Shadowing Light

Disclaimer: I do not, and never will (unless a miracle happen, and they're not very reliable these days) own Kingdom Hearts, or any of its characters, plot elements, game play, yadah yadah. Sheesh, are these things really that necessary? I don't even own the games!

Kila: Right, I'm getting started with this story. As you can guess from the title, this is not a quick oneshot. It's a full fledged story, with an unplanned amount of chapters, and hopefully a hecking lot of words. Since this is my first time, please excuse any mistakes or rude things that happen unless it's meant to be rude. Enough stalling, let's get started.

PS: Please Revie- aww, screw this, I'm not gonna force people to review. It's rude, y'know?

Summary: Sora, Riku, and Kairi returned to Destiny Islands. They spent the next few weeks together,trying to relax after the tension from their adventures. They played, relaxed, and had fun together. They (miraculously) landed during the start of their school holidays, giving them plenty of time. However, changes begun to happen around the islands.. Plants wilted slightly faster than usual, animals are slightly more hostile than usual, and the sea grew slightly more silent than usual. These slight changes are unnoticed by the trio... until two figures they never thought to see again crashed home into the islands.

?

The craggy rocks that made up the foundation of the castle shudders and weeps as winds, singing oblivion, swept through them. The castle itself was built on the very edge of a cliff, like an otherworldly beast about to fall to its own, miserable doom. Thunder and lightning occasionally boomed and illuminated the sky, providing the only source of luminance; the castle doomed to an ink-black sky till eternity itself ends.

The castle itself, stands an impressive 169 meters tall. Gloomy towers and spiraling spires decorated its rooftops, while battlements and guard towers complimented the beauty of it with an impenetrable defense. A purple, winding road led to the gates of the forbidding structure, connecting it to the outside world, if you can call it a world. In short, it would be the exact opposite of the castle in which King Mickey reigns in. In fact, you could call the ruler of the castle the exact opposite of the anthropomorphic mouse.

The ruler in question is staring out of the castle window, thinking, plotting, and, as usual, up to no good. His black cloak covers his whole body, in an attire familiar to all those who have known him. His silver hair was worn with a strange style, but completely recognizable to everyone whom knew him. As he paced, he occasionally glanced out of the huge window in the room, as if he expects someone to come to the castle. Not that he, or she for that matter, will come from the front door. Besides the army of Invisibles that hide behind every single statue and tower, there is also the small matter of a Lurk Lizard and 4 Clay Armors that drops out of the roof of the front door. Failing that, the gate itself will send anyone trying to enter into the farthest reaches of the Dark Margin. Even if a miracle happens and the group avoid that, there is still the 12 powerful inhabitants of the fortress, not mentioning an assorted army of Nobodies and Heartless that roam the corridors.

A person would have to enter through either a Corridor of Darkness, which have a chance of virtually nil, due to the fact that only they and and a select few have the power to create these corridors. Besides, he would sense someone using an unauthorized corridor. Or, enter through a less known but impenetrable side door. Or, the person would have to go from the rooftops, which will be dealt by an army of spell-casting Heartless and Dragoons.

No, the castle itself is completely impenetrable.

The ruler of the castle continued to pace throughout his room, walking back and forth, back and forth.

Suddenly, a patch of shadow from a nearby pillar flared, revealing a Corridor of Darkness. Out of the portal strode a man.

The man had a black, crew-cut style hair. He wore a black eye-patch, and has a rugged, strong face that looked like it survived through multiple harsh campaigns. Knowing the man, it probably did. He wore the same robes as the aforementioned ruler did, and held what appears to be twin guns. The man strode quickly to the Superior. Xigbar strode quickly to the Superior.

"Superior," the man spoke, "The army is in place. We can now commence with the operation. It took us a while, but we've gathered an extremely large force in each of the worlds."

The Superior turned.

Xemnas turned.

"It matters not the size of each army." When he spoke, it was in a silky-smooth tone, reassuring, and to some others, sinister. "What matters is if they are suited to each of the worlds."

"They are."

"Good. Begin with Disney Castle... and... is the special 'gift' in place?"

"By now Lexaeus should have dragged it into place."

"Very well. Commence with our... ah... revenge."

Destiny Islands

" And that, my friends, is why you should NEVER flub a fire spell."

The entire group laughed so hard till their stomach hurts and a steady stream of tears flowed from their eyes. Riku, in particular, will remember that little story to the end of his life. If he somehow managed to reach the king, an achievement all by itself since the barriers between worlds are restored, he'd make sure to tease the duck incessantly with this knowledge.

It has been a year since Sora, Kairi and Riku traveled throughout the universe to save it and their homes from numerous threats, such as Heartless and Nobodies. During the journey they had made many friends, friends they were certain they may not be able to see again, but they always cherish their memories, even though it was memories of grave times.

