A/N: Hello all! The fan-gets-sucked-into-Kingdom-Hearts plot has always fascinated me for some reason, so I decided to weave my own tale, with twists! I know original characters may be 'meh' sometimes, but this baby has been in the planning stages for several years. I hope you're willing to give this story a chance!

Chapter 1: The Best Way to Read a Fairytale

Yesterday, this building was just a mash of various shops, bright colour schemes standing out from one another.

Today, a quaint antique shop appeared smack dab in the middle. That little fact should be enough to be discouraging. But it really threw me off that nobody seemed to bat an eye at it. Everybody went on with their own businesses, the ever-present crowd shuffling quicker than usual. Reasonably so, considering the light drizzle pouring.

I stared at the little shop and contemplated on entering. I was alone without anyone accompanying me, and I'd be lying if I said the shop wasn't suspicious. However, I was quite reluctant to rush back... and I didn't exactly inform the people of the house where I went. I just got off a call with a friend, though, so that should count for something!

I mustered up the courage to walk up and marched right over. Better go head-in before the rush of confidence dissipates.

Pushing open the door, the tinkling of bells resonated in the air. The sight of oaken tables and lines and lines of shelves of trinkets greeted me. Despite its intimidating impression, I was immediately drawn towards the shop – or perhaps it was because of that. Venturing in deeper, the shop proved to be much more spacious in the inside. I passed a staircase leading to a higher open level before reaching the counter. The ticking of a clock filled the air.

Nobody attended the counter. A curtain sectioned off what I presumed to be a staff-only section. The cashier was probably on break. My attention was drawn to the trinkets on the wall beside the counter. Specifically, the glimmer of a circular gold object.

The teasing glint called out to me, beckoning me to reach out and—

"I'd be wary of mystical antique objects if I were you."

Hearing the unfamiliar voice froze my hand.

"Or just quaint little shops that popped out of nowhere." Turning, the owner of the voice had just emerged from the staff-only section.

"If I were you, I'd definitely take my own advice," I retorted, retreating my hand. "But I'm not." I eyed the shopkeeper as she played with an hourglass.

"Touché." A sharp exhale escaped her lips. "Say, if you were offered a chance for the adventure of a lifetime..." She turned to me, gunmetal blue eyes piercing me. "How much are you willing to give up in return?"

What an eccentric question. And so sudden, too. I tilted my head, hand up my chin. A question like that should require a longer period of time to factor in many aspects, but the answer came naturally.

"Hmm, my current life, perhaps. Why, isn't that what I would essentially be doing anyway?" I questioned myself. "I'd even be willing to give up my memories," I say in a quieter voice. My answer did not escape her ears.

"Truly? Even if that's what makes you... well, you?" An eyebrow raised, I held her full attention. "Why?" By that, I knew my next answer would be scrutinized.

"Yes. Because," I stared straight into her gaze, "if that's who I'm meant to be, then surely I can find myself again, one way or another. I know myself best."

And I suppose it helps that I don't have too many friends – even though it sounds like a gloomy thought.

"Besides, self-discovery isn't exactly a world-shattering process. We're still standing here, right as rain." I grinned, thinking of the downpour outside.

"How can you be so sure? Circumstances change people," she scoffed. "What if the universe was against you? What if, no matter what you do, no matter how close you're reaching to your goal, the universe drags you right back to the pits of despair?" With every word, her voice had amplified. Her hands had balled into fists so tight, her knuckles paled. Her eyebrows were furrowed together. Lips tightly pursed, restraining a barrage of irrational thoughts.

There is a saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I would never forget the moment I peered into hers. They were a raging storm amidst the sky; a storm so intense, they pierced my very heart. For a moment, time had stopped, leaving a world of just me and the storm.

But following its nature, the moment came to pass. My ears caught the clock's ticking again. I took a deep breath, like it would fill me with life again.

"So, what? I came into existence before circumstances would affect me."

"Huh?" The blonde cashier raised an eyebrow.

"I am me, and no amount of circumstances can change me. It may change some of my lesser traits, but not my heart; my core." I raised a hand to my chest, right where it should be.

"If you think about it, it would be like characters in parallel universes. Let's call him Sora," a smile crept up my face. "In one universe, he'd be a ball of optimistic sunshine, and a sarcastic jerk in another. But I'm confident that deep down, they're the same Sora with a heart of gold. Who likes to goof around every once in a while. Who deeply cares about his friends and would do anything for them."

