alright everyone! here it is! buckle up, because here we go!
Kairi
When she stepped out of the black portal, Kairi took a look around. Rain had recently fallen, the moisture hung heavy in the air. It was dark and there were lightened buildings all around. She felt so small compared to the monoliths.
so this is what it's like to be in a dream. Hold on, Sora. Riku and I are coming for you.
Kairi took a few steps forward, unsure of where to go. She was all alone. There weren't even any people on the street to talk to for directions. But then again, this wasn't some new world. It was Riku's subconscious.
As she walked down the road, she too formed the distinct impression that she was being watched, but she wasn't sure where it was coming from. The lights reflecting off the wet streets made it difficult to see the rooftops, besides the dark blanket that was the sky. At least the stars looked the same.
Further down the road, Kairi saw a young man who looked almost identical to Riku, except he had black hair. He was falling downward and used a barrier spell to brace himself at the landing, bouncing a couple of times before stopping close to Kairi. The man looked at her with his red and blue eyes, sizing her up. When it appeared he was done he turned and gave a small huff.
"Not who I thought."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kairi yelled.
He started to walk away, so naturally Kairi couldn't help but follow him. He walked slowly enough that she could keep pace, but not so slowly that following him was easy. The streets twisted and turned until they reached a small intersection where the buildings were less densely packed together. Kairi didn't think they had been walking for that long, but the cityscape behind her begged otherwise.
"Who are you?" Kairi called ahead. "Please. I need help finding Sora."
He turned and stopped at that. "You're looking for...Sora?"
"Yes." Kairi bent over to catch her breath. "He's very important to me."
The young man clenched his fists. "So am I. But it sounds like they're not the same person."
"Would you like some help?"
"No. Outside of Aegis and Magia, I work alone. Go back to where you came from."
"Please. You've been appearing in my friend's dreams. We were hoping you might know something about where Sora is."
He closed his eyes and breathed out a sigh. When he opened his eyes and looked to the stars. "You sure have an odd sense of humor, Joshua."
"Wait, you know Joshua?"
"Unfortunately."
Desperation rose in Kairi's chest. Chirithy had said that Joshua wanted Sora for a game. Which meant that he was supposed to come to….Riku's dream? No, wait, that part didn't matter. Joshua wanted Sora as part of a game of some sorts. And this guy knew Joshua. So maybe there was something Kairi could do in Sora's place. It wouldn't bring Sora home, but it might get her closer to Joshua.
"Look. This place isn't what you think it is. You said I've been appearing in your friend's dreams, right? Well Joshua said this was sort of a hub world for dreams. So if you die here, you won't be finding anyone." The stranger explained.
"All the more reason to work together. I know I'm not the strongest choice but-"
"Not interested unless your name is Namine." He cut her off.
"Namine?" Kairi's eyes opened wide.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned most of his weight onto one foot. If Kairi were honest, he looked like he was tired of having to explain himself. But he wanted to find Namine for some reason. How? Why? They didn't even know where she was at the moment. What were the odds it was their Namine anyway?
"Yeah. Given by your response you aren't her. Should have known." He looked over Kairi's head to scan the area. "I was supposed to be game partners with Sora. But something changed. So after a while, Joshua told me my new partner was this Namine girl. He said chances were good she'd show up in your friend's dream."
Kairi giggled a little at that. While Namine resided in her heart, there would always be a warmth and a smile that came to her face involuntarily whenever Riku touched her hand she had noticed him staring for too long. Obviously there was more going on between them.
"That's a good bet, but we aren't sure where she is right now." Kairi sighed. "My name is Kairi. You never said what yours was."
"Of course it is."
Kairi stared at the stranger in confusion. So he knew her name? How much did this Joshua kid know, anyway?
"Look. I'm supposed to reassure you that you are good enough and Sora will come home."
Dumbfounded, Kairi placed her hand to her heart. She hadn't told anyone that she had been feeling like this except for Riku. But maybe that was coming through. This was his dream after all.
"I'm going to need to know your name before I can start trusting the things you say."
"It's Yozora."
"Like the night sky…" Kairi whispered.
