~*~Kingdom Hearts: Mirror Dance~*~

By: Dew

Author's Notes: Eh…I'm not very satisfied with this chapter. But, if I keep it in my computer any longer, it'll rot and I'll forget about it completely. *sweatdrop* I did some editing. Some of the bits in this chapter were written…way before I wrote some of the other parts. Therefore, the writing style might vary from part to part. _;; Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter…its angst relief! Which means…Riku might be OOC…

I apologize for this and the general crudness of this chapter beforehand. *hangs head in shame* As for Deuce...he is…a semi-OC. You know…not really, but sort if is…kind of thing.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Kingdom Hearts is copyrighted to Disney and Squaresoft. Threads of Fate is copyrighted to Squaresoft. This is solely written for entertainment.

~Chapter Five~

"Maya!"

The queen of East Heaven Kingdom turned just in time to catch her older sister's tackle-hug, barely keeping herself upright from the forceful embrace. Startled by the sudden display of affection by her usually-hostile sister, Maya could only bring herself to hug back (a bit awkwardly), blinking away the tears of joy of seeing Mint again. She locked eyes with Rue briefly that stood behind them – as a silent greeting – before Mint launched into a panicked state of something in between sobbing and screaming incoherent words of relief. Maya barely had the time to register everything before Mint pulled away.

Though it was hardly the time to think of such trivial matters, Maya couldn't help but note, with a slight exasperation, that she was extremely wet via Mint's own clothes (which were drenched head to toe). This struck a far kinder question into her mind – had her sister been walking through that horrible rain the night she had found the Keyblade Master? Maya reprimanded herself for her simple-mindedness in such a severe situation; the queen kept quiet, deciding to inquire later, when they were dried off and a bit more stable.

Emotionally, at least.

This includes the Keyblade Master. her mind added. Maya took a brief glance over her shoulder, the path to the temple.

"You're alive!" Mint cried, trying desperately to wipe her tears away. It didn't seem too successful. Instead, the ex-princess settled with another quick, but meaningful hug. "Oh God, oh God, oh God…I thought I lost you, you snake!"

Maya chuckled, flicking a strand of hair from her shoulder. "I am the queen of East Heaven Kingdom, sister to the infamous adventurer Mint. Of course, I am alive."

Her sibling nodded fiercely, grasping her hand tightly. "Right! You're too annoying to be burnt to death. But…oh God…" Mint smiled bitterly. "I really thought I lost you for good…but what about Pops? Father?"

The queen lowered her eyes. By now the duo – her sister and Rue, she meant – should know of the word she was about to utter.

"Heartless," she murmured, flicking her gaze upward to catch the shadowing of Rue's expression. Her sister had a more outward response. There was a solid minute of quiet cussing, and the threat of new tears. However, Maya noticed that her sister did not cry again, only nodding firmly and offering their dead loved-ones a moment of silence by lowering her head then closing her eyes. The queen was impressed.

Had Mint shown these qualities before the events of Dewprism, Maya would not have minded in giving up the throne for her sister. She now saw a stable young woman, fiery but intelligent, a sickly comparison to the immature…well, brat, that had made the lives of those in court miserable as miserable went. Alas, Maya knew the crown would never be accepted. Mint was an adventurer. The spirits of such vagabonds were not easily cooed into permanent residence in any town – they hungered for the thrill and excitement. Maya couldn't fathom what that hunger could feel like.

Just as I can not begin to fathom the hunger of the Heartless.

Maya fought the shiver that crawled down her spine.

"Follow me," she murmured. "There is a house not too far from here…we can talk inside."

Maya turned and led the duo back to the house, which had felt painfully empty after the Keyblade Master's departure. The queen had more or less enjoyed the emerald eyed youth's company, even if he had been downright rude when she had tried to help him lift those heavy weights off his shoulders. It was puzzling why the Keyblade Master had refused so violently to admit that the destruction of the previous worlds he had roamed was not his fault, but the fault of the Heartless. Was there a deeper story than the one she had gathered from his mumblings from his restless sleep?

Of course there was.

There always was, in seemed.

Keyblade Masters were notorious for the burden they wore, after all. Most didn't live long enough to travel to a distant world like theirs. From what the Aeons had written within their documents, the Keyblade Masters that had set foot upon their world – 'Destiny Lake' was their world's name – the wielders were bordering the line that signaled the separation of the sane from the insane.

