KHA: Ehehehehe...
Audience: Help us, please...
Roxas: I'M IN THIS FICCY!
Akyra: Duh.
KHA: Welcome, dearest readers, to the sequel of "Forgotten" and the third ficcy in this trilogy... "Linked By Friendship"!
Audience: Linked by what? O.o
KHA: Okay, the title's kinda lame but if we come up with a better one, I can always change it, right? So for now, we're sticking with this cheesy one...
Akyra: Did somebody say CHEESE?
Everybody: CHEESE?
Disclaimer: Boy, I didn't miss you. I don't own Kingdom Hearts 2 or any of its affiliates. If I did, then I'd be laughing like a maniac at this very moment.
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Naminé gently placed her sketchbook on the table beside her. Today was the day. The day she hadn't really expected would come so soon. Not after everything that had happened in Castle Oblivion just a couple of days ago… Yet, she had to admit she was surprised when she had that conversation with her. The one chance she had to erase the worst memories of her life yet she still turned down the offer. Who would've thought? It had only been two days, and their exact words were still clear in her memory…
-flashback-
"How much longer will they be in there?" Akyra sighed, sitting cross-legged in front of Sora's pod as Naminé entered the room.
"I'm not sure," she answered, "But it will still be awhile…"
Akyra stretched her arms and lay down on the floor. She had only been waiting in that room for three hours and already she complained to Naminé that her white chair hurt her behind and that she would rather lie on the floor. But Naminé didn't care too much about it. She knew she didn't really mean it…
"Is it okay to say that I miss them already?" she asked softly.
Naminé nodded. "Yes."
"Is it okay to say that I miss King Mickey and Riku as well?"
She chuckled. "Yes, Akyra. That's perfectly fine."
Akyra kept her eyes glued to Sora's pod. She seemed to be thinking about something…
Naminé lowered her head and began drawing in her sketchbook. That picture of Hollow Bastion she began yesterday was really turning out nice…
Naminé jerked her head up suddenly. She forgot to do something very important…
"What is it?" Akyra asked.
"Do you remember a place called Hollow Bastion?" Naminé asked curiously, her eyes narrowing. Akyra stared back blankly. Her eyes widened and she pursed her lips together. Usually, when people did that gesture, it meant that they had no idea what the other person was talking about…
"I guess you're still missing some memories…" Naminé concluded, shaking her head as she placed her sketchbook on the table.
"Missing memories?" Akyra panicked, "You're telling me that there are still some things I have to remember?"
Naminé nodded as she stood up and walked over to her. "Don't worry. I can put them back easily."
"Really?" she asked, stunned.
"Of course. Unlike Sora, I didn't undo the links of the chains in your memory. All I did was drown them in the darkest depths of your heart. I don't have to rewrite them. They're just lost."
"Oh…" she sighed. Naminé could tell that she didn't fully understand.
"But, you have a choice to make, Akyra…"
"More choices?" Akyra moaned as she picked herself up, "Give me a break…"
"I could just help you find the lost links in your heart and leave you at that. Or, if you wish, I could also take apart the links of the memories you have of this castle. Make you forget all the horrible things that happened here. Kind of like what I'm doing to Sora…"
Akyra's eyes narrowed as she placed her index finger on her lips, deep in thought. Although Naminé was a very quiet and patient girl at heart, she was dying to know Akyra's exact thoughts at the moment. Even though, somewhere deep down, she already knew the answer…
"Don't erase anything…" Akyra said after many stiff minutes of silence, "Just bring back everything I've lost."
"Of course. I understand. Who would want to keep horrible memories like… huh?"
Naminé gasped, completely stunned. She didn't understand. Who would want to keep memories as bad as these? Who would want to look back and think about a time when they had lost absolutely everything?
"You heard me…" Akyra sighed as she approached an empty pod beside Donald, "Don't erase anything…"
"Alright, but please tell me why?" Naminé asked firmly as she helped Akyra mount into the contraption. Her face was filled with worry. Had she gone nuts in Castle Oblivion? Had she become so crazy that she had no idea what words came out of her mouth?