Yozora smirked. In truth Kairi looked very similar to his Sora. He had hoped they were one and the same the instant he saw her. Despite her not being the girl he loved, she didn't seem like a bad person. He just didn't have time for this. He still had another challenge that needed to be done, and he couldn't do it on his own.
"Okay, I guess. Then I'm going back to the city. Maybe once you find Namine you'll be able to convince me that I'm not worthless."
"What will you do in the mean time?"
"Find Joshua. I need him to tell me where my Sora is."
Kairi knew she had simply referred to him as 'her Sora' to differentiate who she was talking about, but it had a certain ring to it that she just….*liked*. She was going to have to use that when they got home. Especially when that Haruhi was around. She saw how that girl had looked at Sora when they shared a microscope together.
"You aren't going to find him." Yozora interrupted her again.
"Huh?" Kairi turned.
"Joshua. He's not here. The only way we can see him is if I can find Namine and beat these last couple of challenges."
Kairi shook her head in disbelief. "The why did you lead me all the way out here?"
"I wasn't trying to lead you anywhere! I was trying to get away from you. How was I supposed to know that you were you?"
Maybe she could take being assured. She had been able to do so with her other friends. As long as Namine wasn't here, he wouldn't have to know. However, Kairi got the sense that this Joshua would be able to see right through her act. She just wanted to see Sora. At least then everything could go back to normal.
"Hey, do you see a beach over there, or is that just me?" Yozora looked toward the horizon.
"Well, you did say this is the hub world for dreams closest to Riku." Kairi mused. "Oh! And Ienzo said something about dreams and the heart being connected. Maybe that's Riku's heart?"
"Would Namine be there?"
"There is a possibility."
Yozora simply began walking toward the horizon, a determined look on his face. Kairi followed after him, doing her best to catch up. He refused to look at her or even acknowledge her. So this must have been how Namine felt in Castle Oblivion. She had heard Riku talking about it every so often before Namine got her replica, but any details he had given were sparse and hurried.
The sound of the waves hit Kairi before the scents or the heat did. Her heart ached for her home. They hadn't been gone too long on this trip comparatively, but it still felt like forever. Part of her questioned if Sora or Riku had ever felt this longing for the play island when they were on their own quests. They were always itching to leave and see what was out there. Did they ever think about home? The people they had left behind? She shook her head. Now was not the time for this.
"What...is this place?" Yozora stopped as he stepped onto the soft sand. They could still see the world with the cityscape, but it was far behind.
"Home." Kairi smiled faintly.
"Aren't you a little pale to be from an island?"
"First of all, rude. Second, I wasn't born here. But it's home alright. Look!"
Pointing over to the paopu tree, Kairi noticed a petite form sitting in the spot she normally took when she, Riku and Sora hung out at the tree. She let out a gasp.
"Namine!"
The figure jolted and nearly fell off the tree when Kairi called her name. She turned and saw the two standing on the beach with a black as night area behind them that hadn't been there before. It was Kairi and...Riku? No, he was similar, but not him.
"That's Namine?" Yozora crossed his arms as soon as he saw the white-robed witch coming towards them from the tree. "This might be harder than I expected."
"She's stronger than she looks." Kairi defended. "A lot of us are."
"Kairi, what are you doing here?" Namine hugged her sister.
"No time for pleasantries. We have to get going." Yozora grabbed Namine's hand and pulled her back toward the cityscape.
Kairi followed behind,explaining everything to Namine, although she couldn't tell her what the game was or why they had chosen to be game partners. Yozora stopped her and held Namine's hand up to her face.
"Do you see that?" Yozora asked, showing Namine the timer that was moving down ever so slowly.
"Y-yeah. I was wondering what it was."
"You only have this long until you die. Permanently."
"Die?!?" Kairi gasped.
"Yeah. You already died once. That's why you're in the game. We're fighting to get our lives back. I gave up the way I used to look and my ability to go home."
"Did you have to give up anything, Namine?" Kairi gasped.
"I...well, I spoke to a blond boy. Everything makes sense now."
Namine placed her hands behind her back. But it didn't make any sense. Namine hadn't died. She just got kicked out of her body. Was that the same thing? Even was almost done with her replica though, so this game shouldn't even be necessary. Kairi needed to let Namine know.