The Pretender's wielder was slightly different though. He had seemed as sane as anybody got, though ruthlessly tortured. Maya had not felt a trace of insanity while they had been talking, even if he was so prone to violence. That had disturbed her somewhat, but not enough to file him as crazy. The queen opened the door to the house and walked in, switching on the light as she did so.

"…at least it's cozy," Mint muttered.

"It serves its purpose."

Her sister raised an eyebrow. "How?" she challenged.

"It hides me from the Heartless," Maya answered, not at all surprised by her sister's distaste for the little cabin.

Mint made a 'o' motion with her lips, nodding afterwards.

Rue looked around with a different type of curiosity. "How come this place isn't burnt down like the rest?" he asked.

"Magic," Maya answered, smiling. "This is a temporary residence for the royal family if we are, in any way, threatened by an outside source."

Mint collapsed into a chair. "What do we do?" she asked, poking idly at an uneven board of the square-shaped table. "The kingdom's destroyed beyond repair, and everyone seems to be…well, dead."

"We can figure that out later," the queen reassured, claiming a chair as well. "Once the Keyblade Master locks the Keyhole."

"Riku?" Mint blinked. She snorted. "What can he do?"

Maya gave her a funny look.

"Riku," Rue repeated slowly, "The Keyblade Master."

"Ah. His name is 'Riku' then."

"You know him?" Mint asked, showering her sister with her full attention.

"Yes," the queen nodded, looking thoughtful. "Though he never mentioned his name once during our exchange."

Mint snorted.

"Mint," Rue snapped, his warning clear.

"Sorry," she said automatically. "But even you were becoming sick and tired of his sulking, weren't you?" Mint stared up at her traveling companion, who, noticing the lack of other chairs, settled in by leaning against a wall, his Arc Edge resting comfortably beside him.

"…he seems to have a good reason to sulk," Rue murmured.

"Yeah, you would know, eh?" Mint sighed, grunting out another apology under the irritated glare of Rue. "Alright, fine. That was a bit mean. I just don't see what the hell he knows that'll well…you know, sulk as if there's no tomorrow. No, don't interrupt me! You know I'm right! I swear, that boy needs to be kicked in the head."

"Some people…" Rue trailed off, straining for the correct words.

Mint waved it off, understanding her partner's unspoken explanation. "Yeah, yeah, I get it."

"Do you?"

"Don't start," Mint threatening. The ex-princess turned to her sibling. "Maya…" she began, leaning. "Do you really think Riku can save us? He doesn't really look like a hero to me."

"Neither did you," Maya answered, "During the days of the Dewprism."

"Hey!" Mint slammed a hand down onto the table in disagreement, only to yelp and draw it back to her body, whimpering in pain. Just as quickly, though, Mint jumped to her feet, unleashing her rings and pointing it right at Maya's face. This happened so quickly Maya had just enough time to blink once. There was a soft laughter from Mint's side, and promptly, one of Mint's magical rings was chucked at Rue's head, which, upon impact, produced a small 'ow' from the boy. Gloating for a minute or so, Mint turned back to her sister. "I so look like a superhero!"

"Superhero?" Rue snickered. Pursued by another, "Ow!" when Mint threw her remaining ring at his head.

"Yeah superhero, you ass," Mint snapped, running over to retrieve the weapons. "I saved you how many times?" She waved her rings threatening.

Rue chose – wisely – to keep his silence and look away.

Maya laughed quietly and shook her head. "Sister, if you helped to save the world, I have no doubt in my mind that the Keyblade Master is more than able."

"How long did he stay with you?" Rue questioned, lacing Mint with an evil eye.

Mint merely stuck her tongue out at him, looking smug.

Maya tapped a thoughtful finger on the table, willing to seem ignorant at the two's childish exchange. "Not to long. About a day or so. I found him during the storm."

"Just like him," the ex-princess grinned wryly. "See, without us, Riku can't go anywhere without sulking, or getting himself hurt. Damn him for abandoning us like that! How did we get stuck with him again?"

"He saved our lives?" the white-haired boy inquired, his eyes fluttering closed.

"Rue?" Maya called.

He opened his eyes tiredly. "Yes?"

The queen smiled softly and pointed to a door. "That would lead you to the bedroom. It may not be as fancy as an inn's, but the bed is quite comfortable."

