And here's the last chapter, finally!
Cross the line
"They can take your world. They can take your heart. Cut you loose from all you know. But if it's your fate, then every step forward will always be a step closer to home."
He's not sure how long they stay like that, a half embrace as Sora cries unable to stop, but eventually Aqua's voice cuts through the room. "We need to get going, Xehanort might not have many defenses here but I'm sure there's some kind of alert system for this room."
Even with the warning, it takes Sora second to disentangle himself from them, giving them a watery smile that doesn't exactly abate the confusion still lingering in their eyes.
"So is anyone going to explain what's going on here?" He hears Lea ask and the familiarity of it startles a laugh out of him, so straight to the point despite the circumstances.
"Not now, we have to go," Ventus responds and Sora can almost feel the way Lea stiffens despite not being able to see him. He turns his head and sure enough, Lea is standing there, mouth agape just staring at Ventus who is tugging at an equally bewildered Goofy and Donald, trying to get them to move towards the door.
"Ro-Roxas?" Lea says weakly, an open sincerity to his expression that makes Sora feel bad for the reply that is coming.
"Hmm?" Ventus replies, this time pausing long enough to turn to look at Lea, "I'm Ventus, and it's n– oh I remember you! You're that boy from Radiant Garden, Lea right? Where's your blue haired friend, Isa was it?" He stares up at Lea in slight awe, like it's the size of him that's surprising, and then looks around as if Isa is just hiding around the corner. Lea's face twists at that, a frown tugging down his face.
Oh? Sora wasn't expecting that, though he supposes he doesn't really know much about Lea's life before the organization, and only bit's and snatches of what Ventus' was like.
"Ven, later please? We'll have plenty of time to talk and explain things once we've safely left this world." Aqua says, looking over the group, "There's more of us now, so we should travel a bit faster this time, and I'm sure you all feel a bit unsteady on your feet after that stasis, but please, bear with it for now."
There is a collective nod among the group and Sora turns back to Riku and Kairi, who look a bit more sure, more steady, than they had just a few moments ago.
"Alright let's go." He says, grabbing them by the hands and pulling them along, and he can't remember the last time he felt so simply happy.
.
-0-
.
They escape easily, just as easily as they arrived.
Maybe too easily, he can't help but feel.
And this time around, Sora isn't going to ignore that feeling.
This time, Sora's going to be ready for it, and they'll win, for real this time.
.
-0-
.
He's thankful that of the three of them, at least Aqua thought to go to Radiant Garden to borrow a Gummiship. Sora would've gone straight to them by himself without even a thought, and he knows Ventus wouldn't have fared much better. But while Sora's been travelling just fine with his glider and armour, that wouldn't have worked with all of them, not without protection from the darkness.
He realises that now, as they all climb aboard the ship, but he doesn't think he would've even considered it until it was time to go, and he wouldn't have been able to do it, to get them off world. Kairi and Lea would've been fine, and maybe even King Mickey and Riku, but what about Goofy and Donald.
"What are you thinking about?" Kairi asks, and Sora looks over at her and then at Riku who shifts his attention from everyone else back to him. He wonders if they both want to go join them, but don't because Sora can't seem to stop the way his body stiffens any time they're out of reach.
He sighs, "That I don't think things through enough." Kairi's brows furrow at the statement while Riku turns fully, concern on both their faces. "And that sometimes I think too much, maybe." He adds, thinking back on the past few days, weeks.
"…Sora"
"Don't worry," He says quickly, cringing at the tone of the words and then at how easily it makes tears well in his eyes. "I just really missed you guys you know," he says instead, "I really missed all of you."
The rest of the Gummiship quiets at that, all eyes on him, and Sora rubs the tears from his eyes, embarrassed. "I'm just really happy right now, having you all back here."
And he'll make sure it stays that way.
-0-
When the Gummiship lands Yuffie and Leon are already there, Yuffie bouncing beside him waving her arms up at them.
"Oh, how did they know we'd be back? I doubt they've been standing there all this time." Aqua muses as she maneuvers the Gummiship down, from beside her Donald seems to be muttering something that Aqua simply nods at.
"I sent Ienzo a message when we got back aboard the Gummiship," Sora replies, he'd promised Aerith he'd let them know when they were on their way back this time after all. He'd messaged Ienzo though, because he knew the other would relay the message and would be the least likely to call him in response. He'd been right, and by the way his phone had not buzzed again aside from Ienzo's simple reply of 'received, I will pass the message along' the rest of them had probably understood Sora's implied meaning.
Sora sees it coming before it starts, and he can tell Goofy does too the way he moves towards Donald, one hand already reaching out to hold him back –probably some kind of sixth sense from travelling together for so long. It doesn't help, as soon as they step off the Gummiship whatever was restraining him doesn't seem good enough as he scrunches up, his face almost red as he stomps his feet on the ground.
"I've been patient, I waited, but can someone tell me what's going on now! We went to battle and then –and then I don't remember anything! Suddenly we woke up somewhere else with two people I've never seen before and a –" He gestures at Sora, as much as he can while Goofy calmly has him by both shoulders, practically floating in his rage, his words almost intelligible in his anger. Given by the way Kairi, Lea, and Ventus are squinting, he thinks maybe it is to some, "–a Sora! Weird Sora!" He finishes, huffing and puffing, and he'd take offense to that if it wasn't so true.
Mickey steps forward then, placing his hand against Donald's. It snaps him out of his fury, but doesn't stop an indignant huff, and the scowl he sets on them. "What Donald is trying to say, is that all of us are a bit confused, and we'd really like some answers. Aqua," Mickey says, an earnest and grateful look in his eye, "it's so good to see you well and you. But the last time me and Riku saw you the darkness…" He shifts, uncomfortable and Aqua stiffens hunching in on herself, Ventus flits to her side instantly, wrapping a comforting arm around her. "It seems like a lot has changed, and yet as far I'm aware my last memory was just minutes ago."
