. Chapter XXVIII .
. On The Precipice of Defeat .
"I'm surprised he hasn't made a move yet." Roxas crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, "Its been a month." Namine twiddled her thumbs, "Maybe you were wrong about him. He seems like an innocent staff member to me." Sora, who used to be in the same position as Roxas, slid down until he fell on his butt, "How many times do I have to tell you that this guy is trying to kill us?" Kairi walked into the alley and tossed her backpack onto the floor, "You guys hiding here again?"
"We can't help it if we're terrified of a guy whose trying to kill us." Sora buried his face in his hands. Kairi placed her hands on her hips, "He's not even doing anything. He's just substituting for a few classes, that's all. He hasn't laid a finger on us." Namine clapped in agreement, "Thank you, Kairi." Roxas groaned, "But he's supposed to destroy the world... the suspense is killing me!"
"It's like you want him to come after us." Sora shivered, "Please, I'd like to live." Namine snapped her fingers, "I have an idea-- why don't we follow him? He has to have some office around here somewhere. Kairi, haven't you heard him think something suspicious?"
Kairi shrugged, "I don't know. Suddenly I can't read his mind anymore." Roxas pouted, "I don't get visions about him anymore, either." Sora stood back up again and dusted off his black slacks, "So we're pretty much screwed." Namine punched his shoulder, "Don't think like that."
"I'm with Namine on this one," Roxas tapped his chin, looking like he was on a roll, "We should find his office or something." Sora flicked his arms upward and paced around, "Great, we're gonna stalk the guy responsible for the end of the world!" Kairi hugged him from behind, "Sweetie, calm down. Don't be scared." Sora looked as if he was about to pull the tough guy act, but decided not to. Honesty was the best way.
"All right, this settles things. Tonight, we search for his office." Roxas rubbed his hands together, "You girls meet us at the quad by ten thirty. We got a villain to hunt."
x
The four met by the quad fountain at ten thirty sharp, all dressed in black. Their first move was to disable the cameras. Kairi learned how to use her morphing ability a little better than before and was able to change what the camera was really seeing, creating an illusion. Once that was finished, the four tiptoed across campus, trying to find Xemnas' office. They ran around for half an hour with no luck, until they heard a noise.
Kairi used her night vison and could clearly see that it was Xemnas, causing the four to scurry off into the bushes. They carefully watched him and noticed him walk into the school's science building. They followed swiftly yet quietly, and ended up in an underground laboratory. It was bright, until a surge caused all the power to go out. All four teens were back to back in the middle, scared out of their wits.
"Where did he go?" Roxas asked worriedly. Kairi clinged onto Sora, "I can't see him anymore." Namine let out a yelp of pain, clutching her arm afterwards. Roxas took her hand, "Namine, are you okay?" She yelled, "Something slit me!" Roxas stiffened, "You're bleeding." Kairi gasped as something slit her right leg; she looked around and saw a needle pierce the wall. A drop of her blood fell from the edge of the needle, shining afterwards. "He's on the left," Kairi sputtered. Something fast zipped by, and Kairi could no longer locate the man.
There was a sound of dark laughter that echoed the room, "Night vision; I like it."
Sora gritted his teeth while keeping an arm around Kairi. He lit his free hand on fire and tried searching for Xemnas as well, but found no success. Roxas took a step back and whispered, "Should've brought your sword, huh?" The laughter came in again, "Fire? Interesting."
Another needle slit Roxas' cheek. One slit Sora's shirt across the chest, but didn't cut his skin. "Kairi, forcefield." Roxas ordered. His cousin obeyed, creating a transparent purple force around them. The floor lights suddenly turned on, revealing Xemnas himself. He clapped, "Brilliant show, children. I'm quite impressed with the progress of your abilities."
"So you do know," Roxas frowned, "And now that we've established that, what do you want with us?"
"I simply want your assistance," Xemnas said innocently, "A helping hand." Namine hid behind her boyfriend, "I-It's that supernatural vile, isn't it?" Xemnas crossed his arms, "How did you know?" Roxas looked disgustd, "I saw it."
"Psychic," Xemnas put on a sick smile on his face, "You should be grateful. Why don't we give these lucky abilities to everyone in the world? It's a little unfair that only we have them, no?" Kairi backed up, "Y-You have them too?" Xemnas duplicated himself, creating a more staticy version beside him.
