Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Friends ❯ A New Beginning or a New End? ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Four years, that's exactly how long its been. Four years since their world was completely destroyed by a unknown and unstoppable darkness. Sure they had faced many challenges and difficulties, fought many battles, but when that darkness came that day.....everything ended. Everyone had disappeared and it was unknown if they were alive or dead. Squall and Selphie had disappeared several months before the darkness came, and then went Quistis, Irvine and everyone else from Balamb Garden. Zell was lucky, he considered himself lucky. Not only was he alive but had woken up beside his friend Rinoa, however the two were transported to a strange world. Four years ago, all of that had happened so suddenly and now Zell and Rinoa were stuck in a town going about their lives as much as possible. Zell wondered where Squall and Selphie had vanished too and believed their disappearance had some connection to the darkness that came to their world.
"Dincht, I told you to clean those damn dishes. If you're not gonna do it then get the hell outta here and I'll find someone more useful to work in this damn diner." a voice yelled from behind the counter.
"I'm getting to it Mr. Gerry." Zell shouted back.
"Well get to it faster, ya dumbass." the manager yelled again.
"Little snot-nosed bastard, if Rinoa hadn't said not to get fired this time I'd beat your ass." Zell mumbled to himself, as he started to clean to dishes.
Four years in this world, known as Vana'diel, in a small port town called Selbina. Ever since the two of them had appeared in this world they have tried their best to make a living and live a normal life. Things were hard at first with no home, money or food and cloths. However, the two had found a job and bought a small home within Selbina. It wasn't much but both Zell and Rinoa did their part and lived the life of any townsfolk in Selbina. Rinoa worked as a item shop clerk down the street and while Zell had gotten himself fired from numerous jobs, he now worked as a dishwasher at the Selbina Cafe."Damnit, are you done yet?" the manager yelled again,"Damn just forget it, I'm closing the shop up, go home!"
Zell sighed as he wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked up at clock. It was exactly 12 midnight, the usual time the cafe closed. Zell placed the final dish in the dish drainer and unbuttoned his apron, hanging it up in closet. He ran out of the kitchen and past the counter to the entrance where his boss stood. Without a word, he passed his boss and headed down the street to his house, where Rinoa would probably be waiting with dinner already made. It was strange to think the two would be having dinner at such a late hour, but both of them got off late and usually none of them had anything to eat since lunch that day. Usually Rinoa got off work at ten and was home by then, she did most of the work around the house and if it weren't for her he probably wouldn't have made it all this way. He approached the dark, brick house that stood behind a wooden picket fence. The windows were dimly-lit with candles but were brighter then any other houses on the street. Zell ran up to the door and walked in only to be greeted by a smiling face.
"Hey Zell, dinner is in the kitchen." Rinoa said with a smile,"How was work today?""Awful as usual, I mean I've come across some nasty people but no one is nastier then my boss." Zell replied, hurrying into the kitchen where a hot meal awaited him."Well try not to get fired this time, I mean this is the four hundred and twelfth job you've had so far, you really need to learn to control your temper more." Rinoa stated,"I mean you can't be beating on everyone who yells at you and calls you names, just ignore it and learn to put up with it.""Easy for you to say, your boss is actually nice." Zell said, as he began to stuff his dinner down his mouth.Rinoa sighed and sat down at the other end of the table. She placed her elbow on the table, leaning her head against it she began to take spoonfuls and shove them in her mouth. Zell looked up noticing her sudden mood change, but knew exactly what was bothering her. The two remained silent finishing their dinner, until they both heard a knock at the door. Zell looked at the door with narrow eyes wondering if it was the salesman again. That guy came everyday trying to sell them something, and now he was showing up this late at night. He was fed up with and stormed to the door opening it up ready to deck the guy, but no one was there.
"Who is it?" Rinoa called to him.
"No one, probably some kids playing pranks that's all." Zell replied.
Zell closed the door and started towards the table, but again a knock came at the door. Zell walked back over and opened it up only to find again no one one around. He peered around outside, but the streets were empty and not a soul was even there. Scratching his head, he closed the door and began for the table only to hear a knock at the door a third time. Zell quickly rushed over and swung the door open, but again no one was there. Zell at the point was red and had steam coming out of his ears, closing the door he swung around and quickly opened it up again. A small peep came from Zell's feet as he looked down to notice a small man dressed in a dark cloak. Ready to beat him down, Rinoa quickly intercepted and looked down at the small figure."Well hello there child, is there anything we can do for you?" Rinoa asked the child, holding Zell back."Are you Rinoa?" the the cloaked person asked."Yes, but how did you know my name?" Rinoa asked, surprised by this mysterious figure.