Yuffie groans loudly, all attention swinging to her. "Hey if we waited over a week for an answer, to get literally any kind of message, than you can wait a couple more minutes to get back to the Restoration Committee base alright! Aerith cooked a whole bunch of food once Sora – Ienzo, I guess – let us know you were on our way back and it smelled delicious!"
"A week?" Kairi says from beside him, breathless.
"Food?" Lea answers just as quickly, focused on the wrong thing Sora thinks.
"Wait!" Yuffie exclaims again, splaying her hands in front of her for a moment before turning away and sprinting down the path, "Let's go!"
Leon sighs, put upon and tired, "I hate to agree but just, it'll be easier to explain once we're all seated anyways." Leon turns his stare on him at that and Sora succeeds in not squirming under his gaze.
The duty of explaining everything falls mostly on him, given that he's been the one here for all of it. Everyone else only has what Sora has been able to bring himself to explain, however vague, or what they've seen themselves.
One last time, he supposes.
-0-
"Welcome back!" Yuffie and Aerith exclaim as they walk through the doors, Yuffie's slightly out of breath from having ran ahead of them.
There's a banner above them reading the same, and a mountain of food atop the table behind them. Over in the corner Ienzo sits typing something on the small screen he has brought with him, Cid looking over his shoulder either oblivious or ignoring of his displeased expression. They both look up at the exclamation though. Ienzo giving them all a nod before turning back to his screen, but Cid straightens, walking over to land a heavy hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Ya made it back kid! And here I was worried for nothing then." Cid says through a hearty laugh, and Sora laughs awkwardly, sliding out from under his hand and popping out behind him, giving Aerith and Yuffie a wide grin.
"You didn't have to do all this!" He says, even if he's glad they're as excited as he is about this, about having them all here.
"I told them the same thing, they were unmoveable in their ambition however," Ienzo says, still not looking up from his screen.
"Oh shut up!" Yuffie says, walking away from the group to go bother him.
Aerith tuts at that, but her smile returns, "How could we not, considering for a while we thought most of you were gone from this world, we simply had to celebrate you all finally coming back."
Lea, who was making his way towards the food stills at that, "So like, is anyone going to explain why people keep talking like we died? I've died two times now, I think I'd remember the third."
There's silence, and then a sigh, "We're here now," Riku says, and if he sees the way Sora stiffens he doesn't make note of it, "So could someone explain what happened. The last thing I remember we were at the keyblade graveyard and then…" here Riku stiffens, words faltering and Sora knows what he's remembering, after all Riku had been the last one. Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Lea they had been taken so quickly. Kairi had been disoriented from trying to save Lea and Sora knows what that's like, she probably hadn't had time to process it either. But Riku, Riku had lasted the longest, he had fought, fought even once Sora hadn't wanted to anymore. Had found the strength Sora couldn't muster up after what had happened.
He feels Riku's arms land on his shoulders, and goes willingly as Riku turns him roughly. "Sora," Riku says weakly, a pleading look in his eyes Sora can't bear to look at so he turns away, staring at the floor. "Sora what happened? We were… I… I let you down."
At that Sora can't help but laugh, bitter and lonely; "Don't be silly, you kept me going, all of you did. It's not like you were the one who…" he trails off there, Sora hasn't been able to admit to anyone what happened right at the end, the only one who knows is Riku and he knows Riku can tell what it is he meant to say. "You all fought hard, none of us saw that coming." He says instead.
"Want to fill the rest of the class in?" Lea drawls, "Or gonna keep staring lovingly into each other's eyes?"
"Lea!" Kairi exclaims.
"Whatever, we're all thinking of it. And I'm sure you want to know why the last thing you presumably remember is being carried away by a tidal wave of heartless."
"Well… yes, but still! Will you ever learn tact?"
"Both of you quiet down, and then maybe Sora can explain, okay?" Mickey says, in the same tone Sora has seen him take when Goofy and Donald get too riled up. (Or, more accurately, Donald gets too riled up at Goofy.) Kairi deflates, quieting down, chastised, and Lea turns back towards the table of food.
Attention turns back towards him (though Aqua, Ventus, and the Restoration Committee are conveniently distracted with each other) and Sora fidgets, moving away. "Uh, right! Let's all sit down first!"
And so they all sit, Sora finding himself squished between Riku and Kairi as everyone else settles in around them. "You were there for the start, we all went to the Keyblade Graveyard to fight and then… those heartless appeared. There were so many, and they were relentless and eventually…" He trails off, reminds himself that they aren't gone, that they're right here in front of him and they aren't going anywhere, "Eventually they got all of you, Xehanort apparently trapped you guys in these pods –Aqua might know more about than me. But, yeah, after it took you guys I guess the amount of heartless was too much for the world to hold up and it got consumed –fell apart and I woke up in Traverse Town again." He trails off again, and this time doesn't have to pick up again because Aerith takes over, filling them in on what Sora had told them that first time around.
The rest of them pitch in, Aqua and Ventus helping out more as the story goes on and Sora is so very grateful, he doesn't think he could say it all over again, especially now that they're all here. For some reason a comfort and an inexplicable pain all at once.
"… and that's how we found you all," Aqua finishes, looking a little worse for wear after the whole explanation. And he thinks that reminding herself where she had been, what she had been doing, just a couple of days ago is no easier for her then it is for Sora to remember just giving up and crumbling back then and there.
"So we've been out of commotion for weeks," Mickey says grimly.
"Yes," Aqua agrees sadly, "But all is not lost, Xehanort's surety that Sora would falter with you all gone failed. It not only failed, but it got you two more fighters for your side –Ven and I."