"Thank you," Rue nodded, sluggishly pushing off the wall. Fetching the Arc Edge from where it rested beside him, Rue walked out of the kitchen, heading straight for the bed Maya had mentioned. He was tired – it was no surprise, seeing that he had spent the majority of the day fighting. As far as he knew, Mint had suffered the same fate, but she possessed raw energy that kept redhead bouncing no matter what the circumstances. Not to mention she probably would like to chat with her thought-to-be-dead sibling one-on-one.

In contrast to his partner, he, himself, had no extra energy, and his so call 'siblings' were probably sleeping within temples throughout the world – save two. Ruenis was with Claire, and his other brother…Rue yawned, telling himself that it was a bit too late to think about Ruecian right now.

Once Rue departed for the bedroom, the chatty atmosphere all but disappeared. Mint scratched her head, at a complete loss. She was never really good at handling silence. That was Rue and Riku's department. Mint usually brightened things up, not brought them down. She had never been skilled at sulking. Not that she wanted to be like Riku or Rue, thank you very much.

Those two were downright depressing.

Rue had gotten better over the years, finding Claire and all. Perhaps Mint could drag him to a carnival or something one of these days…

But Riku…

In Mint's head, a Riku that didn't sulk wasn't quite Riku. Sulking came naturally with the boy. There was no real logic but the fact that after two weeks of looking for this Keyhole, the image of the sulking Riku had been drilled into her mind. At least he managed to pull those annoying smirks onto his face once in a while. The crude sense of humor…Mint bristled.

Pushing those thoughts away, she began uneasily, "Well…so…uh, now what?"

"We wait," Maya said simply. "The Keyblade Master will not fail."

---

Riku's green eyes flashed with fury.

The Pretender was not responding. He had been standing in front of the Keyhole with it for God knew how long, doing everything Maya told him to…and it was not responding. Like always.

The Keyblade Master was numb for a while, emotions clashing wildly against each other inside his chest, fighting for control. Everything was hazy, and finally, when rage won out, he let out a furious, helpless scream, and hurled the Keyblade across the temple. Ironically, it the Keyhole the Keyblade had collided with, and it fell heavily onto the floor, no longer looking like the blade the Heartless feared, but a piece of junk he could definitely do without.

This was just not fair.

His duty, the thing he must accomplish as the Keyblade Master, was laid out plainly before him, and finding that such an easy task was impossible wasn't the most positive thought in the world. His fists clenched tightly beside him, ready to draw blood if necessary. Physical pain could snap him out of whatever angry daze he got into, and from the look of things, spilling his own blood seemed inevitable. He wanted to die. Curl up someplace warm first and die.

It seemed a whole lot better than standing here like an idiot, glaring as hard as he could to a lifeless weapon that just couldn't do the simplest thing of locking that goddamned Keyhole. Needless to say, Riku was very, very pissed. He wanted desperately to kill something – mainly himself. No, he wasn't suicidal, but that didn't mean he didn't fancy death time to time – and since there seemed to be a strange shortage of snickering bastards from hell – or, simply put, the Heartless – Riku was stuck the way he was: tired, helpless, and angry. He had nothing to kill, and his Keyblade was ignoring his orders to save this stupid world. Mint, Rue, and Maya were all counting on him.

Why had they entrusted him with the impossible?

Did he even want to save this world?

Well, my opinion, or their trust…they don't matter…not one bit…because in the end…my stupid Keyblade won't lock that Keyhole…everything…everything is going to die…damn you, damn you, damn you… he swore, not even realizing that his fingernails had pierced his palm. Sora did it! Why can't I?

Maybe because Sora was the Keyblade Master. Maybe because he wasn't the true bearer after all (despite all other facts). All evidence seemed to be pointing in that direction anyway. His friend was the one that possessed the pure heart, and with the ability to save worlds. Sora was able to become a hero.

Riku?

He just seemed to be the Grim Reaper, taking everything he touched to the depths of hell. He couldn't lock Keyholes, he caused trouble to everyone he met, and he was just a wannabe, chasing after a dream that couldn't possibly be accomplished, at least…not by his hands. He hung his head, a bitter, low chuckle escaping him.

Wasn't this just great?

The sky thundered, and the rain drops became heavier against the temple's roof. Riku collapsed to his knees, forcing the tears back. The rain, the thunder, and the whole goddamned storm were bringing back unwanted memories.

First…it's that horrible storm. Then, a black hole is going to form in the sky. A huge Heartless is going to appear. I'm going to battle it, get sucked into that black thing, and wake up in another world…

"Damn it all!" he shrieked, pounding at the floor. "Why can't I do it?! What is it that I don't have?! Tell me!"

