Is Any of This for Real....or Not?

(Sora's POV)
I had wasted too much time on the Gummi ship reminiscing about the past. There’s nothing I can do to bring back the days where everything made sense. I have to find this Ichiro person before it’s too late to see Riku. The unknown voice didn’t tell me how Riku escaped the darkness. Was he ok? Could he be lying somewhere in his own blood? That image stopped me dead in my tracks. How could I think that way? I forced the idea from my mind, hoping it would never present itself before my eyes.

I head towards the third district, with my hood up and my hands in my pockets. I can’t risk being seen in the second district; if I’m caught, Riku would suffer the consequences. I walk at a fast pace towards the oversized doors, hoping that Cid won’t come out of his shop. I make it to the doors and look up at the night sky. How many times have I looked at this sky with hope in my heart to find Riku; too many times for me to count.

I push the doors open, hoping that nothing weird will happen, but I know that my hopes will be shattered. I quickly close my eyes, afraid of what I’m going to see. I peek out of one eye and then open the other slowly. Nothing’s out of the ordinary. The only thing I see is a man standing in front of the fountain. His face has soft features, but it doesn’t reveal his age. He’s wearing a black pair of jeans, a brown shirt, and a tan coat that doesn’t seem to match his features. As I look a more closely, I behold that his eyes are silver and his hair is a deep red. The combination sends chills down my spine, but I don’t let him see me quiver.

“I’ve been waiting for you Sora.” he says in a monotone voice. I step towards him warily, not knowing what to expect from him.

“I assume you are Ichiro.” I manage to say without sounding intimated.

“That would be correct.” This guy is starting to really worry me. The way he’s standing tells me that he could care less about me or what situation I’m in. Yet I know I have to pursue the information I need or Riku might get hurt.

“I’m tired of being played with, tell me straight out, where’s Riku?” I cross my arms across my chest and glare at him, hoping to look like a threat. I don’t even know if I’m supposed to be talking to this man since the unknown voice told me it would further instruct me when I met Ichiro.

“So you still don’t know why you’re really here?” I’m taken aback by his question. How does he know what I’m thinking.

“Who are you?” I ask. I’m beginning to get frustrated with all of this. Every second I waste talking to this man is a second Riku could be closer to trouble.

“I am the one who entrusted the world to you, but never allowed my identity to be known.” I have to think for a while. What does he mean by ‘entrusted the world’? A second later I feel like an idiot.

“You’re the unknown voice?” I stammer. He nods his head in a yes. I stand there in shock with my mouth hanging open. Riku must be in danger for the unknown voice or Ichiro to be showing his face now.

“I know that you must have many questions, but now isn’t the time. Riku will perish if you don’t act quickly.” I snap out of my amazement and listen intently to every word that comes out of Ichiro’s mouth.

“What can I do?” I ask, prepared for any task, if it was to help Riku.

“You already know the task that lays ahead Sora.” Again I look at him with a puzzled look upon my face. He never told me about this task. Just then a memory takes hold of me.

You will know what your task is when the time is right. For now I will give you the keyblade but heed my warning, if it is used for anything else than protection, it will leave you forever.

“Ok I know you told me of the task, but you never told me what I was to do.” He just looks at me and smiles. It disturbes me to the point of rethinking about taking on the task. I mean I can help Riku by myself, can’t I?

“You must relinquish your powers as a keyblade wielder back to me. If done, Riku will no longer be pursued by the darkness and you will be able to go back to him. In turn I will find the door to the light and finish your duties. This is the only way. The heartless are starting to return and they know too many of your weaknesses for you to be able to defeat them.” The speech floors me. How can I give up my powers as a keyblade wielder? Of course how can’t I? I want to help Riku so much that I never thought about the consequences. My mind and heart are at battle.

Just keep the keyblade and protect Riku with it.

But Ichiro said that the heartless could defeat me easily.

Then I’ll come up with different tactics!

You know that you won’t be able to do that in time.

I just hang my head in defeat; knowing what’s best to do for Riku. I start to walk toward Ichiro, summoning my keyblade in the process. My foot is ready to take the next step when I hear someone running towards me. No, I can’t believe they found me! They can’t take me back to that place now, I’ve come too far!

I turn to scream stop, but stop short. I dismiss my keyblade and run towards the footsteps. He embraces me with all his might. I’m in Riku’s arms and I will give up anything for things to remain this way.

Sora finally gets Riku! Do ya'll get a bad vibe from Ichiro? I do!