"I believe you are looking for your friends, Squall and Selphie? I know where they are, if I may come in." the cloaked person asked, "Oh pardon me, allow me to introduce myself, I am King Mickey." The cloaked figure removed his hood to reveal a mouse with two big round ears and a smiling face. Both Zell and Rinoa shocked, not by Mickey's appearance, but by the fact that someone knew where Selphie was, and where Squall had been. Not knowing if it was a trap or not, Rinoa went with her instincts and let her new guest in. Mickey nodded and walked inside to the warm and cozy house, as he looked up at the two who still were too shocked to say anything.
"I know you may have your doubts right now as if there is truth to my words, but I assure I am friend and I'm here to help you." Mickey said.Rinoa nodded and smiled as she lead Mickey over to the couch that sat in the living room. Mickey nodded and followed her over and sat down in a warm, feathered chair. Zell still stood near the door in disbelief and was not sure of how he felt. He looked back over at Mickey and Rinoa, who both waited for him to join them. Hesitant at first, Zell slowly made his way over to the couch and sat beside Rinoa looking down at the wooden floor."You know where they are, Squall and Selphie?" Rinoa asked, her voice quivering."Yes, Squall and I are what you can call...acquaintances. Both of us have been active in the fight against the heartless, the ones that attacked your world." Mickey explained,"These heartless have destroyed many worlds, and they steal the hearts of those they capture. You two were very fortunate to escape with your lives.""So that's what happened, damn those heartless." Zell said, his hands clenched into a fist.
"We have all lost a lot because of the heartless and many have stood up against it in order to fix the worlds, so to say. There is only one weapon that can completely eliminate the heartless, and that is called a keyblade. Its a weapon that is able to unlock the door to each world's hearts, and Sora, its wielder, has been doing so ever since he was chosen." Mickey explained,"Sora fought against the heartless some years ago and their so called leader Ansem, and defeated them. However, not to long after that a group known as Organization XIII took control of the heartless and began collecting hearts of many. What their plan is I am still unsure of, but I still have to meet with Sora on it. I haven't seen him in a while and it is my guess he is in Twilight Town.""I see....we'll help!" Rinoa said, standing up and stomping her foot down,"We'll help you defeat the heartless!"Zell looked up at Rinoa and saw the solid determination in her eyes. He hadn't seen her like this in years, and personally he was glad to see her happy once again. He too stood up and nodded in agreement, a look of strong determination in his eyes as well. Mickey had hoped the two would consider that, but he did not expect them to decide so quickly. He stood up and with a smile looked up at the two who looked as eager as ever."I'm glad to see this and I appreciate your help more then anyone. I promise to show you to Squall and Selphie and the rest of your friends once we are all prepared. I will give you some time to get ready and tomorrow we'll leave." Mickey said,"Until then, thank you!""Thank you King Mickey." Rinoa said, with a bow.Zell bowed along with Rinoa, as the two walked Mickey over to the door and showed him out. Mickey looked back at Zell and Rinoa and smiled before putting his hood back up over his face. He turned and walked down the small flight of steps and out the gate, turning to walk down the road and disappearing into the darkness. Rinoa closed the door and stood there silent for a minute, looking up at Zell she jumped on him with a huge hug. Zell couldn't help but hug her back, as his mind drifted to seeing his friends again."We better get prepared for tomorrow." Rinoa said,"Tomorrow we'll see our friends again."
Down the street Mickey walked slowly, turning into a dark alleyway and then bursting into water. A laugh came from the darkness as two figures dressed in black cloaks revealed themselves in the dim light of the moon. The one figure pushed back his hood to reveal a younger looking male with blonde hair carrying a blue sitar. The other figure remained cloaked as he turned laughing to the blonde male."That's quite a neat trick you got there, Demyx." the man laughed,"Thought you could only create clones of yourself. Now if we can just get by tomorrow, we'll be ok and everything will be going as planned."
The cloaked figure grinned and looked back to see a dark mass open up before him. He disappeared into the mass, leaving Demyx behind to stare at Rinoa and Zell's house. Demyx turned with a smile and disappeared into the dark mass slowly, turning again for one last glance."Until tomorrow, Rinoa." he whispered disappearing in the darkness.