Here comes the continuation of Radiant Garden. Thankfully, you didn't have to wait as long this time for another chapter to come by. Hopefully I can also get to work on Chapter 13 soon but until then R&R and enjoy :)


Chapter 12

Stars in Her World

Luna explained everything to Sora that had happened so far. She didn't hold back, or rather she couldn't because in a way she felt the burden was too heavy to bear on just her own shoulders. Sora did not say anything during this time, only listened as she told him about her dreams, including him being in the dream with the station and the other girl in her dreams. She also voiced concerns that her world may have been lost to the Heartless as well.

"Well we'll never know until we look. Stay positive Luna. I will find your world for you," Sora started after she finished her speech, "As for the dreams. The station one, I can vouch for. I've been there before. But with your friend, I'm not really sure. You're saying that you were separated here? Then why can't this be your home world?"

Luna lowered her head and eyed the ground, "I'm not really sure but... it doesn't feel like I've seen much of this place before, other than where I went in the dream. Still, it's only a dream. It may not even be real."

Sora and Luna now entered the unexplored part of the town that they had passed on their way up stairs. This area, Sora had never been to before though it seemed to have been blocked off when he had last come here. Apparently it had been blown apart.

"But you met me right? And I first appeared in your dream. I don't think I've seen you before so you can't rule out that the dreams might be telling you something." Sora concluded meanwhile looking left and right at the new area. This part of the town seemed probably the least refurbished with a dark purple ground contrasting easily with the bright stone pavement seen in the previous area. The road ahead was straight forward going only in one direction yet caving off into different sections behind the houses. Like most areas of Radiant Garden, there seemed to be a huge lack of population in the area. More than likely Leon had told everyone to keep inside their homes until the situation with the system could be fixed.

"Remember this?" Sora asked summoning his Keyblade in case any Heartless popped out.

Luna shrugged hesitating slightly, "Hmm, not sure. I was running in the dream..." She stepped forward once at a time, not really sure if it was because she was nervous or perhaps because she probably didn't want to find out at all now. If the body of the girl known as Astra was still in that square alley, could she even bare to find out at all? No, she had to press on, she wanted the truth and the only way she would get it was by facing it head on.

"Okay, it didn't seem that far in the dream. It should be close." Luna started into a jog and ran diagonal to the houses on the right. Just as she got near to one, a group of Soldiers popped out surrounding her. Flinging his Keyblade, Sora managed to take out all three of the ones behind her. Luna summoned her Keyblade and pointed it at one of the Soldiers in front of her.

"Fire!" Luna shouted trying to spread the warm of fire through her Keyblade quickly. The spell connected with the Heartless in the middle taking it out. Sora had been right, the Heartless liked to close in as if it were the number one priority instead of trying to stay alive. She quickly disposed off the other two Soldiers using physical attacking and backed up in order to stay close to Sora.

"Great work. Keep it up Luna." Sora complimented putting the Kingdom Key on his shoulder to support it.

"You know you're going to have to spar with me one day to help me get better at this right?" Luna slashed through the air playfully with her Keyblade.

"Yep, already got my plans for your rigorous and stressfully demanding training in my head." Sora laughed before looking on ahead. These kind of times were always the quietist, he found, when the Heartless threat was made well aware of and people often never left their homes. The last time he had been here was just before he had left to Destiny Islands after beating the seekers of darkness and the whole town was bustling with activity and celebration. Now the only place which really seemed alive was the marketplace where they had landed.

"I can do without the rigorous and stressfully demanding parts thanks." Luna smiled back at him for a second before fixating back on her primary objective at the time. Continuing her light jog routine, Luna moved past each house quickly shaking her head if something didn't agree with her. As they passed through, they both noticed people looking out of their windows, their eyes directed straight at the Keyblade Master himself. Luna couldn't help but snicker slightly at Sora's annoyance at the whole thing. Clearly it was bothering him though she had to admit, he was doing a good job of not conveying it.

"Here!" She indicated suddenly pointing to the narrow space between two of the houses only a quarter of the way from where the two had started.

Sora looked into the divide himself, while he couldn't deny the lack of free movement would probably be creepy, he couldn't see how it was any different from the other buildings they passed, "How did you know it was this one?"