"We're not going to help you," Sora shoved his arm aside, "If everyone had their own abilities, the worlds could be destroyed. Not everyone will use their powers for good."
"Like you," Roxas cursed darkly. Xemnas placed his hands in front of him, shielding himself, "I'm doing this for the greater good; I don't want anyone to feel left out."
"You want the fame," Sora hissed, "You care for no one else. You just tried to kill us." Xemnas laughed, "I'm not trying to kill you. I just told you I needed your help, right? Has it ever occured to you that those needles were used to take your blood? Or that they were also used to bring out your abilities?"
"Actually, yes," Roxas smirked, he had seen it before, "And that's exactly why we're going to do this." Namine emerged from behind him and raised her right arm, pointing at Xemnas. "Forget," She commanded, a series of bright colours surrounding Xemnas' head. She felt guilty, but destroying someone's life dream was worth saving the worlds, right?
Xemnas hung his head down, the area suddenly turning dead silent. Kairi clung onto Sora from behind, "D-Did it work?" Roxas sighed in relief, "I believe so." Kairi let down her defenses and made the forcefield disappear. Just as the four were about to cheer, Xemnas' dark laughter echoed through the room again. "Pathetic," He grimaced, "Do you really think something like that is going to work on me?"
"I-Impossible." Sora nearly choked. Kairi was the first Xemnas knocked out. He suddenly appeared in front of her with a flash step and punched her square in the stomach. Roxas backed up, "H-He's so fast... almost as fast as Kairi!" Sora caught his frail girlfriend as she fell, blood falling from the edge of her lips. He looked at her with sad eyes, then switched to anger when he looked at the man who hurt her. His eyes began to switch from sapphire to bright neon yellow, glitching in the process.
"No!" Roxas seized Sora by the shoulders, "Don't do it! Remember who you are!" Xemnas rolled his eyes in annoyance and raised his arms. Sharp branches of metallic silver and black appeared from his hands and snaked around the four teens, bringing them up. Namine struggled and tried pulling off the branches on her neck, "L-Let us go!" Xemnas snapped his fingers and tightened the grip, then summoned a minimal amount of lightning to strike Sora, preventing his transformation.
Sora tried hitting him back with his own lightning regardless if her was tied, but oddly enough, Xemnas summoned a forcefield for protection. "This makes no sense!" Namine whined, "How did he escape the memory loss?" And the lightning, the speed, the forcefield and... oh. Roxas gasped, "Y-You knew we were gonna be here, didn't you? You knew from the beginning!"
"Clever one you are, Roxas." Xemnas aknowledged him.
"I don't understand," Sora struggled to say, trying to budge out and be free. "His ability," Roxas continued, "Is to steal those from others! The instant he came in contact with us last month, the trap was set. He picked up my abilities when we encountered him for the first time, then Kairi's. We sensed him coming, now he has the abilities of Kairi and I. He was able to dodge Namine's memory loss because he has the forcefield, and that speed was Kairi's too. The lightning he picked up from you, and now I'm guessing he's gotten Namine's ability too... But what I don't understand is where he got this branch ability, or the cloning..."
"You've done well getting that far Mr. Lenyx," Xemnas smirked, "But I can't give away my secret. The only thing you need to know is that I am immortal."
"Immo-" Roxas was interupted by the lightning shocking his whole body, as well as Sora's, Namine's and Kairi's. "Join me," Xemnas said darkly, "And we can conquer the worlds together!" For Sora, everything was moving in slow motion. None of this could possibly be real-- no one ever had to experience something like this. He and his loved ones were being tortured against their will, forced to bring the universe to ruins. They couldn't let this happen.
The thought of everyone he knew, everyone he loved in danger was too much to bare. He had to save everyone, but how? He was the only one who could do something now, being the only one with physical super powers. He could transform and give into the darkness, but it was far too risky. Someone could end up dead, and it might not even be Xemnas. He had no control over his actions.
Was there a way to stop this catastrophe, keep everyone safe, and restore harmony?
This Sora, think... His body felt numb, but some action had to take place. There had to be a way to fix this! If darkness was powerful enough to destroy everything, then the opposite must be powerful enough to put the pieces back together. The opposite of darkness...
