A/N
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters (sadly).
Spoilers for the first Kingdom Hearts Game (so far). Also there will be no shipping. This is a Gen fic and I don't want to ward anyone off with pairings. I will have hints of Sora's crush on Kairi as it is in cannon but those feelings will not be addressed except for teasing (curtesy of Riku.)
"What the heck?" A few seconds prior Sora had been studying. Well trying to study, he had actually been dozing off to sleep. He was wide awake now.
He found himself inside a room. Big comfortable couches (as well as some other places to sit) lined the walls, and in front of them was a giant black box. "Hello?" He spoke, but nobody responded. It seemed that he was alone.
Sora attempted to summon his keyblade, but it wasn't working. "This can't be good." He muttered to himself as he drudged toward the coach and took a seat. It was a total of three minutes before something happened.
Two bright lights flashed into taking the form of two boys, they looked identical. Recognition flashed in Sora's eyes as he jumped up.
"R-Roxas?" He asked warily.
The blonde didn't reply, seemingly lost in his own head. He was looking around in fascination. "How am I...?"
He looked toward Sora for an answer, but the other boy could only shrug in response.
"Wait!" Both heads turned to the Roxas look alike. "What's going on?" He asked taking a step back from the two.
Roxas and Sora shared a glance before Sora stepped forward.
"I'm Sora," He introduced, his usual dopey grin planted on his face. "This is Roxas. We don't know what happened either." Quickly he added. "We also don't know why you guys look alike." Sora paused. "At least I don't." He stared at Roxas who, in return, gave him a look of aggravation.
"And I do?"
"Do you?"
Roxas let out a groan while the other blonde boy began to chuckle. "I'm Ventus," He introduced, now smiling. "My friends call me Ven." He looked over Roxas once more. "Wow. You really do look like me."
"Hey," Roxas began in a joking matter. "How do we know you don't look like me?"
"Does it matter?" Sora grinned. "I mean I still can't tell you apart."
The trio broke into a fit of laughs. Despite being together for less then five minutes they already felt comfortable with each other. (1)
The smiles faded however when five more bright lights entered the room. All three got into a stance for fighting; it was only then Roxas and Ventus realized they couldn't summon their keyblades. But their suspicions died down when the lights took shape.
"Riku! Kairi!"
"Aqua! Terra!"
"Axel?"
"What's going on?"
"Why can't I summon my-?"
"Quiet!"
"How'd we get here?"
"What did you do?"
"Why are you looking at me?"
"Who are you anyway?"
"Wait a sec, why are there two-"
"No way! Rox-"
"How'd we even get here?"
"Where are we?"
"EVERYBODY QUIET!" All heads turned to an out of breath Kairi. She took a deep breath before- "Sora," Kairi's voice was soft opposed to her previous yelling. "What's going on?"
"He doesn't know." Roxas soon answered. Kairi's eyes widened upon seeing the blonde, Riku raised a questioning eyebrow and Axel smiled widely.
"Roxas." Oddly enough Axel had a calm exterior, greeting the other boy with a small and simple wave.
"So no one knows what's going on?" Aqua spoke loudly causing all eyes to turn towards her.
"Or why you guys look like twins?" Terra added, but the question was mostly directed towards Ven.
"Nope." Sora answered crossing his arms.
"Hey," All attention was on Riku now, he was holding a piece of paper in his hand. He began to read it. "Dear Sora, Ventus, Roxas, Riku, Terra, Aqua, Kairi and Axel. I have sent you these videos in order for you too see what's to come and what has passed. It will pause whenever someone is to speak so nothing is to be missed. Necessities such as rooms, beds, food and clothing will be provided. Watch carefully."
Ventus grimaced. "So I guess we don't really have a choice." He plopped on the couch.
Sora squinted. "Where did you even get that paper?"
"It sorta just appeared." Riku exclaimed taking a seat as well.
"Like you guys did?" Sora asked as he joined them.
"Like we all did." Kairi reminded, she took the seat on Sora's right opposed to Riku on his left. "Or did you just walk in here?"
"Actually I woke up." Sora said sheepishly. Kairi frowned.