"I kind of just guessed. It's fuzzy but I know I definitely passed this lamp post," Luna nudged her head in the direction of the lamp post parallel to the house next to her, it was actually rather reminiscent of those from Traverse Town, "So it would be somewhere onwards from here. So if we start from here and work our way downwards we should find it."

Sora nodded before putting away his Keyblade, turned his body horizontally and tried to swiftly move through the confined and slightly claustrophobic space. Luna however was less inclined to move at the pace of Sora, with seeds of doubt already being implanted in her mind.


Riku slumped to the floor in fatigue from having to hear what had to have been Even's fourth rambling of the day. How could one person tire out another so quickly just through the art of speaking? Slithering over to the table, he managed to pick himself up and sit down before banging his head on the table repeatedly. While he had admitted that most of these actions were pointless and completely over-exaggerated, it seemed natural to him when dealing with the blonde haired scientist opposite. He deeply regretted choosing to stay in the study over Kairi's niggling concerns over her Keyblade training, mind you the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. With the King missing and... this nonsense that he had to put up with he'd rather had taken Kairi's offer over being here.

"You can't honestly be serious. Maybe I was wrong about you being Keyblade Master material." Even sneered as Ienzo set down two cups of teach for both Riku and Even, the latter who probably must have had at least two in advance.

"Please... just end it." Riku's fingers crawled for the handle of his teacup one at a time while Riku had his head down facing the table.

"Oh, that would be a bit too brutal. Though perhaps if you'd like to volunteer for experiment instead, I'd be able to gather some valuable data and perhaps, even create a replica this time who will share my passion for knowledge?" Even took a sip of his tea meanwhile as if simultaneously analysing Riku from behind the brim.

Finally grabbing the handle himself, Riku dragged the cup across the table before taking a sip trying not to make eye contact with the older man. Before Riku could concoct wild theories about the tea's connection to Even's sanity, the door to darkness drawing on the wall met the corner of his eyes and his eyes widened. Getting up from the table, Riku walked over to it and traced his finger over the drawing.

"Something's different about this diagram," Riku informed Even and Ienzo, "The whole thing has been retraced over with a marker," Even and Ienzo moved in closer. Indeed Riku was correct. The picture of the DTD and the words itself were much thicker and darker than they had been previously, "I take it, you two didn't have anything to do with it?"

"Of course not. We don't dabble in the dark." Ienzo responded profusely sweeping his arm aside to deny it.

"News to me. But, if you didn't do it, then who did?" Riku muttered before running into the computer room to meet up with Leon and Tifa. Informing them of the situation, the pair walked back along with Riku, Even and Ienzo.

Riku awaited the fated verdict with bated breath as Leon studied the diagram closely, "Well... it definitely wasn't one of us. I'm surprised I've never noticed it before though. When do you think it was done?"

Riku gave it some thought before answering, "Well, you said you'd never noticed it before so it could have been any time at all in between these six months if you barely looked at the diagram."

"Whoever it was though apparently was after the door to darkness, otherwise they wouldn't have bothered doing that." Tifa took a guess which was actually pretty safe to assume.

"But why would they risk it? Is there any camera footage which may show our culprit?" Riku tried to provide more and more questions only to realise that it was there were many possible answers to them.

"We only have a camera in the computer room and even then. We can't access it, the system crash?" Leon reminded him. Riku moved back to the table and sat down rather calmly. Something was going on and he didn't like it, the 'coincidences' were too close together to actually consider them coincidences and he had a feeling that something bad was about to transpire. He took another sip of his tea. If there was ever any need for Even's magical insanity, now would be the time.


Sora finally managed to find the exit of the long path, slipping out quickly followed by Luna. They were lucky in finding what they wanted the first time as Luna pointed out one black cloak laying out in the open. Picking up the cloak, Sora took note of its similarity to the cloaks used to go through darkness.

"Right, I was wearing this at some point in my dream but... how did I get it? Also there's supposed to be another one. That's the one the other girl was wearing." Luna looked around elsewhere other than the cloak. The ladder was still in its place leading up to the roof and everything else seemed normal.

Sora didn't want to be sceptical about his new friend but he was rather intrigued as to why she was wearing the cloak in the first place. If it was the same exact one as what the man in black had been wearing then was it possible she was... no, the last thing he wanted to do was second guess a friend, especially one who had lost her memory.

"So, did you find anything else?" Sora asked throwing the coat back on the ground.