Xemnas' duplicate made a sign with his hands, bright colours surrounding the four teens, Sora couldn't find the will to open his eyes. His body was too weak, still being shocked by the lightning. The opposite of darkness, Sora. Let it overtake you... look inside your heart!
"Light..." He whispered, and snapped his eyes open. Surprisingly enough, he was blinded by a very bright light that surrounded the entire area. The bindings around him disappeared into glitter as well as those around Namine, Roxas and Kairi. Xemnas watched in astonishment, wind blowing through his hair. Roxas held Namine down with an arm around her shoulders, his other arm blocking his sensetive eyes. Sora did the same with Kairi, and before he knew it, he was floating with Roxas and Namine in a room full of white.
"What's happening?" Roxas asked, his voice all echoey. It was so quiet, and Xemnas was nowhere to be found. The scar on Roxas' cheek disappeared softly, the same with the scar on Namine's arm and Kairi's leg. Kairi awoke in Sora's arms, and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back, but she disappeared into pixels. The same slowly happened with the blonde couple, and soon enough, Sora.
Kairi was the first to wake up. Her head was spinning like crazy, but what concerned her most was where they were. They were back in the lab, but only there was no damage this time. Namine lay on top of Roxas, still unconcious. As for Sora, he lay on top of her. His head was buried at the crook of her neck, and his hands, were well... in a rather uncomfortable area on her chest. She carefully pushed her boyfriend off, trying not to wake him.
The last thing she remembered was being in a room of white, then falling into a deep sleep.
"Kairi?" Namine groaned, sitting up, "You alright? Where are we?" Kairi helped the flaxen haired girl up, and explained where they were. "But this is impossible," Namine shook her head, "This room was practically destroyed last night... and we nearly died, too!"
"It was Sora," Roxas suddenly said, sitting up, "He simply wished for... well, light. Then we were sent back here." Kairi looked at Sora with soft, happy eyes, "So he saved us." Namine shivered, "Where's Xemnas?" Roxas walked across the lab, and found Xemnas unconcious behind a counter. "He seems vulnerable," Kairi knelt down at flipped him over so she could examine him more, "Should we make him forget now?"
"We can't," Roxas said in dismay, "He has a forcefield."
"How can we win?" Namine hugged herself, "He's immortal, and he has all our abilities. He can sense our every move." Roxas gritted his teeth, "We'll think of that later. For now, we have to get out of here before he wakes up and tries to torture us again." Roxas walked over to Sora and put him on his back-- he seemed more worn out that anyone else. "Should we take Xemnas' research?" Namine asked. Kairi shook her head, "No, he'll come after us again. We really don't want that. If we want to find out more, I say we go here when he isn't around."
x
One week had passed, and Sora still hadn't woke up. Xemnas was alive and well, sadly. But he seemed weaker than usual. He hadn't tried coming after the four at all. Both teams were vulnerable, but didn't have the strength to move. Kairi sat in Sora's dorm room, watching over him again. Tears brimmed in her eyes, "Sora baby, please wake up... don't leave me." He still lay on his bed, motionless.
Roxas and Namine came walking through the door, arriving from fourth period. "You skipped fourth again," Roxas placed a hand on her shoulder, "He'll be fine."
"He looks so pale," Kairi placed a hand on his cold cheek, "If anyone looked at him, they'd think he's dead." Namine pouted, "Don't think like that. I'm pretty sure he's just shocked from all that energy he used to summon light. After all, light is very powerful." Kairi gasped, "He just stopped breathing." Roxas dropped the book he had picked up, "What?" He ran to Sora's side and placed an ear on his clothed chest. He couldn't hear a thing.
"I-I just checked on him at lunch! He just had a fever!"
"This isn't hapenning," Namine squeaked, "He can't be dead... he just can't. Sora's too Sora to die." Roxas stood up then stumbled back, "I-Is this what Xemnas intended? Was he that far ahead of us?" Kairi was sobbing onto Sora's chest, not being able to take in the situation. "So this is how it ends?" Namine whispered, "Everything just... ends here?"
Kairi gasped after feeling a heartbeat. Then another, then another-- then a whole series of heartbeats. It was Sora's heart beating at an extremely fast pace. He suddenly shot up from the bed and gasped, placing a hand by his heart and breathing heavily. Kairi immediately glomped him back down, holding him like there was no tomorrow. Roxas sighed in relief, "Oh thank God." Sora began coughing violently, then was given a bottled water from his sister.
