Author's Notes: Three months… It has been three months since I have updated Chains of Destiny. Fucking great! I am so sorry for neglecting this story for so long, but I am about to make it up with a new update.
With that said, I welcome you once again to another chapter of Chains of Destiny – The Keyblade's Chosen Ones. Last time, our dear Levy had finally succumbed to the darkness in her heart thanks to Vanitas and she disappeared without saying a word as to where she was going – on top of that, she even managed to injure Lucy. Our heroes now have to determine what their next move is going to be. What will happen? Find out in this chapter!
Time to begin! As usual – I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Soul Eater or Fairy Tail. Tetsuya Nomura, Atsushi Okubo and Hiro Mashima own the three series. I just own the story.
Chapter 35 – Prayer of Hope
They had battled through countless Heartless and villains not just as a team, but also as friends. They had traversed through countless worlds in order to find their friends – Riku, Kairi, Soul and Tsubaki. Moreover, just when they felt that their quest was at its end… everything went to shit for the group.
Their friend Levy had embraced the darkness in her heart and managed to injure and hurt Lucy. In the end, she became an enemy of the group and disappeared soon after.
After Levy disappeared, the group took the unconscious Lucy to Leon and his group so they can take a good look at her. Sora, Maka, Donald and Goofy at this point decided to go and visit their friend Cid to help them install the navigational piece on the Gummi Ship, while Lisanna stayed behind to help tend to her unconscious Fairy Tail comrade.
The four easily found Cid in the First District behind the Accessory Shop where he gladly agreed to install the navigational piece on the Gummi Ship.
Now, Sora and Maka were staring at the ground with depressed looks on their faces because not only did Levy embraced the darkness in her heart, but also their friend Lucy was injured and hurt in the process. Their actions didn't go unnoticed as Donald and Goofy attempted to turn their frowns upside down.
"Sora, Maka!" Donald called out to them first and then it was Goofy's turn to speak. "Now, just remember what Donald told ya both: no frowning, no sad faces."
Maka looked up in disbelief and confusion. "After what just happen to our group, you two are still happy?" She asked and they both nodded.
"But, how can you two be so cheerful? Levy is gone, Lucy is injured and hurt, our friends are still missing and so are your King and the Master. Aren't you both worried?" Sora asked in sad tone.
Donald on the other hand replied with a smile. "Aw, phooey."
"The king and the master told us to go out and find the key bearers and we already found you both. So as long as we stick together, it'll all work out okay. Ya just gotta believe in yourself, that's all." Goofy finished speaking.
Maka's eyes widened in surprise at his words. Just believe in herself… Why did that seem so familiar to her? Weren't… those the same words that Peter said back in Neverland to both her and Sora?
"Just believe in myself…" Maka repeated Goofy's words and closed her eyes.
It was then that something happened. "We believe in you and Sora." She heard two voices – one sounded just like Soul and the other… she did not recognize it, but it seemed so familiar to her. Like she had already heard it once… in her past.
Maka began to fly towards a shining light, which enveloped everything. Soon, she found herself in a room, which was filled with bookshelves and stained glass windows. She found herself flying in the air and confused on what was going on. Where was she exactly and why did this place seem so familiar to her?
"What is this place…?" She asked herself.
Just then, to her surprise and shock, she noticed two very familiar girls running towards an old woman who was sitting in a chair under a long staircase – it was… Young Kairi and Young Maka! As for the old woman, she had thick, grey hair that was tied into a bun. Her clothing consisted of a sleeveless, purple dress with a white apron, a dark cloth that was tied around her neck and a white ring on her left ring finger.
Maka had no idea who this sweet, old woman was and why she was sitting in a chair. However… she looked very familiar. Like a distant relative of hers... "Who is this old lady…?" The teenager asked herself.
