Greetings, prospective readers! Welcome back to Parallel! Last chapter surpassed my expectations once again, so that's all the more reason to keep this gravy train a-rolling!

Chapter III: The Hunt Begins

Sora, Riku, and Kairi entered the audience chamber of King Mickey's castle. Sora had been given the okay to leave the ward, now that he was properly healed. King Mickey paced back and forth in front of his throne, a worried look on his face.

"You asked for us, King Mickey?" Kairi asked.

"Indeed I did. It's about this new Vanitas fella. I've sought Yen Sid's council on the matter and he says he's detected some kinda dimensional rift, like somebody from another dimension popped over into ours," explained Mickey.

"So, you're saying this Vanitas hails from another dimension. Do you think he's some kinda scout for some bad guy who's grown too big for his britches?" asked Riku.

Mickey shook his head. "I don't think so. From what Yen Sid's told me, this new Vanitas may actually be caught between the light and the dark, as though he had once been a powerful Guardian of the Light who somehow, in some way, allowed the darkness to take ahold of him," the mouse said.

"We sure this guy's not another Riku Replica?" Sora joked with a smile toward Riku as Kairi snickered.

Riku couldn't help but smile. "Could be me from another dimension. Outfit looks like that stupid purple one I wore when the darkness got the better of me," he said.

"Regardless of the true identity of this new Vanitas, you three, Donald, and Goofy are to set out immediately, find him, and convince him to return to the castle. Peacefully, if possible. If he's actually got light inside of him, then there might be a way to purge the darkness from him before it takes any further room in his heart," said Mickey, the utmost seriousness in his voice.

"Where should we start?" asked Kairi.

Before Mickey could respond, a balloon letter floated down in front of Mickey. The mouse king took the note and read it quickly. "Leon has sent word of food and other supplies being stolen around Radient Garden by what seems to be a black and red blur. I'm willing to bet that's where you'll find Vanitas."

"Got it," said Sora while Riku and Kairi nodded.

Their discussion over, Sora, Riku, and Kairi departed, leaving King Mickey alone with his thoughts.

What could possibly drive someone with such a strong light so deep into the darkness like that? the mouse king thought as he watched Sora, Riku, and Kairi depart.

Radient Garden-Maleficent's Abandoned Castle-Throne Room

"I'm afraid I haven't the slightest idea where Xehanort and his Organization XIII are hiding," said Maleficent as she entered the throne room, Vanitas, his helmet removed and under his arm, following close behind. "I don't even know what they are planning, apart from it involving some sort Keyblade-"

Vanitas let out a frustrated groan. I should've known that's what Xehanort was up to, he thought before he spoke aloud. "It's not a Keyblade like I have, or even the ones Riku, Kairi, and the Sora of this dimension have. He's planning to put the X-Blade back together to try to access Kingdom Hearts, and essentially become omnipotent. And I can't let that happen," said Vanitas.

"Oh? And what, praytell, is the difference between this X-Blade and a Keyblade?" asked Maleficent, her interest piqued.

Vanitas knew Maleficent all too well to know what she was thinking. "All you need to know is that if Xehanort reassembles it, he will plunge all worlds into darkness for eternity. And trust me, the worlds under Xehanort's darkness, is much, much worse the worlds under your darkness," said Vanitas. Good thing I know where the thirteen pieces of darkness are… I hope, he added in his mind as he created a portal out of Radient Garden.

As Vanitas donned his helmet and armor and started to make his way towards the portal, Maleficent spoke. "It's a rather curious thing. I'd thought that fool Hades would freeze to death before you turned to the darkness, Sora."

Vanitas stopped in his tracks. "You'd be surprised what the pain from losing the things they can't live without can do to someone. Even me. And another thing, Maleficent? Don't call me Sora. He died with his newlywed wife and unborn child because he was too weak and foolish to save them."

Maleficent gave Vanitas a look that seemed to suggest that what the masked warrior had said intrigued her. His scowl hidden behind his mask, Vanitas entered the portal, which closed behind him.

Seven Years Earlier…

Sora entered the master bedroom of the condo he and Kairi now shared that they were to be married. Kairi was there waiting for him, an expression that suggested there was something troubling her greatly.

"Kai, babe, what's wrong?" asked Sora as he sat down on the bed beside his fiance.

"Sora… there's something I need to tell you. You know how I've been feeling sick and throwing up lately?" Kairi asked Sora.

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Well, I went to the doctor today, and… he told me it was morning sickness."

Two and two began to form in Sora's mind at this information. "Morning sickness? You mean…?"

Kairi broke into a huge smile. "Sora, you're going to be a father! I'm pregnant!"

Now it was Sora's turn to grin and laugh. He couldn't believe it. Things just seemed to keep getting better and better for him. For now, not only was he getting married to the girl of his dreams, the woman to who his heart belonged to, but she was also pregnant with his baby! Sora hugged his fiance and kissed her, before moving his hand to her stomach, where his son or daughter was being developed.

Daughter… yes, Sora quite liked the sound of that. "Kairi? Can you do me a favor?"

"What?" asked Kairi.

"Give me a daughter that looks just like you."

Kairi couldn't help but smile. "I'll see what I can do. No promises."

Sorry for the short chapter. Yeah, couldn't help myself to adding another tragedy onto the pile. After all, as a wise man once said, all it takes is one bad day to drive the sanest man alive to lunacy. Or, in this case, to the darkness. In any case, why not drop a fave, follow, and review on this bad boy if you haven't done so already?