If Our Hearts Unite
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Chapter 34: Hello and Goodbye
Whilst her future self fought alongside Kairi, the present day Sora struggled to stand against the dark force that was Master Xehanort. His many years of experience, and knowledge of bending time and reality put her at a severe disadvantage… but she refused to back down. With Donald and Goofy at her side as they'd always been, she pushed against the old master's darkness with her light. Her friends and allies, a world away, were counting on her. Their faith in her strength, and the support of her two friends gave her the courage and the strength to match against Xehanort.
This… she thought as she glanced back at Donald and Goofy, the two nodding their heads in support… was why they would win. The three of them stood together; a unit of trust, courage, and hope, whilst Xehanort stood alone. He had no allies, no supporters, no friends… and she knew now, without a doubt, that they were stronger than him.
WIth one final push, the three of them unleashed a powerful blast of light, and defeated the master of darkness.
Xehanort, soundly defeated, struggled to remain on his feat. The X-Blade weighed heavily in his hand, and he struggled to hold it upright. His breathing became ragged and he glared at the young Keyblade wielder before collapsing to the ground.
"Why? How?"
"It's over now…" Sora cut a hand through the air, trying desperately to catch her breath. Her body ached all over from the aftermath of battle. She could still sense fight in him, but didn't know if she had the strength to carry on the fight were he to pick the blade back up again. She had to talk him down. "You've lost, Xehanort!"
"No… you are too late." He smirked at the girl. Sora gasped at this, and her eyes lifted up to Kingdom Hearts… she sensed power radiating off of it. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled and she could feel a bit of panic bubbling up in her throat.
"What's going to happen?"
"A purge…" He explained and slowly sat up on his knees. "The world will be returned from whence it started." He stabbed the blade into the floor using it to slowly regain his feet. "The world began in darkness, and from that darkness came light. From that light came the people, and the people had hearts." He wheezed out, closing his eyes as he put the picture of Eraqa and his son into his mind.
"Evil burgeoned those hearts… begetting more darkness." His voice trembled, the emotions he'd held back for years coming out in waves and he could not stop it. "The darkness spread through the world like a plague. The light, the symbol of the world's hope, was devoured by shadow. Leaving nothing but ruin… an utter failure." He shook his head and slowly raised it to meet Sora's eyes.
"But the first light… the light of Kingdom Hearts, it can give us a new start." He sighed out, picturing the bright and happy world so clearly in his head. He could hear Eraqa's sweet laughter, could see the joy and happiness on his son's face, and all the darkness inside his heart just melted away. Tears formed and spilled down his cheeks. "An empty world, pure and bright."
"Xehanort…" Sora could sense what was happening in his heart. Though she didn't know his reasons, or motivations, she could sense the pain in his heart… and the strange sense of relief knowing it would soon all be over. "It wasn't your decision to make."
"Then whose was it?" He sneered at her, using his last bit of strength to pull himself up and take the X-blade back in hand. "Someone had to stand up and lead. The World needs someone strong to prevent the week from polluting the world with their endless darkness. Someone to dictate their destiny."
"Even if that were true…" Sora lifted her chin up, bold and proud. "You're not that person, Xehanort. A real leader knows that destiny is beyond his control…" She straightened her shoulders, and clenched her fists. "...and accepts that!"
Xehanort grunted at the girl, his eyes narrowing and meeting her cool and unwavering gaze. He got a quick flash of the past… his Eraqa, standing tall and strong. Why was it that when he looked into this girl's eyes, did he see her there? Grief and humility swamped him and he lowered his head with a small laugh.
"You make me think of an old friend…" He sighed and met those eyes again. Oh well, what's done was done. He'd come too far, and sacrificed far too much to turn back. He would have his pure world… and could only pray that somehow he and his family could-
"Look!" Goofy shouted suddenly, cutting off his thoughts. From the sky a portal opened, and lights scattered down landing in a brilliant display. Sora's friends, the guardians of light, all stood before them safe and reunited. Thanks to Sora's future self, and the rejuvenated Kairi, Kingdom Hearts was closing, and the worlds were safe once again.
"They made it!" Donald shouted.
"Riku!" Sora hugged him as he picked her up and swung her around. "You're all here! How?"
"Kingdom Hearts is closing on the other side… but we followed our hearts to you." He gave her one last squeeze and then turned to face Xehanort. The others followed his example, the group standing as one against him.
"Master Xehanort…" Terra murmured and took a step towards him. He felt Venus grab his hand, and he gave a brief smile and nod of assurance. Calmly, he stepped up to Xehanort and squared up against him.
Xehanort met the young man's gaze. There was no malice, no hatred, not even vengeance… but instead a look of disapproval, that quickly melted away into a kind of smug satisfaction.
"There's more to light then meets the eye… As I told you." Terra's choice words made Xehanort's heart shake, and the surprise on his face turned to sheer baffled amusement.
"You sly vixen…"
Terra's body glowed, and from him Eraqa stepped out looking as strong and beautiful as she'd always been.
