Kingdom Hearts: Seeking a Way- Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Hallow Bastion

It was cold and bleak, with traces left of darkness over from it's former inhabitants, and it sent a horrible shiver down Riku's spine. He and his traveling companion, King Mickey himself, had arrived in Hallow Bastion, which in truth was the last place the silver-haired, young man wanted to find himself again, but alas, they were working on carrying out two very important missions. First of all, they had to find a safe place to move Sora. He was left in a sleep pod in Castle Oblivion, which was where the members of the Organization currently resided. No way were Riku or the King going to allow Sora to sleep there when the Organization could so easily get their hands on him. Second, once they knew Sora would be safe, Riku and King Mickey had resolved to both looking deeper into what the Organization could be planning, though they both knew in part that the Organization wanted Sora's power. This was why they needed to get him away from the castle as quickly as possible, and do it without being caught.


So, they began their journey, checking different worlds and different places that could be applicable and safe for Sora to sleep in peace while the small, blonde Nobody, responsible for Sora's slumber, re-pieced together the young Keyblade wielder's memories. Sora had gone looking for his best friend, and upon his arrival in Castle Oblivion, he began losing his memories. The further he moved through the castle, the more he lost until he was forgetting people he had once known, namely Kairi, and things he'd once did. Instead, Naminé had responsible for the memory mishap, replacing Kairi with herself. Now, remorseful at what she had done due to sheer loneliness, she was working on linking them together once more, but Riku and King Mickey had agreed with Namine and DiZ alike that Sora needed to be moved to a safer location. Riku and King Mickey both knew of the friends Sora had made on his journey and that some of them now resided in Hallow Bastion, which was currently undergoing restoration from the Heartless invasion and Maleficent's cruel reign of terror.


Riku and Mickey, donned in the black Organization coats, traversed through the desolate grounds, running into the stray Heartless here and there, fighting them off with ease and pose, Soul Eater and Keyblade in hand. They continued their their journey unscathed into the heart of the town where Sora's friends were hoped to be. Riku tried to ignore the horrible sensation in his chest as he and Mickey made their descent through Hallow Bastion, and upon arrival at the crystal fissure, the pressure overwhelmed him. Riku groaned, grabbing at his chest with one hand, squeezing his aquamarine eyes shut tight and went to one knee. He tried to ignore the sensation of darkness attempting to wrap around his heart like long, evil tendrils along with the menacing, familiar voice echoing within the confines of his aching head.


Riku... aren't you happy to be back? This is where you allowed darkness to fully take control over you. You're here once more. It's calling you. Darkness is calling you. It wants to draw you back into the void. Don't fear the darkness, Riku. You once found comfort here. You can find it again.


Comfort? He felt absolutely no comfort here. In fact, he was uncomfortable, cold and miserable being back in this place. "Ugh," Riku moaned out, and Mickey whirled around to where his companion sat knelt on the ground on one knee clutching at his chest, fingers clenching the fabric of his black coat, as though his hand were trying to wrap around his own heart.


"Riku!" Mickey began as he reached out to try and help his friend, but Riku held up one gloved hand to stop him.


"I'm fine. I'm okay. Just give me a minute," Riku insisted, breathing slightly labored. He's lying to himself and to the king and he knows it, but he the boy does not want anyone worrying about him right now. There were things more important than his issues.  He rose once more to his feet, gathering his bearings, holding his ivory head up again, eyes pierced ahead and began walking away from a very worried King, determined to reach his next destination. Riku could hear Mickey sigh sadly, knowing that the small King wanted to open his mouth and say something, but instead just picked up his pace and ran to catch up,  taking his place once more at the young man's side. No way... No way would I ever let you tempt me into fading back into darkness, so just shut up! Especially not here. Ugh... I wish we hadn't come here. I could seriously do without these memories...


"Riku, I'm just-," the mouse began, but Riku just shook his head at his friend, interrupting him.


"Mickey, I understand, but not here and not now. Please. We need to press onward. We have work to do." Riku closed his words with affirmation in his tone. He wasn't trying to disrespect the King, but this was honestly something he did not want to get into about right now, because in truth, if he did. If he even tried, the dam might burst, and there was no way in hell he was going to allow something like that to happen. Not now anyway. There were too many important things lying ahead that needed to be done before Riku could even think to try and figure his own self out. He looked down at the worried King and gave him a small smile, trying to make Mickey believe he was fine. "Sora comes first."