They had been sitting around the fireplace for a while, waiting for the time when their mothers would call them home and they had to sleep, only to start it all over again the next day. They have been recollecting past experiences from each of their adventures, and most of all, reconciling with each other, never wanting to break apart again. They missed their friends, of course. Each day, they all thought off everyone they left behind, especially those whom are precious to them. Goofy, Donald, The King, Leon, Yuffie, Cloud, the Moogles, and everyone else... however, they agreed that, with the darkness looming over them, it's best they return to each their worlds.

The only one whom actually was rather pleased with this decision is Sora, with certain reasons.

He dropped the burning chicken feathers that he was holding, and sat by together with Kairi, oblivious to all the laughter around them, lost in their moments together. They have been together for several days now, playing alone, or spending time alone... two years may seem insignificant, but seventeen is a significant age, especially for 'suspicious' activities. They ducked barrage after barrage of innuendo from both parents and friends, and yet they manage to still prosper.

Across the fire, Riku stared at the couple. He isn't attracted to Kairi, somehow. He loved her as he would a sister, but never as something better. He was happy that the two friends get to spend time together now... however, he wished he also had someone else to accompany him. He was never the romantic, but someone to share the load with him, working as hard as he is... he smiled. Here he was, thinking about other random girls he met throughout his adventures, not the ones here, the accessible ones. He stared deep into the fire, remembering... recalling... the past memories, the happy times he spent with the King, him reuniting with Sora... he was jolted out of his reverie, shocked by someone shaking his shoulders rather violently.

"Riku? Riku? Wake up, man!"

With a jolt, he noticed his surroundings again. He rubbed his eyes, and asked somewhat testily:"Sora, what is it?"

"Nothing, thought you could continue YOUR stay at Castle Oblivion."

That's it? thought Riku, somewhat grumpily. Without a word, he strode up near the fire, and looked around the group. He saw Tiddus and Wakka staring intently, waiting for the story to start. Selphie is a bit distracted, looking at him with a burning fervor... inwardly, he cringed. Selphie is way too bratty for his tastes. Simply annoying, with the high-pitched girly voice she always used, although lately, she did grow, being more and more beautiful, although simply not for his tastes. He turned around, and saw Kairi, snuggled in Sora's lap, her eyes closed, as Sora stroked her auburn hair. The two looked like they had all the time in the world, which they do, and their position is, as Selphie would have put it, So romantic... without more thinking, Riku started his story.

"After me and King Mickey sealed the door to Darkness, I ended up in a... I dunno, room? Whatever it is, it was white, with a hint of grey in it. Anyways, I was so tired, I immediately slept. Then..."

After several minutes of story telling, the group decided that it was time that they returned, and return tomorrow, to start it all over again. They moved out alone, crossing the bridge that connects them to the main Island. Riku walks alone, in the back, thinking, thinking... and then, for no reason, he turned around, and saw Kairi and Sora in the middle, holding hands, looking up at the starry night skies. He shook his head. Really, they ARE lazy bums, and what's worse, lazy bums in love. "Guess I'll just leave em alone," he muttered to the thin air, and he was gone, back into the islands.

Sora and Kairi, oblivious to their friends returning back home, simply held hands and gazed up at the moon, the night sky, their world, the one they missed oh-so-much. However, they missed each other more. "Kairi..." started Sora gently. "Now that the barrier between worlds are restored, do you think that we'll see 'them' again?"

"Maybe we will, maybe we won't, Sora," softly said Kairi. "But what's important, they will always be in our hearts, our memories... we may not see them again, but we'll always be connected through our hearts."

"I thought that was my line," returned a somewhat- amused Sora.

"Silly, anyone can use your lines."

"Since when?"

"Since you told everyone your lines. We've been quoting them all over, but you're just too lazy of a bum." She snuggled up against him. "Well, at least you're my lazy bum."

"You're one to speak, Kairi. You didn't actually work on the raft-"

She silenced him with a quick finger to his lips. "Sora, you never change."

He hugged her. "Good thing I never will."

The two young hearts kept on staring at the night sky, never wanting to be separated, wanting to be together, basking in each others warmth and comfort. However, it IS getting late, and no matter how much they loathe to be apart, their bodies need rest.

"Listen, Kairi... about one thing..."

"What is it?"

"Well... uhh..." Sora's nerves were running with electricity. He'd been trying to work his courage up several times, but each and every time was met with total failure, and awkwardness. In desperation, he said, "Well... you see, Kairi, I'm curious about one thing. Had you ever had an Awakening before?"