"I'm going to go check the roof. Cover me." Luna told beginning her ascent up the ladder. She was halfway up when suddenly the ladder shook extremely violently and she lost her footing and fell, luckily she managed to catch one of the rungs a bit lower down.

"Luna!" Sora yelled as the female girl clung on to the ladder desperately. Luna screamed as she tried to steady herself properly. Looking down frantically, she checked for the source of the unnatural shake. Was it an earthquake?

Suddenly Sora was lifted off his fit, hitting the back wall. "Sora!" Luna screamed trying to come back down but finding it hard to do as her hands shook uncontrollably.

"I'm fine," Sora called back in response summoning his Keyblade quickly. Of course other than the earthquake, it had the potential to be something else. Sora had not fought one of these since in Olympus Coliseum when he had first started out, "Listen Luna. This thing can blend in to the environment. Don't let it catch you off guard."

"I kind of think it already did." Luna squeaked managing to get down the ladder quickly and running around the area to Sora's side.

The chameleon or Stealth Sneak as it had been referred to in Jiminy's Journal moved in quick steps towards Sora and Luna.

"Move to the right!" Sora yelled and the two ran opposite ways. Hearing a crash coming from the walls, Sora hit the Heartless with a combo before jumping away. Luna summoned the Dream Seeker and sent a fire towards where the Stealth Sneak appeared to be, though it didn't seem to hit, disappearing a few seconds after it was launched. Luna shook her head disappointed with herself before jumped in to attack the invisible creature as well. It was a few seconds before she was slapped away by the Stealth Sneak, her Dream Seeker a few ways off from her current position. She had gotten too careless. Moving forward quickly, she tried to get to her Keyblade however ended up dodging two lasers which seemed to come from the Stealth Sneak's eyes. The lasers instead hit the wall of one of the houses blowing it to pieces.

"Argh! Was it waiting to ambush us or something?" Sora growled jumping in front of Luna to shield her while she ran for her Keyblade. A metal clang hit the Kingdom Key as Sora was pushed backwards slightly from the contact with the guard. Luna grabbed Dream Seeker from the ground and jumped slashing the Stealth Sneak on the back. There was a roar and the creature's cloaked form wore off revealing a giant green lizard with its tongue extending out to slap Sora, though the brunette managed to barely dodge the tongue and fire dashed into it, causing the lizard to roar in pain and retract its tongue quickly. Luna took this as a means of getting in free hits and did so, mixing in a combination of physical and fire. She had to admit she was getting a lot better at casting the magic quickly. The range however, was something else entirely.

Another pair of lasers shot out of the Stealth Sneak's eyes which were knocked back by the Kingdom Key hitting its originator. The vibrant green lizard hissed and used its tail to knock Luna away who had been hitting from the back at the time. She hissed as she felt a sting in her arm.

"Cure!" Sora said moving back to Luna quickly. Luna looked quizzically at her partner before her face melted into that of content. Whatever Sora had done, her arm seemed much better. Uttering her thanks, Luna quickly pulled Sora and herself away from a swipe from the Heartless. Its movements became spastic jumping from place to place, "I think we disabled its camouflage, which is good. Let's finish it off."

Luna nodded and moved in closer to the Stealth Sneak. It was as if her movement was not her own as she found some sort of new found energy and managed to dodge the Stealth Sneak's incoming attacks. It moved in close thrashing its arms about however Luna jumped to the right of it and hit it with fire by its side making it collapse onto the ground. Sora rushed in, jumped up and stabbed the lizard in its back before jumping backwards. The Heartless let out a final roar before it vanished, a heart flowing into the sky.

"We beat it!" Luna panted heavily summoning away Dream Seeker and sitting on the ground for a rest.

"Yeah. Still want to take a look up on that roof?" Sora asked looking over to the ladder. Luna nodded slowly but stayed still for quite some time just trying to catch her breath.

A minute or so passed of the two just enjoying each other's company. Luna could see stars beginning to pop out as the night sky darkened.

"Sora. This may surprise you but even if I find my home world first, I don't exactly want to go there yet. I want to see the stars, the worlds out there. Does that sound weird to you?" Luna reached for a star and ended up enclosing her hand around several.

"No, I felt that way as well when I first travelled." Sora looked up into the sky looks at the stars as well.

