Stay tuned for chapter 30: Epilogue.

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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Finale

Why?
Why did it go like this?
Why?

Days had passed, and Aura has been kept busy with missions to talk to any of her friends. Roxas had managed to make up with Axel, and the two of them ate ice cream with Xion one day at the clock tower. Aura knew about this, but she couldn't care anymore.

She was more or less at the point of not talking to anyone anymore, and that bothered her. Nonetheless, she still valued her friends, and even if she didn't feel like talking to them, she would help them in a pinch.

Aura walked into the grey area, and noticed Axel, Xion, and Roxas in the room. She sighed, but then raised her left eyebrow at the sight of Xigbar. She walked over to them, and placed her hands on her hips.

"Well, this is weird," she said. Everyone looked back, and stared at her. Roxas' eyes lit up a bit, as seeing her in a long time really made him happy. Axel smirked, and Xigbar laughed. Xion smiled at Aura. "Axel, Xion, and Xigbar on the same team?"

"Why do you guys find that hard to believe?" asked Xigbar, stating Axel had said the same thing not too long ago. Aura chuckled, and the trio had left. Saix looked over at the two young nobodies standing there in front of him.

"It's impressive you managed to finish all the missions I assigned you," stated Saix. Aura turned her head slightly, and glared at the blue headed man.

"Your damn right it's impressive," she retorted. "I'm doing more missions than everyone else, and they're not even important ones."

"You're forgetting you have the Keyblade," he replied. "No bother, you are assigned a mission with Roxas. Make the most out of your Keyblades."

Saix left the room, and Aura sighed. She looked back, and stared at Roxas. "I guess we're teamed together."

"Yeah.." he replied. He looked at Aura and noticed that she looked a little off. He sighed, and knew it was probably at the fact that he ignored her during that time where he was fighting with Axel.

But he was going to make it up to her, he needed to make up with her. She was someone who always made him feel at ease, or happy. He missed having that, and he missed talking to her.

Roxas created the portal to Twilight Town, and Aura followed him in. She didn't know how to handle this type of situation, but she just hoped the mission would be over soon.

ȶ
Xigbar, Axel and Xion.

Xigbar was pushed back from an unknown force. He laughed, and blocked it from creating even more damage. "Talk about a blast from the past."

Axel looked at Xion, and grew furious. She had attacked Xigbar, and he shouted at her. "Xion, cut it out!"

"Out of all the faces," said Xigbar, taking out his weapons. "Why do I look at her and see yours?"

He looked at Xion, and was only able to see the one person he remembered a lot during his past; Ventus. He scoffed, and pointed his weapon at her. "Do you always have to stare at me like I just drowned your goldfish?"

"Shut up!" was all Xion could say. In a matter of seconds, she disappeared. She came back into view, however, only to attack Xigbar. She stood in front of Xigbar, and looked at Axel. "I'm sorry."

"Have you flipped your lid?" he asked, completely shocked, confused, and quite angry at Xion.

"Please, let me go," She said. "I have to do this, or else—look."

She unmasked her hood, and Axel gasped. Her appearance had changed, and he didn't know how bad it was getting for her. She looked at him, and pleaded. "Please, Axel. You have to take care of Roxas."

"But how are you...gonna—"

"Please!" she pleaded again. Axel sighed, and nodded his head to give her the go. She sighed, and thanked him. She ran through her portal, and Axel only stared, wondering what was happening.

ȶ
Roxas and Aura

After getting rid of the heartless around Twilight Town, Aura noticed that Roxas was getting low in terms of fighting. She didn't know what was happening, but she hoped it was nothing serious.

"Maybe you need some rest, Roxas," she said, looking at him with worry. "You don't look top notch."

"I'm fine," he laughed. "I'm just really glad I finally got to talk to you."

"Why?" she asked. "Last I knew, you were avoiding me."

"I know, and I'm sorry," he replied. "I was just so confused. Axel was acting different, and so was Xion. I guess I was too confused to talk to you, and I thought that you wouldn't understand. ...I also thought that maybe you would take sides."

Aura smiled, and looked at Roxas, who had his head lowered. She took his hands, and placed them in her own. He looked at her, and for the first time in a long time, he genuinely smiled. And he felt good about it.

"I wouldn't have taken sides," she said. "I know you guys are my best friends, and I know better than to meddle into something I'm not suppose to. I understand how you must've felt, so it's okay."