Like a tight knot unravelling, the anguish slowly dissipated from the girl. The sky that was her eyes had cleared of the raging storm. A light began to shine – dim and barely noticeable, but a light nonetheless.

"How intriguing." She spun the hourglass once again. "Perhaps that is your greatest strength yet. Or not, who knows?" A corner of her lips quirked upward. Her expression looked awkward to say the least, like she was due for some muscle movement in the face department.

"That?" I echoed in wonder. "What could that possibly mean?" I muttered. However, she prompted to ignore my remarks.

"Take the trinket," she said, her voice commanding. For what? Sensing my confusion, she waved it off, "A token of appreciation before you go."

No longer did I feel the need to linger here. Time marched on, and the day was probably ending. The golden pocket watch secured in hand, I headed back to the entrance. The rows of trinkets still looked wondrous, but the pull from earlier was gone. Just as my fingers brushed the knob, her voice called out from the back.

"They say the best way to read a fairy tale is to throw yourself into it." Her voice, now boisterous and completely different from earlier, startled me. "So might as well enjoy it!"

Now she was just spouting nonsense. Perhaps the eerie silence of the quaint shop finally got to her? Oh, no matter. Opening the door, I took a step outside, only the familiar pavement was no longer there. One moment, I literally stepped into thin air. The next, I slipped down due to imbalance.

A surprised shriek escaped me. What in the world is happening? I was sliding down on a really smooth surface, and really fast too. Twisting and turning and lurching; it felt like my body was being pulled from many directions. Like the unholy fusion of kiddie slides and the most extreme rollercoaster rides.

Not to mention it was cold! My hair whipped behind me. The wind pushed against my clothes, making them ride up against my body. And my arms, oh god. My arms fumbled and flailed around in all directions, struggling to grasp anything. Everything was out of control and I desperately needed something to hold, to stabilize and take back control on the situation. Flying off the handle was one of the worst- oh damn.

Not too far off the distance, the magic twister slide ended. No playground sand or landing spots, just blank space. The blood rushed from my hands after sneaking a glance downwards.

An ocean. I was about to free fall from a disturbingly high altitude, and crashing into a dubious ocean seemed to be the only fixed course. Have I mentioned my swimming skills were non-existent? Fun.

I'm about to drown in a freaking ocean in the middle of nowhere after a ridiculous slide ride. What a perfect way to die.

The slide ended and I plunged down. Amidst twisting and turning in the air, I found myself plunging headfirst. A burning sensation spread through my eyes. I forced them shut, but even that proved to be a struggle. Pretty soon, limb movement was restricted. Now, I was completely at the mercy of the laws of physics, unable to move a finger on my own.

A shout – weak and abrupt – not too far off, and definitely not my own. I forced my eyes open, searching frantically for the source. There was no mistaking it. There was someone else!

But it was that moment, I crashed into the ocean and my senses were flooded.

The comfort of going through a bizarre experience with another, come hell or high water, was the last thing in mind before consciousness faded.

"Welcome back."

Hearing a strange voice, coupled with the proximity and clarity, jolted me awake. I snapped my eyes open and instantly regretted it. Light flooded my eyes and my head was swimming. I forcefully shut them back, pulling up the covers to my head with a groan. I curled up, making myself as comfortable as possible. Of course, the soft bed really helped, too.

Wait. Soft bed? Since when did I own a bed this soft?

"So sleeping beauty's awake!"

Another voice, but this time, it held a tinge of familiarity. Man, what is up with me and unfamiliar voices today? And now that I think about it I don't remember falling asleep at all.

Oh, I am so screwed. I suppressed a shudder at the potential horrors I would be facing. Slowly, I pulled back the sheets and peeked over, gradually sitting up.

...

Blurry and blobby masses. Everywhere I turn, that's all there is.

…It seems I have misplaced my glasses. I turned and reached towards my immediate surroundings, blindly groping for my lifeline. Must be around here somewhere...

"Looking for something?" A cheery voice asked. Ah, I must have muttered that last part aloud. I turned to the left, facing the source of the voice. A blur consisting mostly of black and white. I couldn't recognize them. I gulped.

"Yeah, my glasses. Rectangular, black and a little orange," I said.