---

"…whoa…is the great Keyblade Master is crying…?"

Startled, Riku stood up abruptly, wiping the remains of his weakness from his face, and whirled around. When had he passed out? And how long? He quickly checked outside and let out a relieved – regretful? – sigh. Not too long, that's for sure. The storm had neither gotten better nor worse.

Pressed against a pillar was a foreigner, the hood of his coat drawn over his face, effectively keeping Riku from figuring out this stranger's identity. He caught sight of a lock of brown hair, and a pair of gleaming sapphire gems behind the wall of shadow, but that was all the details he could see. Curious, he eyed the figure harder, wanting to know more things about this stranger. By the way his newly acquired companion held himself; Riku felt it was safe to say that this was no ordinary man (or boy). The weapon that hung at his belt did more than enough to prove his suspicion. Emerald eyes widened, and Riku didn't (or couldn't) stop his jaw from slacking open.

The Oblivion…

"Heya," the stranger smiled.

"…Sora…?" Riku tried, hope rising to his throat.

The stranger's smile lifted into a sad grin. "Nope. Sorry. No Sora."

He frowned. "But The Oblivion…"

"…was the weapon that belonged to a Keyblade Master named Sora," the stranger finished smoothly. He waved as a greeting, the grin never leaving his mouth. "My name is Deuce. Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine," he answered dryly. If this boy wasn't Sora…and he possessed Sora's Keyblade…as much as he hated it, Riku couldn't help but jump to conclusions. The said thoughts made his stomach clench in worry, but he kept his face carefully neutral, weary of any tricks this newcomer might pull. He called The Pretender without a second thought.

The weapon materialized in his hands, and was starting to hum again. Riku stared down at it in anger once, and then returned his gaze back to this 'Deuce'. The youth glared at the hooded figure, the thoughts that had made his stomach lurch and churn in anxiety warping into fierce accusations. He couldn't keep his emerald gaze off the newcomer's Keyblade…Sora's Keyblade…all the while worry and anger clashed and spun into a whole new emotion, threatening to drive him completely insane with its intensity. There was no doubt inside him. That Keyblade, that midnight-colored brother-blade of his Pretender, was, without a doubt, The Oblivion. The way his own blade was singing a little louder – as if communicating – didn't exactly go against his suspicions.

This bastard knew something. Riku was going to found out what, even if he had to beat it out of him. Spreading his feet apart for better balance for the battle-to-come, Riku growled, "Where's Sora?"

"Nuh-uh! That would be telling!" Deuce grinned wickedly.

Hn. he snorted. However, upon the surface, he only frowned, signaling his confusion.

"I don't tell secrets."

"Why the hell not?" Riku snapped immediately.

Even if the only thing the green-eyed boy could see was Deuce's mouth, it was easy enough to tell that the brat was wearing a flat, 'are-you-stupid' look. At the same time, however, he seemed almost delighted Riku had taken that bold – but stupid – step into this childish bickering.

Riku almost wanted to smile.

Almost.

This reminded him of the playful bickering he and Sora had shared back on Destiny Island. Then again, everything fun related back to the time with his best friend, so he wasn't all that shocked at that thought but…the fact that the mood that settled in between them…it was so…so…familiar…

He had limited himself to feel only a portion of regular humans' emotions, those being: anger, sorrow, guilt and sometimes, when he was feeling shameless, a tiny bit of subtle happiness. He had done a lot of sulking, thinking every move over, fearing that the choice he was making was as key as the one he had made so carelessly in the days of Ansem – when Maleficent (that manipulative…Riku stopped. He could write an entire essay full of bad mouthing the witch) had cooed him into joining the darkness. Against light…against Kairi…and of course, against Sora, forcing him to believe that his sapphire-eyed friend had betrayed him for those useless animals.

How stupid was I back then?

"It would ruin the suspense, stupid," Deuce said.

An eyebrow twitched in irritation. Riku glared, even if his instincts told him to smile. What the hell?

"Bastard," he said simply.

Deuce pouted in response. "You're mean."

"Where's Sora?" he demanded again. "And how did you get The Oblivion?"