Roxas smiled even more, and he hugged Aura tightly. She returned the hug, and she also smiled more. It was a long time since she felt like this with Roxas, but no matter what happened between them, she was always going to be there for him.

As they pulled away from the hug, Roxas held her hand tighter. "I'll make it up to you! Wait for me the day after tomorrow at the clock tower after your mission, and it'll just be me and you."

Aura looked at Roxas with her left eyebrow raised, but she laughed it off. She agreed to Roxas' little date, and she blushed a bit. They walked back to the Castle, and Aura went to her room to read a little. Roxas nodded, and he smiled at her.

ȶ

Roxas walked into the grey area, and noticed Axel, Xigbar and Saix all arguing. He approached them, and Saix left the room, not wanting to deal with him. Roxas asked where Xion was, and Xigbar told him she flew the coop. He told Roxas that Axel let her go, and didn't so much as put up a fight to stop her. Roxas looked at him, and asked him if it was true, but Axel didn't respond.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Look, nothing," Axel replied.

Roxas looked at him with anger in his eyes, he couldn't believe that he was saying it was nothing, when clearly, it was something. "Xion's gone! How is that nothing!"

Axel told him it was what Xigbar had said, how he couldn't stop him. Roxas didn't believe him, and demanded him to answer the question honestly, Axel sighed, and lowered his head. "Roxas... Xion is like a mirror that reflects you."

Roxas looked at him in disbelief, and Axel continued. "The Organization made her to duplicate your powers, she's a puppet."

Roxas and Axel argued about whether Xion was Xion or not, but Axel kept to his words, and Roxas only grew more furious. Axel told him that if someone didn't destroy Xion, Roxas would never be who he is. However, Roxas disagreed. "I'll always be me! Your best friend—just like Xion!"

Axel told him he wasn't seeing the bigger picture, and Roxas couldn't bother to stand around him, so he left. Axel called out to him, but Roxas ignored him. Axel lowered his head, and wondered why Roxas couldn't just understand.

ȶ
Day 354

The next day, a meeting was held. Xemnas told the group that Xion had vanished again, and Aura looked at Roxas, and then huffed while crossing her arms. However, a truth was told, and Aura's eyes lit up.

It was made apparent that Xion was only a copy, a replica. Everyone looked surprised, and it was obvious that everyone didn't know, except for Xigbar and Saix. Xaldin demanded that the exact truth be told, and Xemnas looked around.

"The goal was to duplicate the Keyblade wielder's memories, and through them, his powers—" said Xemnas. Aura only stared with wide eyes, what the heck was happening. What was going on? She thought. "Thus making it our own."

He told everyone that Vexen created Xion at Castle Oblivion, but because he passed away, Xion had started creating an identity of her own. He told them that she knew their secrets, and needed to be restraint.

Xemnas looked at Axel, and called his name. Axel looked at him, and wondered what he had to say. "Seeing as how you let her go the last time, it's your duty to see she is brought back here."

As Xemnas called the dismissal, everyone left one by one. Aura looked at Axel and Roxas before leaving. She couldn't believe what was happening, and she couldn't believe it was taking this long for her to find out her "horrible truth".

ȶ

Axel stood in the grey area, and summoned up the portal. Roxas ran towards him, and told him to wait. He told Axel that Xion was no longer safe in the Organization, and asked him if he was really going to bring her back. Axel told him he had to, or else he would no longer be safe as well. Roxas told him not to hurt her this time, but Axel only replied by saying it was up to her.

Axel then told him Xion was dangerous, and that she was slowly taking his power. Roxas shook his head, and asked if he knew about Xion. When Axel didn't respond, Roxas already knew that he did.

Axel left to go on his mission, and Roxas only stared as he did.

ȶ
Riku and The King

Riku stood before the king, and the king stood before Riku. Time had passed since the two were together, and the King had been worried. Riku assured him, however, that he was able to contain the darkness within him. He also told the King about the problem that arose with Sora's awakening, and how the Organization had taken Sora's most precious memories.

Riku grunted a bit, feeling a bit confused that Sora's most precious memories were of Kairi and not of Marie. Was it possible that Sora was having double thoughts about who he loved? If so, he feared what could happen to Marie. But nonetheless, Sora was still his friend, and supported him through everything and anything he did.