She laughed. "Of course not, silly. If I had, I'd tell you all. Anyways, I'd better hurry. If I don't submit the mathematics homework, I'm dead. Okay then, I'll see you tommorow!"

"Yeah... tommorrow..." Sora seemed unfocused. He was too busy cursing himself. She was a princess of the Heart, for heaven's sake! Of course she never once fought with her own inner darkness. She's too... pure. And beautiful. She is just... so... immediately, he stopped thinking like that. At any rate, he needed to come home. It's not a good idea to look like an idiot standing in the middle of the bridge doing nothing. He ran after Kairi, physically and mentally.

"ARGH!"

It was about 11'o'clock in the night when he returned. He was frustrated, not being able to summon the courage to talk to Kairi about "it", to further their relationship. Asking her out felt so... awkward. He is normally confident when it comes to anything, however, when it comes to talking to people intimately, he might as well jump out the window and kill himself. He sighed, resigning himself to misery, sat on his bed, and immediately started making plans. Perhaps he'd be able to tomorrow. He had to. If only me and Kairi is alone all the time. Or Donald and Goofy is here. They'd know what to do... won't they? But somehow, I think I'd better keep this problem to myself... god, this is so frustrating. Even battling people like Sephiroth would be a damn long sight easier... oh damn this thing. I'll just sleep. Maybe something will hit me while I'm dreaming. He turned off the lights and tried to sleep. However, his thoughts kept on haunting him, even through his dreams.

He saw him and Kairi, on the beach together, talking...talking... then the scene shifted, replaced by an image of her near Destiny Island's keyhole, all the way to the moment he saw her body again... these memories replayed themselves in his dreams, over and over again, until a blinding white light cleared his mind, and he stood in a room, completely unfamiliar:

He saw a white, circular room, not unlike the room Where Nothing Gathers. Instead of the Organization, however, the room was instead filled with podiums. These podiums showcased all the Keyblades he once owned, and those that his Nobody once has owned. He walked to the room, filled with intense nostalgic feelings. He saw Olympia not far to the left, Fatal Crest a meter or two ahead, and Ultima Weapon hovering to the right of him. He walked on, eventually reaching a white door, a miniaturized version of Kingdom Hearts itself. With some sense of trepidation, he moved on ahead, walking slowly. From here on, he reached a hallway. Showcased in more podiums, forming a straight path ahead, were all of his Drive form clothing, or should he say armor, complete with their respective signature keyblades. First came Anti Form, in technicality the first one he received. Then came Valor Form, complete with Kingdom Key and Oathkeeper. Wisdom Form came after, shimmering with a faint blue light, its empty sleeves holding Kingdom Key. Master Form came next, Oblivion and Kingdom Key crossing Each other. Limit Form, the next one, held a lone Kingdom Key. Final Form held a crisscrossed Oathkeeper and Oblivion behind it, shimmering with power. Hesitating, he walked through the hallway. He saw a final podium at the room in the end, although what it contains is beyond his range of vision. With another step, he bypassed Anti Form... and fell down a deep, dark hole, suddenly appearing.

He landed in a dark place, very much like his Awakening station. The crystal glass showed him and Kairi, separated by a thin black line. He heard several steps behind him, and turned. Like a mirror reflecting him, his double appears. He wore the same clothes he wore during his stay in the simulated Twilight Town, although the clothing is noticeably darker. He is empty handed, and his face is as calm and expressionless as always. "Sora?" He asked. Sora tried to speak, however, he is powerless to do so. "Listen up. I-" However, his form is fading away into the darkness. "Sora?"

Sora now find himself standing on another Awakening Station, depicting Roxas and all the friends Roxas made- Axel, Xion, Hayner, Ollete, Pence, and Namine. Interestingly, Axel and Xion's picture isn't blank. Sora was aware that this had some importance, although how he had forgotten. Then, jagged cracks appeared, starting from the middle, reaching Axel and Namine, and the Station shattered. Sora fell...fell... fell...

With a shout, Sora awoke.

What the hell was that about? Suddenly I met someone's who's not even supposed to exist, then all those past forms lined up in a room, then... wait, why am I saying this thing in backwards order? Frustrated, Sora growled. He knew from past experience dreams like this, or premonitions, the more accurate term, means something bad will happen in the near future. God, I've my share of troubles. He looked at the clock and saw that it's about 3.17 in the morning. With a sigh, he tried to sleep again, hoping that it would be devoid of dreams.

Perhaps he should have looked up next time. In either case, he regretted not looking up before sleeping, because he perhaps could have warned the king, and prevented the following calamity. As such, he didn't and nothing was done. For high, high, above, another star just faded.

Disney Castle

"Another star faded?"