"Hmm. Black frames, orange on the inside?" She – the voice sounded feminine enough – asked. The unmistakable blur of my glasses rested in her hand.

"Yes, exactly!" I beamed, reaching out and wearing them with a tingle of excitement – it is my lifeline. The familiar weight settled on the bridge of my nose and behind my ears. I blinked a few times, my sight readjusting itself. I couldn't help but grin. It's so good to see again!

Books formed a messy pile not too far away, several of them strewn across the room. A cozy peach armchair and a table on higher stone ground, with a few teacups and a teapot set on the table. A blackboard with diagrams and rushed handwriting I couldn't make out.

A lot bigger than my own room, though I sensed a much more welcoming aura lingering in the air.

Now why does this look familiar?

"How are you feeling?" A different person – this time softer, sweeter – asked. I faced the two (presumed) women and had to suppress a shudder. Two uncannily familiar faces. My eyes darted from the women to the room. The realization of why they were familiar morphed my grin into a tight line.

"Umm..." Fill the silence, stall for time, don't make it awkward and don't screw up. "A bit disoriented, but I think I'll be fine soon." I rubbed my temples, partly for show, partly because I really needed it.

"If I may ask," I started, slowly stringing together my words. They looked at me expectantly. Ugh, I'm utterly terrible at this. "How did I get here?" I forced the words out of my mouth. They shared a brief look before turning back to me.

"Well, it was a funny moment actually. I was visiting the gardens, and saw you lying in the middle of some flowers," said the girl with brown hair in a braid.

"In a patch of flowers? Seriously?" I raised an eyebrow in disbelief, before realizing my tone. "I mean, I do believe you, it's just a little... outlandish and random for my tastes," I reassured, unsure whether it was for her or for myself.

"Well, I don't blame you. Nobody's ever crashed in Aerith's flowers before – oh." The black-haired girl stopped. "I mean, it's not every day someone crashes in Aerith's flowers," she corrected with a cheeky grin. The other girl was not amused.

Uncanny vibe confirmed. Definitely Aerith and Yuffie.

"Anyway." Words and phrases buzzed in my mind. I should play it safe with the clueless innocent shtick for now. "Where is this place? I don't think I've been here before." Technically I haven't – I've only seen some of 'here'.

"What?" Yuffie's eyes widened, to which Aerith frowned. "Here is Hollow Bastion, of course!" she laughed, as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

Ohhhhh snap. There was only one Hollow Bastion I knew of, and I was quite certain there aren't any others. I swallowed, willing my nerves to calm down.

"Yeahhh. Uh... nothing." I shook my head. Looking at Yuffie and Aerith, I couldn't bring myself to embellish a delicious, well-thought lie. There was no way I could do that, to Aerith of all people.

Suddenly the door opened, and in came a gruff, middle-aged blonde and a younger brown-haired man.

"Ah, so you got the message." Aerith offered them a smile as they walked over.

"Had to finish up a few things first, but we came as soon as we could," Leon answered. His eyes flickered from the girls to me a few times, before settling on me. His guarded expression and sharp eyes looked like they were going to pierce through my very soul – never have I seen such an intimidating person up close.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked, voice clear cut, though it did sound just a bit soft. Well, I'm still scared darn it. I reminded myself to breathe before answering.

"W-well, better than before," I willed a smile to hide my nervousness. He frowned a bit. "The dizzy spell's wearing off, at least. Other than that I guess I just need a little more sleep?" I shrugged, putting on my best not-sick behaviour. I felt another shudder. "And I think I need some time to adapt to the weather." At least no aeroplanes and jetlags were involved throughout my journey here.

Leon looked thoughtful, seemingly accepting my explanations.

"Would you like some tea?" Aerith asked, apparently having brought the tea while I stuttered through Leon's 'analysis'. I thanked her with a smile, taking a hearty sip of the warm drink.

"So," Cid started, having pulled up a chair. "what happened to you?" I racked my brain for ideas. Pretty sure the video game spiel and the whole ordeal with the magic twister slide and dubious ocean was out for this one.

"She doesn't seem to remember," Yuffie piped up. "The second thing she asked was how she ended up here, and we know even less." Bless Yuffie for filling me in.

"So what's the first thing?" Cid asked.