"Wh-What am I doing in here?" Sora asked breathlessly.
"You blacked out for a week," Kairi sobbed nervously, "We thought you died when we no longer heard your heart." Sora felt his own heart beat, and sighed, "The gap between true light and reality stopped my heart from beating... I was so lost."
"Where were you?" Roxas asked curiously, plopping down on the couch. Sora held onto Kairi tighter before responding, "I was lost in a place called betwixt and between. The gap between light, darkness and reality. Every memory of mine was in there, and a voice told me I had to find the reality best for the universe. I was given three futures, and if I picked the best one, I would be returned here. If I didn't, I'd be engulfed in darkness."
"So you chose the best one." Namine grinned, "I'm glad."
"It's not something to be glad about," Sora mumbled, "From where I stand, the future isn't looking so bright. Well, for some people..." Roxas raised a brow, "Did you see what was going to happen?" Sora twiddled his thumbs, "I saw what you saw before... there was a merry go round, Kairi and I were holding each other in the front... the school was pratically destroyed." Roxas crossed his arms, "Then its set. That's the future."
The future is the past... Sora told himself sadly, "The future's pretty sad."
"You can't expect people like us to have a happy ending," Kairi said sadly, "We're just not normal; its what we were born to be." Roxas' eyes narrowed, "Our lives weren't supposed to be this way. Its Xemnas' fault-- something tells me he's part of why we're like this." Namine snapped her fingers, "Then we find out."
"Time to pay another visit to his office?" Kairi shivered, "Kinda soon, don't you think? And Sora isn't feeling well... its risky." Roxas crossed his arms, "Xemnas has weakened since that incident. Plus, we'll have someone distract him so we can sneak in." Namine tapped her chin, "But security will be packed tight."
"Then we'll take care of it," Sora said with a determined voice, though it was obvious he was in pain. He put an arm around Kairi, "I can move. Let's rock this bitch."
"Heeeeyy Axel buddy," Roxas slurred seductively, walking behind his best friend on the clock tower, "How's it goin'?" The red-head smirked, "Who is it you need me to distract?"
x
"I've got Axel on Xemnas duty," Roxas announced, walking down the hall. Sora, Namine and Kairi were waiting for him by the staircase. Sora was a little weary, limping across the hall but he seemed to be stable enough with Kairi helping him. "So how exactly does Axel plan to distract him?" Namine asked. The sunkist blonde shrugged, "He said something about burning trees." The Strife couple twitched. Roxas rolled his eyes, "Oh calm down. Axel's done this before."
The four headed down a staircase, disabling any surveillance cameras with the help of Kairi. They reached the underground laboratory and picked open the door, immediately shutting down the camera inside before they even turned on the lights. "Breaking in," Roxas snapped his fingers, "Success."
"Why exactly are we here again?" Sora asked, bringing up a test tube with one hand. "We need to find out the truth," Roxas began rummaging through some drawers, "Xemnas is a good source for information. He studies supernatural abilities doesn't he? He should know where they came from, and maybe it links to us."
"But what if the truth scars us for life?" Sora twitched, "What we're doing now could possibly change our life." Roxas shrugged, "Our lives are already weird enough; we've got nothing to lose." Kairi gasped, "No way!" Everyone froze and looked at her, "What?"
Kairi pouted and pointed at the front page of a newspaper she found, "Can you believe people whack seals for fun? It's so mean!" Her cousin sweatdropped and snatched the paper away, "Yes, very sad, now can we go back to saving the world?" Namine read some papers on the counter and tapped her chin, "Here's something interesting... it seems like two people named Xehanort and Ansem injected two pregnant women with the supernatural vile."
"Xehanort?" Roxas and Kairi repeated the name as if they've heard it before. Roxas snapped his fingers, "That was the guy who drank the supernatural vile and passed out! It said his name on his nametag... my guess is that Xehanort was Xemnas' old self?" Sora and Kairi aknowledged him, "Sounds about right."
"Anyway," Namine continued, "These mothers were set for twins. The vile was aimed for the children, and so far, that's the only recorded date for the use of the supernatural vile."