"Right! Let's go find Leon," Mickey replied, getting the hint, and RIku was incredibly grateful. The silver haired youth was unsure of how long they walked before they had finally reached a destination in the town. It was a little house, just on the outskirts of the Bailey in a small corner. "I'm fairly certain that this is where Merlin lives," the mouse stated matter-of-factly, taking the lead and walking toward the door. He raised a fist and knocked three times. The door opened before Riku and Mickey, and a tall man, dressed in black pants, a black leather jacket with a fur collar, long brunette hair and a thin, defined scar in between his eyes that crossed diagonally over his nose with piercing, blue eyes answered the door.


"And you are?" his deep voice questioned, cold and untrusting.


Wow... sounds like me... Riku thought to himself as he folded his arms over his chest. "You know Sora, right?" he began stepping forward, not missing a beat.


"Sora? Who are you guys anyway and what do you want here? Why are you wearing those coats?"

"You certainly ask a lot of questions," grumbled Riku, sounding annoyed. He just wanted a place to keep his best friend safe, and what would be safer than keeping him with people that Sora knew? Friends of Sora's? It seemed logical to him. Why did it have to be so hard?


"I'm sorry, but I don't know any Sora," Leon replied, his arms folding over his chest in the same manner as Riku, attempting to look intimidating.


"Wait... but Sora-," Riku began, but Mickey shushed him.


"Leon, is Merlin here? Might we be able to come in and talk with him?" the King asked politely causing Riku to roll his eyes in irritation. He wasn't sure why he felt so annoyed right now, but all he wanted was for somewhere safe to keep Sora and now all of a sudden Leon claims to not know who he is? What gives? Riku thought to himself.


"Did someone ask for me?" came an elderly voice behind Leon, and Riku caught glimpse of a tall, blue, pointed hat and a long, distinct, white beard. "Ah! King Mickey! So good to see you again! Do come in and bring your friend along with you! Make yourselves at home! Go on now, Leon. Mickey is a good friend. You can trust him."


The older man hesitated for a moment before backing away from the door and out of sight. Mickey stepped foot into the house first followed by Riku. "Thank you, Merlin. This is my friend, Riku." Riku acknowledged all of the people in Merlin's house with a knod of his head. The man called Leon, stood back a ways with his back against the wall, arms folded and eyes closed. Across the room a computer system had been laid out and another man sat there, older than Leon, with short, blond hair, a toothpick hanging out of his mouth who seemed to be grumbling and cussing at the computer screen. On the other side of the room stood two young ladies that Riku recalled seeing in Traverse Town along with Sora, Donald and Goofy back when Maleficent was attempting to use the darkness to manipulate Riku, and he rubbed at both of his arms trying to quell the memory.


"You see? It's just as I told you. While you toiled away trying to find your dear friend, he quite simply replaced you with some new companions. Evidently, now he values them for more than he does you. You're better off without that wretched boy. Now, think no more of him, and come with me. I'll help you find what you're searching for..."


Riku shivered again, as Maleficent's voice filled his head and her wretched face plagued his vision. Why had he ever believed her? Sora would never replace him with new friends and he should have known that, but Riku could only imagine that it must have been the darkness in his heart, tormenting him, playing tricks on him, manipulating him into believing he was not wanted. He blinked hard twice, pulling himself from those horrible memories and looked over to where the girls sat. Merlin was in the midst of introducing everyone while Riku had spaced out.


"And this is Aerith and Yuffie," the old wizard continued as he placed a hand on the girl with the light brown hair, drawn back into a long plait that hung down her back, curly tendrils hanging at the sides of her face. She had emerald eyes that wore the expression of someone wise for her young age, but when she looked at Riku and smiled, he couldn't help but feel a sense of calmness wash over him. Next to him, was a girl more spunky and open than Aerith. She had short, black hair, dark eyes and referred to herself as the Great Ninja Yuffie. "Now, on to business. You ask about a young man named Sora you say?" Merlin questioned the king.  "I'm sorry, lad, but none of us here know of a Sora. I'm sorry we can't be of more help."


"Sora... I'm not sure why, but that name has such a familiar ring. I just don't recall ever meeting a Sora," Aerith's soft voice spoke up, her eyebrows drawing inward in thought, small hand on her chin. "I'm sorry King Mickey and Riku. I wish we could be of more help."


