Alright, there is no way I'm letting you guys hang like that, so here's the next chapter!

Okay, I've got to admit it...Of the chapters in this story, so far, this one is my favorite. It made me feel so good after writing it. :)

Disclaimer: The Kingdom Hearts Franchise, Dragonball and all its incarnations, and Final Fantasy XV, their characters, settings, etc, belong to their respective creators. All original characters, settings, etc., belong to ME!

Chapter 20: Crownsguard

Hikari had become inconsolable to a point where Shin believed it would be best if she slept. Using his abilities, he placed her in a dream like state and right now she was currently resting within the trailer at Hammerhead. Max wasn't any better but he was doing his best to be strong for Hikari. He knew very well he would never see his father again after this and it was tearing him up inside. Shin was the only level headed one of their group at the moment.

"I think it would be best…" Shin had spoken to Max who had camped outside of the trailer on one of the plastic chairs. He had been like that for a few days now. "That we hold one of those ceremonies mortals do...when a loved one has left for the spiritual plane. It might help ease your pain...To officially let go of what has been lost."

"Yeah...You're right." Max leaned against his chair. "Shin...What's...gonna happen to me and Hikari? After this…"

"Well…" Shin gave a pause. "Seeing as that you are beings of light, this will probably damage your hearts to a point where your light will diminish greatly. I fear at some point, Hikari will no longer be able to wield the Keyblade. She will become a normal human child and you will most likely be normal as well." He stared at Max. "I can...permanently have you keep this form, if you wish it so Max...Perhaps it will also help you in your recovery."

"Yeah...I guess so…" He sat up, stared at the being. "What about you? Are you…" He gulped out the rest of the question. "Gonna leave us?"

His was a valid question. All Shin had to do to return home was for Hikari to use the Realm of Strength's key on the door of this realm, at least that was what Shin believed. Yet, would there even be a realm to go back to after this?

"I am a kai by birth…" He told Max. "I should return but...I can't leave such suffering alone." He smiled. "You, and Hikari...are my friends...I can't leave you here by yourselves. Not when I know I can help you."

Despite the situation, Max actually smiled though that smile wasn't as bright as it should be. Shin hoped that one day, the light would return in those black eyes of his. "Thanks...Shin…"

"Uh...Hey...Guys…"

Prompto's voice had the two look to find Noctis and his retinue staring at them. Max's sullen expression turned into a deep seeded glare.

"What the hell do you want, your royal pain in the butt?" Sheer anger was embedded into his gaze and his tone.

"Take it easy, we come in peace." Gladio didn't like Max's tone one bit but knew the guy was hurting right now.

Max snorted. "Yeah right…"

Noctis took Max's anger in stride. "Where's Hikari?"

Max rose from his seat. "Don't you EVEN mention her name!" He went towards Noctis but was blocked by both Gladio and Ignis. "Get the hell-"

"Your king has asked you a question." Gladio told him. "So answer it."

Max turned red.

"Like HELL that jerk is MY KING!" Max screamed out in sheer fury. "My father is going to DIE because of him! My HOME is going to die because of him! I have a right mind to-"

Shin placed a hand on Max's shoulder and the male instantly relaxed. He stared at Gladio.

"Why does the king wish to see Hikari?" Shin asked.

"He wants to give her a gift…" Ignis replied. "One I am sure she will greatly appreciate."

Shin paused for a moment then "snap" went his fingers.

"Please give her a moment, she has just woken up." He looked at Max. "Go and bring her out." Max gave him a glare. "Trust me."

Moving away from Shin, Max stormed into the trailer. A few seconds later he was leading out a harried looking Hikari.

"What's…" She took one look at the crowd then frowned. "I...Don't want…" She turned away from Noctis and his crew. "I...Don't want to see you right now...Can you just...Go away? Please?"

Noctis pushed forward to stand before Hikari. He produced the realm's keyblade in his hand and presented it to her.

"Take it."

Her eyes went wide. "What…?"

"You need it more than I do right now." He told her. "I don't think you'll have it permanently anyway...It'll come back to me when you're done…"

"But...But…" She stammered.

"Go ahead, Hikari." Ignis nodded. "Take it."

Stunned she reached for the Keyblade. Her hand wrapped around the handle, Noctis let go.

The Keyblade faded, returning to its owner, the King of Lucis...Noctis.

"I was afraid this would happen." Ignis stated. "She cannot hold the weapon because she is not of Lucian blood."

"So...It was hopeless from the beginning?" Prompto frowned.

"Not...Necessarily…" Ignis stated. "There might be another way…" He turned to Noctis. "This will be your first time but I believe it is necessary...Gladio and I know the procedure so it should not be too much trouble."

Noctis raised an eyebrow at the advisor. "What are you getting at?"

Gladio knew exactly what Ignis was planning and it was perfect. He smacked a hand on Noctis' shoulder.

"He means you're about to induct your first crownsguard." Gladio chuckled. "The youngest one to ever be inducted."

Noctis paused then turned to Hikari.

"What's...Going on here?" Now Max was confused.

"It is what I, Gladio, and Prompto are." Ignis told him. "Members of the crownsguard...Loyal soldiers to the king of Lucis." He stared at Max and Hikari. "And I believe becoming such is the only way you will be able to use our realm's key."

Max looked at Hikari. "Well…?"

She paused.

"I...Guess we don't have a choice...do we?"

They stood on the outskirts of Hammerhead, their band of seven. Noctis and his crew stood on one side while Hikari and her guys stood on the other.

"Now, do as I told you, Hikari." Ignis instructed and she stepped up to Noctis...and took a knee, bowing her head before the King of Lucis.

"Do you swear to serve king and country above all else?" It was Gladio that led the ceremony. "Do you swear to give your life to the king?"

"Upon the ancient kings of Lucis...I swear." She repeated what Ignis told her to say. "My life is yours to command...King Noctis Lucis Caelum."

"Then rise as an official member of the crownsguard." Ignis stated and Hikari rose. "As such, your king grants you your first weapon." He nodded to Noctis who presented the realm's keyblade to her.

"As King of Lucis, I grant you ownership of this blade." Noctis too had words to memorize. "Use it to smite the enemies of Lucis. For your king and country."

Hesitantly Hikari grasped the realm's keyblade and this time, as Noctis let go...The Keyblade did not vanish from her hand.

"Well...Looks like we've got the youngest member yet!" Prompto grinned, the atmosphere changing with his words. "This calls for a picture!"

Picture taken, Hikari held the keyblade to her chest. She would be able to save her family and friends now. She could feel hope returning.

"I...I…" Relief flooded her completely. "Thank you...Noct..I mean...Er...Your majesty."

Noctis lightly slapped a hand on her shoulder, smiled. "My friends call me Noct...And since you're like a sister to me, I'll have you also call me Noct. Got it?"

Chuckling she nodded. "Got it." She set her eyes on him. "I promise to hurry and return this to you. You've got my word."

"The word of a child of light is one that is trusted completely." Shin said.

"Good, then I'm not worried one bit." Noct replied. "What say we get Ignis to cook up a feast? We can find a way to get you guys heading out tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Max returned the positive vibes. "Let's get cooking!"

"A grand idea!" Ignis smiled. "I will whip up a fine dinner to celebrate our newest member's accomplishments."

That night was spent with good food and good friends. When morning came, the group returned to the gates of Insomnia but instead of heading into the city, they climbed up to the lookout, where the entire city could be seen. This is where Noctis' journey actually began...The day his city fell.

"You sure it's here?" Max asked Hikari.

"Well...Since the Keyblade wielder is Noctis, seems like the place where his journey began would be the right place...Like Gaara in the Realm of Self."

"We don't even know the name of this realm." Shin stated and Hikari smiled.

"I...Think I do…" She held out the keyblade to the open air.

"This...Is the Realm...of Responsibility."

Instantly a door appeared, one with silver markings and crest of the Lucil on its face. The crest morphed into a giant keyhole.

"You've got a duty to your people, Noct." Hikari spoke to the young king. "And I've got a duty to those that need my strength."

"If you need my help, I'll be waiting." Noct promised her. "We all will."

"Thanks." She said then pointed the Keyblade at the lock. The door faded, turning into a portal of pure light.

"Good luck!" Prompto called out.

"Thanks! You too!" Hikari shouted back then she, Shin, and Max entered the portal of light.

High atop a hillside a lone figure watched the small spectacle below.

"So...THAT was the key huh…" The man folded his arms. "Oh well…" A grin formed then. "Might as well let her do all the work for me…" The man fell to his knees, convulsed as a dark sphere melted from his body. The man plopped onto the ground as the orb took to the skies.

I'll be waiting, dear little light...In the next realm...Let's see...How much longer you can hold out...

Next Time: Separated