Akyra held on to the opening of the contraption for balance and turned to face Naminé. Gosh, did she really want to know why? Akyra was surprised that she didn't figure it out yet. Maybe she really had been lonely for a long time…
"Castle Oblivion has been horrible to me," she began, "But… I still managed to meet a new friend. I'm done forgetting about my friends. I don't want to forget you, Naminé, even if it means keeping these awful memories."
She secured herself into the contraption, smiling brightly. Sora, Donald and Goofy would have no idea who Naminé is when they wake up. She doesn't deserve to be lonely anymore. Somebody's got to remember her.
"Thank you…" Naminé said cheerfully as the contraption snapped shut. She watched intently as Akyra mouthed the words 'Good Night' and slowly shut her eyes. Nobody had ever done something like that for Naminé. She serenely trotted off towards her sketchbook near the table, smiling happily. Having a friend was a pretty nice thing…
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The contraption snapped. Naminé was suddenly knocked out of her dreamlike state, causing her to drop her sketchbook. She watched as it crashed to the floor and flew open on drawing she made of Destiny Islands. Quickly, she picked it up and secured it under her arm, reverting her eyes towards the pod. The thin layers of glass that adorned the sides slid apart, releasing the contraption's lock. Naminé held out her hand as the glass crept open. Knowing Akyra, she'd probably fall out of it and smash it to pieces…
She watched as the light smoke dissipated, revealing a sleeping figure. Akyra lazily opened her eyes and stretched out her arms as she took a step forward.
CRASH!
Naminé jumped back in surprise. Akyra had tumbled magnificently out of the contraption, miles away from Naminé's helping hand. It was a miracle she hadn't broken the pod…
"Are you alright?" Naminé asked softly as she helped Akyra to her feet.
"Yeah… I guess…" Akyra murmured, rubbing her forehead.
"So, what do you remember?" she asked playfully.
"I remember my home, my adventure, the evil Maleficent, you, those freaks in black robes and…"
"Well, I guess you're back to normal!" Naminé squealed with delight.
"Thank you, Naminé," she said politely. Her face suddenly changed into a suspicious look as she thought. "I remember something. There's still one thing that needs to be done…"
She whirled around and paced towards the doorway, summoning her staff as she smiled evilly.
"I'd like it if you came too… If you want, of course…"
Naminé watched as she twirled her staff between her fingers. What was she plotting?
"Okay, but where are we going?" she asked as she ran up to her. Akyra slowly turned to face the unsuspecting Naminé. She smiled playfully.
"There's a certain stair near the entrance that needs to be annihilated…"
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Six days had passed. Six long days. Sora was still asleep and Akyra spent her days sitting cross-legged in front of his pod, staring at him as she thought about things. Naminé was becoming slightly worried about her. Was it healthy for a girl as lively as Akyra to just sit in front of something for days and days? Also, if Naminé didn't speak to her, she would go hours without making a sound. Was it normal for someone to think and think for hours without speaking? Who knew what she was thinking about?
"Hey, Naminé…"
Naminé's head jerked up as soon as she heard her name. Akyra was actually speaking for the first time in several days.
"Yes?"
"Would you like to play something? Pretty please?"
Her eyes widened as she watched her grovel. She was… asking her to play? This was certainly out of the ordinary… Nevertheless, she closed her sketchbook and nodded, smiling brightly. For a minute there, she could have sworn Akyra was a completely different person. It was nice to know that she was happy.
"Okay. What would you like to –"
Three consecutive, ear-splitting pounds suddenly filled the air. Akyra and Naminé gasped at the exact same time. It sounded as if somebody was knocking on the door…
"Who's at the door?" Akyra whispered as she ran to the window, hoping to see the visitor from the top, "Who even knows about this place?"
"I don't know…" Naminé said softly, "I'll answer it."
"Be careful…" Akyra gulped, still trying to take a peek at the visitor from the window.
Naminé felt her heart skip a beat as she softly descended the stairs. Nobody knew they were there. Nobody even knew that Castle Oblivion actually existed, other than Riku and Mickey. Yes, that's it. Riku or the King may have forgotten something here and returned to claim it. That must be it.