That being said, Riku was reminded of the most important reason why he decided to meet with the King. He slightly looked behind him, and then looked at the King. "Mickey, there's someone who wants to talk to you."

"Why, who would that be?" asked the King. Riku looked behind him, and nodded. He turned back to the King, and as he stared and wondered who the person was, his eyes widened. A women who he was not familiar with popped out, however, she was glowing. "Oh my, who might you be?"

"Your Majesty," she greeted as she bent down. "You are one of the people who are desperately trying to rid the worlds of a great evil, and I am here to see that it is gone—this evil."

The women took a deep breath, and told him what she was, and how she could help.

ȶ
The next day
Day 355

Roxas walked into the room, and demanded Answer's from Axel. He wanted to know just who he really was, why he was able to wield the Keyblade, and who exactly was Sora.

As he approached Axel, he looked at him. Axel smiled as he walked closer and closer to him, and he couldn't understand why. Why was someone smiling when they held secrets from their best friend?

"Axel," Roxas said, looking at him. He lowered his head, and then looked back at him. "I want to know, why am I special?"

"What?" asked Axel, a little taken back.

"Why can I use the Keyblade, and who is Sora?" Roxas continued. "You know something, and you won't tell me."

Axel shook his head, and scoffed a bit. "You think the truth will make it better? It won't."

"You don't know that!" he shouted. "I have the right to know about who I really am!"

"Look, Roxas," Axel said, looking at the young boy. "Just trust me."

Roxas turned around, and looked down. He shook his head, and looked ahead. "I can't."

"Roxas..." said Axel, looking a little down.

"I'm going to look for someone who will tell me everything," he replied. "That'll be the person I trust."

As Roxas walked away, Axel stared. He didn't know what was going to happen now, but he could only hope for the best. Roxas walked back to his room, and took out the Popsicle stick that had the words, "WINNER" on them. He took a hard took at it, and sighed.

"I tried, but," he said, looking down. "...There's nothing left for me here. The answers are out there."

Roxas took one look around the room, and then prepared to leave the castle, forever.

ȶ
Aura

As Aura defeated another heartless, she looked up at the clock tower. She smiled happily, and was glad that she was going to spend some time alone with Roxas. In all her time within the Organization, the one thing she placed most of her efforts in, was the understanding of emotions. She had experienced most, if not all, the emotions, and she wanted to share them with Roxas.

She was a little hesitant to tell him, though, that she was experiencing an emotion she looked into the most; love. She had read a lot of love novels, and she had a pretty good idea what it felt like, because as much as it was hard to believe... Aura stood on her ground, and believed she was falling in love.

She sighed happily, and tried to finish up the her mission so she could meet up with Roxas later on in the day.

ȶ
Roxas

As Roxas walked towards the entrance, he noticed Saix standing there. Roxas had a pretty good idea what was going to happen, and he prepared himself. Saix told him he would not be taking resignations, and Roxas merely told him nothing.

Saix prepared himself, and as he took out his weapon, he looked at Roxas.

ȶ

Marie

Marie sat on her bed, and looked at the clothes that were placed on her table. They were the clothes that she first wore when she arrived at Twilight Town, and she kept them with her. She didn't know why, but she felt as if the clothes held something she needed to remember. So she put them on.

They managed to fit, and wasn't that tight. She looked at the mirror, and took a long hard look. She took her necklace from under her shirt, and looked at the mirror again. She closed her eyes, and tried to think.

She had received images of herself and a boy she was unable to identify, and they were standing next to each other. She had a panicked look on her face, as she was disappearing. She looked at the faceless boy, and suddenly she opened her eyes.

"I love you..."

ȶ
Roxas

Roxas looked over to a bent over Saix, he was breathing heavily, but he managed to deal with Saix. Saix looked at Roxas, and fell to his knees. "How... much.. Longer..."

Roxas placed his Keyblade away, and walked past Saix. As Saix tried hard to gain his composer, and his breath, he looked down at the floor. "Kingdom... Hearts."

"Will your strength never be mine?" he said, again.

As Roxas left outside the castle, Axel stood at the entrance. He leaned against the wall, and didn't bother to stare at Roxas. "Your mind's made up?"

"Why did the Keyblade choose me?" asked Roxas, who also didn't turn around to face Axel. "I have to know."

"You can't turn on the Organization!" shouted Axel, angry that his best friend was actually leaving. "You get on their bad side, and they'll destroy you!"