"You mean when you were supposed to be studying?"
"Uh..."
"Hey, maybe we should all say what we doing before hand. Maybe it could have something to do why we're all here?" Aqua suggested.
"That sounds like-" Roxas elbowed Axel.
"Fun." He grunted.
Aqua arched an eyebrow at the twos antics but nonetheless smiled, it reminded her of Terra and Ven. She looked down at Ventus who sat on a bean bag chair on her left.
"Ven," He craned his head to look up at her. "You start."
"While I-" He paused. "I suppose we should say our names first? I'm Ventus. You guys could call me Ven." Sora and Roxas both nodded having already heard it. Ven thought for a moment. "Oh yeah! Before I was transported here there was this bright light and-"
"We all saw it." Riku interrupted. "You're supposed to be telling what you were doing before it."
"I-" Ventus's tone was defensive, as if he were about to start a fight over it. Terra's hand landed on his shoulder in a calming matter.
"He's got you there Ven."
Ven took a short breath before resuming. "Anyhow I was sparring."
"With who?"
"With what?"
The words flew out of Kairi and Axel's mouths at the same time. Axel's tone more than a tad bit suspicious.
Ventus shared a questioning look with both Aqua and Terra. Aqua nodded.
"My keyblade." Ventus spoke.
Sora leaped from his seat. "You have a keyblade!?"
Riku sighed. "Calm down Sora."
"Yeah," Kairi agreed. "You've met other keyblade wielders before, right?"
"I guess so..." Sora admitted. "But that doesn't change the excitement of meeting new ones."
"Sora, what don't you get excited over?" Riku joked.
"Oh!" Kairi exclaimed. "I've got this one. School."
Sora groaned. "Lay off you guys."
Kairi giggled while Riku attempted to conceal his smile.
"Wait," Terra spoke. "Other? You guys are..?"
"Yup," Axel spoke. "We all are."
"We?"
"Since when?"
"Hey," Roxas began. "Don't joke around like that Axel."
"Actually," Axel exclaimed. "That reminds me." He grinned widely. "I go by Lea now, so-"
"Moving on." Riku interjected, now looking at Aqua. "So what were you doing?"
Aqua paused for a moment. "Well I was-"
"H-hey!" Axel shouted over her. "What the heck?"
"Sorry," Sora chuckled. "But you being a keyblade wielder..."
"It's sorta hard to believe." Kairi finished.
Axel snarled. "No it's not! Right Roxas?"
Roxas gave a sheepish look. "Well..."
Axel gave an annoyed look. "Believe what you want. I'd show you but-"
"We can't summon our keyblades." Sora summed up. At this everyone sighed.
"Anyhow," Aqua resumed. "I was reading a book when-"
"What kind of book?" Ventus asked curiously.
Aqua gave a small blush. "Does it matter?"
"Maybe, you never-"
"It probably doesn't it." Kairi interrupted, Aqua shot her a grateful look.
"Wait a sec," Sora exclaimed. "What's your name?"
"Aqua." She smiled. Sora nodded in response to that and turned his eyes on Terra. "And you?"
"My name is Terra. I was practicing magic." Terra explained.
"That make sense." Ventus said. "The Mark of Mastery is in what-" He paused thinking for a moment. "-a week?" He turned towards Aqua. "Why weren't you practicing?"
Aqua shrugged. "It probably just slipped my mind." Ven let it drop but Terra had a feeling she didn't need to practice. She always was better in magic then him.
"Roxas?" Terra turned to Roxas. "That's your name right? I mean he-" He pointed towards Axel. "-says it enough."
At that Roxas laughed. "He sure does." He paused for a moment. What was he doing before this? He was...he was...
"I was sleeping." He spoke quietly compared to everyone else's loudness. "Um, Axel?" He addressed the redhead beside him. "You're up."
Axel groaned. "You're all gonna call me Axel anyway, right?"
At this Sora chuckled and Riku gave a cheeky smile. Kairi on the other hand spoke kindly. "If you want us to call you Lea then I guess I could try. I mean I'm only speaking for myself but-"
"I'm not calling you Lea." Roxas spoke in all seriousness.
