My Dark Heart: Ryan's tale (a Destinies Intertwined, Riku x Oc sequel)

Chapter twenty-four: Revival, Betrayal, Creation

There was something off about her staff, though. There was a familiar brilliant white light inside it.

He set his sister on the ground and walked past her, calling the Keyblade into his hand.

An epic battle arose between the witch and her chosen puppet... though he had yet to find out about that. 

Ryan deflected an attack and cast Dark Firaga. She seemed to mock him for using darkness, like it was exactly what she'd wanted him to do. It was enough of a distraction, though, so that Ryan could stun her.

While she was vulnerable, he aimed his Keyblade at her staff. It released Rachel's heart, which floated towards her and returned to where it belonged. She was still asleep, but he could see her breathing. For that moment, Ryan allowed himself to relax. His sister would be okay.

But in the next moment...

Something appeared, and then--

With nothing else to do, she headed back to the town beneath the ruins of her old home.

Ryan seemed to be out of harm's way, which put her mind at ease.

"I wonder if Giana's around."

Shira found her friend relaxing at home, and was invited inside. The kids didn't seem to be around.

"So how've you been?" Giana asked as she prepared something called, "coffee"-- something Shira was unfamiliar with.

"Can't complain, I guess." she mumbled, taking the steaming hot cup in both hands and sipping it slowly.

"So what was it like, living with... her... your whole life?"

"That's-- never mind. It's um... Well..."

"Sorry if it's an awkward question. I just wanted to get to know you better."

So she talked for a while, about what it was like to live with Maleficent. Then all of a sudden, the room felt tense.

"Why didn't you tell me you were one of them? A Heartless, I mean."

"What? I-- I'm sorry, I... have to go." 

Shira rose from the couch, but had to lean on the table to stay upright. Her stomach churned. She was suddenly very dizzy.

And very tired.

I let my guard down again. She doesn't trust me.

Her mind flashed to when the woman was preparing the coffee. She'd sprinkled something into her guest's cup.

Now the woman's voice sounded like it was coming from under water as she explained.

"My kids are being held somewhere, and I'm supposed to bring you in order to get them back. So you're coming with me whether you like it or not."

She tried to find some way to stay awake. Some way to manage, something-- no... someone.

Ryan.

His face appeared in her hazy mind. It was the only thing keeping her from passing out. But her strength was fading fast, and she couldn't fight Giana's grip as she dragged Shira outside the back door.

Ryan.

Eventually, they came across a hill. She was pushed forcefully up the slope. Her legs had given out underneath her, and if not for the firm grip of someone she'd considered a friend moments ago, she would have collapsed.

Ryan...

She couldn't see anything through the blur, but they'd stopped walking. There were muffled voices. The words were unintelligible, but she managed to catch a few. 

"...she okay?"

"...away from her... not safe... doesn't belong..."

And she did recognize several of the voices.

The two children, their mother, of course, and...

And then someone laughed, in a way she recognized.

It was Pete.

Out of sheer panic, Shira managed to pull away from Giana and ended up rolling down the hill.

The Heartless transformed into a dragon and gathered up enough strength to take off into the sky until her wings couldn't hold her up any longer.

And when she felt safe, she finally let herself pass out.

In that same moment, though, another girl awoke. 

A girl no one recognized.