One Change - A KH "What If?" (DISCONTINUED/MOVED)

kh1(5)

Riku awoke on hard, cold stone.

Where am I? He thought as he stood.

And then, he remembered Sora and Kairi.

"Sora! Kairi!" He yelled, causing an echo to bounce off the rising falls.

"What a racket."

Riku whirled around to see a lady with large horns, dressed in all black, and was carrying a staff.

Oh, and her skin was green.

"What are you doing in my castle? Or, rather, outside my castle?"

"I.. don't know. I sort of just.. teleported here."

"Hm. I suppose you could be of use to me. What is your name?"

"Riku. It only seems fair that I know yours too now."

"Maleficent." She said curtly. "Now, may I escort you into my castle?"

Riku shrugged. He followed her through a green portal, ending with him hacking, his whole body shaking as he coughed.

"Not used to the darkness, I see." Maleficent waved her hand, a ball of green waves appearing around Riku.

Riku gasped for air, feeling the force and tension go away.

"What was that?" He rasped.

"A spell to keep you safe until you become used to the darkness. Consider it a gift."

"But.. why?"

"I haven't the foggiest idea. But you could be of great use to us."

"To who?" Riku managed to stand again, watching the green waves vanish.

"The rest of us, of course. Now, wait here until our meeting is over." Maleficent walked into a different room, completely engulfed by the darkness of the hallway.

Riku looked around the room. A large emblem splashed with a wide range of colors. As he put his hand out, he felt a strange, yet warm and fuzzy feeling from afar.

It felt strange, almost familiar...

Riku chuckled softly to himself. "Yeah, and maybe you're feeling Sora and Kairi." He said bitterly.

He swallowed hard as he realized that he was feeling them. It made him happy, almost giddy that they were still out there. Riku reached further, finding a pit of dark tar.

What lie there was immensely dark and evil. He didn't exactly like it, but it had a kind of bouncy, playfulness to it. Almost enticing.

"Enjoying the dark powers I've gave you?"

Riku whirled around, seeing Maleficent.

"They're rather.. interesting." Riku shrugged.

"I've just come to check on you. You know that you hold more power than you realize. You as well have a weapon."

Riku held out his arm, stretching his hand open, and focusing his power into one focal point, and let it out. A rush of wind blew his hair, and in his hand was a sword in the shape of a bat's wing, with an eye on the guard.

When he looked up, Maleficent was still there.

"Now, if I should help you-"

Riku cut her off. "What would you help me with? You said that I would be of use to you, not the other way around."

"But don't you want to find your friends?" Maleficent chimed in.

Riku bit back a sharp retort. "Yeah. But you obviously want something in return. Name your price."

"I want you to help us find the maidens who bear no darkness in their hearts. The Seven Princesses of Heart, they're called."

Riku's thoughts flashed to Kairi. There always had been something strange about her. She seemed to be made of light herself.

If she was one of the Seven, Riku swore to not lay a hand on her, and that he'd instead protect her.

"Okay."

"Good, good. Now, wait here for further instruction. I must get back to the meeting." And with that, Maleficent left.