"Me either." Riku agreed. Before anyone else could add on what they were going to do Axel spoke.
"It really doesn't matter I guess." He thought for a moment. "I was..." He smiled. "I guess you could see I was waking up."
"My turn," Riku said. He had questions for Axel, but decided that whatever they were about to watch would most likely answer them, so he opted to wait. "I'm Riku. Before this I was hanging out with my friends Tidus and Wakka."
"Hey!" Sora exclaimed. "I thought you said you were busy with something important and you couldn't help me study."
"I was busy." Riku spoke nodding his head. "Hanging out with Tidus and Wakka."
Sora made a face at this friend before he himself began to speak. "I'm Sora. I was studying-"
"Ahem!"
"I was trying to study." He whined. Riku shook his head while Kairi sighed.
"Trying doesn't count. Anyway, I'm Kairi." She introduced. "Before this I was with my friend Selphie."
"Is there anything else?" Ventus asked the rest of the room. No one spoke up. Ventus turned to the black box.
"So how do we...?"
"I got this!" Sora yelled jumping up.
"I don't know about this..." Riku said warily.
"Hey! I've been with this stuff before!" He reassured his friends while thinking of Tron. "I really do have this! Trust me!"
Riku sighed.
A bright flashed and a movie case appeared in Sora's hand. He eagerly ran to the black box.
"I got it!" Sora smiled as he took his seat between Kairi and Riku. "Here we go." And then the screen flashed on.
A dark stormy night sky. In a flash of yellow the words 'Kingdom Hearts' flashed onto the screen.
"Kingdom Hearts?!" Sora repeated. "Wasn't that-?"
"It was." Riku said in a stoic tone. Kairi's eyes filled with worry, she didn't exactly remember what it was but judging by Riku's reaction it could've of been too good.(2)
The screen soon pushed past them into the dark sky, turning momentarily black. The next thing on the screen was someone's closed eyes. His hair flowing as if there was wind running throw it. Only as they revealed more of the boy it became apparent he was falling. Big blue eyes began to open, oddly calm.
"Isn't that..." Everyone looked at Sora.
"Me?" He spoke just as confused.
"No," Riku's voice was calm as he stared at the frozen screen. "You're younger here."
Sora scratched his head. "How strange."
The screen flashed the dark sky once more. The color red flashed through it like a lightening bolt. Words flashed on the screen, the color of gold lighting each letter up one by one.
'I've been these weird thoughts lately.' Sora's voice echoed through the room.
"When did this happen?" Riku asked.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Kairi added.
Sora shrugged. "It was a long time ago. To be honest I barely remember it."
It was an obvious lie but the silence allowed the screen to press on.
First it was a full sentence, and then suddenly some words blurred leaving the two words 'having' and 'weird' the sole words-the sole things in the black screen. Soon 'having' disappeared and 'weird' followed. Only suddenly 'weird' showed up once more, bigger and in the color of blue. Above the word 'weird' and in the left corner, the word 'real' appeared and then, under that, the words 'or not?' popped up.
"Real or not?" Ven read allowed. "That's,.. weird."
Sora nodded. "I did call them weird."
"You should've told me." Kairi said in a small huff. Sora gave a guilty look.
It repeated the action from the beginning, the lightening, flash of red and gold, lighting each letter one by one once more.
'Like is any of this for real or not?'
"That's an interesting question." Terra noted. Aqua, on the other hand, gave Sora a worried look. Just what kind of dreams were these?
This time the golden coloring went back and forth as if being pushed. And the words faded only leaving 'real ?' On the screen. 'Real' then dissolved leaving momentarily '?' alone on the screen, before that was gone as well.
Then music began to start up.
The screen faded to black once more. It then showed the boy falling. It flashed between black and the boy repeatedly. Three times to be precise, the boys eyes began to slowly open before the screen quickly changed. It showed the same boy from a different perspective. It was blue, water became apparent. He was drowning.
"What the..." Roxas began. "When did you drown?"
Sora shrugged. "I dunno!"
"How could you forget drowning?!"
