Act IV: Where His Heart Lies

Warning! This chapter will feature a currently popular KH theory regarding the connection between Sora and the Master of Masters, and it is in fact the basis for this fic. I will be explaining the reason for using it in another author's note at the end of this. So if you don't like that theory, you can stop reading now.

If you do, then I hope you enjoy this. :) Please do note that chapter three has been uploaded two days ago, so if you haven't read it yet, you might be confused at this chapter's beginning.


How long had she been running? Kairi had lost track of time the moment she entered the castle's twisting corridors. And even if she had not, it was difficult to gauge how many minutes or hours had passed in these dark and cold hallways. Not to mention, her mind had been focused on escaping the Heartless the entire time. They had not stopped pursuing her, not once ever since she stepped foot here.

They were just behind her, always nearby, but not too close to harm her. The castle was infested with more of them, and she often had to use her light to drive them away, though they always return once it faded. She did not know how many times she had to fight whenever that happened.

Kairi found a spiraling staircase, and she took it two steps at a time. Her legs were starting to burn from exhaustion, but she kept going until she reached the end and went through a long corridor lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, the city crawled with Heartless rushing to her position. She had to hurry.

A tug in her heart nearly tripped her; she clutched her chest and continued, heart pounding while her other hand on to her keyblade tightly. She heard the Heartless steadily approaching from behind, and up ahead they blocked her way too. They leapt at her from above, and she slashed at one while avoiding the rest, using her light whenever she could to gain some distance.

She remembered this scene. It was almost the same as her dream, and she knew she was nearing the end when she came to a junction where a horde of Neoshadows and Shadows blocked the way to the massive doors at the far end. She plunged through them, her keyblade swinging wildly in every direction. Sweat covered her brow, and her arms felt like lead from the nonstop fight she had done ever since arriving on this world. But she would not be deterred; she was so close now!

In desperation, she let her light flooded the hallway. The Heartless quailed before it and they broke and fled cowering to the sides while granting her a clear path. She ran the rest of the way until she stood before the last thing that separated her from Sora. Just like in her dream, darkness covered it, but there was a faint light shining between the cracks.

She touched the wood; it was slick and cold to the skin. When she pushed it open, it swung on silent hinges. A pitch black chamber welcomed her, larger than anything she had ever seen. Pillars the size of tree trunks supported the vaulted ceiling, and dark red carpet spread in front of her, leading toward a throne of pure white marble at the end, where a figure sat glowing faintly with a flickering light.

Kairi rushed forward with a choked sob. Her own light bathed the room in its warm radiance, and the one at the end seemingly responded, shining just a bit brighter. When she reached the base, her frantic steps slowed down.

Sora sat on the throne, his expression peaceful despite his closed eyelids. It only looked like he was slumbering just as he always did, with a faint content smile on his lips. He was still wearing his clothes, but he was surrounded by a golden aura, and when Kairi touched him, her fingers passed through transparent skin.

Kairi swallowed and knelt in front of him, whispering, "Please. Please wake up."

There was no response.

She bowed her head and clenched her hands. Her shoulders shook, tears streaming down her cheeks. Behind her, the Heartless growled. What was she to do now? She had thought that by coming here, Sora would finally wake up. But he was still trapped in his slumber, forever sitting on this pure white throne.

With a frown, Kairi lifted her gaze and inspected the seat intently, brushing a palm across its smooth surface. The design was heavily inspired by a heart, probably evoking this world's connection with Kingdom Hearts. When she cast her gaze around, she realized with a start that there were six other thrones, three on each side.

Seven thrones. Seven Princesses of Hearts. Was this why her heart went here after she was killed? For what purpose?

Kairi glanced behind her. To her amazement, the Heartless had remained outside the chamber, crowding at the yawning entrance. They seemed no less eager to attack, but something perplexed her; they had not stepped foot inside. They looked even agitated whenever they tried to approach, halting in their tracks the moment they took one step closer. It was as if an invisible barrier was stopping them.

Her first thought was the light in her heart. However, that did not seemed right. No matter how strong she was, the darkness here would overwhelm her in the end. There was only one explanation then, and the answer lay in these seven thrones.