"No one would miss me," he replied, turning only slightly at Axel. He scoffed, and walked away from his best friend, Axel. He walked away from home, and he walked away from the people who once treated him like family.

But what he didn't realize, and that was due to his anger, and annoyance of not having his questions answered, was that he left someone who truly was an honourable and trustworthy person; Aura. He left behind a friend who not only didn't know anything about him, but he left behind the one person who genuinely cared and loved him.

But he was angry, and thus wasn't thinking straight. And because of that, he also didn't realize that Aura was still waiting for him. He didn't tell her he was leaving, and he didn't tell her how he felt about her.

Thoughts and words were left behind for these two, and none of them would ever know how the other truly felt. As Roxas walked further and further from the castle, Axel stared at him, and lowered his head, while shaking it. "That's not true!"

"I would."

ȶ
Xion

Xion ran out of the old Mansion in Twilight Town after talking with Namine, and prepared herself for an attack. DiZ had told them someone was coming after them, and Xion told him she would get rid of them.

As she looked around, she saw a dark portal appear, and she heard the voice she was all too familiar with.

"Why do I always get stuck with the icky jobs?" said the man who once sat with Xion eating ice cream.

"Axel..."

"Xion.." Axel looked at Xion, and he noticed she was clearly bothered. "What are you gonna do?"

"I've decided," she said, looking down at the grass. "That I have to go back to where I belong."

"Well to be honest," stated Axel. "I always felt that was best, right from the beginning."

"But you know, it still really bugs me," he said, looking at his hand. "Something about this just stinks."

Xion argued that it was right for her to leave, and Axel grew furious. He stated that everyone thought they were right, and how it disgusted him. Xion only stated that it was right, and how she should leave. Axel lowered his head, and heard the noise of the Keyblade. He looked up, and noticed Xion with her weapon. She told him not to hold back, and to give her everything he had.

Axel only grew more furious, and yelled in anger. "What's your problem? You both.. think you can do whatever you want. Well, I'm sick of it!"

"Well, go on! You just keep running!" He looked at Xion, and angered filled with eyes. He lifted his hands, and a ring of fire appeared from it. "But I'll always be there to bring you back!"

ȶ
Aura

Aura sat a top the clock tower, and finished her ice cream. She looked down at the stick, and sighed. What was happening? Why was Roxas late? She didn't understand, and she didn't want to.

She flicked the stick away, and got up. "I bet you're with her, huh?"

Aura scoffed, and walked out of the clock tower. Rejection, and anger filled her eyes, and she just wanted to hurt something, maybe even kill. She opened up a portal heading to the castle, and angrily walked towards her room.

She closed the door tightly, and leaned against it. She slowly fell towards the floor, and for the first time in her life, cried. She placed her hands over her eyes, and just yelled out in anger as she cried. As she reached the floor, she placed her knees to her chest, and rested her elbows on them. She cried, and brushed back her hair with her hands. As the tears kept falling down, she couldn't help but cover her face. She felt so ashamed to show such emotions, especially for such a stupid boy who still acted like a zombie.

"I hate you..." she shakily said, and barely in a whisper. She took a deep breath, and yelled out loud. "I hate you!"

ȶ
Axel

"Man.."

Axel walked in the castle, and dragged his body, along with Xion's, with him. "Why you always gotta...cause me...trouble."

The two of them had been defeated by one another, and Axel had enough strength to bring her in. However, as he walked further and further inside the castle, he collapsed, dropping Xion with him. Xemnas walked towards the two, and only stared at them until he dragged Xion away.

ȶ
Day 357

Roxas walked around Twilight Town, and noticed Hayner, Pence, and Olette running around. He also noticed the girl with blonde hair wasn't with them, and he wondered if maybe she had a falling out with them like he did with Axel.

He shook his head, and decided to go to the clock tower. He figured it would ease his mind, and maybe, just maybe he would see someone there.

As he reached the tower, he sat in a close position, and looked at the town. Where could he have gone? He thought. He sat in thought, until someone popped into the image.

"Xion!" he shouted. He looked at her, and she did as well. She gave him an ice cream, and he thanked her.

"Roxas.." she said. "I'm out of time."

She got up, and took off her hood. Roxas gasped, and she looked down at the town. "Even if I'm not ready, I have to make this choice."

"You have poured so many memories into me...given me so much," she continued as she placed her hands on her chest. "That I feel like I'm about to overflow. Look at me Roxas, what do you see?"