"Oh gawrsh, we finally got seven lights!" Goofy says, looking positively ecstatic.
"Sora, Riku, Kairi, Mickey, Lea, Aqua, and Ventus." Donald lists, "And of course, you still have us as back up."
"You're right!" Kairi exclaims, perking up, "We'll come out of this stronger this time, ready, Xehanort won't know what hit him when we're done!"
"Exactly. We'll rest up tonight and then plan tomorrow, we've already lost so much time, we need to stop him as soon as possible now." Riku affirms, and the mood in the room, that had turned somber as they retold the events passed, brightens again. Instead, there is determination as they prepare for tomorrows plans. The room grows loud as they begin to talk about other things, laughing and having fun.
Sora tries to join in, but he thinks about all of them going to face Xehanort again and his mind keeps conjuring up only the worst scenarios.
Of all of them leaving him behind again, except this time for good. Except this time the worlds are not so kind to give him them back.
"Don't do anything stupid." Leon reminds him quietly while everyone else is distracted. Sora doesn't respond, hands clenching around the fabric of his pants, Leon sighs, running a hand over his face. "It's not just me you'd let down if you did." Leon says softly, but backs up, walking over to where Mickey and Aqua are talking softly amongst the loud chatter in the room.
Sora knows that, he does. But even if it's stupid Sora can't just let it all happen again, not if he can stop it, even at the risk of himself.
It's stupid. It's so very stupid and they'd all be so upset if he went out on his own.
And yet, and yet.
-0-
Most everyone has retired for the night, and Sora sits by himself as he watches Aerith and Aqua clean up. He'd offered to help but the two had shushed him, continuing to work as they chatted.
He sits there and watches them, trying to resist the urge to go upstairs and check on all of them, to make sure they're all safe and sound, resting in their beds.
That they're actually there, and not somewhere he can't reach.
"It's hard to believe they're okay right?" Aqua says and Sora startles, noticing that apparently, they'd finished and Aerith had presumably retired for the night and that Aqua had settled in beside him. "I'm still searching for Terra, but I know he'll come back at the end of all this. But sometimes I look at Ventus and I'm not sure he's really there."
His breath catches, and when he turns to look at her she's staring straight ahead, eyes glistening. He looks back down, tears welling up.
"I felt like everything was pointless without them. I didn't even think I could still do it –and now they're just back like nothing happened at all." That somehow made it worse, that to them no time has passed. Every moment without them had felt eternal, the thought of the rest of his life without them, and they all just got to wake up like it had only been dream.
"I spent ten years in the realm of darkness –but I won't lie it felt much shorter, though even that was far too long. And to Ven it was just a nap, a long horrible nap. For so long the darkness taunted me with my failures, my faults, with their faces and their kind words before ripping it away all over again and laughing. Eventually I could not fight it anymore, and you… well you saw what that left of me." She turns to look at him, a watery smile on her face. "It's hard to believe I'm really here with you all. I keep thinking that maybe the darkness will rip this all from me too, that maybe none of it is really here in the first place. I can tell you feel the same."
"I just, I can't stand the thought of going out there again with them, what if this time is permanent? It's so stupid," he says, but thinks that of everyone, maybe Aqua will understand, "but I keep thinking if I just leave right now they'll be safe. That if I just take them all on myself at least I know that it's me and not them."
Aqua laughs at that, though there is no mockery in it, just a quiet understanding, "I think you three remind me too painfully of myself, Ventus, and Terra. You've all done so much better than we have though. I understand, I truly do, but you can't take the world on yourself, no matter your reasoning it's not worth what will happen." She sighs softly, "Fight with your friends, you're stronger together, I was too blinded by duty to realise that at first."
"Aqua…" He says, and then stops, how does he even word this? "You've been… you… back, for even less than me. How are you…" So put together, doing so much better than Sora is when even having them here with him can't seem to shake the unsettled feeling in his chest?
"Oh," She says, and lets out an honest laugh, seemingly hearing Sora's unasked questions "I trained to not let my emotions get in the way of what I must do, though I think it was partly due to that that I had been so blind back then. I saw only the end goal, tried so hard to not let anything else deter me. Right now that is almost a comfort to fall back to. But I promise you, I really am doing no better than you." She puts a hand over his, unfurling where it had been clenched, "We fight for what matters – for who matters – but sometimes we have to let those same people fight for us as well. We fight for each other, because it's what friends do, because sometimes being strong means knowing when to be weak."
"I'm scared," He says, and the admission feels like too much.
"That's okay. You know, I am too, I'm not sure I've ever been more afraid. But that's because we've never had more to lose, and that makes us stronger." Her hand squeezes his, "You've done so well for one so young, and I'm so sorry for what you've been through. You aren't alone though, your friends are here for you. But if you ever feel you cannot speak to them about this, you can always rely on me."
"Thank you," he says softly, too softly, as he begins to cry. Aqua hums in response, pulling him close, "Thank you," he says again, because Aqua put it into words, made his irrational thoughts make sense. And he thinks he might know what he has to do now.
"Any time, Sora, after everything you've done for me and my friends, this is nothing. Now off to bed with you we have quite a day ahead of us tomorrow."
"You're like a mom sometimes, Master Aqua." He jokes and she grins.
"So I've been told, now sleep."
"Alright, alright."
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-0-
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When he awakes the next day, Ventus is gone from their shared room and instead Riku and Kairi are on his bed, Riku leaning over Kairi's shoulder to see whatever she's pointing at on her phone. Riku huffs a laugh at whatever it is and Sora watches, the two of them just there and alive and happy.
Riku's head tilts, and then he turns towards Sora, tapping Kairi on the shoulder as he does.
"Oh, Sora, you're finally awake!" Kairi says as Sora keeps staring, still half-asleep.