The King sighed wearily. "Yes, Donald. And what's worse, we don't know why. But I'm pretty sure that it isn't the heartless. Furthermore ," said the King, gripping his huge throne, "a mysterious void appeared in the lane between worlds, somewhere near... well, it's more of in the middle of nowhere."

Besides Donald, Goofy stood in worry. Normally he would be doing his "rounds", in which people normally stay out of his way, because he is very prone to slipping, and no one would want to get bowled over by a 7-foot tall anthropomorphic dog. Today, he declined wearing his armor, opting instead for his more comfortable traveling gear. After all, there wasn't much to guard from. His traveling gear consists of a teardrop-shaped hat with a blue trim at the sharp edge of the teardrop, with goggles near the rim. He wore a jacket over a green, skintight sweater that covers his whole upper body. He wore orange pants that looks like short jeans, and a belt on his waists. He also wore his normal huge orange shoes.

Donald, in the meantime, uses his official wizardry gear, in contrast to Goofy's more relaxed clothes. His navy jacket is longer than his 'casual' clothes and has a blue addition to the bottom that covers the lower half of his body. The sleeves are long and resemble those of a sweater, sporting vertical creases. The jacket now has two large, yellow buttons down the front, a gold-lined pattern of ovals, rather resembling King Mickey's ears, on the lower half, and a blue belt tie around the waist. In addition to that, he wore a stereotypical witch's hat, colored blue, with a horizontal stripe in the middle. Beady black eyes hung on the King's every word, and his right hand gripped his Mage's Staff all the harder.

"The Door?" asked Donald. "You mean the Door to Darkness?"

"Not the Door to Darkness, Donald. It's more like a portal to the realm of Darkness. Or at least, it's similar to it. I call it the Void, and golly, it sure is looking like a void."

"But your Majesty," began Goofy, "d'you think it's possible for the Vaid-"

"Void!" shouted Donald.

"Right, what you said. Anyways, d'you think it's possible for the Void to grow and swallow-" and here he gulped- "worlds?"

King Mickey leaned back as far as possible on his throne. "If it can, then we wouldn't have much time before it reaches this section of the universe. However..." He suddenly stopped. "Gawrsh, I forgot that the barriers between worlds are sealed again. I was hoping I could have reached Sora and the others... but... Donald, Goofy, go to Chip and Dale. I heard that they've made a gummiship that can pierce the barriers, in case of emergency."

Donald stepped to the front. "Very well, Your Majes-"

They froze, as a mysterious figure entered the room.

The heavily armored figure entered the room, strode proudly yet stiffly, as if it had been heavily crippled. The helmet is mostly gold, except for the visor, which is black, and it sports two, red prongs, one on either side of the helmet, that point straight up. The arms, legs, and ribs of the armor is black had have orange patterns decorating them. Its knee guards, gauntlets, breast plate, and armored boots are gold, and there are other, smaller pieces of gold armor on its legs. It wears black pauldrons with gold edges. The front of the armor on the figure's torso is red, as are small pieces of armor on its lower legs and gauntlets. It also wears gold anklets with red spikes on the back that curve upward sharply.

King Mickey was the first to move. " Terra?"

The figure nodded. "I once bore that name, but not anymore. Call me... a lingering sentiment, if you will. I am the discarded memories of the Keyblade Wielder Terra, however..." The figure shuddered. If it had a face Mickey was sure that it would grimace in pain. "Time goes short... I am wounded... he returned... right after the battle..."

Now Donald and Goofy started to remember too. "Terra?" shouted Donald. "Wait... if Terra was here... where's Ven and Aqua?" asked Goofy.

The figure suddenly lurched, as if suffering from a great wound. "Enemies... at... graveyard..."

"TERRA!" All three figures jumped towards the hollow armor, trying to heal him.

The Lingering Sentiment waved his hand, stopping the three in their tracks. "Don't prolong my miserable existence..." it said quietly. "Living without a heart is bad enough, but I live without a body, and emotions based only on memories of my patron. However, I came here only to warn you of something: there are people..." he stopped here, the toll on his ethereal body demanding. "They're seeking to come back... my patron's double is coming back..." Such talk worries King Mickey. He needed to find out more. He sprang to his feet, casting Curaga as he ran, however, it was too late. The armor shivered... and fell into gilded pieces.

King Mickey stood in the remains of the former Keyblade Wielder. "Fellas... I think we all know where we should go," as he cradled a piece of armor in one hand.

Donald and Goofy nodded. It was time to investigate the Keyblade Graveyard.

GAAAAH! MY FINGERS! THEY'RE NUMB!

Seriously, not kidding. This stuff hurts. But it's nice, too!

Anyways, I hope you guys like my writing style. Especially when there's gonna be a mmmf...

Donald: Aww, enough talking, ya big palooka!