AN: All fanart has been completed. Please google DeviantArt TheSnowDrifter for the Vale concept art, if it isn't on the front page you can go to my gallery folder InuNaruConanTitanOC for Vale's concept. It is mediocre but I tried my best. Thank you FluffleStar for your review/kudos and the guest kudos on AO3, and SuperSaiyanFever and fixbe2798 on ffnet for your reviews. Please R&R!
And I stood battered, but more wise/Fighting to accelerate
Shaking free from crippling weight/With resilience unsurpassed
I clawed my way to You at last/And on my knees, I wept at Your feet
I finally believed, that You still loved me
-Five Iron Frenzy, On Distant Shores
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To Ruki, Ava gave a new black choker that was studded with a silver disk, an ombre pink star in the shape of the Island's thalassa charm embossed upon it. Warm to the touch and imbued with protective magic.
To Vale she gave a belt buckle, the same shape and protective Magics woven into its smooth metal surface.
To Aeros, a necklace with a thick braided chain, a thick charm hung upon it in the same shape and design as the other two.
The three looked at their gifts in wonder, unsure of their significance but grateful all the same.
For Sora, a small box was given to Aeros for safekeeping, a thalassa charm dyed in blue with a small metal charm fastened in its center. The shape of it reminded him of a heart placed upon the top of a starburst. Ava called it a Master's Mark.
Another box was given, in it, a note was buried under a silver crown necklace. Its chain thick enough to survive any battle.
Every day that passed brought joy and grief in equal measure. Each day she watched Sora grow, and every night she lamented the life she would miss. Aeros, Ruki, and Vale were a constant, Riku quickly becoming Sora's beloved companion.
And then the day quickly approached, October 3rd came upon them like a tempest.
Ava returned to her home from a round of chores, Aeros, Ruki, and Vale at the table as they turned to curiously greet her.
A boy sat on the floor, laughing and playing with Sora, his silver white hair swirled on his head as a ghost from the past looked up to her with bright aqua eyes, "Master Ava!" His familiar red scarf, black cropped jacket, white button down shirt, large belted pack, and loose dark grey studded pants were a sight for sore eyes.
It was as if a bright Light had entered the room and erased the encroaching gloom around her. She was left completely paralysed in confusion as her Chirithy appeared, "It's been so long!"
Another Chirithy appeared and waved, "Hello, Chirithy!"
Her's lifted its paws and met the other in greeting, "Hello, Chirithy!" the two identical Dream Eaters giggled, her's joyous to finally reunite with another of its kind.
Ava carefully set down her groceries on the entrance floor, dazedly walking over to her concerned guest as her friends watched in bewildered wonder. She slowly sank to her knees as her hands trembled and almost caressed her friend's face. "...Ephemer?"
He smiled warmly as he gazed into her eyes through her Fox mask, "Master Ava. It's been… a long time." His eyes shone with a more mature light, as the trials of whatever had befell him and her chosen after that horrible War weighed upon his shoulders.
Ava breathed, before hugging him in her shock, startling Ephemer in the sudden show of affection. He sighed as if chiding her as he lightly hugged her back, "You always seem upset whenever I see you." He carefully pulled her away from himself as he looked her over, "A lot's happened since you've gone."
The Foreteller sat back heavily on her legs, Ruki breaking the moment as she waltzed over and plopped herself down next to Sora, smiling as the 26 week old infant looked up to her with bright blue eyes. "So what's your story, stranger? You said you were here to see Sora, but it looks like you're familiar with Ava, too!"
Ephemer blushed as he rubbed the back on his head, abashed as he looked back towards the infant in front of him, "Uh, well, yeah." He scratched at his cheek as he quickly glanced at Ava, "I came to make a Connection."
Ava frowned as Ruki quirked a brow in confusion. Aeros silently moved behind Ava and sat in the chair behind her, his protective presence at her back was comforting as he asked, "A Connection?"
Ephemer nodded before carefully picking Sora up and holding him in his lap, a warm expression on his face, "Our journeys were meant to collect Light for the Future, right, Master Ava?"
She twitched before nodding, "Y-yes. It was."
The silver haired Union Leader nodded, "I studied the Book you left behind. A lot of stuff happened… but… reading that final Passage, I knew something had to be done."
Ephemer took a breath, "Daybreak Town… Broke." His voice wavered as a deep frown set on his face, "We were sent ahead… and… I have made it my Duty to help in whatever way possible… Whenever it is that the Second Keyblade War happens."
A chill sped down Ava's spine as she recalled the image of her broken son, "Ephemer-"
"Sora's connected to it. I don't know how… but… he has a very unique Gift. He can make Unbreakable Connections with Everyone he meets… So… Here I am." Ephemer looked at Ava solemnly, "I'm going to be the Light that he needs in that moment of Darkness and Despair."
The young Union Leader looked back down at the infant in his arms, continuing as he ignored the growing tension, "It's the least I could do, after all the help he gave all of us in the Past."
Ava stared at her friend in growing comprehension as Vale questioned, "How could Sora have helped you in the Past?"
"The Medals."
They all turned and looked at Aeros as he stared dulley at his son, "The Medals that I care for… that are preserved with the Starlight Keyblade in the back of the Library… they have faded images on them, but once, when I was younger… I thought I saw a boy's face that looked similar to mine depicted on one of them." He looked at Ruki, "Another one kind of reminded me of you, too."
Ephemer tilted his head as he looked down at Sora once more, "Well. I know there's a strong resemblance, but he definitely has Master Ava's face."
The group couldn't help but be baffled by his statement. Ava tilted her head in slight confusion, "Why do you say that?"
Ephemer grinned broadly as he looked back to her, "Well, he has your chin, of course!" He laughed, "I might never've seen your face, but I could recognize your chin anywhere!"
Ava flushed as she looked down at her son, "O-oh…"
Ephemer laughed lightly, "I was so surprised! I didn't totally make the connection at first when I followed my Heart here to meet him, but then you showed up and I knew instantly! This kid is Master Ava's son!"
Ava bowed her head, a warm feeling in her chest despite the grim future that was being spoken of, "So… The medals had pictures… of my own son on them. Of Sora."
Ephemer glanced at the toddler that had patiently been watching them, "Riku too."
Ruki jolted, "Riku?!" She looked at her son's bright aqua-green eyes, a strange feeling settling on her chest, "You've… seen him too?"
Ephemer looked around them before meeting Aeros's eyes for a long moment. He nodded before carefully placing Sora back onto the floor on his mat next to Riku, as he carefully extended his arm. A flash of light and sparkles announced the appearance of his more advanced Starlight Keyblade.
Aeros gasped, slowly rising from his chair before settling next to Ava, almost reaching out to it as he took in its bright and more complex form. The hand guard he was so familiar with was a vibrant purple topped with an almost silver and purple winged gold and purple-gemmed star at its top, the shaft a living gold, a chess-like staff piece near its tip as a gold fleur-de-lis struck through it as its blade tip was finished with a silver and gold starburst, a purple gem encrusted in it. The very tip of the blade had a silver crescent moon, and its keychain was a mix of silver and gold links, another gold and purple gem-encrusted star at its end surrounded by an aqua starburst.
It was beautiful.
Ephemer couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed with the attention and wonder on Aeros's face as he took in his Keyblade. He dug into his pouch and pulled out a bright gold Medal and carefully handed it to the other. Aeros gingerly took it and examined its face, the image of Ava herself as if attacking upon it with a bright blue background. Foxtrot +6 rang through his mind. He swallowed before handing the Medal back as he glanced at Ava who wore a curious frown. He looked at her a moment, "What is it?"
She moved her head to look at him, "I still can't see the images depicted."
Ephemer blinked, surprised with that bit of information before he frowned in contemplation, sending away his Starlight. "You know… I wonder if it was the same for Ven…"
Ava blinked, "...Ventus?"
Ephemer stared at her a moment, a grim look on his face, "You.. did invite him to the Dandelions… didn't you..?"
She bowed her head, "I did… but… what does he have to do with anything?"
The silver haired boy bit his lip as he looked away uncomfortably, nervously grabbing and rubbing his shoulder in contemplation before shaking his head, "That's… not something I want to talk about right now."