She returned her gaze to Sora and stood, keeping a firm grip on her keyblade. Unlocking her own heart to take his might be one step closer to saving him. Vexen could create a Replica vessel for him to inhabit. He would be alive again, and they could finally be together.

But if Sora left the throne… Kairi did not know how his heart was doing it, but it was the only reason she could think of; he was keeping the Heartless drawn and at bay at the same time. He took her place when it was still hers. And she had no doubt he would repeat his decision if she sacrificed herself to revive him.

Thus, she had to stay alongside him, joining her heart with his in an eternal state of slumber while drawing the Heartless to this world. She felt him respond at her touch, and she knew he was responding to her presence. If she could share her energy with him, his heart would stop drawing on Roxas and Xion for strength. They would never vanish, and they would be able to live peacefully like they did before.

She smiled gently and caressed his cheeks, her fingers passing through momentarily. "Soon, we'll be together. Until the end."

Then she closed her eyes, reverse her grip on Destiny's Embrace, and pressed the tip at the center of her heart. Sorry, Mom, Dad. Everyone. Kairi took a deep breath and—

She heard a pained groan, and she immediately whirled around, switching into a fighting stance. However, she was not prepared for the strange sight that greeted her.

"Mr. M?"

The hooded stranger was slumped on a large black box, breathing heavily. His coat was torn in places, letting Kairi see the bits of light that peeked through the gaps. She nearly stepped back in astonishment and a little fear. He was glowing!

"Hey, don't give me that look!" He sighed. "Just let me rest for a minute."

"What happened to you? And how did you get here?" asked Kairi. She should have heard him enter, but there was no disturbance among the Heartless. In fact, they were more agitated than ever, though the barrier still prevented them from approaching.

Mr. M raised two of his fingers and waved them. "To answer your first question, this is what happens when I try to bite off more than I can chew. As for your second question, I got here through the door, of course! Where else do you think I would enter?"

Kairi was unconvinced, but she let the matter rest for now. "Then why are you here with that box?" She stared at the container, held secure by numerous locks.

The man shrugged. "I sensed something wrong when I saw your light, so I followed. Besides, didn't I say earlier that I will join you?" He sprung up on his feet with practised eased and rolled his shoulders, then patted the box's lid. "I came to deliver this box. Trust me. You will need it to bring back ol' lazy bum over there. Now help me, will you? This thing weighs a ton."

Despite her rising suspicion, Kairi obliged to Mr. M's request. They began pushing the box closer to Sora, and she wondered at the weight. She could barely make it move with her slender arms, even with Mr. M's assistance. Just what this thing contained?

Inch by inch, they managed to push it until Sora's feet bumped into the metal surface. Kairi's arms burned from all the effort, and she wiped away at her brow. Next to her, Mr. M's breath was ragged and shaky. She stared at him in concern and asked, "Are you alright?"

"Yes," he wheezed and placed a palm on his chest. "Just out of practice. Never had this much exercise since a long time ago." He coughed. "Now, let's begin. Point your keyblade directly at his heart. When I give the signal, do your thing."

When Kairi hesitated, Mr. M sighed. "Come on, trust me! It will be fine. Here, let me show you." Light engulfed his right hand. When it faded, Kairi gasped. For he was holding a white Keyblade unlike anything she had ever seen. The handle was made by two conjoined hearts, while the tip possessed a teeth shaped like a crown.

"See?" Mr. M placed it over his right shoulder. "You unlock his heart, and I'll unlock the box with this. We do it together. Ready?"

Kairi nodded, all hesitation gone. If she could not trust Mr. M, then she would not be able to save Sora. Besides, his keyblade was from the Realm of Light. She had studied the subject of different keyblades extensively during her training, and she was certain of it. And the only way to obtain one was if the wielder had an affinity toward light.

Together, they pointed the keyblades to their individual targets. Destiny's Embrace began to hum, and warmth spread from the handle and over Kairi's trembling hands, steadying them. It flowed through her body before stopping right within her heart, where her power responded, pulsing slightly. With a nod from Mr. M, Kairi let her light seeped out and shot from the tip of her keyblade.