"Gm'rnin'" He mumbles as he sits up, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"Good morning," Riku says as the two of them stand from Ventus' bed only to plop themselves back down on Sora's.
"You know we love you right?" Kairi begins with no preamble, so earnest Sora almost think she means something else –something not quite platonic, and Sora quite nearly falls out of his bed at the suddenness of it.
"Kairi!" Riku not quite shouts, so at least he's not the only one shocked by that.
"What! You would've just danced around it if I let you. I did my waiting, Aqua and then Leon both insisted we give Sora his space and I did!" Kairi says with a pout, glaring at Riku as Sora just sits there, bewildered.
"Still, you can't just, start with that!" Riku insists.
"And what was I supposed to do oh genius Master, huh?"
"I don't know, not that!"
Kairi throws her hands up, exasperated, "Well then you can't call my idea bad if you didn't even have a plan."
"Hey –hey guys, what are you talking about?" He interrupts, hasn't felt this way since they were little and they'd argue about something that happened in a book they'd read that Sora had usually never heard of. And just like then they'd turn at him when he'd interrupt, faces all scrunched up until they noticed him and then they'd relax, argument forgotten.
For a brief moment his memory overlaps, and it's like they're kids before any of this ever even happened to them.
Kairi reacts first, one hand reaching out to cup his cheek, "When you left me behind, I knew you'd come home, for a while I didn't even remember, but I still knew someone was coming home to me. That no matter what they were safe, we're together now but even when I was alone you were both with me, and I always knew you'd all come back home to me."
Riku puts his hand on Kairi's shoulder, "When I got trapped behind the door to darkness, you searched for me, and you looked. You never gave up hope because just like I knew you were safe, you knew the same of me even if you didn't have the proof, and that despite the distance we'd see each other again. The time you slept, it was hard, but I knew at the end you'd come back out and be just the same as always."
His hand raises to meet Kairi's as his brows furrow, "I don't, what are you guys trying to say." Sora would always come home to them, he knows this, they know this, why are they talking about it.
"Every time you run off we know you're coming home. No matter what happens I know you're safe out there." Kairi says softly, "And this time…"
"This time we left you alone without that." Riku finishes for her.
"That's not your fault," He says instantly, because it isn't, "Xehanort tricked us, none of us saw that coming."
"Idiot, of course we know that." Riku says, flashing him a quick smirk.
"It doesn't mean we can't be sorry for what you had to go through, I don't know what I would do without the two of you." Kairi says.
"I have some ideas," Riku mumbles, face turning somber in the kind of way that he and Kairi always hate to see, so he reaches over and pinches his cheek. "What was that for." Riku snaps, slapping Sora's hand away and rubbing his now red cheek.
"If you're going to try to cheer me up try not getting all sad about things yourself," He huffs as Kairi giggles, hand slipping away from under Sora's as she brings it to cover he mouth.
"Excuse me for –"
"You're excused." He and Kairi chorus, cutting him off.
"This isn't the point." Riku says, exasperated but fond as he shifts. "Sora, we can't change what's happened, and we can't control what's going to happen either. But I swear to you that it's going to go differently this time. We're going to go there together, and we'll fight together and then we'll all finally go home together."
"No matter what," Kairi agrees, "we're all in this together. You're not fighting here alone, even if we aren't by your side." She puts her hand over his heart. "We're right here with you, just like you're always in ours."
He reaches up to grasp her hand, and even though he thinks it might be a little tight Kairi doesn't even flinch under the hold. "I don't want to risk losing any of you again."
"You won't," Riku says quickly, so assured.
"You can't know that for sure."
"I can't," Riku agrees, again far too quickly, so simply. "But I'm going to promise it anyways, and make sure it happens."
"Me too," Kairi says, fierce and determined and so very beautiful, "I've trained hard, and I'm gonna make that old man regret ever even thinking of messing with my two most important people."
You shouldn't have to, he wants to say. Sora wants to keep them both as far away as possible from this, wants to keep all of them far, far away. But they're right, everyone's been right. Sora has always known that, somewhere deep down, even when it was hard to believe. Even when it is still hard to believe.
"We love you," Kairi says again, "We love you and whatever's going on in that head of yours we aren't going to let happen."
Riku shifts until he's right beside Kairi, reaching out and grabbing Sora's other hand. "My friends are my power right? You'll be ours, and we'll be yours. No more going off on our own, leaving each other behind, no matter what."
"Okay," He says, leaning forward pulling their hands closer to him. "Okay." He says, a little more desperately, clinging to their arms as if they're a lifeline, pulling them forward as they easily wrap their arms around him.
He sighs, the breath leaving him in a gasp, and before he knows it he's crying. Deep, heaving sobs that would leave him shaking were they not holding him so tight.
He cries, but he feels all the lighter for it, every last remaining weight removed finally gone from his mind. And despite his tears, smiles.
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-0-
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They stay there for a while, and when they finally disentangle themselves, all their eyes red-rimmed from tears, it is with laughter and smiles.
Riku and Kairi head down first, to give Sora time to get ready and let the others know they can commence the meeting soon.
That was about half an hour ago, he thinks, as he descends down the stairs, only to be immediately tackled to the ground.
"Sora!" Donald yells, grumbling as Goofy picks the two of them off the ground, just to envelop the two of them in a tight hug. "Goofy put me down!" He squawks as Sora laughs.
"No-sir-ee, no can do. Feels like ages since the three of us have been together." It had been, at least to Sora it felt like, he's glad to see he's not the only one.
"I missed you guys," he says genuinely, hugging back just as hard.
"Put me down!" Donald insists, as if Goofy and Sora can't feel the way he's hugging them back just the same.
"You look better," Goofy says instead, ignoring Donald's indignant huff at being ignored.
"Thanks," Sora says simply, he feels better too.