"If you see somebody else's face," she continued. "A boy's face.. then that means I'm almost ready. This puppet will have to play her part."

As Xion looked at Roxas, her face revealed the face of the boy that had started it all for him; Sora. Xion walked forward, in thin air, and turned back to Roxas. She placed her hand in front of him, and told him he was next. He was going to be part of her, as well. That was why she was created.

Xion created a black mist around her, and as it disappeared, she turned into a armoured person. No identity, no face. Just metal. The scene changed, and Roxas looked around panicked. What was happening to his friend? What was going on? He closed his eyes, thinking of a way out.

He saw Xion, smiling. He saw Axel, smirking and waving his finger at him. And finally, he saw Aura, who had her back turned to him. His eyes opened widely, and realized what he had done, and that was leaving Aura waiting.

He looked over to Xion, who had completely transformed. He shook his head, and had to try to make things right, and that started with Xion. Helping her was first, seeing as she was going to try and attack him. He took out his Keyblade, and took a deep, deep breath. He didn't want to do this, but there was no way out.

He looked at Xion, with a pleading look, and ran to attack her.

ȶ
Aura

Aura sat on one of the couches in the grey area, and watched as the other members walked around and talked. Aura couldn't help but feel so empty, so alone, but she had good reason.

Demyx walked into the room, and noticed Aura sitting alone on the couch. He raised his eyebrow at her empty face, and wondered what was up, so he walked over to her.

"Hey," he said, looking at her. "Uh, you okay? You look as if someone sucked the life out of you."

"I'm fine," she said, with no emotion in her voice.

"Whoa, you sound like how you did when you first arrived here," he replied, scratching the back of his head. "I don't think you'd be happy to hear what I have to say, then."

"And that is?" she said, looking at him.

"Well, I overheard Saix talking to Xigbar saying that Roxas also fled the coop," Demyx smirked, and couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that everyone was leaving.

"...What?" she said, looking at him. A sudden wave of confusion hit her, and she shook her head. "Where's Axel?"

"Beats me—"

As Demyx tried finishing his sentence, Aura waltz out of the area. He scoffed, and crossed his arms. That was pretty rude of her, but he wasn't surprised since she was known to be mean. He wondered, however, that hearing about Roxas would make her leave? He hoped not, since she was someone he enjoyed talking to.

As Aura stomped to get answers, she stopped as she noticed Saix and Xigbar talking to each other. This was her chance to listen and see what they knew about Roxas, and where he possibly was. She hid behind a wall, and listened in.

"That kiddo sure knows how to make an exit," Xigbar said as he laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if his reason for leaving was our little poppet."

Aura gasped lightly, and closed her eyes. So it was for her, she thought. She held her hand close to her chest, and clutched it. She didn't want to hear anymore, but as soon as she heard her name from Xigbar, she grew curious. "What are they talking about, now?"

"What was that?" asked Saix.

"Do you think this is gonna have an effect on Aura?" Xigbar asked, again. "I mean, if we're gonna use her as a sacrifice, we need her in top condition right?"

Aura gasped, they were going to use her as a sacrifice? Aura had begun to breath heavily, and clutched her hands even tighter. She closed her eyes, and wondered just what the hell was going on in the place she considered home.

"I don't think it matters," replied Saix. "As long as she is alive, we can still use her power from Kingdom Hearts to make us all whole. But we still need her original, Marie. Axel knows where she is, and he knows we need her for it. So we've sent all of our members to find her."

Her original was named Marie? Aura looked at Saix and Xigbar one last time, and fled the scene. She walked back to her room slowly, and couldn't believe what was happening. How dare they even think of using her as a sacrifice for something that she wants too, they were being selfish to not include her in the group.

But what she couldn't believe... Was that Axel knew everything, and didn't tell her. Why would he do that? Why would he not tell his best friend? Why would he let it happen? She didn't understand how someone so nice to her kept such a mean secret about her. She stopped, and slammed her fist into the wall, leaving in indent. This wasn't happening, not to her, not now.

Do you see, now?
The truth has been revealed, and now you must make a choice.
Stay and die for their own needs?
Or live, and help me defeat Xemnas, your master?

Aura looked at the ceiling, and let out a shaky breath. What master would let one of his subjects die? Oh, that's right. Xemnas. Well, no. Aura was not going to sit around like a helpless lamb and be sacrificed. She was not going to be used for anything, and she was not going to be betrayed.