"Girls, I have an interesting tale to tell you both. You might remember this as you grow up. Long ago, people lived in peace, bathed in the warmth of light. Everyone loved the light. Then people began to fight over it. They wanted to keep it for themselves. And darkness was born in their hearts. The darkness spread, swallowing the light and many people's hearts. It covered everything, and the world disappeared. But small fragments of light survived… in the hearts of children. With these fragments of light, children rebuilt the lost world. It's the world we live in now. But the true light sleeps, deep within the darkness. That's why the worlds are still scattered, divided from each other. But someday, a door to the innermost darkness will open. And the true light will return. So, listen, my children. Even in the deepest darkness, there will always be a light to guide you. Believe in the light, and the darkness will never defeat you both. Your hearts will shine with its power and push the darkness away. Do you understand me, Kairi and Maka?" The old woman explained and then in a surprising twist, she had disappeared.
Maka was surprised, shocked and intrigued! How did this old woman knew who she and Kairi were? For that matter, what was that little speech about the light and darkness? Just what the hell was going on?
Before Maka had a chance to ask herself more questions, she was blinded by a bright light, which had thrown her back to reality.
"No!" She yelled, as she opened her eyes and looked around. To her relief, she was back in Traverse Town.
"Maka! Are you okay?" Sora asked, as he grabbed his girlfriend's hand gently in an attempt to calm her down.
"What's the matter, Maka?" Donald asked.
"Did anything bad happened?" Goofy asked.
Maka shook her head, as she calmed down. "N-no, don't worry. Everything is fine… For a second, I thought I saw something that I've never seen before."
"Are you sure?" Goofy asked and Maka nodded.
"Yeah… I'm sure… Soul, did you call me?" Maka asked herself quietly.
By this time, Cid had finally returned to the group.
"Okay, the navigational gummi is installed." Cid stated with a smile.
"Thank you, Cid. We owe you one." Sora replied.
Cid's smile disappeared. "But, ya need to be careful. Rumour has it that place you four are heading is crawling with lots of Heartless." He explained.
"We'll be fine, don't worry." Maka assured him.
"Don't say I didn't warn ya." Cid stated with a smirk.
"We've survived many dangers - This one will be a piece of cake as well." Sora said.
Cid smiled and nodded. "Good luck. You'll need it." He said his departing words.
The group started walking towards the entrance of Traverse Town and surprisingly Lisanna was there.
"Lisanna, what are you doing out here?" Maka asked.
Lisanna gave her reply. "I'm here to wish you good luck. You'll need it." The group was confused. Wasn't Lisanna and Lucy going to come with them?
"Aren't you coming with us?" Sora asked, but Lisanna shook her head.
"I would love to join in on your little adventure, but I'm afraid I have to stay behind and keep an eye on Lucy. I'm worried about her and plus she needs to get some rest – this has been a long experience for her after all." Lisanna explained and the four nodded in return.
"Very well. Please, keep an eye on Lucy and when she wakes up… will you-" Lisanna cut off Maka with a nod on what she had to tell Lucy.
"Yeah, I know. Don't worry – I'll tell her what happened. For now… you should get going… good luck, by the way." Lisanna finished speaking and then left the group to go and check up on Lucy.
Sora, Maka, Donald and Goofy looked at each other with determined looks on their faces.
"Ready to get going?" Maka asked and the boys nodded.
"Yes. No backing down, right?" Sora asked and the rest nodded.
"Then, let's get going." Donald finished and all four started to walk towards their Gummi Ships.
It was time to head to this new world. It was time to face both Maleficent and Roman Torchwick. It was time... time to finish this quest once and for all.
Author's Notes: Hooray! This visit to Traverse Town is done! We are nearing the end of the story as we speak… We only have a couple more chapters to go and we are done with Chains of Destiny! Then I can continue with the rest of the stuff I have forgotten to update.
Next chapter - The group (minus Lucy and Lisanna) land in the headquarters of Maleficent and Roman Torchwick – Hollow Bastion. Here, in this world – secrets will be revealed, friends will clash against each other and all hell will break loose! Find out what happens next time in Chains of Destiny – The Keyblade's Chosen Ones!
Now… that is my cue to take off for the rest of the night! Until tomorrow – good night and see ya!