"You look way better. More like our Sora," Donald agrees, pulling out both his arms from Goofy's grasp to pull at Sora's cheeks. "A good ol' smile on your face, now that's what I like to see."
Goofy laughs as he finally releases them, both of them landing with a dull thud.
"Alright!" Mickey exclaims, "Let's get this meeting started." He says it firmly, no nonsense, but when Sora looks over he's gazing at them with a smile, and it makes Sora's own grin widen.
"Okay," Mickey says as the three of them join the group, at the table "We have an advantage now, our 7 lights to as far as we're aware, Xehanort's still 12 darkness's. If there was ever a time to strike it would be now, while we have the advantage."
"We don't know where they are though." Lea says, leaning heavily on one arm.
"Aqua, do you know?" Ventus asks.
Aqua shudders, rubbing one arm. "No, not clearly, and even if I did I'm sure they would've moved from there from now. We invaded a place they deemed safe, and with my defection, their information has been compromised. Xehanort is old and a fool, but he is no idiot. He would know better than to stay at the same place."
"So we got nothing." Donald grumbles.
"Even if we did find where they were, it'd be walking onto their territory. At least at the Keyblade Graveyard we were on even ground to an extent. Without knowing, we'd be walking into what could be a trap." Riku says, head tilted as he thinks.
He feels like his heart nearly stops at the sentence, and the rest of the meeting goes by in a blur. He pitches in occasionally, feels the words leave his mouth even if the meaning is lost, Riku's words echoing in his head. All he manages to get is that without a location, a neutral location, they're at a standstill. Unless they're willing to take the risk of being at a disadvantage.
A trap, a trap, a trap.
Not again, not ever again.
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-0-
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He has a plan, it's a stupid plan, but it's a plan.
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-0-
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He slips away during a patrol, an errant unversed just the excuse he needs to get away. He looks back once he thinks he's run far enough away, standing still for a few moments as he waits to see if anyone has followed him.
Well, anyone else.
"I know you're there," he says into the empty space once he's sure none of his patrol group had followed him. "Come on, there's no point hiding I'm not just guessing."
"What do you want?" Vanitas asks, appearing out of seemingly no where and Sora does not jump because of it. "How did you even know I was there, even those two idiots can't tell."
"That's a need to know basis, and you don't need to know." He says, as smugly as he can manage, because it's easier than explaining Sora can always tell when the other is nearby. Whether because of his connection to Ventus, or some connection to Vanitas that Ventus left behind in his heart, he doesn't know but it's always there, it's the same with Ventus too. He thinks Ventus would feel it as well if he didn't spend so much time denying it. Sora doesn't though, doesn't think he could. The people who have found safety and solace in his heart are important to him, even if they shouldn't be.
He feels connected and Sora doesn't know how to deny those he's connected to.
For whatever reason Vanitas seems nearly pleased by his response, huffing a laugh that almost doesn't sound mocking. "Alright keep your secrets; it's all the same to me. But you still haven't told me what you want."
"I want to know where you guys are hiding." He says, right to the point.
"And why do you think I would tell you that?"
He crosses his arms and hopes Ventus won't ever find out about what he's about to say. "You want a rematch right? You and Ventus, for the x-blade. Ven won't fight you if you just come after him, he's not dumb. But there, in the final clash? He'd have no choice but to fight you."
"Oh wow," Vanitas says, full of maniacal mirth. "You'd use him like that, just for what? Some petty revenge? You're more like me than I would've thought if so, you stupid little light."
He doesn't rise to the bait, staring at the other steadily in the eye. Or where he presumes the others eyes would be, does he ever take that mask off? It's weird seeing it on when he knows what lies underneath. "Are you going to tell me or not."
"For a chance to fight Ventus again?" Vanitas says, a note of wonderment and desperateness all mixed together in his voice, "You have yourself a deal." He extends a hand towards him and Sora stares.
"If we're gonna shake on it it'd be nice to see who exactly I'm dealing with." He says, a bit bolder than he feels.
"That interested in seeing your doppelganger?" Vanitas asks as he lifts a hand towards his mask, "Don't give me that look, I'm sure that idiot spilled his whole little sob story at you as soon as he could." He dismisses the mask beginning to fade away from the center as he speaks.
His face, but the features are harsher, golden eyes glinting. His face, but hips lips are pulled into a smirk, inky black hair framing the other's features. Sora looks at him and thinks that he can see why Xehanort would want him as his vessel. Not that Sora would ever let him.
Still, it's not as unsettling to see his own face reflected so darkly back at him as he thought. It's just kind of weird.
"Like what you see?" Vanitas asks as he extends his hand out once again. Sora grimaces, looking down at Vanitas' hand before reaching out to grab it with his own.
"Just tell me where they are."
"For a chance to fight my other half one final time?" Vanitas says, a giddiness in his voice that is not reflected in his eyes. "Of course."
He leans in close, whispering the location into Sora's ear.
"See you there," he says, almost genuinely as he reforms his mask and disappears into a corridor.
Sora's mouth twists as he watches the other leave. He wonders what Vanitas would've done if Sora had suggested why he thinks Vanitas really wants to fight Ven again. The reasoning that seems so clearly written in his voice (in his face now that he's finally seen it) any time Vanitas has so much as mentioned the existence of his other half, that has seemed even more obvious ever since Ventus told him about the other.
Vanitas wants to be whole again, and who wouldn't, Sora can't imagine spending so long without half his heart, spending so long being rejected by his other half.
He doesn't think either Vanitas or Ventus would take kindly to that idea however; though hopefully they can figure it out.
Still, that's for later. With this information he can finally set the second part of his plan in motion.
"Sora, Sora are you over here?" He hears Aqua call as he heads back to the group, slight concern in her tone but no suspicion.