Naminé held her breath as she placed her hands on the wide bronze handles. This was it. Gathering up all the strength she had, she shut her eyes and pulled the handles. The door screeched open. Naminé reopened her eyes, half expecting to see Riku at the door…
She could have sworn her heart had stopped. Neither Riku nor His Majesty stood at the doorway. Naminé stood up straight but her hands were shaking violently behind her back as the guest's tall shadow darkened her silhouette. The stranger seemed vaguely familiar yet looked very intimidating. He was draped completely in red and crimson bandages were sheathed around his head, covering everything except for his right eye. He looked down on the shaking girl intently, grinning broadly. Naminé didn't know if she should stay put or run off… but she knew better than to attempt an escape. Riku was gone now. What more did he need her for?
"Hello, Naminé," DiZ said quietly as he casually paced through the doorway, his cape brushing against Naminé's cold shoulder as he passed. She shivered. Slowly, she hung her head and said nothing, looking as if she were an obedient puppy. Obedient, but defeated.
"You may wonder what brings me back here, hmm?" he asked in a gruff voice as he turned to face her. She continued to keep her mouth shut and slowly nodded. She wouldn't speak at all, even if it meant bottling up everything she wanted to scream out. Naminé was good at this. She was able to shut her mouth and obey even if it was for the worst.
"I'll need your help once more," DiZ continued, "There's a certain… item… I need to hide. You can assist me to find it a place where not a soul would dare look."
She slowly raised her head, making sure that her face was always still covered by her long, golden bangs. She was confused. What did he need her to make? What did he possible need to hide?
"I don't follow…" she said softly.
"It's not difficult or complicated," he said softly as paced around the shivering girl, his footsteps echoing off the marble walls, "I just need you to make a simulation of our dear Twilight Town. And hide Sora and ourselves within it."
Naminé slightly raised her head. What the heck did he want that for? She raised an eyebrow and kept her head low. But DiZ felt her uncertainty and continued.
"I apologize for not coming sooner, Naminé…" he said sweetly as he paced towards her. Now, he was no more than a couple of inches away from her, causing her to shudder as he approached her.
"To think I left you by yourself for eight long days… You must have been so lonely."
Naminé held her breath as DiZ slowly paced away from her. Gosh, he loved walking around… Yet, she kept her eyes fixated on the back of his head and kept hers low. He mustn't have been aware that she wasn't alone…
DiZ suddenly stopped, causing her heart to skip. Okay, a guy who loved walking around just stopped dead in his tracks. Naminé thought for a second. Was this a good sign?
"Hang on… you were not alone, were you?"
Her eyes widened. Why wasn't he making any sense? Why? Why? Why? It killed her not to know what he was thinking. She shook her head softly, hoping he wasn't watching her.
"That's right… You were here with Akyra."
Naminé's head was spinning. Should she answer? Should she not answer?
"Naminé."
All right then, that was her cue to answer him. She swallowed hard. Why was it so hard to find words when you wished to speak? Instead, she nodded her head.
"Not a problem," DiZ sighed, "We will just opt to locking her up in a room when we leave."
"What…?" Naminé said. DiZ jumped. He hadn't heard her speak in such a long time that hearing the sound of her voice surprised him.
"Why, Naminé, we can't possibly bring her with us. You of all people should know why!"
"So we let her rot and die in Castle Oblivion?" she said loudly.
"She must be disposed of!"
"She will help us stop the Heartless threat!"
"I am aware of that and it pains me to do this."
"THEN WHY ARE YOU DOING IT? Why do you want her gone? Why?" she screamed.
Naminé was boiling. Basically, it was the first time she ever did get angry. But she couldn't help herself. She had to scream out her emotions. Scream, shriek, cry… Anything to prove her point. DiZ wasn't making any sense. He knew very well that Akyra was on light's side and he knew very well she was a trusted ally… so how will locking her up in the castle help them? Naminé didn't understand, and not being able to understand upset her greatly.
"You already know why, Naminé, but I will still tell you why… someday… Not now."
Naminé felt hurt. Of course she knew why… But that didn't give him the right to lock her away forever.
"You also know…" he continued, "That disposing of Akyra is the very last thing I ever wanted to do."
He sounded sincere as he spoke. She knew better. She knew he was telling the truth.
"But it must be done. And I feel extreme remorse."
