Sora, Kairi and Tidus cheered.

In the front, the taxi driver cringed at the loud voices but said nothing. Internally laughing at his friends' excitement, Riku turned back to the window and eventually allowed his mind to wander as usual.

Once they reached their upper-middle class neighborhood, the taxi driver began dropping them off one by one with their suitcases from the back. As Riku—being the first—got out of the car, Sora called out,

"Riku—pack your bags and come over to Tidus's house right away! We're gonna stay at his house for the night! We leave tomorrow!"

Riku nodded, and then remembered something. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out one of his passes and tossed it inside the taxi to his friends. Answering the puzzled faces, Riku gave half a smirk and reminded them,

"Who would I take?" Sora in particular locked eyes with Riku, and nodded grimly in understanding. Though the whole band had an idea of Riku's delicate relationship with his father—his only guardian since his mother had passed away—none of them knew to the extent that Sora did.

Grabbing his bags from the back trunk, Riku made for inside his house. Damn. He didn't particularly look forward to telling his father he would be away for a good while because of Light in Darkness.

A/N: Yay, first chapter done and up! The lyrics I wrote myself though, and I'll be writing all the lyrics in this fic... don't hate me. :P I hope you guys liked it! Make sure to leave a review and tell me if you think it's worth continuing… thanks! ;)

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