Bonds of Mom and Som

Mending An Old Wound

"Sora, are you ok? You've been feeling sad for a while now, and the others are worried about you!" Kairi said looking at her friend as he sat down at a table that Yen Sid had magically made for them to celebrate, but Sora wasn't celebrating or feeling like his normal self. If he was being honest with himself, he messed up, acting like a kid during the biggest test of his life, and nearly falling to darkness at the hands of his stupidity.

"No, I'm not alright Kairi, I messed up big time, and I just don't know what to do. I nearly was taken by Xehanort once again, and this time another person had to come and save me because I was defenseless again. It just hurts knowing I was one step closer to getting strong enough to save my mom, and I blew it, 'cause I was too in awe at everything around me, and not taking the Xehanort stuff as seriously as I used to." Sora choked out, as tears slowly rolled down his face, Everything about this hurt, and the others could see it.

Suddenly Riku walked over with an angry look on his face, raising his hand and slapping the teen in the face, making Sora, and Kairi look at the silver-haired teen. Sora stood up, and Kairi looked like she was ready to yell at Riku for the uncalled-for slap.

"Sora, I get it! You messed up, I know the feeling all too well when I was being used by Ansem, but it's not the end of the world. You helped me get free of the pain, and guilt that plagued me, for a year. So let me tell you something, pick yourself up, slap a smile on your face, and go save your mom, like you told me you would when we were in the realm of darkness the last time. Or am I gonna have to do it for you, and let Aqua tell you how much she needed her son, only to find out he was a stupid, nervous chicken?

Sora sighed, as he rubbed his right cheek where Riku had hit him, he needed those words, it hurt but was needed to get his act together. Riku was right, Mom needed him to save her, and it had to be him to make things right.

"You're right Riku! I shouldn't be beating myself up like this, it's not what Mom would want me to be doing, and it doesn't suit me at all. So how do I get to the realm of darkness?

"I should be able to help with that!" Yen Sid declared walking into the room, overhearing the conversation, and knowing immediately how to help Sora with his family issue.

"Sora, I will only say this once, the realm of darkness will be a lot harder than any of your other journeys, Even if you find Aqua, it will be up to you to make it back to the Destiny Islands. Only there can Riku, and the King open the door that hides in the secret cave to free you from your endless prison. Are you still willing to enter in your current state?

"Master Yen Sid, is that right? Will Sora be okay? I know what you're like when you make up your mind, so tell me, Sora will you be able to return to us in one piece, with Aqua?" Kairi asked, having doubts about her friend's plans, knowing so many things could probably go wrong inside the realm of darkness, and how she'd miss her chance to tell Sora how she felt about him.

"I'll be ok Kairi, everyone! I just gotta let my heart be my guiding key, and have faith in myself and Mom. So make sure everyone is on Destiny Island, 'cause we'll need it." Sora told the auburn-haired girl, as he looked at her blue eyes softly, knowing that soon he'd tell her how he felt about her, once he saved Mom.

"Sora, good luck!" Riku said, looking at his friend, knowing that Sora would be okay, he just needed a little motivation, and then everything would be possible with the spiky-haired teen.

"Thanks, Riku!" Sora whispered as he stood motionlessly, as Yen Sid raised his hands, and shot out a beam of magic energy at Sora, sending him into the realm of darkness.