"Somewhere, and somehow," the newcomer said, eluding both his questions. Deuce clicked his tongue, as if thinking something over. Then, instead of the elaboration of the answer Riku had been hoping for…though he wasn't very sure why…it was pretty obvious that Deuce was hell bent on keeping the damn secret safe. Likewise, all Deuce said was, "You're so stiff! But after all I've seen, I can't really say I'm surprised. I mean, poor you, life's been tough, huh?"

He was confused, and therefore, he scowled. "What are you talking about?"

The hooded boy let out a sudden chuckle. "Are you ever scary. Lighten up a little. It'll add years to your life."

"I don't take suggestions to suspicious characters like you," Riku snarled.

"Tch, well fine then," snapped Deuce, obviously not willing to take all the verbal abuse Riku was putting him under. "Die early! See if I care!"

"I'll do just that," Riku said. At the rate his life was spinning, he would live an incredibly short life indeed. He took a warning step forward. "Tell me where Sora is."

"You're so stupid," Deuce snorted back, not at all intimidated by Riku's silent threat. He crossed his arms to further communicate his defiance. "Didn't I tell you I would never tell? Especially not to you! Um, well. Not yet, I guess." He scratched his head, as if conversing with himself. "Yeah. Not yet."

The Keyblade Master released something akin to a growl. "Fine," he gritted out. He bent his knees and brought his Keyblade in front of him, green eyes fluttering shut just slightly. His lips drew into a tight line, and all his muscles tensed, sensing the coming of a battle. Three years of hardships came in handy time-to-time. "I'll beat it out of you."

"I'd like to see you try," Deuce murmured, also bending his knees. The Oblivion was quickly unhooked and held in both hands, moving up and down in his hands to keep his body relaxed. "You never succeeded before."

Deuce suddenly charged, letting out a loud battle cry as he swung the black Keyblade. Riku lashed out as well, blocking the attack with some difficulty – he knew he should concentrating on the fight, not on the odd words his enemy had just spoken…but that was easier said than done. The Heartless had demonstrated that being even a little bit distracted in a battle could be the edge his opponent needed to overpower him. With a battle cry of his own, Riku pushed Deuce back, his hands moving into a familiar pattern, letting the weapon guide his movements.

Startled, The Oblivion's new wielder leaped, landing softly behind him.

But that was not enough.

"Whoa!" Deuce cried as Riku spun just as quickly to counter Deuce's jump. This time, The Pretender hacked a little of the brat's coat, sending the piece of fabric to the ground. Following that, he lunged, and the youth managed to pierce actual skin.

But this attack had left him open.

Riku hissed as something hit him hard at the side, forcing him to draw back to clutch his newly formed bruise. He hadn't been hit with the Keyblade in three years. The Keyblade Master had forgotten how painful that was.

"Do you realize…that while you're fighting me, this world's dying?" Deuce asked, raising an eyebrow. He pointed to the small dark spot up in the sky. Riku looked up, following Deuce's finger, and paled.

I don't have time to fool around! but at the same time, the thought, This world doesn't matter! reached his mind at once. Tailed by a furious, Which one?!

"What matters more?" Deuce asked, dropping out of the battle stance. He twirled the Keyblade in his hands. "This world? Or fighting me, someone you can never defeat?"

"I can kill you," he hissed angrily.

"Right and rocks fly," the other boy replied dryly. "Can you lock that Keyhole, or do I have to step in?"

"I don't need your help!"

Deuce shrugged. "Okay then. Sheesh, I was only asking."

Then, the boy's lips drew into a soft and bitter smile. "Good to see that you don't give up. You're making me old with so much worrying I have to do. Looking out for you, pulling your bum from the fire…" Deuce sighed. "Aaaaah…I want to change my job."

Riku opened his mouth to question before the hooded Keyblade Master skillfully hooked The Oblivion to his belt. This was obviously a dismissal. The question was then morphed into an angry remark biting the back of his throat. This was, of course, before Deuce stepped in with playful, yet meaningful words.

"You're not the same sorry bum I knew from before. Just don't let that…thing…control you, okay?" he said, lips curving into a challenging smile which Riku promptly glowered at. Deuce waved in goodbye as he took a step backwards. "Otherwise, I'm going to have to beat the living daylights out of you. Well, I think I'll do that anyway. Just not right now. Good luck, okay? Oh yeah! Remind me to tell you to thank me later. I think I deserve a little –"

"You're babbling," Riku drawled, amused.

"Shut up," Deuce replied upon habit and continued as if he had been undisturbed, "– bit of appreciation of what I did for you back there. I mean…the Heartless aren't exactly the easiest parasites to get rid of. Trying to kill off a multiplying enemy is awfully hard."