Good, he thinks, as he calls back. He timed it well then.
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All of them fighting Xehanort on his own terms would be stupid. Too many risks involved if he had total control of the area, of their movements.
But if Sora faces them alone he can distract them. Keep them focused on him long enough that when the others arrive Xehanort won't be expecting them. Or at least get caught off guard.
That's his plan anyways, his hope.
He leaves the note on his bed, and quietly escapes out the window. For once glad that Ventus sleeps like the dead even now.
He has to do this, it's the only way he can see it turning out okay.
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Young Xehanort had said that there was no saving him. And maybe there isn't, but as long as the rest of them end up safe, this will be worth it.
(But he's still going to try, because Sora doesn't want to leave them all behind, he'd just do it in a heartbeat if it meant saving them.)
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"Here on your own, little misguided keyblade bearer?" He hears as soon as he lands and he shudders. Not even a second and he'd been found.
"It's enough to beat you." Sora says confidently, summoning his keyblade back into his hand as the armour dissipates around him.
"I knew you were foolish boy, but to be so openly idiotic. Or do you perhaps have a death wish after what I did to your precious little friends?"
"My friends are fine," Sora spits, hand tightening around his keyblade, "Unlike you when I'm done with you."
He charges, keyblade swinging but Xehanort avoids it easily, jumping backwards,
"Now, now, patience my boy. You may have come unprepared with your allies, but it does not mean I have done the same."
Sora stills as Xehanort spreads his arms, 12 oddly dressed figures appearing in a circle around him.
So they were wrong about the one vessel short thing, all the more reason to be here doing this.
"Once a seat of power for all Keyblade wielders," Xehanort begins, waving his hand lazily through the air, "here, I and my other selves can be one in Scala ad Caelum."
His arms lift as he finishes, and like a signal instantly the 12 figures descend coming right at him. He manages to change into guard form just as the first one reaches him, striking him and sending them both over the edge of the city centre, plummeting down the side of the deserted town.
"Where is he," the person hisses from behind the mask, and Sora instantly recognises him as Vanitas, "I told you because you said you'd bring him here."
"He'll be here, they'll all be here," Soon, eventually, even Sora's not sure when.
Vanitas laughs, harsh and grating, "I'd be amused you played me, lied to me, if I wasn't so very fucking pissed at you right now."
"Sorry," He offers, looking beyond the other to where three more figures are coming at him, "we can discuss this later." He says as he hits the other with the butt of his keyblade, causing him to back off as he doubles overs, and Sora shoots off, running up the wall towards the three new enemies. Shooting blasts of fire as he approaches them.
One falters under the onslaught, but he knows it won't be for long. Still he uses the fallen figure as a jumping stone, catapulting himself off him and using the momentum to strike roughly at the two left from behind. While they recover he speeds back up the rest of the way, finally reaching flat ground again.
"You survived," Xehanort says, amused, "Let's see for how long you can keep it up."
Sora breathes out through his nose, adjusting his grip on his keyblade.
Long enough, he hopes.
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Sora has never felt more tired in his life he muses dully as he just barely blocks one strike, before getting hit by another sending him crashing into the nearest building.
He tries to stand, but his legs give out under him, too weak to support him. His magic is too drained to cast cure so he fumbles into his pocket for an elixir, a potion, anything at all to help him. He finally finds it, moving it up towards his mouth so he can uncork and drink it before it is kicked from his hands.
A keyblade settles beneath his chin, and he recognises it as the Younger Xehanort's, there are other figures beside him, but his vision is too blurred from the pain to be able to tell which ones these are. At least most of them have taken off their masks at this point.
"When I said you could not be saved, I didn't think you'd run so heedlessly towards your death." He says, almost apologetic and Sora spits, blood splattering over the other's keyblade. His eyes harden, "I see."
He removes his keyblade and without it's support Sora's head falls like a puppet without strings.
Ah, so this is it, he thinks, I couldn't do it.
The keyblade falls, and light illuminates.
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"Stupid!" He hears through the ringing in his ears, "So stupid, and reckless! What did we just agree on!"
"Don't think we won't be having words about this once we win."
He blinks as the ringing fades, eyes readjusting, and then blinks again as if the site before him is but an illusion. One last bit of comfort before the end.
But no, Kairi and Riku really are there, berating him and rightfully angry, but there in front of him, keyblades out and ready.
Less dazed he can hear the sounds of fighting around him, and the shouts of frustration from the Organization members. Despite everything he feels his lips twitch up into a smile, his plan worked.
"Just look at you," Kairi yells, striking her keyblade out at Young Xehanort, who looks so pleasantly confused as the strike pushes him back, and the next one actually sends him flying, "Stop smiling! This was the worst idea you've possibly ever had and we all decided together that a dingy raft would take us to different worlds."
Riku grunts, distracted by his own fight, "Later Kai, maybe?"
"Fine," she yells, running off after her opponent, "But I'm still mad!"
He stares as they run off, trying to move to go after them but his body won't listen. He groans, and then groans again as something hits him on the head.
"Don't move!" Come's Donald's angry voice, and when he painstakingly tilts his head to look at him he finds him fuming, a concerned but stern faced Aqua right behind him.
"What you did was beyond stupid Sora, if you had come to us with this information we could've planned something better, less risky."
"You know why," He replies hoarsely and Donald yells, casting cura over him, and then another when his condition barely changes. It's enough for Sora's vision to stop spinning at least.
"I suppose I do, it doesn't mean I agree," She says softly, running a hand through his hair.
"This isn't working," Donald exclaims angrily, ignoring their conversation as he stomps his foot. "Even the strongest cure spell in my arsenal is barely making a difference."
"He's endured quite a bit, he'll heal fine but he needs a strong enough push to get him over that first hurdle." Aqua says, expression twisting, "Donald please your hand, we'll cast it together."