The beam hit Sora dead center in his heart. To her left, the black box glowed from Mr. M's light, and a golden aura surrounded it and Sora's flickering image. The radiance shone brighter and brighter until it was blinding, forcing Kairi to close her eyes. When it started to fade, she reopened her eyelids again. The black box was gone, but Sora looked no different than before, though the light surrounding him had vanished as well. Kairi's heart sank, and she took a step closer, then stopped abruptly. Her breath hitched, and tears welled in her eyes.

Slowly, Sora opened his eyelids, revealing those azure orbs that Kairi was always drawn into.

With a choked sob, Kairi dropped her keyblade to the floor and rushed to embrace him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Sora gave a shout of surprise, but Kairi just held on tighter, afraid to let go. "You lazy bum!" she whispered tearfully. If this was a dream, she did not want to ever wake up.

Sora brought his hands around her shoulders and held her close, smiling. "It's alright. I'm here. I'm back."

Kairi embraced him harder. He was warm and he was real. She could feel his hot breath on her forehead, and his strong yet slender arms around her. More than that, his heart was beating loud in her ears. This was indeed real, and she finally let a soft laugh escaped her throat amid her sobs. Sora was finally back, and she would not let anything separate them again.

She did not know how long they stayed lock in each other's arms. But it must have been quite long, for an impatient cough sounded behind her. Detaching herself from Sora, Kairi looked back to Mr. M and quickly said, "Sorry! We just—"

The man waved a hand in slight irritation. "Yeah, yeah. I know. You two are so in love that you want to hug each other to death. Now, move out of that chair, will you? I'm getting sleepy."

"Huh?" Perplexed, Kairi shared a confused look with Sora. Though the man had helped her revived him, she could not deny that he was hard to follow most of the time. He was a little odd in the head, and most of what he said to her did not make any sense until the last second.

Mr. M sighed, bringing their gazes back to him. "And here I thought there was no one worse than Aced," he muttered. He pointed at Kairi. "Okay, look. You have saved your knight in shining keyblade, so you two need to go and leave now." He snapped his fingers, making Kairi and Sora jumped away as their bodies started glowing.

"What did you do?" shouted Kairi. She had to step away from Sora with a look of fear as Mr. M passed between them, engulfed in a brilliant light. Dazzling beams pierced the holes in his coat, bathing the entire chamber in a warm glow. Kairi felt herself calm down, though her apprehension still remained.

"Relax. You will just be teleported back to the ship in a couple of minutes," Mr. M answered while brushing a hand against the throne's arm rest. Kairi realized at once what he intended to do, and a pang of sorrow washed over her heart.

"Why?" She had to ask even as Sora's fingers interwined with hers a second later. They were both standing behind Mr. M, whose back was turned to them as he faced the central throne with his hands behind him.

Mr. M bowed his head and answered in a soft voice, "Because someone has to stay. Kairi, Sora, now that you two are reunited, my task is complete. The only thing that remains is for me to fulfill my true destiny." He twisted around slowly and sat on the throne of pure white marble.

As he did so, his hood came undone and the light radiating from him grew stronger until Kairi's vision was all white. And yet her eyes did not hurt, and she thought she caught a glimpse of Mr. M's true face as he spoke for the last time.

"May you two live the happiest of lives together. Oh, and please tell Donald and Goofy that I don't need help… sometimes."

Then the light finally washed over Kairi and Sora, and the last thing Kairi remembered was a vision of an eye as blue as the sky and a warm smile bidding her farewell.


Explanation time!

So, yes, Sora is MoM in this fic. Many people would probably disagree considering MoM's eccentric nature, but for me, it is exactly the reason why I used that as a basis for ths fic. The time travel aspect of KH was not fully explained, and there are loopholes that makes the theory possible. Of course, I did borrow a few elements from the Fate franchise: same character, different experiences in life which leads to conflicting personalities.

How did Sora got back in time and why did he manipulated everyone to start the Keyblade War? I think his reason is quite obvious. But as for how, that's something I will explore in a possible KH4 fanfic. Some plot threads have already been established here in this chapter, and more on the epilogue. So stay tuned for that!

Anyway, just one more chapter left! Please Read & Review!

Until next time!