"You don't now?" Luna asked drawing her hand back and looking at Sora.

"No, I mean, that's not the point. Luna, when you're travelling up there, in that big vast ocean and one of your friends is on an island no special than any other world out there while the other is missing, more like hiding, you just kind of can't help but wonder when you'll see home again. It's all so much to take in and it gets really overwhelming after a while. Of course, it's better when you have friends with you..." Sora trailed off wondering where that statement came from. Here he was just discussing all these feelings he had harboured on his previous journeys to a girl he had just met.

Luna smiled dreamily, "So then take me with you. Let's see the stars together. My world can wait for now but, for now I want to experience that 'big vast ocean' you were talking about. You, me, the others and anyone else we meet along the way. We may never meet again after I find my world, so let's make it last while it counts."

Sora looked back at Luna bewildered, "Wait a minute. Where did that come from?"

"The same place your corny line came from." Luna said playfully pushing Sora away from her. Getting up, she walked over the ladder and climbed once more.

Climbing to the stars. She thought blissfully as she finally reached the top. What she found next was more than surprising. What possibly was an ice cream stick lay by itself on the ground in front of her with writing on it. It read only one word.

"Found anything?" Sora shouted from down below.

Picking up the stick she smiled and responded by shouting, "Apparently I just became a winner."


The big day was finally upon her. Luna brushed her long brown hair thoroughly before tying it up into a ponytail. After moving her fringe towards the left, she took time to compose herself. She had been rather disappointed about yesterday to say the least. While she had found the Ice Cream stick, it really had given her nothing to go on. It could have been from anyone who had been on that roof after all. Still, she stowed it away in her pocket, just in case it did have relevance. The only other thing on her mind at the scene was the missing coat. Whether the one left behind was hers or the other girl's, didn't really seem to make a difference because she fairly remembered both being the same. In fact, she remembered the man in Traverse Town also had taken under a similar guise.

"Come on Luna. Forget that. Think about today." Luna told herself giving the best smile of confidence she could possibly muster in the mirror. After they had returned back to the castle, Luna, Sora, Kairi, Donald and Goofy had been informed by Riku on the suspicious redrawing of the DTD diagram. While Luna couldn't exactly say anything as having never seen it before, Sora was quick to jump on this speculating idea after idea. Overall though, she was thankful when Sora had chosen not to directly answer the others question on where the two had been.

Luna dashed out of her bedroom which she had shared with Kairi the night previously and met up with everyone in Ansem's study. Like many other questions still to be asked, she had no idea who Ansem was however apparently he hadn't been seen since Xehanort's defeat, according to Leon yesterday.

"Ready Luna?" Sora asked her as she came in through the door. Currently everyone was gathered around the room except for the restoration committee who they would meet on their way back before leaving.

"More than ever I guess." Luna smiled softly not really sure if she was in fact ready yet, in all honesty she had considered running back to her room quite a few times before she had entered.

Tifa, sensing her hesitation smiled at her, "Well no taking it back now. That Keyblade is gonna stay with you and as long as you have it, you'll have to be ready."

"Oh dear. I suppose that's supposed to make me feel better?" Luna couldn't help but turn as pale as a ghost at hearing this.

Sora interjected before Tifa could put forward her next blow to Luna's morale, "Uh, I think we should be going now. Well, it was nice meeting you guys again."

"It's a shame we couldn't see Cloud though but tell him we said hi." Goofy mentioned with Sora nodding in response.

"Of course. If he ever comes back." Tifa pounded her fists together making Sora, Donald and Goofy gulp. The three all knew how strong Tifa could be when normal. They did not want to see her angry. The glint in her eyes told them all they needed to know and that she wouldn't take prisoners when coming in to contact with the spiky haired blonde. And if anyone came in her way...

"Yeah... just try to go easy on him," Sora laughed nervously backing away slowly, "Anyway, come on guys. Let's go."

Riku, who had been silent for quite an unusual time, soon spoke up, his words shocking Sora, "Sora. Kairi and I have been thinking and we've decided that we're going to stay here for a while."

Sora's face twisted into that off affliction, "What?" He managed to say softly.