"I don't get it. Even is in the middle of making you a new replica. How does that qualify you as being dead?"
"The blond boy said something about that. He said because my heart has been attached to someone else's for so long, it sort of...falls in between. You were fine to be tied to Sora's heart for so long because you were pure. You became his guiding light. Ven, too. But I'm neither wholly yours nor Sora's like Roxas or Xion. So your heart tried to wash me out the whole time I was there."
"Nami, I'm sorry." Kairi whispered. "I'm glad you were safe in Riku's heart."
"So that's why it felt so familiar." A faint smile hid on Namine's lips.
"We found Namine. Let's get Kairi figured out so we can finish the last trial." Yozora interrupted.
"Namine, you have to assure me that everything is going to be okay, or something. Then we can move on."
Namine paused and shook her head, taking Kairi's hands. "You don't need assurance that everything is going to be alright. You know that already. But you do need to know that what happened is not your fault and that Sora loves you very much."
Kairi gulped. Figures that Namine would be able to see right through her. After all, the former nobody had been born of Sora and Kairi's hearts merging. Kairi had occasionally wondered how many of her memories Namine had looked at. She knew that every single memory of Sora's had been scoured to completely erase the redhead- and then put her back again.
"I'll be over there." Yozora stated before going just out of earshot.
"I don't-" Kairi began to argue.
"I know it's been hard for you. Sora keeps leaving and you can't help but wonder if it's because you aren't enough." Namine squeezed Kairi's hands again. "Sora's ability to connect hearts is astounding, but there are so many parts of his own that he's only just now started exploring. Give him time. When this is all over-the book of prophecies, the new princesses of heart, everything is over, I know you two will get the chance to really connect the way you should."
"Yeah."
"Until then, take your mistakes with a grain of salt and try to be better. No one is blaming you. It's about time you join them."
Kairi pulled her hands out of Namine's to wipe away a tear. She smiled and nodded. Perhaps- no, Namine was right. She had been beating herself up for too long. It was time for Kairi to throw herself into saving Sora. She didn't have time or energy to waste feeling pity for herself.
"It'll take some time, but I'd like to try my best." Kairi agreed. "For Sora."
Namine let go of Kairi's hands and they walked to where Yozora was standing, fiddling about on his phone. He had seen a new mission from Joshua that read as one cryptic line: head to the city and make it quick. There was a timer for 20 minutes on the message.
"I can't run that fast. Especially with all of the monsters that are in that part of the city." Yozora growled.
"That's why you have me." Namine summoned her staff. "It might be a tight fit, but I think I can use a wind spell to propel us to the city."
"Wha-?"
Yozora didn't even get a chance to finish what he was trying to say. Namine held her staff behind them going across the backs of their legs and cast the wind spell. The staff hovered quickly over the land, Kairi and Namine sitting on the staff's handle. By some miracle, Yozora had caught hold of it before they flew off and cast a wind spell of his own under his feet so as to keep up as he held on.
They made it back to the city in record time, and before many of the monsters could catch up. From the tops of one of the buildings descended a too-skinny boy with messy blond hair and a purple shirt. He had a smirk on his face similar to the one Riku wore when he was younger and had just beaten Sora in a battle.
"So, you figured something out. Way to go."
"Are you...Joshua?" Kairi stepped forward, despite being a little shaky from the ride.
"Depends on who's asking. And I'm the one who does the asking around here." Joshua replied. "Did you bring what I asked for?"
"Yeah, no help from that partner of mine." Yozora shrugged as he handed over a small box. "Found it near some hole in Olympus."
"Excellent." Joshua smirked. "Now, your Sora, Yozora, is with your driver. Turns out he's an excellent bodyguard, too. Kairi, your Sora is in the datascape."
"Can you send me to him?" Kairi pled.
"That's the plan. But there's a catch. I need you both to do one more thing for me."
"Anything." Kairi affirmed.
"I need you to kill the guy they call Luxu. And none of this letting him pretend he's dead stuff."