"That means the children are the only ones with the abilities," Kairi began thinking, "But if that was the only recorded date with the vile, and the children are the only ones with the powers then--" Roxas continued with a gasp, "Those children-- they're us!" Sora twitched, "There were two mothers with twins. It can't possibly be us."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Roxas pulled some files out from a nearby desk, "Lenyx Sora, Lenyx Roxas, Strife Namine, Strife Kairi. Those are the names recorded of the children."
"Now that is scary," Namine shivered, "This isn't possible. That means... Sora and Roxas... Kairi and I..."
"I don't think that's possible," Roxas choked, "Kairi's my cousin, my twin brother died, Sora's an--"
"Orphan," Sora sat atop the counter and began to think; things were beginning to make sense, "I was in an asylum till I was three, then was transferred into an orphanage until I was adopted by Namine's family when I was five." Roxas raised a brow, "Asylum? How...? If you really are my brother, you would need to have the same birthday as me. Mine's a day before yours."
"I was told that I was born around ten minutes past midnight." Sora shrugged, "What time were you born?"
"Ten before midnight." Roxas replied, shocked, "How is this possible?" Namine tapped his shoulder, "I think we can contact someone to help us solve our problems." She pointed at a number atop a paper she was holding. Xehanort's partner in crime; Ansem the Wise.
After reading some forms and escaping Xemnas' laboratory successfully, the four headed for the Twilight Town Train Stattion. They gave said man 'Ansem' a call, and after about an hour of convincing, he agreed to let them ask questions in his lab. They did have the right to know, after all. "I still can't believe that you could be my twin sister," Kairi said on their way to the station, "Now I know where I got my good looks from."
Namine rolled her eyes with a smile on her face. Roxas was shaking, "Are you sure we can trust this guy? I-I mean he was responsible for nearly killing us." Sora adjusted his backpack, "He seemed nice on the phone." Roxas glared, "Oh yeah, he sounded very welcome with all the HOLY SHIT's and screaming." Kairi narrowed her eyes at him, 'Well you have to be understanding. He's just shocked, that's all."
"Oh whatever," Roxas waved a hand around, "But if I lose an eye, I'm blaming you."
"Kairi?" A high pitched voice yelled. Through the crowd of people, Kairi couldn't see who called her. Sora tugged on her hand that he was holding, and pointed at a hyperactive Selphie waving at their direction. Kairi let go of her boyfriend and squeazed the girl, asking her where she was going. "I'm going to Radiant Garden," Selphie replied, "I need to buy some things for the school's upcoming festival! It's gonna be a blast! There's gonna be a ferris wheel, a merry go round-- everything! Aren't you exited?"
Sora and Roxas gulped at the mention of 'merry-go-round', remembering their visions. So their fate was sealed at the school festival? That wasn't too far from now...
All passengers headed to Radiant Garden please board the train. It will be leaving in fifteen minutes.
After the message was repeated in japanese, the four including Selphie, Yuna and Tidus boarded the train. It departed from the station right on time, and arrived at its destination in about half an hour. "We're heading to the mall," Yuna announced, "Where are you four going?" Namine fidgeted with a map, "Hollow Bastion." Tidus shivered, "The abandoned downtown? Have fun." Roxas stuck out his tongue and hooked an arm around Namine's, "We will."
x
"This place scares me," Sora admitted, gripping Kairi's hand tighter. Hollow Bastion was in the southern part of Radiant Garden-- practically anyone lived there. Now the four knew why; it was dark, abandoned, and it was so quiet it felt like something was going to pop up out of nowhere any second. "Any idea where the lab is?" Roxas asked. Sora pointed forward, "It's straight ahead, then to our left."
"How do you know?" Namine asked. Sora pointed forward at a sign that read, 'Hollow Bastion Underground Laboratory; straight ahead, left.' "Lucky guess?" Sora grinned. Roxas took point and eventually found the entrance, being let inside by a kind secretary. She led the four through a maze of hallways and finally reached a large door at the end of the hallway. The secretary typed a code on the side, and spoke to the man inside for a few seconds.
"You may walk inside," She bowed, "Enjoy your stay." With that said, she walked away and the four slowly walked into the office. "Take a seat," An deep, old voice said from behind the computer chair. The back was faced to them, hiding said man. Sora was the first to plop onto the couch on the left, followed by his girlfriend who sat next to him. After an awkward silence of about fifteen seconds, the computer chair spun.