She fiddled with her fingers, listening closely. What hurt the most was the fact that he had a reason to get rid of Akyra. A good reason… And she had no reason to argument why Akyra should be saved.
Naminé slowly lowered her head and trotted off, gradually mounting the stairs as she pondered. She thought she muttered something that sounded like "I'll go get Sora ready" or "I'll go pack things"… She couldn't exactly remember. All she thought about was what she can do to reverse this situation…
"I'll give you ten minutes to get everything prepared," DiZ sighed. With one last look, he tossed his cape over his shoulders and walked out the front door, leaving Naminé to climb the staircases with misery.
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Naminé felt sick. Her head was spinning so much, she thought she would faint right then and there. He wanted her to lock up Akyra and leave her there forever… But… what about Sora? He will wake up one day and realize his best friend is gone.
His friend… Naminé finally knew what it meant to have a friend. And friends always stick up for each other, no matter what…
She scowled as she dashed up the remaining stairs that separated her from her friends. DiZ was going to learn a lesson. A lesson in friendship, mind you. And Naminé was going to be the teacher. She darted past the doorway, past the pods, past Akyra and skidded to a halt in front of her sketchbook. Yes, that was definitely going with her.
"Erm… Naminé?" Akyra asked curiously, waving her hand.
"Get close to Sora's pod," she ordered, "Hurry!"
"Naminé, what's going on?"
"Akyra, I'll explain later. Now just listen to me!"
Naminé had that crazy, angered look in her eye. Something that Akyra was not used to seeing. She obeyed frankly and sat herself next to Sora's pod, watching with confusion as Naminé flung the very few items she owned in a bag.
"DiZ was at the door," she said in between breaths, "And he wants me to lock you up and leave you for dead while we leave for Twilight Town."
Her bag was ready. Perfect. Now she had to reunite Donald and Goofy's pods with Sora's.
"But I won't let that happen…" she grunted as she pushed Goofy's pod across the room, "I won't leave you here. You're coming with us."
"How?" Akyra asked. Sheesh, why did everybody want her dead?
"I'll hide you somewhere. And he won't find you. I promise."
These words hit Akyra hard. She promised… Just hearing her say that word made her feel more confident. DiZ won't find them. And if he did, well… Akyra will think of something.
"Hang on to Sora's pod and DON'T LET GO! I'll be back soon."
Naminé sprinted out the door and ran down the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her. Meanwhile, Akyra stood in the white room, her face covered in shock. Wasn't DiZ a good guy? Or something like that…
Her mind raced as she placed a gloved hand on Sora's pod. This was all so confusing. She hoped that Naminé would explain everything after all this is over but she remembered the look on her face. She didn't look like she knew much about what was going on either…
So, her hands tightly placed around Sora's device, she hugged it hard and closed her eyes, waiting to see where destiny would bring her…
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They say the old mansion at the end of the wood is haunted. Probably because nobody had lived in it for years… Maybe that's where the stories come from, I don't know… All that can be said is that no one ever dared venture that far, no one dared to take a step through the gold gates that surrounded it. And looks can be deceiving. Just because an old yet magnificent mansion looks abandoned doesn't mean it really is…
Naminé gently pulled the curtains away as she peered out the large window of her new room. It had a nice view of the front but it made no difference. The front of the mansion, as well as the back, reeked of loneliness. She longed to venture out of the mansion and visit the bustling city of Twilight Town but she knew better. She would have to wait until DiZ leaves them for a while before it is safe to depart for the city.
"Ow!" Akyra hissed as she shut her eyes, "My eyes! My eyes! I'm blind! They burn…"
"Aw, stop kidding around…" Naminé chuckled. Okay, Akyra had proved her point. Naminé's room was very… bright. It was completely white. The walls, the table, the chairs… even the flower and its vase were of a matching white.
"How are you supposed to see in here?" Akyra continued, keeping her eyes shut as she felt her way across the room.
"You think this is bright? Wait until you see the room Sora's in…"
"Naminé!" called a deep voice.
Akyra and Naminé's smiles fell as the blood rushed out of their faces. It was DiZ. DiZ wanted to speak with Naminé. And his footsteps rang clearly through the air as he approached her new room. She panicked. Her eyes were zooming across the room as Akyra mouthed the words 'What do I do'.