Riku tugged at the King's coat, and crouched to meet Mickey's level. "This is because of Sora losing his memories isn't it? That's why the people he used to know don't remember him," Riku spoke softly so the others wouldn't hear him.


Mickey looked directly at Riku nodding firmly and then turned back toward Sora's friends, friends that didn't even remember the sleeping boy. "We apologize for inconveniencing you. We will take our leave. Thank you for your time. Riku?" Mickey held out a hand for the younger boy to take the lead.


"One person you might talk to is Yen Sid," Merlin piped up before the two could leave. "Even if we did know this Sora you speak of, the confines of Hallow Bastion are currently not safe. We are still having Heartless invasions consistently, which of course Leon, Yuffie and Cloud are all helping with that issue. Cid is working on programming a defense mechanism for the town, but it's still a long way off. I can use my magic to ward them off, but your friend wouldn't be guaranteed any safety here. I'm sorry. Yen Sid might know of a place where he can stay. Good luck, King Mickey, my friend."


"Thank you, Merlin. We will go and see him right away. We appreciate your time. Take care of yourself," Mickey thanked the old wizard gratefully, shaking his hand.


"Hold on a minute!" the older man from the computer had now turned in his chair and was looking at the two of them. "Y'all are gonna need a mode of transportation aren't ya? You can't go traveling on foot to see this Yen Sid feller. I got a Gummi Ship you can use. She's old, but she's still in good shape and she's quick. It's gonna git you there much quicker." His accent was long, thick and drawling which made Riku almost want to laugh. He actually found he liked the sound of Cid's voice. Something about it felt homely. He could understand how Sora could be drawn to these people. They weren't too bad at all.


"Alright then, thank you Cid!" Mickey obliged, and Riku was just as relieved as the King was. He truly wondered how far Yen Sid was from them and how long it might take to reach where he was located on foot. He could still create dark passages to travel through, but Riku was trying to stay as far away from using any means of darkness to do anything as much as he possibly could. He didn't fear his darkness. Not anymore. He walked the road to dawn now, even though the darkness inside of him would still try and find ways to seize him and control him, he did his best to fight it and not allow it. With King Mickey at his side, he had helped considerably. Mickey's light was always there to help, but Riku knew this wasn't something he couldn't rely on. This was something he had to do himself.


Cid lead Riku and Mickey out to where the Gummi Ship sat, while the others followed them outside. They were just about to climb in when Riku felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and came face to face with those kind, emerald eyes that made him feel calm. It was almost the same feeling his mother used to give him when he was little.


"It was nice to meet you, Riku," Aerith stood up as she extended her hand politely to the surprised young man in front of her.  "I hope you find a safe place for your friend."


Riku stammered as he held out a hand to shake hers back. "O-oh. Yeah. Same. I mean likewise. Thanks." He could feel a warmth coursing through him as he took Aerith's hand and her scent was overpowering. She was pure, unadulterated light. So much like Kairi, and Naminé, but at the same time, so much stronger. Who was this woman? She smiled kindly at him and they all said their goodbyes as Riku and Mickey boarded the ship. Mickey expertly sat in the pilot's seat, executing the proper controls while Riku himself sat next to him, watching in silent, curious wonder. He'd never ridden in a Gummi ship before.


"And now let's set a course to Yen Sid's tower," Mickey piped up and the Gummi ship lurched forward. Riku's stomach nearly jumped into his throat in surprise, causing him to grab at the arm rests on the seat.


"So, who is this Yen Sid?" he questioned the king, calming down from his intial reaction to the ship taking flight.


"Yen Sid is a very old, but very powerful sorcerer. I was his apprentice for years. He taught me almost everything I know. He's very wise and knows the ways of the worlds. He has insight into each and every world and can sense darkness and light alike. He probably even knows that Sora is sleeping to restore his memories," Mickey explained as Riku listened intently.


"So, he pretty much knows everything, right?" Riku asked, eyeing the King. "Meaning, that he may know where we can keep Sora safe while he sleeps and his memory is restored?"


"Right!" Mickey nodded. "I don't know why I didn't think of him before. I don't like bothering him too much unless absolutely necessary. He's a busy man, so he's usually my last resort when I can't handle things on my own."