In fact, she was going to be the one to betray, she was going to be the one to use, and she was going to be the one to see that every single member dies a painful death.

"I'm leaving," she said. "I'll get stronger, and when I come back to kick their sorry butts, they'll wish for mercy."

Good, you have chosen my side.
Then you must follow my instructions.

"Sure," she said, thinking on Axel. Although he knew everything, Aura couldn't help but not be angry with him about it. But she needed to know for sure. "Stella, tell me. Is Axel my enemy, or is he really a friend?"

Don't be angry at him.
Believe it or not, his original was close friends with yours.
With Marie.
He knows where Marie is.
Yet he kept it a secret to protect both of you.

"Why?" she asked, a little confused.

You are Marie's nobody, and you both carry the power of Kingdom Hearts.
However, it has been split in half when you were born.
Marie carries one half, while you carry the other.
Xemnas needs the two of you, in order to gain the full power of it.
This is why you must leave, so we can prevent that.

"Alright," responded Aura. Stella was the one person she trusted her life with, and if what Stella said was right, then she believed her. But she couldn't leave without doing one last thing. "I'll leave soon, I just need to give something to a friend."

As Aura left to her room, she wondered what Marie was like. She knew very well that she was alive, since Axel tried so hard to protect her, but she wanted to meet her. And she would, in time. She hoped.

ȶ
Marie

Marie walked towards the train station entrance, and as she did, she walked closer to the balcony part of the entrance. She was wearing a pink sundress with red flats, and looked out into the town. She clasped her hands together, and closed her eyes.

ȶ
Aura

Everyone had been busy looking for Roxas, Xion, or Marie, so Aura managed to escape with ease. As she stepped out to the streets, she looked back, and had a sympathetic look on her face. She nodded, and a blue light surrounded her. As the light brightened, Aura began to change outfits. As the light disappeared, she looked down at herself. She wore black pants, with blue and back running shoes. She wore a dark blue tank top, with a light blue hoodie attached to it. Where the hoodie and the top connected appeared a heart imprint. She wore a brown belt right under her chest, and another around her waist. She had a black choker, and wore blue gloves. She also had an armband with the Nobody insignia on it.

She looked at the armband, and realized that no matter what would happen, she was still a nobody. She brought out her hand, and the coat she had worn all her life until now, appeared. She looked at the castle, and dropped the coat.

"You're about to feel the wrath of someone you shouldn't have messed," she said, staring angrily at the castle. "And don't forget the aftermath."

As the coat laid on the floor, Aura walked away. She created a portal heading to Twilight Town, and wanted to get something. "I wonder if that boy, Seifer, would mind if I stole on of his hats... Not that I care if he did. I'll do what I want from now on."

ȶ
Roxas

As Roxas delivered one last attack, the armour that was Xion suddenly began to collapse. A string of light passed through Roxas' mind, and he grabbed onto his head. He fell to the floor, but quickly got up.

Xion reverted back to normal, and fell to her knees. Roxas clutched his head, and looked at the girl before him. "Who... are you, again? It's weird. I feel like I'm forgetting something really important."

Xion looked down at the floor, and had a saddened look. "You'll be... better off now.. Roxas."

As Xion fell to her slow death, Roxas managed to catch her before she hit the ground. As he stared at her, he noticed her disappear as sparkles surrounded her.

"Am I..." he said, looking at Xion. "The one who did this to you?"

"No.." she replied, trying to look at him. "It was my choice.. to go away now. Better that, than to do nothing.. and let Xemnas have his way."

"I belong with Sora," she said, looking at the sky. "And now, I am going back... to be with him."

As she looked at the sky, feeling happy about her choice, she looked at Roxas. "Roxas... I need you... to do me a favour. All those hearts I've captured... Kingdom Hearts. Set them free."

"Set them free?" he asked, watching as she materialized.

"It's too late for me to undo my mistakes..." she said, looking at him. "But you can't let Xemnas have Kingdom Hearts... you can't let him... use Aura."

She smiled at Roxas as she said her farewell, telling him she was glad to have met him, Axel, and Aura. She told him they were all her best friends... all while smiling, and looking happy. She slowly placed her hand on his cheek, and told him to never forget.

As her hand slipped away from him slowly, Roxas suddenly remembered. He gasped, and called out her name while grabbing on to her hand. He looked at her, and panicked. "Who else will I have ice cream with?"