Deuce took a deep breath, and turned away to walk away. Riku, eyes wide, jabbed a hand out, the only thing he could do with his feet felt rooted to the floor. The only intelligent (to some degree, Riku sighed. Deuce was better than the Heartless, in any case…) person with the knowledge of Sora's whereabouts was beginning to walk away…!

Move! he screamed at his feet. Move, damn you!

Through some miracle, Riku wrenched his feet and took a step, managing to produce a hoarse, "Wait!"

"Whoa, Riku, chill. You look like your puppy died. Oh, did you have one? Hmm…I gotta check that. The poor thing is probably starving to death or something… Anyway, don't miss me too much, because we'll meet again." Deuce grinned. "So don't lose hair over it, okay?" The boy quieted. "…this time, you loser, fight the stupid thing, okay? And remember…always…in the deepest of darkness…there lies the brightest of light…or so the saying goes."

Then, he was gone as quickly as he had come, leaving Riku stunned.

What had just happened? Riku pursed his lips stubbornly, hooked his Keyblade to his belt and ran after where Deuce had disappeared. Out in the rainy weather and the thundering sky, Riku had expected the fading back of the stranger. Instead, he was merely greeted by sniveling Heartless, new to the world. New enough, he mused, to allow him to escape their notice. The Keyblade shook violently on his waist, shaking his knees enough to nearly knock him off his feet. It wanted to fight…or flee. Which was it?

Keyhole first. I can…I can hunt Deuce later.

//It's not over yet.//

The voice was back. When had it disappeared? Riku wanted to figure this out. If the world was a blink away from destruction. Snarling out a trend of words so foul that would put sailors to shame, he trudged back to the temple and glared heatedly at the Keyhole.

Alright…you stupid thing…let's…try this again…

//It's not over yet.//

Oh, shut up.

He was in his better moods, apparently. That semi-argument with Deuce had done wonders. Riku wanted to ponder this too. Yet, the world was breaking apart right before his eyes. Another string of curses was wrung out of him. Vision beaded thickly with sweat, Riku shook his Keyblade as harshly as he could, as if he could force the damn thing to answer him, to obey him, to close the damn Keyhole.

The Pretender peered shyly into life, its tip taking on a small but brilliant shade of light purplish light.

…what? Riku stared at his weapon, speechless. …did it…or…was it…

Riku quickly concentrated on that light, satisfaction and hope welling up inside him as the light grew and started to glow with confidence.

He was hit with a million visions, and a million words at once, while Maya's words repeated themselves in the background.

"I believe you had mentioned the fact that you are unable to close the Keyholes. I have not heard of such rubbish, Keyblade Master."

She had said those words. Maya had worn such a hard look then, an expression Riku could not possibly argue against. Or at least, argue and win, anyway. She had promised only the utmost truth, and strangely, Riku found himself trusting her.

Trust.

He had not done that for a long time.

Riku let himself drift, allowing his Keyblade to merge with his mind, and for that moment, the weapon and its master became one entity, focused solely on the mission laid out before them. They were feeling the world around them together, using the soothing calls of the mysterious spirits that accompanied the Keyhole to force the hidden ability of The Pretender to surface. Then, after that had been accomplished…that goddamned Keyhole would be closed, and Riku would be spared from a million nightmares.

Maya had told him the risks.

He had been skeptical then, but not now. Not any more.

Not when there was such a brilliant hope flaring within him. It would be foolish to give this up for safety. No, it wouldn't be foolish. It would be selfish. If he could get that Keyhole to close…if he could save this world, perhaps he could close others. Then maybe, just maybe…he could work up enough courage to somehow return to Destiny Island with his head held up, and even as his past mistakes threw him into a guilt trip every now and then…

At least he would have something else…something more positive to visualize, and counter that pain.

The promise he had made…of finding Sora, not caring about anything else…somehow, it all seemed very distant, as if something had pushed it into dormancy. This task was his duty right now…and if he accomplished it…he knew…just knew that a large chunk of his sorrow would be lifted from his shoulders.

As horribly selfish that might've sounded…

It sounds nice. To actually sleep and not be plagued by stupid nightmares…

Thoughts passed by, asking him if he did this…would this really be alright? Would the souls of the suffering people forgive him if he did this?

These thoughts were irrelevant to his task. Pushing them away, Riku refocused. The Pretender's light brightened.