Riku nodded, looking forward out of the Gummi ship's windsheild. He studied the swirling vortexes of color and passing Heartless ships and didn't say a word as the King fired off lasers, blasting them into submission. His mind wandered as he thought about where they could take Sora and if this sorcerer would know. All he wanted to do was get his friend out of Castle Oblivion and to somewhere safe, where he could sleep peacefully while Naminé worked to link together Sora's memories. He absentmindedly wondered how much time it would take to put them back together, and once his friend awoken, would he be able to face him after all that happened?


"Riku?" the King spoke up, breaking the young man from his silent reverie. "I know you told me you're just fine, but I still can't help but worry about you."


Riku's head jerked up and he turned to face the king "I'm fine. I honestly am. You don't have to worry so much about me," he plastered that well-known, confident smile on his face, but deep down, he didn't feel confident at all. He felt like a small, frail child frightened of what was lurking inside of the darkness, of his darkness and he knew. Riku already knew who was in his darkness, the shadow hiding around the walls of his heart and sneaking through the cracks whenever he possibly could. So, Riku built more walls, closing himself off, closing his heart off. These Nobodies he'd met at Castle Oblivion, Riku couldn't help but feel slightly envious toward them.


They didn't have hearts ergo they had no way of feeling emotion or pain the way he did. Sometimes his remorse threatened to overwhelm him, and sometimes he wished that for just a little while he could shut all of it off. Maybe it would help keep him more focused and thoughts not racing. Just the mere thought of facing Sora, though he wanted to see both him and Kairi so badly once more, made Riku's anxiety levels practically shoot through the roof.

What would he even say to Sora when his best friend woke up? I'm sorry? I'll never do it again? I'll make it up to you? He scoffed silently to himself at how ridiculous all of that sounded. Nothing he would even say could make up for the terrible things he did to his friends, his home, his family, the island. Maybe it would make things easier and darkness wouldn't be so tempting if he didn't have a heart. Riku was appreciative of the black cloat that DiZ had given him to wear, hiding his presence, his darkness and he could no longer have to smell that horrible scent of darkness that had seeped into his very own skin.


"Hmmm," Mickey eyed Riku warily, and the silver haired youth knew that the King could see right through him. "If you say so, but I just want you to know that if you need anything at all-,"


"I know, Mickey. I know, but like I said. It's just not the right time, okay?" Riku smiled again at his mouse friend. He waved a hand absentmindedly at his friend, and Riku knew it probably came across rude. This just wasn't something he was ready to deal with yet. He really did appreciate the kindness that the King held for someone like him, and Mickey's words floated back into his head.


"We're connected you and I."


Riku smiled again at those words. "Let's just concentrate on Sora and getting him to safety, okay? We'll worry about me later. I'm not that important." He lay his ivory head back against the seat and closed his tired, aquamarine eyes. Riku couldn't deny that he did feel a slight warmth in his heart due to the King's friendship, but at the same time something inside him squeezed painfully. He just smiled instead, his own painful attemps at holding back his pain, but it was easy to see the sorrow in his expression. Instead, he opted on keeping his eyes closed, knowing that if he closed his eyes, Mickey wouldn't see the lie in them. He was tired. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally drained and he took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly feeling more exhausted by the moment.


"You're wrong, Riku," Mickey's voice spoke up after a lengthened silence between them. "You're very important. You're important to Sora, to Kairi and myself." Mickey assured the boy, reaching a small hand out to place it over Riku's arm. "Don't be so down on yourself."


Riku opened his eyes and looked at the King, searching his expression. It was almost akin to what a father would have, and Riku's heart clenched tighter. "Yeah," was all he could say before inclining his head away from Mickey, unable to really look at his eyes any longer. It hurt too much. He didn't deserve the friendship Mickey had offered him, nor did he even really deserve Sora's friendship once he did awaken. He would see to it that Sora woke up, and once he knew Sora was safe, Riku would retreat. Maybe he should fade back into darkness? That would keep Sora away from him, and there would be no risk of Riku hurting his friend again.

Riku closed his burning eyes once more, no longer wanting to keep them open. He heard Mickey sigh in defeat, and felt the mouse remove the comfort of his hand. Something inside of Riku screamed, wanting Mickey to hold onto him again. He longed for the comfort of a friend, almost ached for the touch, but a boy like him, he had given in to the darkness. He'd hurt everyone near and dear to him. This wasn't something he deserved to have. Riku set these things in his mind, attemping to ease the pain in his heart, before he found himself being lulled by the low hum and vibrations of the ship, soothing him and he drifted off into the blackness of sleep, with a final hope that darkness would not plague his dreams.