Donald grumbles but complies readily and Sora watches as the green light of Cura engulfs their weapons completely, collecting at the point where the weapons connect. A large soft ball of green forming until it gently floats over to him, engulfing him completely. He feels swallowed by a gentle but overwhelming sense of warmth, before a feeling of relaxation of overcomes him. Eventually it fades, leaving his body healed but still tired.
"Thank you both, really."
"Don't thank me, I'm angry, now I'm going to find Goofy and tell him you're okay because he was worried sick! An absolute mess you should feel ashamed." Donald insists as he storms off.
"He's talking about himself actually," Aqua says, laughing softly as she helps him up but says nothing more.
"Aren't you going to scold me too?" He asks, a bit confused at her nonchalance.
"No I think you have enough of that coming, and in this case I'm not sure I can be one to talk. But let's go shall we, we have scores to settle I think."
He nods, they do.
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In the end, with all of them together, it's a bit anti-climactic. Xehanort's vessel's fall one by one to his friends as Sora keeps Xehanort busy.
He sees Ventus and Vanitas disappear at some point, during a break between clashes. In another he sees Lea with Isa pinned to the floor as he speaks, a second figure standing off to the side. As their number dwindles Sora catches Aqua embracing one of their members, and though Xehanort attacks again bringing his focus back in, he thinks he saw the vessels uncovered hair turning brown.
"It's over Xehanort," Sora says, throwing a round of thundaga at him, "Your vessels are defeated, and you won't escape from here unscathed, not with all of us still gathered."
"Do not presume to know victory so early." Xehanort says, Sora's magic disappearing with just a wave of his hand, a ball of darkness appearing at the ends of his fingers, "I plan for all inevitabilities, and if this time has failed I will simply start again!" He shoots it out at him and Sora moves to dodge except his feet suddenly won't move.
"It's over," Xehanort says, face twisted into a horrid smile.
"Not again," A voice Sora doesn't recognise interrupts, slashing the ball of darkness in half and for some reason that causes Xehanort to cry out, doubling over in pain. "We've let you run amok for too long, this ends here."
"Xemnas?" Sora asks unsure, but the figure is different, the colours off.
"Terra," the man says, softly but sure, "I'm Terra."
"I will not lose! Not here, not when I'm so close!" Xehanort snarls, still hunched over. "You stupid moronic children and play-acting adults can't possibly defeat me."
"We'll too bad," Kairi calls, coming up beside him.
"We're taking you down, and it really doesn't matter what you say." Riku says from beside her.
"No, not at all, not after all the suffering you've caused." Aqua joins.
"No mercy after all, right Master? Isn't that what you always taught me?" Ventus agrees, a new glint in his eyes as he stares Xehanort down.
The rest of them join in, until all of them are there standing before Xehanort, together.
Sora grins. "This is the end of the line, you won't hurt anyone else ever again."
They extend their keyblades, light streaming out one by one, just like when Sora locks a keyhole, all of them centering on Xehanort who crumples under its strength.
"Kingdom Hearts is light," Sora shouts holding his keyblade high, "And because of that you never stood a chance at getting what you wanted."
His keyblade shines, bright like it has never been before, and he strikes.
And they win.
And it's finally, truly, over.
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"Stupid, idiotic, reckless," He hears Kairi yell as the dust settles, a sense of déjà vu overcoming him for a moment, and looks over to see her stalking towards him. "You live to make us worry don't you? What did we agree on, no going off on our own anymore! And what did you immediately do?"
"Kai, I –"
"No," She says, hands reaching out to cup his face pulling him close, "you shut up now." And then she kisses him.
Sora's eyes widen, then close, as he pulls her closer, embracing her. When they pull apart she's smiling at him, soft and happy.
"W-what," He says dumbly, but Kairi ignores him.
"You're so stupid, you had the two of us so worried. Riku almost ran straight after you when he read the note." She says softly, not moving away.
"As if you were any better." Riku says from beside him, and were it not for Kairi still holding onto him he would have jumped.
"Riku," he manages, eyes wide as he stares at Kairi who is laughing softly at his reaction.
"Don't even think about it," Riku says, before leaning down to kiss him on the forehead.
"… What" He says again, a whisper of a word, more to himself.
"We love you," Kairi says simply, "I told you that. Forever and always, no matter what, even if we're mad at you for doing something so obviously and horrendously stupid."
"We love you," Riku confirms, a slight pink tint to his cheeks, "And you had us worried sick."
His blush intensifies, and then worsens when Lea speaks, "Oh so all three of you need to get a room, really should've seen that one coming."
Out of the corner of his eye he can see Riku blushing as well, but Kairi simply grins.
"Ow!" Lea exclaims, "What the hell did you hit me over the head for woman?"
Aqua hums, "I was hoping to knock some tact into you, but I think you might be hopeless."
They laugh, and then laugh a bit harder at Lea's indignant cries.
"Come on, let's all head back, head home."
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They head back to Radiant Garden first, Sora, Aqua, and Ven heading back first on their gliders. The Gummiship had been full on their way there, now with the new additions to their party it would be near impossible to get them all back on one ship.
They move quickly, and despite Sora feeling as though he might drop any second he can't help but grin, can't help but to want to jump and dance and run around.
It's over, finally and truly over.
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If he had thought that Aerith had cooked quite a bit when they'd come back the first time it was nothing compared to the feast they find when he opens the door.
Yuffie flings herself at him, near toppling over if Aqua had not steadied them, crying even as she laughs. Cid comes over and lifts the two of them up and Sora laughs, hugging them back just as fierce.
He sees Aqua and Ventus walk up to a teary-eyed Aerith and a Leon who is –smiling! Ienzo walks over once Cid puts them down, and gives him a nod and a satisfied smile before attempting to wander away. He and Yuffie manage to engulf him in a hug and they laugh as Ienzo blushes, struggling to get away.