Riku was unable to meet Sora's eyes as he tried to explain, "Well Kairi needs training. In both magic and melee. I'm useless at magic, but Merlin said he could help her there. I myself need to do some more investigation into this. The town is in danger, the number of Heartless are increasing and the system's crashed. Along with that diagram, I can't strike this off as a coincidence. Both of us," He pointed to Kairi who was quite silent as well, "need to make sure the town is safe, at least until the system is back up and running."

"No, it's okay. I understand. This place is kind of like a second home to us in a way. I don't want to see anything bad happen to it either." Sora replied quickly throwing his head down while talking. Kairi, with also a pained expression on her face, couldn't take it anymore and ran over to embrace him.

"I'm sorry Sora. I just need- I just want-" Kairi tried to formulate the correct words however the product was sobs on Sora's shoulder. The two both had the same thought on their mind. They had been separated by their island's destruction and had only just seen each other again for three days and already they were going their separate ways once again.

Sora however had no time for tears, "Listen Kairi. I'm sorry that I neglected to help you train back on Destiny Islands. Just do your best for me alright. You know we'll always be together even if we're apart right?"

"Still trying to act the hero huh? Listen," Kairi pulled away from Sora and wiped the tears from her eyes, "I know I'll see you again so I won't cry while you're away. Just find the King... and Luna, I hope you get your memories back and I hope I see you again." Kairi and Luna shared a hug which hopefully was the first of many to come.

"Thank you Kairi. Good luck with your training." Luna said parting with the red head.

"Wow, the mood feels so depressing now. We'll see each other again so lighten up already." Donald pointed out smiling.

"Donald's right. I never thought I'd say that." Riku said engaging a fist bump with Sora. They didn't need to say anymore than that. They had both had their ups and downs in the past but the two were always there for one another when they needed it most. So when Sora looked over to Kairi, Riku understood clearly what it meant. The same words he had told Sora back when Xehanort's Heartless had created the artificial door to Kingdom Hearts were now being told without them. Take care of Kairi.

"Of course, you are going to be seeing us off right?" Sora asked putting both arms around his two oldest friends.

"Of course we will. You are completely hopeless without us." Kairi answered feeling much better now.

"Oh thanks." Sora responded sarcastically yet at the same time smiling throughout.


Everyone with the exclusion of Tifa, Even, Ienzo, Dilan and Aeleus were now crowded up in Merlin's house.

"Dad, I think I'm gonna stay here for just a bit longer, if you don't mind of course." Max said. He had no doubt also thought about his position just like Riku and Kairi had.

"Well that's okay son. But just remember, study, brush your teeth, change your underwear and also-"

"Okay, okay. I get it, thanks." Max cut off his father feigning a mixture of embarrassment and angst.

"Also kid, take these. Use 'em sparingly." Cid handed three bottles to Luna which she immediately recognised as Hi-Potions from Huey, Dewey and Louie's shop in Traverse Town.

"Thanks Cid." Luna took them though wasn't really sure where to store them.

"Here, you can use my bag. Bring it back intact." Max told her pulling out the contents from his rucksack. She thanked him and stored the potions in it.

"It's been nice seeing you guys again. Luna, we really should hang out some time when you come back." Yuffie winked at the girl.

"A friend of Sora's is a friend of ours. I hope you find what you're looking for." Aerith said smiling gracefully. All these comments stunned Luna. She hadn't even seen them for a day and they were already acting as if she was an old friend. She wanted to say something, but nothing could come out. She didn't want their high expectations to be dashed away the next time they met and yet she couldn't say anything, that maybe she wouldn't be able to make it back. Instead, she let out a genuine smile. One to say thank you and that she would be coming back. Because she believed she could. If she was standing here, in another world and the next day in another, then she could also believe that she would make it back. She would survive and see the stars, the worlds.

"Time to go!" Donald unpacked the words which would start Luna's journey in earnest. Nodding his head, Sora gave a thumb up to everyone, "See ya next time." Luna managed to take one last good look at everyone, her new friends, before they disappeared from the view of the town below.


Can't really say I have anything to comment on in this chapter except for splitting Sora from Kairi and Riku. Once again he won't be travelling with them. Oh why am I so harsh :(

Don't worry though, they will get their due. You'll just have to wait a... long time...

On a lighter note, next chapter will see Sora, Luna, Donald and Goofy visiting Yen Sid and there shall be a lot of questions asked and some answered so please look forward to it :Tries to pull of Nomura's laugh: