The castle was probably forever ruined at that point. Radiant Garden, for the umpteenth time in a short while, needed to be completely and utterly reconstructed. But the sky was clear, and the sun was shining; and that was enough for Naminé. What would you like your home to be like, Master Ansem? she thought to herself, as she hurried towards the only repaired building, that was now called Final Haven. Several people were loitering in front of the building, having a snack or chatting about all sorts of things. Around them, the repairs were coming along nicely, albeit a bit slowly.
"Naminé! You're joining today's meeting?" asked Yuffie, as she landed beside her. She was grinning ear to ear, cheerful as usual.
"Yup. Ienzo asked me to represent him today, as he was busy down in the labs. They have found some fascinating data that might help us!" Naminé said with a wide smile. "Even will join us later!"
"Good, though we probably won't wait for them. The others are getting grumpy. Old Cid is getting less and less patient with time!"
The back room of Final Haven was expanded so a bunch of people fitted inside. Leon, Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Cid were representing the Restoration Committee, Dilan, and Aeleus were there for the Royal Company, and Mickey, Donald, and Goofy were representing Yen Sid as neutral party. Even and Ienzo were supposed to be the representative of the Apprentices, but they rarely had time to leave their labs.
"Good day everyone!" Naminé greeted the others, and sat down between Dilan and Aerith at the table. "How are things going?"
"Good!" Cid replied with a smile. "We've almost finished rummaging through that crazed witches castle. Found quite a few nice things we might incorporate into the defense system, once everything is up and running."
"One of the living quarters is now fully functioning," Tifa said. "Sector seven is shaping up nicely, and we have electricity and running water in sectors one and two. It'll take some time, but we'll be able to fix everything pretty soon."
"The costs of reconstruction are unbelievably high," Dilan noted. "Scrooge McDuck has stopped backing us, as he did not see this profitable enough, which beckons the question, who will finance these ventures from now on?"
"There is a small electric company, that is willing to take over," Leon noted grimly. "But they wish to introduce their own reactors to every sector, and they want to build their own headquarters to where the castle used to be."
"Who are these guys?" Cloud asked, looking at Leon.
"I don't know much, but their president is some guy called Shinra…"
The meeting went on for a while, and they discussed every aspect of Radiant Garden's rebuilding. For hours and hours Naminé paid attention and added her own thoughts where necessary. But she was glad to see that everyone were doing their jobs properly.
Once the meeting was tabled, Naminé stepped out into the afternoon streets and gave a long sigh. So much to do, Master Ansem. Will we ever finish?
"You seem quite active!" Mickey said with a smile, stepping over to her.
"Your Highness!" Naminé smiled.
"Just Mickey! I hope all is well!" the King said. She gave a nod and looked at the crumbling castle in the middle of the city. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy looked up at it as well, and together they watched it for a while in silence.
"All is" she said finally, thinking about all they were through, and all that awaited them. So many tasks were ahead of them. "I just hope we'll be able to wrap this up soon." Wrap this up, so we can get back to saving all those souls. You guys just wait for us.
"You'll all get there! Mending takes time. But once it is finished, I'm sure Radiant Garden will look even nicer than before!" Mickey affirmed with a big smile. "And hopefully, peace will last a bit longer this time. Right guys?"
"Sure hope so!" Goofy laughed, and Donald too. Naminé joined in, hoping so as well.
"And, you going back home?" she asked the trio. They looked at each other, grinning, and nodding.
"Not yet!" Donald said.
"We still have a few errands to run, but after that, yeah. Disney Castle, and Minnie awaits!" Mickey declared.
"Well, I have to head back to help the others. You three take care! And see you later, right?"
"Right!" they said in unison, and bid farewell to Naminé.
The girl walked back towards the castle and saw many familiar faces along the way; happy, smiling faces, who were looking forward to a brighter, more peaceful and serene future. I just hope we can grant it to them. We have to do better. We will do better, she vowed. She would do better.
- O - O - O - O - O –
The Land of Departure was becoming crowded and noisy once again; more than Aqua would've preferred to. The Keyblade Master woke up and tied her long blue hair into a ponytail. No time for braids. Gotta silence these kids… gosh who would've thought they'd be so loud? She got out of bed, grabbed some clothes and hurried down the stairs towards the kitchens, from where all the racket originated from.
"High heavens, are you waging a Keyblade War down here?" she asked with a mild annoyance as she stepped into the room.
"Master Aqua, Aced is not sharing!" said a small little girl with short lilac-colored hair, running over to her. She was pursued by a small little cat-like creature, a chirithy.
"Aced, Gula, stop teasing Invi and give her breakfast!" Aqua said scolding, looking at the devilish duo who were amidst a great battle with spoons over the butter.
"Yes, Master!" they said carefree and continued their fight.
God, I wish they were still our enemies instead of our kids, she shook her head. She turned to look at a small Ira, who was snoozing by the kitchen table; plush unicorn hanging from his hand, while his long bluish hair half dangled in his cup of tea.
It was quite a tale. When the others had all returned from their final battle, they were carrying a bunch of small children in their arms: Gula, Invi, Aced, Ava, Ira — all of them were reverted into their children form, when they had originally received the Master of Master's sins, ranging between the ages of four and six.
"And where are those three?" she asked, looking around.
"They are going to Master Yen Sid!" said little Invi, hugging her plush snake. "They said they will be back later this evening."
"Oh, right. The Mark of Mastery is today," Aqua smiled. "I'll be right back. Ava! Come down and help your little sister make breakfast!" she yelled over to Ava, who was playing with her chirithy in the back of the kitchen.
"Coming, Master!"
Aqua left the kitchen and hurried out to the front yard of the castle, walking past the portraits of the past masters, and the statue of Master Eraqus. The building was being changed now that there were more students and children to be raised inside its wall. She stepped out through the front gates and felt the fresh breeze. It was another lovely day. She looked down at the three figures, who stood at the front yard, already wearing their armors. Terra was riding his Keyblade turned into a bike, while the other two, Ventus and Vanitas were riding them like skateboards. "Safe trip you three!" Aqua waved at them.
"Good morning Aqua!" Ven grinned. "Cheer for me today!"
"Silly, she's going to cheer for me. I'm her favorite," Vanitas winked mischievously, slightly pushing his tongue out.
"No you're not!"
"I'm so am!" the boy laughed. "Hey, last one to get there has to do the dishes for a week!" he said, and took off immediately.
"Vanitas, you're such a cheater!" Ventus yelled, hurrying after him.
Terra and Aqua exchanged a look of surprise, and both burst out laughing. "Take care of the boys," Aqua said finally, stepping over to Terra and kissing the man.
"Of course, Master," he winked playfully.
"Better pass that test this time," she smiled. "Return home safely."
"We'll be back by sundown. Have fun with the kids."
"Another long day," Aqua sighed with a faked fatigue. Terra laughed, and kissed back, before taking off to follow the other two to Yen Sid's Tower. Aqua watched him disappear, and was reminded of the children only when a crying Aced came running.
"Master Aqua! Ava is a bully!" the boy cried, and Aqua rolled her eyes. It really was a going to be a long day.
- O - O - O - O - O -
Where… am I?
As her eyes opened slowly, she was blinded for a moment by the Light. What place is this? This isn't… the Final World. And… is this Daybreak Town? No. For the longest time, she could smell something. Flowers. Are these… strelitzias?
"Good morning!" said the girl with fair hair and bright smile to her. "How are you feeling? I hope everything is alright!"
"I… I am alright. A bit tired, but fine," she said. As she tried to sit up, her auburn locks fell before her eyes. "But, what is this? Where am I?"
"Radiant Garden" Naminé said, helping her up. "My name is Naminé. Do you remember anything?"
"Not a lot," she shook her head as Naminé helped her over to a large mirror.
"Take a look," she said with a smile. "You recognize her?"
She looked into the mirror and saw a young girl staring back. The girl had greenish-bluish eyes, long auburn curls, and wore a white dress with dark laces. The girl in front of her was first shocked, then her tears began to flow, much like hers. "Yes," she said happily. "I can remember. Naminé, how did you…?"
"We had help," she said with a big, comforting smile. "And he is here to meet you!"
Is he? She looked around, and saw one door leading out. Naminé gently pushed her towards it, and she started walking, then running. She hurried through the door, and down a foyer, through another one, which opened onto a waiting area, that was filled with people. There was a sandy-haired man playing on an instrument, a cheeky blonde who was losing her temper, and a pink-haired gentleman who gasped as he laid his eyes upon her.
"Strelitzia!" Lauriam said, tears swelling in his eyes.
"Lauriam!" she yelled and jumped over to the man, embracing him warmly. "Lauriam, you're here!"
"And you are here! Dear Strelitzia! You're finally here!" Lauriam yelled, fighting with his tears. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"Well, all is good if the end is good, right?" Myed asked, behind Elrena. The girl sent him a thunderous look, and the man immediately fell silent.
"But how?" Strelitzia asked, looking at Lauriam, then at Naminé. "How did you do this?"
"Your connection with your brother and the others that stopped you from leaving," Naminé explained. "Your story did not end in Daybreak Town. That is why we could bring you back. And there are many other children out there, whom we can save."
"We will help you," Lauriam said, standing up. "The Dandelions are yours to command. We will save the lost children," he vowed.
"Good to hear that," said Skuld, who entered the room with Isa behind her. "Cause we've just received new information from Master Yen Sid. There is a list of Worlds to check out."
"How's the Keyblade training going?" asked Myed, looking at Isa. "Hope you're getting the hang of it!"
"Oh I am," Isa nodded, and conjured not a simple Keyblade, but one that turned into a large claymore immediately. "I'll be a Master before you master any music on that instrument of yours."
"There are more like me?" Strelitzia asked, looking at her brother. "What happened to them? My memories are fuzzy a bit."
"We'll tell you everything," Naminé assured her. "For now you'll have to stay here for a few days. But you'll be out of here before you know it, and you'll be up to speed by then," she promised.
- O - O - O - O - O -
"This way," said Xion, helping Roxas step onto the ledge. He was still wearing the blindfold, though the new eyes were already implanted. They were atop the clock tower of Twilight Town, where Lea was waiting for them. Hayner, Pence, and Olette were still working; they were saving up money for ingredients.
"Ah, Xion and Rixus!" Lea said with a grin, offering them both an ice cream. "Take a seat!"
"Stop calling me Rixus, Axel!" Roxas said, stabbing towards the man with his ice cream. "Should go find a doctor. You can't seem to get the names memorized."
"You two seem to be enjoying this game a lot," Xion said, grinning at her friends. "Is Isa coming home anytime soon?"
"Don't think so," Lea sighed. "But they should make it to the party next week."
"Party?" Roxas asked, seeming confused. Took a short while for Xion to remember as well, but it came back to her eventually.
"Oh, the one month celebration?" Xion asked. Really, it all did happen a whole month ago now! Time does fly. Well, can't say I'm bothered by it, she thought to herself. "That's nice to hear! Will the others attend as well?" She hoped they would. Ever since they parted ways in Starlight Valley after the battle, she hadn't seen any of them. It was getting just a tiny bit lonely without their company.
"Well, most of them," Lea replied, looking into the distance with a longing face. He must be missing them as well. We've barely heard anything about Isa since Skuld took him under her wing. "I heard Aqua managed to get Yen Sid and Merlin co-watch over the kids in the Land of Departure."
"That should make an interesting movie," Xion and Roxas noted in unison, making all three burst into laughter at the same time. They fell silent for a while afterwards, and watched the sky turn orange then dark, as the sun dived beneath the horizon in the distance.
"And, how's the leg?" Roxas asked.
"Glad you asked," Lea replied, moving his legs. Xion looked at him, and it really did improve a lot. And I'm glad to see you're getting better, she thought and recalled how depressed he was during the first weeks, when he couldn't even stand up on his own. "Getting way better. Few more weeks, and I'm back on track! I'll have to beg Skuld to take me with her as well."
"Don't think there's much begging to do," Xion smiled and Lea smiled back.
"Yeah, not a lot. And when can you take off your blindfold Rixus?"
"That's Roxas," the boy commented dryly. "I'll be able to see your ugly mug just in time for the celebration. Better do something with that ridiculous red hair by then!"
"Hey, that wasn't even funny!"
"Was so!"
"Rixus!"
"Axel!"
Xion laughed heartily at the two boy's banter. She wished, so they would be able to continue laughing and bantering forever, without anymore monsters trying to take over, or corrupt the world they lived in. We've had our fair share of ghosts these past years: evil organizations, ancient Keyblade Masters, criminal masterminds. It was fun for awhile, but I really hope we can just rest now. As she watched the boys slowly her smile faded, as she remembered the other three. We owe them so much. And in the end they were the ones to lose a piece of them. Sora, Kairi. I'm so sorry we couldn't help. And Riku…
- O - O - O - O - O -
The Door to Light led them back to the fields outside the temple. The ancient sanctuary crumbled but thankfully Skuld was standing outside. Kairi fell onto the ground, and a few seconds later Sora landed beside her, tears swelling in his eyes, his hands holding onto his own pendant.
"Riku!" Sora yelled painfully, as if trying to grab him, reaching out with his hands. Kairi turned to look at the Door, but could only see the boy's smile before it closed and vanished. Sora jumped up, and tried to summon his Keyblade, but it didn't come; and neither did the χ-blade.
"What happened?" Kairi asked, while Sora tried again and again, summoning the weapon. "Sora?"
"He's… gone," Sora said finally, his hands falling beside him. He looked up at her, his cheeks and eyes red, his hands trembling uncontrollably. "He's gone Kairi! Riku is… Riku is gone!"
"But how? Why? Sora, what's going on?"
"That attack," he said, exasperatedly. "It didn't just damage him… it killed him, Kairi! That damned monster killed him!"
And then, she couldn't remember much. She tried consoling the boy, while she herself broke down and cried uncontrollably. They hung onto each other sobbing, while the others watched from a few paces away in a dreadful, terrible silence.
All that had happened a month ago and Kairi was slowly getting used to life again. It wrecked her heart and she often found herself crying to sleep, because Riku was staying in Kingdom Hearts, and that could've meant only one thing. He's never coming back, she thought so many times, looking at the sky with a longing, hopeful expression, waiting for the moment when he would fall down and land in the water comically. But it never happened.
"Kairi!" she was roused from her daydreaming by Xion, who stood beside her with two glasses of juice in her hands. "Here, I've brought this for you!"
"Thank you," she smiled and accepted it, taking a quick sip and glancing sideways to Sora, who was sitting by the pier alone, watching the sea. He has been doing that ever since.
"This is lame," Vanitas said, crossing his arms behind his nape. "And here I thought you two would find a way to bring him back by now. Wanted to fight him!"
"Who didn't?" Roxas noted, similarly grim. "He owes me a fight."
The others nodded as well. Everyone were there: the Dandelions, the Keyblade Masters of the Land of Departure, the complete troupe from Twilight Town, even Mickey, Donald, and Goofy and Naminé hopped over to say hi. But the one-month anniversary party of their victory was somber and bittersweet.
"And here we even prepared a big present!" Olette said sadly. "Should we take it home?" she asked, looking at Hayner, and Pence, both of whom shrugged uncertainly. "Oh, we worked so hard on this!" she pouted.
"We'll taste it," Kairi said, smiling. "I'll go and get Sora. You all wait here."
The red-haired girl stood up, put down the glass and walked across the sand, while thinking about what she would say to the boy. Sora, I know you are hurting at the moment, but he did this for all of us. He had always fought, thinking about what he wanted to protect: you. And you can't let his sacrifice be in vain. Reaching the boy, she couldn't utter a single word. She sat down on the pier beside him and watched the distant sunset silently, listening to the gulls' shriek, to the waves' crashing, to the early autumn's whistling.
Sora's eyes were reddened. He had been crying again. Kairi had tried everything, but there weren't words that could've comforted the boy.
"Sora…" she began, glancing towards him. He wasn't paying attention to her, or didn't seem to. "I… I know you are hurting, but he did this—"
"What is that?" Sora looked up, eyes widened by surprise, pointing at something. It was like a shiny star, becoming larger and larger, until it was large enough to be recognized not as a simple star, but an object; a door.
Something fell through, and landed in the water, in the most comical way, Kairi could've imagined. For a moment, no one moved. But then, a long silver mane broke through the water surface, revealing the cerulean pair of eyes, and that cocky know-it-all smile.
"Riku," Sora whined painfully, reaching forward and falling into the water. Kairi gasped, and felt her heart skipping a beat. She too couldn't believe her eyes. Was it a mirage? Was it a lie?
Sora and Riku looked at each other, and for a second neither of them moved. And then someone yelled in the background "Get a room!" It was Vanitas. And Kairi started crying and laughing, and the two boys darted towards each other.
Halfway point they met, when Sora lunged forward and grabbed onto Riku, pulling him into the water and kissing him… properly this time.
"A room!" Vanitas yelled, only to be nudged between the ribs by Ven and Roxas from the two sides.
They stayed there for minutes, wrestling above and under the water, exchanging kisses and curses, and threats, and jokes, and even more kisses. But then the water got cold and they pulled themselves ashore, where Riku was torn from Sora's arms and handed from person to person to be congratulated and welcomed back. And finally, he reached the last person, Kairi, who pulled him into a hug. "Welcome back," she whispered happily.
"I'm home," he said, smiling at the girl. "We're all home."
"How did you do this?" Vanitas asked curiously, raising an eyebrow. "Even that old baldie couldn't escape death."
"I gave Kingdom Hearts some things in exchange."
"Like what?" Sora asked, surprised.
"My Keyblade." he replied, smiling at the spiky haired boy.
"What?" several eyes widened, hearing the sudden declaration.
"Does that mean that neither you, nor Sora can use a Keyblade anymore?" Roxas asked, completely shocked.
"Yup," Riku nodded with a smile. "But that's alright. We don't need those anymore. Our friends are our power."
"And we have Kairi to protect us, right?" Sora added with a grin.
"You've got it!" she winked at him and high-fived with both boys.
"Well, I've gotta say this was a lot of adventure and unexpected turn of events for me," Lea shook his head, conjuring his own Keyblade "But if you decided to give the weapons back, I'll take over for you as Master Keyblade Wielder. After all, the Realm needs its heroes, right?" he declared with a grin and nudged Isa on the arm.
"You'll never be a Master Keyblade Wielder," Isa claimed with a small smile, conjuring his full-fledged Claymore. "You're not putting enough effort in it."
"Oh yeah? Wanna trade blows?"
"Bring it on!" Isa retorted and the two were at it.
"Some people are just too energetic," Myed shook his head and continued playing the sitar. "I think I should retire as well. Anyone wants a Keyblade?"
"You haven't even used it!" Elrena barked with laughter. "Can't retire anywhere further than this. How did you even make the cut?"
Lauriam rolled his eyes, but smiled at his little sister and Naminé as the other Dandelions continued to poke on one another. Skuld watched them from a little further away, though her eye also lingered on the distant stars. Kairi stepped over to her. "Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Yeah. We're still looking for them. But we'll find them, I know we will."
"We'll help you search for them!" Sora offered, stepping before her. His hands were crossed between his nape and he was leaning against Riku. "Riku, and Kairi, and me! We're good at finding lost people, right?"
"Yeah," Riku and Kairi nodded with a smile.
"Thank you all," she said smiling. "But you guys take a break. You've earned it. I think, this is something we Dandelions have to figure out for ourselves now."
"Well if you need a capable version of Ventus to help you, you always count on me," Vanitas said and winked at her, earning several eye-rolls at the same time. "What?!"
"HEY GUYS!" Hayner, Pence and Olette yelled, hurrying over to them. "We've made a special something for you all!"
"We've trained a lot for this, so better appreciate it!" Hayner warned them. "And it cost us a fortune!"
"Well, now I'm intrigued," Lauriam said, walking over to them, followed by Strelitzia, Elrena, Skuld, and Myed.
"Let's take a look," Aqua said to the others, and she walked the distance holding hands with Terra, and followed by Ventus and Vanitas beside each other.
Xion, Roxas, Lea, and Isa hurried over so they wouldn't miss the big surprise as well. Red and blue were panting and full of sand, but laughing when they saw whatever the trio had cooked up for them.
Mickey, Donald, and Goofy gasped as well pleasantly, and beckoned the trio to join the group. "Hurry Sora, or you'll miss it!" Donald taunted him, grinning.
"Am not!" Sora said, and pulled his friends with him, holding both their hands. "What is it? Whoah, a tart! What flavor?"
"Have you all heard of this special fruit called Paopu?" Olette grinned.
"We've read it has this special power," Pence noted. "Those who share one, they will remain a part of each other's lives forever."
"Well the original tale specified two people," Hayner added. "But we thought we could find a workaround, so we used a whole lot! This way everyone can share with everyone!"
"So, who would like one?" Olette asked, and of course everyone raised their hands enthusiastically. The trio handed them out on small plates and everyone found a nice cozy spot around their little camp fire. Kairi sat down beside Riku and Sora. It had been so long since they were able to sit down like that, no worries in sight, no impending danger or assured demise; just the three of them, their friends around them, and the beautiful endless sea in front of them.
"Ready you two?" she asked, smiling at them.
"Always," Sora grinned, pulling Riku in for a kiss.
"How could I imagine a world without you two in it?" Riku laughed, pulling away playfully, and hugging them both with one-one arm.
"Right?" Kairi agreed, and she really did. There was no world without those two boys in it; without all three of them mischievous kids in it.
THE END