Kill? They never had to kill anyone before. Practically everyone they've ever had to vanquish was a nobody or a heartless. They didn't really die. Even Xehanort kind of...vanished with Terra, Aqua and Ven's master. But they had to do what they had to do. Yozora simply nodded and folded his arms. With a snap of his fingers, Joshua sent Yozora away and Namine melded into a heart, floating back into Kairi.
"The datascape is in the highest portion of Ansem's castle. I suggest you hurry."
Kairi summoned her keyblade and held it out into the air. Another dark corridor appeared and she walked through, more confident this time. When she arrived back in the lab, Riku was just waking up.
"I have great news! I found both Sora and Namine!" Kairi announced.
"What? Where are they?" Riku rubbed an eye as Ienzo took out his IV.
"Namine is back with me. We need that replica now."
"I've got it, I've got it." Even walked in, carrying two replicas. One was slung over his back and the other under his arm. "I happened to have enough to make two of them, but this one is for Lauriam. Also, that pink-haired nuisance needs to see you, Kairi."
"No time. Namine and I need to get to the datascape. Can you help her out, Riku?"
Riku was caught off guard for a minute at the way Kairi had taken charge. He hadn't seen her act like this in a while. There was a glimmer of hope that she was back to her old self again. It looked like Sora was able to help her, even without physically being there. He quickly called forth braveheart and took aim.
Just as it had happened last time with Sora, Namine's heart glowed as it exited Kairi's chest and floated into the replica Even was holding. He clearly was not prepared for what came next, because he nearly dropped her from his grasp.
"The heart couldn't have gone to the one on my shoulder, of course." Even rolled his eyes. "Welcome back, Namine."
"Are we in the datascape?" Namine asked, standing up. "I wonder how the data versions of everyone are doing."
"Not yet." Riku smiled in relief. "I'm glad you're home. Where were you, anyway?"
"Your heart."
This left Riku speechless. She had been so close the whole time. A blush filled his face as Kairi cleared her throat. She pointed up and playfully stuck out her tongue.
"Sorry Riku. I have to take your girlfriend away for just a little bit longer."
Kairi grabbed a confused Namine's hand and led her up to Ansem's castle as Riku was babbling. He was trying to say something more than an objection, but he simply couldn't.
They flew up several flights of stairs before they were in the tip tower. Kairi hoped that they weren't in the wrong wing, as that was way more of an exercise than she could have expected. They needed lifts like Hollow Bastion had. There was the sound of discussion coming from one of the rooms, which thankfully proved to be Lauriam, Elrena and Ansem the wise.
"Well, if it isn't the princess herself." Lauriam smirked. "To think you were right there all along."
"Princess? You realize princess of heart is just a title, right?"
"I am afraid that's not quite what he meant, Kairi. Please, sit down. We have received word from Ienzo that Roxas and Xion are bringing back an injured Lea and Isa. Terra and Aqua's search proved fruitless as well and are soon to be in our midst again." Ansem gestured to a pair of chairs, which Kairi and Namine gratefully took.
"If you weren't referring to my status as a princess of heart, what did you mean?" Kairi asked carefully.
"Your memories were suppressed of your time here in Radiant Garden. But I knew you and how you survived the fall." Ansem looked Kairi directly in the eyes. "You were usually out enjoying all of the flowers that grow around here."
"You...did?" Kairi folded her hands in her lap and squeezed them together.
"Yes. Your grandmother was a friend of mine and frequented the castle whenever she came to visit Rinoa or I. You would tag along, usually carrying some kind of flower
"What happened?"
"I happened to be walking in the courtyard once when you were playing. Seemingly out of nowhere a bright light shone from you, and out popped a girl about 14 or 15, wearing pink and white robes. Her face held some sort ofI mask, although I didn't get a good look. She spoke to you and then held out her hand to you."
"Ava."
"So you know her."
"Briefly. Keep going."
"As you reached out, the girl split into two. One was her regular self and the other a shadow; a perfect copy in darkness." Ansem sighed. "I called Braig over, as he was the only guard around me, but instead of going to protect you, he began talking to the shadow of the girl. Her original form used a keyblade to make a portal, and before I knew it, you were gone."
"So Ava is the one who suppressed your memory?" Namine asked.