If Maya was right…

Then all Riku had to do now was pass his Keyblade test.

//Is this the answer you've been looking for?//

Can I do this? He steeled himself and willed the light to inch towards the Keyhole. It did, shooting like a bullet into the awaiting door of this world. Riku let out a strangled gasp and was instantly drowned in darkness.

---

He was drowning again. In the deep abyss of thoughts and emotions, shielded only by the apathy that blanketed him. He was falling into the arms of darkness, and at the end of the tunnel, he saw a door…a door yanked wide open…as if it was nailed to the invisible wall. Darkness snickered and hissed, passing through this with much joy, scratching at the world's surface with its unforgiving sharp claws… He reached over to the handle once he landed, pulling with all his might to force it closed.

Hold on. The door won't close just yet. First, tell me about yourself.

A pause. Then a nod.

What are you afraid of?

Many things, he thought. Things that lurked in the darkness. Things that haunted his dreams. Things that happened because of him. Things that he did. Things that should have been left alone, but had been disturbed. Things…no. He wasn't afraid of things. He was…he was afraid of…

"…loneliness. Abandonment."

Is that so scary?

A nod.

What do you want out of life?

A lot of things, he thought. Things that made him happy. Things that gave him worth. Things that offered great adventure. Things that sold freedom. Things that made him excited. Things that he desired. Things…no. He didn't want things. He wanted…he wanted…

"…friendship. Forgiveness."

Forgiveness…?

A nod.

Then…what's most important to you?

His answer was instant, "Kairi…and Sora…"

Kairi…and Sora…

A chime.

I've seen into who you are. I've seen what made you. I've seen your greed, your purity and your heart. I have seen you, inside and out. We will walk the same path…and I will be your guardian.

Let us wrench free from loneliness and abandonment. Let us achieve friendship and forgiveness. Let us go back to Kairi and Sora.

Riku smiled. "Sounds good."

There was a hum, growing louder as light grew larger from the distant horizon. The door groaned with a shriek, repelling Riku's hand as it began to fight against the ocean of darkness. Soon, there was a loud THUD. And a click.

The door…has closed.

---

Riku jerked violently once and thrust a blind arm out to the hand poking at the painful bruise on his side. There was a distant yowl of pain, a scream at point-zero range into his ear, and a whack that left his forehead pulsing and red. Riku swapped at the pain-giver and opened his eyes grudgingly, glaring at the room.

Room?

He grunted as he sat up. He was drained and tired. Riku wanted to lie back to the soft pillow, cradle his pounding head and escape back to dreamland. He would have done so, had a pair of hands kept him upright.

Vaguely, he was aware of a lukewarm cup pressing against his lips, urging them open. Finding no strength to resist, he took in the liquid, gulping the cup's contents…then blanched, did a reflex gag, and shot a blind glare at where he thought the cup was. Then, he blinked and felt color and shapes flooding back into him like a giant tsunami. Rue was in front of him, holding the offensive cup, and Mint was behind him, a knee on the bed to support her body as her hands kept him from lurching forward or falling backwards.

"Welcome back," Rue smiled. "Do you feel better?"

"No," Riku growled, elbowing Mint in the ribs to make her yowl – for the second time, Riku guessed – so that he could slowly lie back down. "You force-fed me potion." He might as well said, 'you force fed me poison'.

Rue shrugged helplessly. "It was…the only medicine I had…"

"Hn," Riku snorted, closing his eyes.

"Oh no you don't, Riku, you –"

"Let him sleep, Mint. He drank the potion."

"He hit me –"

"You can hurt him…err…later."

Riku could practically feel the glare that hung in the air. "Really?" Mint's voice growled. "You better not defend him later on."

"…"

Rue and Mint wouldn't be having their daily argument if the world had been destroyed, Riku told himself. Almost desperately, he noticed. That's why the disgusting potion still existed and the faint sound of Maya's continuous praising and thanking rang in the small part of himself that remained in reality…

Then…

…hold it.

Riku sat up abruptly. Rue jumped back and Mint toppled off the stool. His fists trembled from where it tightly clenched the soft blanket. …it closed. Riku started off with a soft chuckle, but soon after he was forced back on his back, roaring with laughter of relief, tears of joy rolling down his cheeks. He didn't care Mint and Rue and Maya were staring at him awkwardly, worried for his sanity. He didn't care that he had just lost his self control.

It closed…it closed, it closed, it closed…