The man's face was old, but kind. He looked promising and smiled, reassuring the four that they were safe. "I appreciate you coming here," He began, taking out some files from his drawer, "After everything you've been through, I'm surprised you have the courage to trust me."
"You're far more promising than Xemnas," Namine placed her hands on her lap. Her sentence got Ansem intrigued, "Xemnas?"
"We believe he's your apprentice; Xehanort." Roxas reported. Ansem's eyes widened, "Xehanort? He is at your school? Why didn't you tell anyone? Or me on the phone for that matter? Do you know how dangerous he is? And, Xemnas... changed his name, has he? Clever boy."
"We couldn't tell anyone," Kairi said in dismay, "No one would believe that an innocent teacher harmed students like us with supernatural powers. And believe me, we know how dangerous Xemnas can get." Ansem clenched his fists, "Then we must stop him." Sora shook his head, "The future is already set. By the time we return to our school, which is tomorrow, it'll be the spring festival. Roxas and I have seen alike visions, and the worlds destruction will end tomorrow."
"Please," Ansem begged, "Explain."
By the end of their long conversation, alot of valuable information was shared. From the very beginning, when Sora and Roxas were born, Xehanort had taken Sora. When Namine and Kairi were born, Ansem had taken Kairi. That caused the misunderstandings of the 'dead twins'. How they got away with it, they didn't know. Sora and Kairi were the 'dominant twins' in both sets, receiving most of the supernatural vile injected into their mothers. That explained Sora and Kairi's experience.
Namine and Roxas had gotten their abilities much later simply because they didn't get as much of a dose as their twin.
But besides that, Sora and Kairi were only babies at the time, and couldn't control themselves. To the naked eye, it was like they had a disability. Ansem had given up on them and saw the error of his ways, sending Sora and Kairi off to an asylum, where they could be helped. Sora stayed there until he was five, and Kairi was adopted at four by Zack. Apparently Zack had made a mistake about Kairi being Roxas' cousin.
Zack was friends with Roxas' mom (who passed away when she gave birth), and her sister. Her sister's last name was Hikaru, and Zack, being the reckless and forgetful man he was, mistook it for Hikari, which was Kairi's last name. He figured she and Roxas looked alike, and declared them cousins. Sora, on the other hand, was taken in by Cloud and Aerith, which were Kairi's and Namine's real parents.
Now, things were just complicated.
Tomorrow was supposedly the day when everything ended, and everything began. The vision would be proved true; the school would end in ruins, and Sora and Kairi were the only ones powerful enough to fix it. Their plan was to travel back in time (with Sora's light and Kairi's speed) to where everything started, and change it. Once it was changed, their lives would go the way they were supposed to be. Ansem apologized for all the trouble they went through, and for destroing their lives.
"No," Roxas grinned, "It's fine. If you ask me, my life may seem surprising and dangerous, but its still my life. I have a girlfriend, I have amazing friends, I've experienced alot of things... it was a good run. There's nothing to regret. I wouldn't mind going through it again, even if it is different." Everyone in the room aknowledged his optimism.
"Do you think Xemnas knows about this?" Namine twiddled her thumbs, "Our plan, I mean..."
"His heart sees only darkness," Ansem closed his eyes, "Therefore his visions will see nothing but darkness."
"You must have worked so hard on the research, and perfecting that vile..." Kairi bit her lip, "Will it be okay for us to stop you?" Ansem clasped his hands together, "I wouldn't have it any other way. Putting you through so much trouble is my only regret. Stop Xemnas, I beg of you. Save the universe." Sora nodded and saluted, "We won't let you down." Ansem grinned proudly but wore a sad look in his eyes, "I chose the right children for these abilities. You care for what's best for the world; thank you."
"We should be thanking you," Kairi bowed before him, "For these abilities; though they are troublesome, they were fun. They are the reason we can save the worlds, after all." Roxas placed a hand to his heart, "Then let's get to it. Its time to take our leave." Sora punched a fist into the air, though his heart was a little hurt, "We've got a universe to save!" Everyone bid farewell, and left without any doubts.