The rest of them arrive soon enough, injured but smiling just like them.
And it's nice, even if Kairi and Riku yell at him for what feels like forever, Kairi through tears and Riku with his patented disappointed grimace.
And it's especially nice, because they love him, and Sora loves them too. And there's no way they're going to lose each other now.
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As the party dies down, a more melancholy mood settles among them.
Mickey, Donald, and Goofy leave first, with the battle finally over Mickey has a kingdom to run. And Donald and goofy must return to their posts too. He hugs them tight, but being able to thank them for standing by him for so long is almost impossible, just the words wouldn't be enough.
"I'll come visit," he promises.
"You better," Donald says, waving his staff around angrily.
"We'll show you around!" Goofy offers.
"I'd love that," He says, tearing up all over again.
"Alright fellas," Mickey says, moving away from where he was speaking to Aqua and Riku, "it's time to go."
He gives them one last hug, "bye guys."
"Thank you for everything, Sora." Mickey says, grinning up at him.
"Any time your Majesty."
"Even so, I'll hope that that time doesn't ever come again." Mickey replies, grinning wryly.
And then they're gone.
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Lea takes Isa and the still cloaked organization member (the rest of them, those who had not disappeared, are resting securely in the labs) through a portal off to Twilight Town.
"Keep in touch, Sora, Princess, and O' wondrous Master." He says as he leaves.
"You bet I will," Kairi yells at him, tearing up, but she's smiling, "you've got to introduce me to your important people still."
Lea blushes, which makes him and Riku laugh, "Oh shut up you two, none of you get to laugh at me about this.
And then they too, are gone.
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It's them who leave last, because Aqua insists on waiting until Terra has fully recovered to head back to the Land of Departure to fix it. The three of them will stay here in Radiant Garden until then.
He looks back at Riku and Kairi, who are talking with Leon as they wait to board the Gummiship. He'll take them home and then drive the Gummiship back here. He smiles, then looks back at Aqua and Ventus.
"I really can't thank you enough for everything." He says earnestly, the two of them helped him through this, he can't say for sure they'd all still be here if they hadn't been there.
"You saved us first Sora," Ventus says, smiling bright, Sora hasn't been able to ask him about what ended up happening between him and Vanitas, but now isn't the time either, "consider it us returning the favour."
"You are a strong boy, Sora, you have a firm will and belief, even without us I know you would've figured something out." Aqua tuts, "Don't give me that face I know what I'm talking about."
"I guess," He says, rubbing the back of his head, "you guys should come visit though, once Terra is feeling better. I'd like to meet him too, I know Riku feels the same way."
"I'm sure that can be arranged," Aqua looks to the side, back to house where Terra is still resting, "He's a bit confused right now, but I know he'd love to meet you all too."
There is a beat of silence, and then Ventus throws his arms around him, "I'll come by, I'm really going to miss you even if we've only truly known each other for so little time." He sniffles, burying his head in Sora's shoulder, "There's so much I have to tell you."
"I can't wait to hear it," Sora says softly, pushing Ven back so he can look him in the eye, "from both of you, right?"
Ventus smiles, so big it makes Sora's own cheeks hurt, "Definitely."
And then finally, they leave, one last time.
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It's quiet as they stare out towards the sunset, Sora sitting atop the tree branch, Kairi on the ground, leaning on him, one hand grasping his.
"I knew I'd find you two out here, did you guys even finish the homework before ditching to play island?" He hears Riku's voice float towards them and he groans, throwing his head back until he can see Riku walking towards him.
"I thought being your boyfriend would make you less annoying about this kind of stuff." And grins when he sees Riku stumble, blushing.
"Don't tease him," Kairi laughs and Sora scoffs.
"As if you don't do the same thing all the time."
"Ah yes, but when the girlfriend does it it's super cute and endearing." She says wisely and this time it's Sora who laughs.
"It's not cute when either of you do it," Riku grumbles as he comes up from behind him, leaning over the branch so his arms hang limply in front of it, Kairi quickly picks one hand up in her own, and Sora feels himself relax just a little bit more at the sight. "But really, Sora I get but you too Kairi?"
"Sometimes it's nice to just get away and look at the sunset, you know." She says softly, words almost lost in the island breeze.
Sora stays quiet, but grips her hand tighter, and Riku sighs. "No, I guess I can't argue with that."
"So let's all agree to just sit here and watch the sunset," Sora says as he kicks off the branch, Kairi letting his hand go he can spin around to face them, "and then skip class tomorrow so we don't have to face angry teachers at our unfinished homework."
"Of course," Kairi agrees readily at the same time Riku says "No", in the flattest voice he can muster, disentangling himself from the branch so he can cross his arms.
"Oh Riku, come on," Sora says, stuffing his hands into his pockets, kicking his shoes into the sand "just this once?"
Riku sighs again, with the same kind of resigned fondness he and Kairi have become accustomed to hearing, uncrossing his arms as he ducks under the branch so that he's standing beside her. "Just this once." Riku concedes, and smiles when he and Kairi cheer, "Now get over here, together right?"
He nods, squeezing in between the two of them and grinning widely as they lean over to kiss him simultaneously, Kairi on his cheek as one hand raises to touch his other cheek, and Riku just above his brow, resting one hand on his shoulder. He feels the tears well in his eyes, smile turning into something softer. It's only been a few weeks since they came back but it still feels a bit unbelievable. Still feels so absolutely perfect.
"Together," He agrees, just a little bit teary-eyed, and he couldn't be more grateful for it.
And we're done! God are my weird spacing habits hard to do on this site. Ah well, it is what it is.
Hope all you who read enjoyed, and have an exciting t-11 days till kh3!