"Maybe it was a dream?" Aqua cut in quickly to dissolve the fight. "I mean those were just his thoughts, a dream makes sense."
"I guess so..."
"Whatever."
Terra gave Aqua an amused looked. "Mom." He whispered teasingly.
"Shut up!" She whispered back.
It soon showed the back of the boy. A light shined above him from the surface. It flashed back to his face as he fell further down. Bubbles left his lips as it zoomed into his face and his eyes popped open.
"Oh!"
The music changed.
Suddenly he was no longer in the water but on an island.
"Well that resolves that." Roxas leant back. "A dream."
"But," Axel began. "Is he still in a dream or is the dream over?" He looked towards Sora. "So which is it?"
"For the last time I don't know!" He exclaimed. Everybody sighed and the screen resumed.
Sora looked around confused for a moment before bringing his hands up to block the sun from his eyes. He finally looked forward and saw another boy in the water, one with silver hair.
"Riku!" Sora shouted. He turned to his friend. "Do you re-"
"No." Riku answered quickly. "I guess this really is a dream."
Sora frowned. "But then why would I dream about you?"
"Well maybe it's not a dream," Before anyone could protest to Kairi's words she added. "It's probably a nightmare. I mean you were drowning."
Sora nodded as did almost everyone else.
Recognition flashed in Sora's eyes before a smile lit his face. He took a step forward but the water between them took him by surprise. Then lyrics were added to the music.
"You're giving me."
"I like this song." Aqua smiled. "I mean I don't know it but the melody-"
"It's simple." Kairi agreed. "Very I dunno-clean?" (3)
Sora looked up and alarm filled his face. A giant wave was coming up behind his friend. Riku turned around, fully aware of the wave.
"Too many things lately."
"Woah," Axel spoke. "Look at you Riku. You look all evil."
Riku sighed. "It was...complicated."
"Complicated?" Terra repeated in a suspicious tone. Seeing the change in atmosphere Sora quickly spoke up.
"It doesn't really matter. What's done is done and Riku's good now so-"
"So he was evil?" Terra's words were sharp.
"Terra!" Ventus said.
"Stop it." Aqua berated. "We don't know everything so-"
"It was about a year ago." Riku explained. "But things have changed. I'm guessing that whatever this is will explain that. So we should just watch."
Terra's face softened. "Alright."
Riku then extended his hand forwards towards the other boy.
"You're all I need! (All I want)."
"Super evil." Kairi teased. Riku cracked a smile.
"Shut up."
Sora ran through the water hurrying to meet his friend but the water overcame them first.
"You smiled at me. (And said and said)"
Sora twirled through the water, finally coming to a stop.
"Don't get me wrong I love you."
"You love me?" Riku laughed.
"No!" Sora objected. "I mean-you know what I mean but the song-!"
"He knows." Kairi reassured. That didn't change the fact that everyone was laughing now.
Before Sora was Riku, still offering his hand.
"But does that mean I have to meet you father? When we are rolling and-"
Sora tried swimming towards his friend but the current was to strong and he was pulled back.
"Understand what I meant when I said no."
The screen faded to black for a moment before it showed the sky now changed as it was sunset. Sora was in the water only floating up now.
"You don't think life is quit that simple."
"Can you not swim or something?" Axel asked bluntly.
"I can swim just fine!" Sora retorted. Axel looked at Riku for confirmation, Riku nodded. Axel put a finger to his cheek. "How strange."
Roxas shrugged. "I don't know about that. Maybe is symbolic?"
"Maybe." Aqua nodded. "But for what?"
"Falling?" Ventus theorized. "I mean-"
"Why don't we just watch and see?" Kairi suggested.
Sora spurted out form the water. He shook his head getting the water out from his hair as he examined his surroundings. His eyes soon landed on a red headed girl at shore.
"When you walk away you don't hear me say-"
"Wow," Ventus exclaimed. "Your hair really grew out." Kairi shrugged.
"I guess so."
Sora pressed a finger to his cheek. "It really did. I never really noticed it."
Kairi frowned. "Does it really matter?"
"I guess not..." Mumbled Ventus. Aqua couldn't help but laugh at the childishness of his tone.