Ansem watched them leave, and shut his eyes tightly, So this is how it all ends and begins... I have no doubt that you will do what is right. Don't fail me.
x
The four arrived back at Twilight Town the next day, prepared for what was yet to come. All had decided that there was nothing to be afraid of; nothing they did would exist from here. It was all for the best. Their whole life wasn't supposed to be this way. Everything they learned yesterday was shocking, but that too, wouldn't exist. All the happiness, the memories, all the sadness, the pain, the darkness, the light... non-existant.
This was a chance to start anew.
They stood before the gate of Twilight Academy and took in a deep breath. Namine remembered Destiny Islands, and how the four of them lay down on the shore together, holding hands. They asked if things would ever remain in perfect harmony forever; the answer was clear now. They joined hands together and took in a deep breath. "Ready?" Sora asked, a little frightened himself. Kairi held his hand the tightest, "Let's do this." The gate opened to their final memory, revealing the school quad decorated beautifully for the spring festival.
Everything was festive, and everyone was dressed for the occasion. They wore smiles on their faces; their friends, especially. They waved at them, enthusiatic as ever. If only they knew, Roxas thought sadly. "We're gonna have so much fun!" Selphie squealed, glomping everyone into a group hug. Xemnas didn't look as weary anymore when he 'conveniantly' passed by them with Axel beside him. Sora gulped and turned around to where Xemnas was walking. He walked passed the merry-go-round, frightening Namine, Kairi and Roxas. This really was the end.
The trap was set; and they were right in the middle of it.
So who thought I was dead? (:P) I am so sorry about the late update! Too much has been going on, and I've been working on the next story, too. To be honest, I'm even more excited for the next story :) Sorry if this chapter was really long and may seem rushed, but I really want to get going with it. If you're confused, please tell me, I can help you out :D. The next chapter will be the very last, so I hope you're ready :O And yeah, I know, this chapter was pretty intense and dramatic. The story kinda needs that :)
Okay so, school has been really busy. Crapload of homework and projects, not to mention DRAMA. Recently, my grandmother passed away (:(), and things at school have kinda changed too. We had a multicultural festival (I represented Japan, of course, and I brought my final fantasy game... that was a real crowd pleaser :P) and it was going great until the end when I found out one of my best friends and I liked the same guy. Yeah, I can totally see that in an asian drama. And the thing is that guy likes one of my other best friends.
And believe me, it gets more confusing from there but I won't bore you with the details x). And so, if any of you live in Canada, have you ever been to Wonderland? It's this amusement park the school band and I went to for a trip; yeah, while everyone was at school, I was riding on roller coasters :D. And zomgg, I went on the scariest ride on the whole freaking park. Yeah, its called 'Behemoth'. Its first drop has the highest peak, and a near 90 degree angle fall. My soul got ripped out for like 10 seconds 8D. It was the best ride EVER. Seriously, I have not lived life until I rode it! But the shitty thing is that right after I went on it, it started raining :(.
And I think this is good news, but I have formspring now :). You can ask me any questions you'd like, within reason x). Link: www. formspring . me / xokyorii
I recently got it, so I'm kidna new :P Ask anything you want, I'll reply! And today, in gym class, we're doing some awesome self defense karate stuff! YEAH. IT WAS FUN. So, anyway, that's about it. Anything new, that is. Oh, wait! Hope Estheim and I are getting married; you're all invited :P. Anyway, now that's about it. I've got some work to finish, and I will update the FINAL chapter sooner, I promise! I'll reply to your reviews quickly, and all of you, please stay tuned! Thanks for everything!
ChuckleBunny: LOL peeing your pants yet? x) If you're not, I'm pretty sure the next chapter has the most action and drama ;D
Jared Someone: YOU. PLAY FINAL FANTASY. NOW. As I write this reply I'm reading 12 :P And believe me, Grade NINE is killing me. Either that or I'm just soft x)
frozenflower716: ah, gran pulse. I played ff again and I saw the scene where Hope and Snow sorta cover their eyes from seeing Vanille's revealing side :P Now I'm hoping Hope wasn't hiding his eyes because he likes men. My husband CANNOT be gay!