His Chirithy came up beside him and patted him on the leg in comfort, its ears lowered in sadness, "Ephemer…"
The Union Leader shook his head, lifting his face with a smile plastered on, "Well. I've made my Connection to Sora… so it's time for me to move on." Carefully he stood as the four friends joined him. Ephemer's Chirithy turned to Ava's and waved sadly, "Goodbye, Chirithy. See you again soon."
"Goodbye Chirithy, have a safe journey."
Ephemer's Chirithy nodded as it disappeared with a pop, Ava's doing the same shortly thereafter. The Union Leader turned and grasped Ava's hands with a smile, "We'll meet again, and I'll do everything I can to help Sora and the others, when that Fated Day comes."
Ava nodded sadly, yet grateful her son would have more help than she could have ever begun to hope for, "Goodbye Ephemer."
"Good luck."
Ephemer went to the door and looked back at them all, mindful of the groceries that had been left behind and opened it. A bright Light entered the room instead of the landscape of their beloved Islands. He smiled back at them, "See you again."
And he was gone.
It was the darkest part of morning on October 5th that Ava carefully moved herself out from Aeros's warm embrace as he slept. A pervasive chill had begun to weigh heavy in her chest and she Knew.
The end had come.
She rubbed her chest, the grief making it even more difficult to breath as her limbs continued to chill.
Ava silently made her way to Sora's crib, lovingly staring down at her sleeping babe as she felt her grief run out. The warmth of tears stung her eyes, but none fell.
She swallowed thickly, taking a sharp breath before summoning Vulpes.
She took hold of his chubby little hand, wrapping it around the hilt of her Keyblade.
The Words stuck in her throat. She gasped softly so as to not disturb the still air.
She would Pray.
In this hand, take this Key.
Though the Tides of Darkness rise up to Claim you.
The Light I have, I share with you, to one day Hold.
No Mountain, No Valley, Nor Ocean Deep.
No Height Nor Depth Shall Cage you in this World's Borders.
I Will see you Again, my Dearly Beloved.
For you shall one day bear this Key
So long as you Champion the ones you Love.
Sora's body was enveloped with a soft white Glow.
It was Done.
Ava gently placed Sora's hand back onto his chest, not even the slightest bit disturbed by her touch as he continued sleeping. She gazed at him, memorizing the gentle feeling of his Light, his sleeping face. Holding close his joyous laughter and his sparkling blue eyes.
The cold dug like talons into her chest as she stepped back, choking as she clawed at her chest and dropped her Keyblade.
The attack ended, leaving her colder than ever. She took a breath to steady herself and fled the room, not able to bear closing the door behind her.
She returned to her room, Aeros still fast asleep as she quickly brushed her hair, braiding it swiftly with practiced speed. A gold band clasped at its bottom to hold it tight as she quickly dressed in her Foreteller robes. Once she had secured her capelet she turned, staring at her mask of the Fox.
She walked to it and stood at the edge of her bed, memorizing every detail of Aeros's face as he sighed.
Her Sleep spell had been too potent. He had no experience with status Magics, so he was oblivious and spared this terrible agony.
He would hate her for not letting him see her go.
Ava took in a deep, cleansing breath before letting it out. Pulling her final letter to him from the drawer of her nightstand she placed it down with trembling hands as she picked up her mask and secured it on her head. She raised her hood and turned, silently walking out of the room.
Chirithy's voice wavered in the back of her mind, Are you sure… this is how you want to say goodbye?
What choice did she have?
She walked towards the beach, the sky beginning to lighten as dawn approached with aching slowness.
Destiny Islands was still wrapped in Slumber.
One step, and then another as she began to walk on water, just as she had shortly after she'd arrived.
This was her final battle here, a battle with herself and her grief.
For all that she was leaving behind.
Her boots sunk into the sands of the Play Island, her Heart leading her to the place where everything started.
And soon End.
Ava gently brushed aside the vines and branches that blocked the entry of the Secret Place.
She came face to face with The Door as the first light of Dawn entered the quiet Cove.
The World faded away.