A/N: I sincerely apologise to the readers who have patiently waited for this chapter for ages. I've had sort-of writers block (also known as other plot bunnies and no ideas for what you already have) and I've been drowning in assignments. Also, I've tried writing this chapter more times than I care to remember before I came to this result, one that I was finally happy with. The holidays are in just less than two weeks so my general updating should be faster… maybe.

Chapter Two: Darkness without Restraint

I was free. After being in that horrid place for who knows how long it was the best feeling in the world, the cool wind in my face, the warm sun on my wings. Drifting lazily through the infinite blue plain it was almost possible to forget that places like where I just escaped from existed… almost.
"Hey! Random dude! We're landing," called Nudge, angling her wings and settling into a gentle glide to the abandoned alley below that I hadn't noticed while I was lost in my thoughts. Following suit I landed heavily and rather ungracefully next to everyone else who had already landed, stumbling a few unbalanced steps forward to avoid face planting into whatever covered the filthy street. I really, really don't want to know what is down there. Panting heavily and feeling the sweat run down my back I pulled what I hoped was a smile that would help them to trust me. I was fairly sure that it wasn't going to work considering my past attempts… especially that one time in Traverse Town. I must have looked so cheesy.

"So… we don't know your name. Care sharing it with us?" asked Max, seeming wary of me despite the fact that she had just helped me escape from what was my prison.

"I'm Sora," I replied, rubbing the back of my neck nervously, Max could be really intimidating.

The rest of the little group were simply observed me, watching for any slight indication that I might happen to turn on them. I watched them with the same glare, returning it with equal intensity. I never used to be like this, but that's what happens when you're experimented on and tortured. That kind of stuff changes people.

"So, Sora. How'd you get yourself into a mess like that?" she asked, apparently at ease with what had happened only about an hour previously.
"Uhh… to be honest, I don't remember. That time just before they somehow caught me. All I remember is when I came here with Riku…! He was with me when I arrived in this world, have you seen him?"

My sudden outburst caught Max off guard and for a second her stoic mask slipped to reveal pity and pain. She knew what I was going through… sort of. She had no idea what it was like to be experimented on, be rescued and find that your best friend is nowhere to be found, possibly still in the merciless hands of your captors. But then again, maybe she did know. That was the worst part. If she did know, then that meant that she had endured what I had just been through, and I would never wish that upon anyone.

"No… sorry we haven't seen anyone by the name of Riku."

I sighed; maybe he had been captured too and was still there… that's not something I would wish on anyone. The light breeze blew through the out of place trees a few metres away from the alley, but the wind couldn't reach this dark and smelly little place. It was somewhat choking, I could hardly bare to be in there despite the fact that I had been through a lot worse before.

.../… …/…

(Riku's POV)

I was so close to freedom. A few more seconds and I would have been free. It hurt to be like this, alone and forgotten where more pain and suffering was inevitable. If only that girl had been able to finish working on the lock of this accursed cage then I would be out of this hell. No such luck, I've been in here for what feels like months, but it could have been just a week. There's no way to be sure because there's no sun, no windows and I can't sleep at all because every time I drift off I dream, and I know the world in here is hell, but when I dream the nightmares are worse than the reality. I'm not one for being afraid, but… at least when I'm awake I know what I can expect. Once again, one of the innumerable scientists scornfully evaluated what they had done to me, changed me and giving me wings. It would have been great if it wasn't for the torture that followed. It never let up, never got any less painful. These scientists reminded me of what the replica had told me about Vexen, not caring for the life of what he experimented on and only focussing on the science. I glared up at the person, if I could even call him that, putting all of my fury and anger into that one hate-filled scowl. They wouldn't keep me here like this… I could feel the darkness again, this time not Xehanort's heartless, but my own darkness. I was confident I could control it, I had spent so long using it and working with it holding it like a writhing snake; a great weapon that is just as likely to bite the enemy as it is the holder. Smirking I blasted a ball of dark fire at the front of the cage, the heat melting the metal and singing the brick wall where it struck its final destination. Crawling out of the cage as fast as I could after being cramped for so long was agonizingly slow, every second taking an age. Looking around like a startled bird I dashed wherever my feet would take me before my logical mind kicked in and I realised that there was only one way out, and several mismatched people ran in, some scientists others seemed to have been experimented on to the point that they were just as wolfish as they were human. This was it, I had to get away. Calling my keyblade to my hand and spreading my grey wings intimidatingly I must have looked like something out of a child's twisted nightmare, my turquoise eyes burning with such fury it made the scientists pause before whispering something to the wolf-people. A freakishly joyous howl escaped the jaws of one of the group, answered by the others as they ploughed forward with inhuman speed. Claws and teeth met my blade, the clang of bone against metal ringing out clearly. The onslaught of adversaries never tiring as my strength began to fail. More and more attacks were slipping past my guard; I couldn't go on like this for much longer because if I hesitated for more than a few seconds it would spell the end for me. Gathering another blazing ball of dark fire I glared at them, daring them to attack me before I threw it into their faces. The explosion caused by the impact allowed me to slip past with little resistance from the dazed wolf people or the scientists. I had only ever used my wings before in harsh tests and experiments, and a few minutes ago I was bitterly wishing that they could be sated by giving me wings and leave, but now I was somewhat glad that they had because I knew exactly how to use them. Soaring through the white and narrow corridors with my wings scraping both walls I flew for all I was worth. Occasionally people would block my way, arms spread to prevent my frenzied attempt at escape but I mercilessly threw dark fireballs at them or slashed at them violently with the keyblade that was still in my hand, leaving a trail of blood and bodies in my wake. I had no idea where I was going, hell, for all I knew I was flying the wrong way and into a trap. But using the darkness was how I got out of that cage and if necessary I would kill every last living thing that tries to stop me. I wasn't going to live like a scared rat running through their impossible mazes anymore… I was going to show them what it meant to feel pain. To be left alone… while my best friend escaped was like being kicked in the face. Dark thoughts began to rise in my mind; thoughts of revenge You know he always thought of you like this… why don't you show him why you're better? I forced them away; it was a lot harder than I remember, but that is one of the prices you pay for using the darkness.

A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! If it wasn't for you guys showing your support and feeding my imagination this could have taken far longer than it already has. If you have any suggestions, constructive criticism or general feedback I would love for you to post a review so I can improve my writing and… well actually continue to write!

-X