He looked at Xion as she fully materialized, and soon began to break apart, turning into tiny crystals. A seashell of hers was noted on the ground, and Roxas picked it up. As he looked at it, a single tear fell down his cheek as he called her name.

ȶ
Axel

Axel laid on his bed, and looked at the ceiling. He questioned to himself how any of the events came to be, and got up from his bed. He didn't know how he was going to handle everything, what with Xion, Roxas, and Aura out of the picture.

He looked to his side, and noticed a piece of paper right outside of his pillow. He took it out, and noticed an envelope deep from under his pillow. He opened the envelope, and saw a Popsicle stick with the words, "WINNER" on them. He smiled to himself, and remembered that Roxas had the stick before. By giving it to him, it was a symbol that Roxas still valued Axel as a friend.

He looked at the letter, and opened it up. Nice printing had been on it, and he began to read it to himself.

Dear Axel,

I don't have time to explain everything, but I bet you already know. By now, I have left the castle, and I won't be coming back. I placed my trust in this group, and even called it home, but now I finally realize.

I was never part of the Organization, and in fact, I was just a lamb. I know you knew, but that's alright. You did it for the good of both me, and Marie. I'm writing to you, because I can trust you. You've been such a great friend, and I'm going to miss you so much. I wanted to tell you in person, but I feared that if I stayed any longer, I would be in danger. I wanted to tell you, that you were always my sanctuary, the one person who always made time for me..

It'll be difficult to see you ever again, but I hope... I get to see you before I become whole. Don't be mad if I beat you up, though. You kind of deserve it. And also, don't worry about Marie. I'll be keeping a close eye on her, so that no one comes and takes her away.

But if you ever see me again, don't expect a smile, Lea.

Aura.

Axel stared at the note, and sighed. He peered over to his beside table, and looked at the bouquet of flower he found at Wonderland two days ago. He chuckled to himself, realizing it was way too late. But for the most part, he was relieved that Aura left. He wouldn't have to worry anymore.

He was the only one left alone now, and he didn't like it. He missed everyone, and but he had to move on.

ȶ
Xemnas and Saix

"Xion is no more," stated Saix, sitting down on his chair.

"It is probably for the best," replied Xemnas. "Get me back my Keyblade wielder, and get me back the two halves of Kingdom Hearts."

ȶ
Day 358

Roxas walked back into the streets of the world that never was that was once home to him, except this time, he was coming back as an intruder. He was going to set the hearts free from Kingdom Hearts, and he was going to take Aura back from their clutches. He wasted too much time on thinking on who he was, that he missed the bigger picture. Xemnas was not who he called himself to be, and he was going to take him down.

As he walked further into the streets, heartless appeared. He took out his Keyblade, and took out another. He was wielding two Keyblades, that suddenly changed into different styles. He was now wielding two Keyblades with the respective names of Oathkeeper, and Oblivion.

As he walked into the centre of the streets, he stopped, and noticed a herd of heartless surrounded him. He took out his Keyblades, and prepared to attack. While attacking all of the heartless, and defeating them, he noticed someone on top of the skyscraper. He jumped on the building, and ran up to the person. He threw his Keyblade at him, and he caught it.

As Roxas ran up, the other fell down, and in an instant, they met face to face. Roxas was now on top of the skyscraper, and the man, who was Riku, at the bottom of the streets. He clutched his head, and attacked some of the heartless. Roxas jumped down, and attacked Riku.

"Who are you," he asked.

"What does it matter?" Riku replied. "I'm here for you."

"Why are you trying to stop me?" asked Roxas.

"Because I want back the rest of Sora's memories," he replied.

"Sora, Sora, Sora!" Roxas shouted. "Enough about Sora!"

"Do you have some kind of plan?" asked Riku.

"I'm going to set Kingdom Hearts free!" Roxas shouted. "And I'm going to save Aura, so that everything can go back to the way it was!"

Roxas lowered his head, and looked down. "Me, Aura, Axel, and... her can go back to having ice cream together..."

"You mean Xion?" he asked. "It's a struggle to just remember her name, huh? Either way, I can't let you do anything crazy."

Roxas shouted, stating that the only way to find Sora, is by releasing Kingdom Heart. He wanted his life back, and he wanted everything to be normal again. Riku scoffed, saying if he made contact with Kingdom Hearts, his life would be the last thing he would get back.