Princess of Twilight: YES. A LONG REVIEW :D I love people who give long reviews, therefore, I love you! Unless you find that freaky, then... uh.... awkward. xD So how was that anime festival? I've never been to one before; well actually, I have, but that was long ago and I had no idea wth anime was xD. I just saw people dressed in bright pretty clothing :D And then some fat person wearing something only held up by string O_O Yeah, not a pretty sight. And Xemnas dancing... when you picture it it's kinda funny xP Also, sweet potato desert? I've never heard of it xD
Kootonii Akatsuka: LMAO. BATMAN? You are too awesome xD
Grey vs Ale: aww really? Was it really crying worthy? :(
nanny kiwi girl: LOL yes, Sora being mature is something to get used to. And have you been watching Glee lately now? I can't believe Kurt tried to act un-gay! He was much too good of a kisser in that one scene with the blonde girl x) Yes, Kurt is my favourite! And Puck and Mercedes? Just... no xD
IPityYou: It wasn't THAT hard. In fact, the endng was easy as hell xD. The missions in Gran Pulse are even harder! That's what I'm working on right now, the Gran Pulse stuff :) And I've grown to like Lightning x Hope, its kinda cute :P and LOL, if he just left Vanille in the Vestige it would be pretty funny :)
Kisdota the freak gamer: To be honest the ending was kinda... disappointing. I thought it was going to be far more epic and happy, and the scenery could have been way better too!
chibixbabe: LOL i love guiding my friends through video games. I was helping my friend the other day on how to kill Barthandelus for the first time, and she simply would not listen, so I got all hectic and started screaming like crazy, "NO! WHAT THE HELL? DON'T USE RENTLESS ASSAULT YOU NEED A SABOTEUR TO DEPROTECT HIM! HOLY SHIT. YOU'RE GONNA DIE. YOU'RE GONNA DIE. YOU NEED A MEDIC. YOU'RE GONNA DIE! YOU'RE GONNA-- see I told you." xD
kingdommad: GASP. You can look for Hope's dad at the end of the game? Where? How? I just hope Hope isn't a loner like he was in the ending! (ahaha, punny :P)
Artism: lol that is the typical horror movie line :P I said it when my friend and I were walking home, "We're just walking home; what can go wrong?" We both ended up tripping :P And don't worry, who you are is fine; I admire that you can't curse. I, on the other hand, can get reckless :P
Craxuan: yeah, I know I'm rushing it but I really wanna finish it off now. And this chapter had to go a little faster too-- I want more interesting things to keep on coming! And you never realy did explain to me what you thought the ending would be-- now its all obvious and out in the open :P
Grace Peace and Cat Fights: Yes, Hope is someone to be loved :3 But you have to remember that he is my husband x)
Kaze the Renegade: Why thank you :D
SillySally: aww thanks that means alot :D Sorry for making you wait, though ! ;P
TaylorrStrife: Love octagon? :P I made something called a Love Icosagon; twenty sides xD And wow, that very line was already confusing. THAT was a love icosagon :) I wish I could go to Cali now... I could've met you! (That didn't sound stalkerish at all xD) But instead, I've focused on my education -rolls eyes at self- BAD KYRA BAD. And omg, I always think one of my guy friends is gay then they prove me wrong. I want a gay friend! So does every girl x)
ultravioletpapercutsx: lol about the Tidus thing and Fergie, I said it once; its where I got it :P
xocherry: Don't worry, you're not alow! I bet it didn't take you forever to kill the chapter five boss xD And chapter 6... I think that's the Sunleth Waterscape, right? I'm almost done finishing it for the second time xD And is it possible to kick yourself really hard? -tries- OW.
EternallySky: aww no problem :) I like your new penname, btw ! Has a nice ring to it. And I thought Hope fell in love with Vanille, but some people are proving me wrong. Its the way the person views it, I guess. Now I think he has a crush on Vanille and Lightning :P But of course, he married me xD And Vanille is older than everyone, believe me xD You'll see! And about my facebook, type in 'Kyra'. Find the one with the asian writing-- thats me! :)
TinaalovesMints: but come on, if I was Kairi and I was dating Sora, I wouldn't be able to resist that sexiness LOL. What a bad girl I am. :P and LMAO, a pedo that calls people mamasita? I would've loved to hear that x) and your hair sounds awesome! Red and brown... kinda like mine but mine is WAY darker :)
Well that's all folks! Time to go do some work... and play ff xD. Thank you for all your support, sorry for any grammar errors and please reivew! Please stay tuned for the FINAL chapter! Thank you thank you for everything!
xoKyorii.