Suddenly, she spotted it. The dresser. It wasn't the best of hiding places but it will have to do. She yanked at Akyra's arm and sat her down beside the large piece of furniture, opening the dresser's tiny doors to further hide her from view.
"Naminé!" DiZ yelled as the door flew open. Naminé gasped. Her heart was beating at lightning speed as she tried to look as if she had nothing to hide. She straightened her face and leaned on the dresser, pretending to be putting stuff away.
"Naminé, I must express my gratitude to you. The work you have done is magnificent," he said gratefully, "And to properly thank you, I swear never to set foot in Sora's pod room."
"Y-Y-You won't?" Naminé stuttered softly.
"I give you my word. Sora is all yours."
"Thank you…" she whispered, gently placing a lock of her shining hair behind her ear. DiZ smiled at her and trotted off towards the library down the hall. So he will never set foot in Sora's pod room, eh? For once, luck was on Naminé's side.
"Come on! We don't have much time," she whispered, tugging at Akyra.
"What are you talking about?" she asked curiously, picking herself up. She was always taking Naminé's word for it but now she grew suspicious. Why was all this happening? What is with all the hiding? These questions zoomed through her mind as Naminé firmly placed her hand on the wall. She lightly pushed her hand and slid open a trick door, revealing a narrow, spiral staircase. Akyra's eyes widened. This mansion was always full of surprises.
"I created this staircase for easy access to Sora's pod room," she explained as they swiftly descended the stairs, "I didn't think they would be this useful…"
They reached the bottom in less than thirty seconds. Naminé released her grip on Akyra's wrist and slid open another trick door, revealing a room that was as bright as Naminé's. Akyra paced through the doorway, twirling softly as she admired the surroundings. The circular room was completely white, the only source of colour being two large, aqua rings which adorned the middle of the room. Sora's pod was placed at the center of the room with a tiny machine and chair leaning at its side. Other than that, the room was completely empty.
"DiZ promised never to come in here…" Naminé sighed, "It's the only place where you can hide…"
"Naminé…" she said softly, "Please… Tell me… Why is all this happening? Why does DiZ want me dead? Why do I have to hide?"
Naminé fixed her eyes on her saddened friend. There was nothing she could do. There was nothing she could say.
"I don't know Akyra…" she whispered, "All I know is that you will be safe in here. This is your room now. And, you don't have to worry! I'll bring food whenever I can, I'll come see you, of course, but you MUST promise me this."
"And what is that?"
"Promise to never, ever, leave this room."
Akyra frowned miserably. Her eyes sparkled, as if she were about to cry. Slowly, she paced across her new room, her head hanging low as she circled Sora's pod.
It pained Naminé to see her like this. Akyra had always been lively and hyper. And now, locking her up in this room, Naminé felt like she was a bird trapped in a cage she couldn't escape from. She sighed.
"Akyra… I'm so sorry…" she said softly as she approached her.
"Don't apologize," she answered, "You saved my life. That's more than I can ever ask for. Don't you worry. I'll live."
Naminé smiled and nodded.
"Now go fix up Sora. And don't leave anything out, 'kay?" she laughed.
Naminé chuckled as well as she made her way across the room. She took one last look at Akyra before shutting the door behind her. She smiled and waved goodbye. Naminé smiled as well but she was no fool. She knew that smile was fake. But Akyra always smiled when others were down, even if she was sad as well. Hey, it's worth a try, right?
Naminé quickly reached her room. She quietly shut the door behind her and approached her wide window, pulling the curtains away to get a better view. Poking her gaze through the yard, she smiled gently.
This was going to be a long year.
At least the both of them were safe…
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KHA: If anything in this chappie makes no sense, don't hesitate to ask questions.
Akyra: I have a question. Where's the cheese?
KHA: Cheese? O.o
Everybody: (are carrying sporks and torches) CHEESE! CHEESE! CHEESE!
KHA: O.o
Roxas: (sob) When do I come in?
KHA: Next chappie.
Roxas: NO ICE CREAM FOR YOU! (steals ice cream)