"Sounds about right. We found out she did something similar to those of us who survived the keyblade war. It's probably where you got your power from, Namine." Lauriam noted.
"You were the light of our world. You helped keep the darkness at bay. With your light missing, it was only a matter of time and inner treachery from Xehanort before our world fell." Ansem finished.
Kairi squeezed her hands once again. It was all so hard to take in. So this Braig had been the reason that she had ended up on destiny islands. So many emotions were swimming through her mind. What about her parents? Had her grandmother been restored? Tears were falling from her eyes, despite the fact that she still didn't know what to think.
Namine and Riku wrapped their arms around her, squeezing her in between them. Her shoulders began to involuntarily shake, and she kept her eyes trained to a spot on the floor. She let them hold her, glad to have some security in this time of deep uncertainty. Now if only Sora could be with them, life would be better.
As she thought about what she had been told, she felt almost as if there were a voice on the wind. The voice was warm, calm and soft. It was Sora's.
wherever you go, I'm always with you.
Her heart took courage at his vote of assurance and softly pushed out of the embrace. It didn't matter if the voice was really Sora's or not. Their destinies were intertwined. They were going to be bound to one another, no matter what.
"Before we continue forward, there is something I need you to do, Kairi. There is a particular safe that is in my office. No one has been able to open it, as it required a heart of pure light. I do not know what is inside it, but perhaps it may be useful in your plight."
Ansem led them down the hall and toward one of the staircases. Kairi inwardly groaned as she realized they'd have to walk all the way down the very stairs she and Namine had worked to get up just a short time ago. Thankfully though, they turned at the last moment and entered another room where a large desk was in front of a blank corkboard. From what it looked like, pins that had been stuck in one space for a very long time had recently been taken down. Kairi swore she could still see the outlined of the hanging papers.
"Here it is. All that is needed is a hand print."
Kairi nodded and complied. She placed her hand on the indicated spot and watched as a small green light flashed under her hand. There was a small *click* noise before the chest vibrated and began to open. She had never seen technology like that at home. They were just now starting to catch up with many of the other worlds.
Inside lay a pile of six books bound in white and gold. Kairi nearly dared not to touch them. They looked so pristine. If she didn't know any better, she'd say they were brand new.
"So… are we going to read the enemies into submission?" Riku raised an eyebrow.
"No way...is that-" Elrena whispered.
"These look just like the books of prophecies." Lauriam finished. "Well, not quite, but close enough."
"Wait, there's more than one?" Kairi hurriedly asked.
"Yeah. Each of the foretellers got one. Don't you remember about what Skuld was saying about the unions? I was a unicornis under Ira." Elrena replied.
"That's right. Do you think we should take a peek? You know, to see what's coming up?" Kairi felt the soft leather binding of the book closest to her.
"I don't know. I mean, can the future be changed at all? Maybe we ought to check with Merlin to find out about time travel magic." Namine asked.
"Of course it can be changed. We brought you Xion and Roxas back, didn't we? There's gotta be some kind of magic that's writing the book as things happen." Riku countered.
"What we need is a plan of attack." Kairi reminded. "Namine and I are going into the datascape. How about you go check with Merlin, Riku?"
"Sure. Be safe, you two. Bring Sora home soon, okay?"
"We will."
"And Namine-" Riku placed his hands in his pockets. "I'll see you soon."
She held out her pinky for him to wrap his finger around hers. He shyly held his hand up, extending the pinky while he did so. With a smile, she completed the promise.
Kairi and Namine stood aside and Ansem completed the necessary keystrokes to send the two to the datascape. In the light that lingered from the laser emerged a large group of people.
"We got a special delivery and heard you guys might be up here" Ven waved.
"The other princesses. But there are only three of them." Lauriam noted.
"There were two lights here. We thought it best to check it out." Lourd added.
"Looks like one of them was Kairi. Where's the other princess?" Ven asked.
"Other princess? You got us." Elrena folded her arms.
"Its coming from the computer." Skuld pointed to the screen.
They didn't have a chance to see what was coming through. The tower shook with a trembling that hadn't been felt since the world fell. Lauriam raced to the window and looked out.
"It's Xigbar. And it looks like he brought some friends."