Kairi cupped her hands around her mouth yelling something before she began to wave. Sora waved back as he made his way towards her on the shore.
"Please! Oh baby! Don't got! Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight! It's hard to let it go!"
"Simple and clean?" Kairi laughed. She completely ignored everything else the lyrics had sung.
Roxas raised an eyebrow at the screen. "For someone who drowns so much you sure swim quickly."
"Wait a sec-hey!""
Finally arriving, Sora leant forward out of breath, while Kairi began to giggle. Her giggling stopped however when her eyes landed on a small group of falling stars.
"Hold me whatever lies beyond this mourning is a little later on!"
"Is that a person?" Terra asked.
"Maybe it really is a metaphor for falling." Roxas exclaimed.
"Depends who it is." Riku said.
Sora sighed. "I have a guess..."
The two looked up in shock as along with stars a boy was falling from the sky. Only for Sora to realize that it was him. He was the falling star. The girl looked down at him in shock as he began to fall.
"Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all! Nothing's like before!"
"I had a feeling..."
"Knew it."
Everyone in the room said something similar to those lines. All except Sora who just looked tired.
"I really don't get it."
Sora was falling through the sky now, his arms flailing as he reached for Kairi and she reached back.
"Hold me! Whatever lies beyond this mourning is a little later on!"
Only Kairi's image dulled and disappeared behind water. Sora closed his eyes, somewhat in peace before a bright light flashed.
"Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all! Nothing's like before!"
"Water again?" Ventus frowned. "I mean that is where you started but..."
"Ugh!" Sora exclaimed. "I don't even remember this!"
"Good thing," Remarked Axel. "Drowning must suck."
Sora was in the water once more. Swerving downwards until finally, he landed on his feet. He looked around for a bit before taking a step forward. The mosaic under him glowed. Birds flew from it, peeling off and revealing the color underneath; a picture of a beautiful woman; looks fitting of a princess. The boy then looked up and watched as the birds flew away.
"Birds under water?"
"What the heck was that?"
"Sora," Riku addressed. "…was that her?"
"I think so." Sora turned towards Kairi who nodded her head. Out of all of them she remembered the other princesses the clearest.
"You guys wanna fill us in?" Axel asked.
"It'll probably explain it." Riku reassured.
"Is that gonna be your answer to everything?" Roxas questioned.
"Maybe," Kairi said in a teasing tone.
"But seriously," Aqua spoke. "How long do you think this will take?"
Sora, Riku and Kairi all shared looks. Finally, Sora spoke up.
"Well, it was our first journey...it may take a while."
A/N
(1) I just thought I should point this out quickly so nobody thinks it's OOC or something. Ventus and Sora are trusting people, Roxas isn't entirely but he is a good kind person despite his temper. The reason Ven originally was wary is because he had no idea what was going on, but as soon as they began to talk they all trusted each other. This is because of the connection between the three of them. For them (especially Sora) they feel like they've known each other for a long time and feel a strong sense of trust.
(2) The reason Riku and Sora get worried about 'Kingdom Hearts' is because the first thing they thought of was the end of the end of the first game. And with everything that happened with Ansem and Riku and all that it isn't very pleasant for them.
(3) Don't judge me.
Okay so I hope you guys all enjoyed this. No flames please, constructive criticism would be nice but make sure it's worded very carefully. I'm trying to get better at writing but if something hits me too hard then I plop. Anyhow if I got anything wrong then you guys could PM me or something. I hope it was easy to follow along with so far. Also I should address the instances where everyone's coming from.
As Ventus previously said they come from a week before the Mark of Mastery exams. Right before the game begins. For Sora, Kairi and Riku, they are after KH 2 and before they get the envelope from Mickey. To be honest I'm not sure how much time there actually is between that but if there isn't like anytime than just bare with me and pretend there is. As for Axel he is from right after he woke up as a somebody and for Roxas well, I guess you could say he came from the dead? I dunno I don't really think I could explain it very well. I hope that it's acceptable for you guys though.
Update
I just finished editing this as well as I could since I don't have a beta. If you see any spelling mistakes please PM me.