Roxas raised his weapon, and prepared to attack the man with the blindfold.

ȶ
Aura

Aura jumped out of Seifer's house, and placed one of his clean hats on her head. She really did like his hats, and she didn't care if she was stealing. She sighed, and wondered if there was anybody at the clock tower. She shrugged, and decided to go there anyways.

As she made her way to the clock tower, she realized how life would have been if she was never brought into the Organization. She wondered if life would have been better, or worse. But what has been done, was done. And she couldn't change any of it.

Aura stood in front of the clock tower, and made her way to her regular spot. She kicked her shoes together, and looked at the town. She closed her eyes for a moment, until she heard Stella's voice.

It's time you remembered your past.
No secrets held this time.

Aura took a deep breath, and waited for the memories to flow in. As they did, Aura's forehead began to glow into a blue heart. The memories of Marie filled Aura's head, everything about Marie was revealed to Aura in an instant. The memories of Axel when he was Lea filled her head, and of course the memories of Sora filled in her head as well.

She opened her eyes, and blinked a couple of times. She shook her head, and looked up into the sky. As she did, she smiled for what would seem the last time.

ȶ
Roxas

"Why? Why do you have the Keyblade?" shouted Riku. He had been sitting on the ground, defeated by Roxas. He stared at Riku, and attacked him. However, his attack was blocked, and Roxas was flung back.

Riku took the Keyblade, and threw it beside Roxas. He got up, though, but struggled. He took the Keyblade, and attacked him. "Why don't you quit?"

"Come on, Sora," teased Riku. "I thought you were stronger than that."

Roxas growled, and looked at him. "Get real. Look which one of us is winning."

Roxas touched his mouth, and didn't mean for those words to come out. Riku only looked at him, and smirked. "So it's true. You really are his Nobody. Guess DiZ was right after all."

"What are you talking about?" shouted Roxas. "I am me! Nobody else!"

As Roxas and Riku battled it out, Xion's voice was heard to Riku. She told him to stop Roxas, pleading with him. Riku sighed, realizing that the only way to stop Roxas was to release the power in his heart. He didn't care if it changed him forever, he needed to stop Roxas.

As Riku growled, a dark and terrifying air surrounded him. Roxas blocked the wave that came from it, and prepared for the worst. As the air stopped, Riku was no longer Riku, but instead, Ansem, seeker of the darkness. It just one swift second, Roxas was completely wiped out by the power that Riku had inside his heart.

DiZ came along soon after, and looked at Roxas on the floor. Riku told him that he was able to feel Sora, and DiZ laughed.

"Oh, he told you how he "felt," did he?" said DiZ. "He's just like the other one, Aura."

DiZ laughed, and told Riku that nobodies couldn't feel anything. And Riku argued saying that if Roxas had met Sora, it would have gone differently. Roxas laid on the floor, tired, and defeated. Everything was stripped from him, his home, his friends, soon even his life.

ȶ
Day 359
Marie

As Marie stared into the town from her window, she closed her eyes for a moment. She clutched the necklace she had been wearing since she arrived at Twilight Town, and took a deep breath. The air suddenly changed, and she looked up into the sky, and smiled.

Seven more days until her birthday.

Seven more days...
until everything starts over again.


STAY TUNED PEOPLE. ONE MORE CHAPTER. SQUEAL~

Lvl-ZeR0:
thanks! Yeah, it seems more steady like it, anyways. Plus it was a good chance to introduce Aura and her tragic story. And no, I'm good. I'm more of a chicken girl anyways, lol.

Starlightmint72:
Ahaha, thanks. I try not to make it like the story, and I try not to use many quotes, as well. AND YES. This is officially the finale, now we are entering the last bit which is the epilogue.

SisterOfScarletDevil:
LOL. Riku does what Riku wants.

Anna Shiki:
LOL, yes. Everyone will say good-bye soon. Oh, and she did. She even left an indent on the wall.

Squalls Kid:
I know who Kingdom Hearts is. XD Well, Kingdom Hearts isn't a person. Xemnas got it right when he said someone is running the ship. LOL. OMG, I ADDED THAT. XD it's too funny NOT to add.

Lele-the-Greek-Geek:
This chapter will make you even more sadder. EVERYTHING IS DOWNHILL. Yes, it was depressing. And it sucks they can't go back to how it was.