"My glasses' whereabouts," I answered this time. "A terribly short-sighted person's lifeline. No glasses, and nothing goes right." I cracked a smile. Yuffie and Aerith smiled in a return, which made me feel less awkward.

"I remember a few things, though." I formed sentences in my head. "I was out for a walk in the city, and I entered this shop. Weird thing was, the shop wasn't there yesterday." Pause for effect. A few raised eyebrows.

"So I thought I'd drop in for some window-shopping. It's an antique store with lots of neat-looking stuff. The shopkeeper was strange, and she let me keep one of the, um, antiques." Surely there's no harm explaining this part, right? "And when I stepped out the door to leave, um..." Deep breath. This is the truth, you've got nothing to be afraid of. "I wasn't at the city anymore. And some time later I lost consciousness. Probably fainted. From shock." I inwardly cringed. Me, faint? Not once in my life! But for my own sake and theirs, I did what I must. While losing consciousness and fainting may be a stretch, I did say probably. And there was a probability that I didn't.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you to be wary of magical artefacts of dubious origins?" Cid snorted. Of course someone would find that funny.

"It didn't look magical. It looked like perfectly normal antique objects!" I pouted. Really!

"And were you with anyone?" Cid asked. I shook my head, and he scratched his chin. "Does the concept of stranger danger ring any bells? No?" I shrunk under his gaze.

"I was going to be in and out. I didn't expect to wake up in a totally different world!" The words flew out of my mouth, trying to defend myself.

"It's all in the past, and nothing can change that. What matters is you're here now," Leon defused the situation, her gaze flicking between Cid and I. "So, a different world?" He looked at me expectantly.

"Um, yeah? I've never heard of this place in the maps before, and information is very wide spread and highly accessible with technology. So unless a piece of land popped up in the sky out of nowhere, I'm inclined to think this is an entirely different place than home." Leon looked intrigued, and so did the others. Still the truth. "The idea that this is all a dream, caused by an extremely stressful day is quite entertaining, but right now it seems very unlikely." I took another hearty sip of tea. "I mean, I can taste the tea. You can't taste stuff in dreams." Fact I pulled out of a realistically-written piece of fanfiction, and I believe in the author's integrity to know it's true.

Which... doesn't guarantee anything.

"That's certainly something," Cid whistled a low tune. I shrugged, finishing up my tea.

"It's highly likely," Leon started, "that you are indeed from another world." The others looked at him with mixed expressions of shock, wonder, and curiosity.

"Does it help if I say the Heartless has no part in this?" I mumbled without too much thought.

"You know about the Heartless?" Even more shock from Yuffie.

"I haven't encountered them, but people have told stories about them." What else to say, what else to say? "Not everyone knows about them or believes in them, since they're rarely seen," More like never! Unless you count the initial fandom hype about all things Kingdom Hearts all those years ago. Prank calls and prank sightings everywhere. "I happen to be one of the well-versed."

Hey, at least I won't have to feign innocence about the Heartless anymore! Hooray!

"Anyway, I'm pretty sure I wasn't here because of the Heartless. I wasn't swallowed by darkness or anything," I quickly established.

"I see." Leon had a hand up his chin. "Even so, we can't rest easy. It might mean there's just another force to reckon with out there. A new force which we don't know its motives or operations. Another force we need to look out for."

Everyone had solemn looks on their faces. Leon might... just be right. But I sure hope it won't be like the Heartless or Nobodies. I mean, there's already enough monsters to go around this universe. Adding a new race monsters just because a player with advantages has entered the game is kind of petty.

"So, what should we do?" Yuffie asked, playing with the zipper on her vest.

"For now, just carry on with our current work." Leon answered, standing up. "We'll have to wait and see."

"Well, kid." I looked over towards Cid. The solemn expression broke into a grin. "Welcome to Hollow Bastion. Speaking of which, we never got to know your name."

At that moment, my lack of nourishment finally caught up to me. My stomach released a low growl loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Well, the name's Beatrix. Not that it isn't a pleasure to meet everyone, but do you have any food?" I gave a wide grin, shoving every piece of embarrassment into the darkest corners of my being. "Preferably something with soup. Warm soup." Another round of growl. "And spicy, too, for a real pick-me-up."

A/N: Do leave a review! We're in for a wild ride. I can promise that, but only with your support. Yours truly, B.