"Mistress Eraqa!" Ven gasped holding her mouth, both she and Aqua were left stunned speechless.
Eraqa didn't look back at her students, instead she extended her hand to Xehanort, the smugness reverting to the look of disapproval once more.
"Now hand over the X-blade, Xehanort." She and Terra spoke together, their minds and hearts still tethered to each other.
"It is too late!" Xehanort told her, refusing to back down.
"Perhaps for us, but not for them." She glanced back at her students, and the other guardians. "It is time we left the destiny and future of the worlds in their hands. They've more than proven themselves capable."
"No…" Xehanort raised the X-blade, stubborn to the end. "I can do this. I can give-"
"Xeha…" Eraqa's eyes filled with sorrow and regret. "We've spent far too much time letting fear and regret dictate our lives… enough is enough." She stepped to him and lay her hand over his. Xehanort looked at her hands, then into her eyes. Love filled him up as her smile came slow, and just a little smug. "Checkmate."
"You and your sneaky tricks…" he laughed a little, recalling the bright and happy days they spent challenging each other with a game of chess. "Alright, Eraqa…" he lowered the blade. "You win."
He adjusted the grip and looked to Sora and Riku. In them he saw himself and Eraqa… and a future he'd thrown away out of fear. Eraqa was right… enough was enough.
"Well done," he told them and handed the blade to the two young warriors. Sora and Riku smiled at each other. With a nod from Riku, Sora accepted the blade and held it firmly in her grip.
Eraqa stepped up beside Xehanort, and eyed Riku carefully. She reached out, stroking her hands over his cheeks and through his hair. He fidgeted and blushed under her careful study, and made a sound of worry as a tear slipped down her cheek.
"Um… are you okay?"
"Yes…" she smiled at Riku and gave him a hug. "I'm just happy to see that you've taken hold of your own destiny. I now have hope that HE has done the same."
"He who?" Riku looked confused and down at Sora who shrugged, looking just as lost.
"Master Eraqa…" Terra murmured and Eraqa's attention went to her three students. She went to them, accepting the hugs and tears they gave.
"I'm so sorry." Eraqa hugged them all. "Terra, Aqua, Venus… please forgive your foolish teacher."
"Master…" Venus sobbed into her chest, closing her eyes as the elder woman stroked a hand down her length of hair.
"Venus, I put you through such a harrowing experience… and Aqua, I left you with such a heavy burden." She lay her cheek on the top of Aqua's head as the young woman clung on, shaking with grief.
She slowly released them and looked up to Terra. She pulled him in by his head, stroking his hair as she had done when he was a boy. She felt his hot tears on her neck and closed her eyes.
"I'm so proud of you, Terra." She kissed his temple and stroked his face. "Look after them for me, will you?"
"I will…" he held her hand to his cheek. "Mom."
Eraqa choked out a sob as she gave him another hug. Xehanort eyed the touching display, his years of resentment and spite fading away by clear affection the two had for each other. He started to step towards them to apologize, but his back and legs wouldn't move. His back wanted to give out and he clenched his teeth against the pain.
"Xeha…" He felt Eraqa's arms came around him, holding him up.
"Eraqa…" He looked into her eyes and lifted a hand to her cheek. "I'm sorry… truly sorry."
"No more apologies, Xeha…" She smiled up at him. "It's time to rest."
"Mmmm…" he nodded and turned towards her. He cupped her face in both his hands, losing himself in those beautiful doe eyes. Light encompassed them, and their forms shifted to that of their younger selves. The world around them seemed to shimmer and shine as they came to each other one last time; the kiss full of light, and warmth.
Their bodies faded to simple hearts, their pure light soaring up to the heavens… and passing on together.
~The Final World~
As the timeline righted itself, Sora and Kairi emerged in the Final World triumphantly. Kairi's bright and happy smile spread out.
"So pretty…" Kairi murmured and looked around with curiosity and joy.
Sora smiled at her, but then looked down at her hand as she felt it momentarily go numb. Her hand seemed to vanish for a moment, and she lifted up higher into view. So… she thought with a heavy sigh… this was the ultimate price she'd have to pay.
She would vanish from this world… her body, her mind, her heart… all of it would disappear. Just how long did she have before that happened? She should ask Chirithy, maybe she would know.
"Are you okay, Sora?"
"Hmmm?" She glanced back at Kairi and laughed a little. "Yeah, it's just that my friend should be here. I wonder where she is." She took a few steps forward and called out. "Hello! Chirithy!"
"There's no need to shout." Chirithy spoke from behind them and the two girls whirled around in surprise. "It seemed rude to interrupt."
"Heh…" Sora and Kairi giggled at each other. Kairi then crouched to shake her hand.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Likewise, I'm glad to see that you're okay." Chirithy eyed Sora speculatively. "So what are you still doing here? You should go see your friends while you still have some time."
"So I do have time…" she murmured."
"Time?" Kairi raised a brow, but Sora ignored the question. Instead she crouched down with a smile.
"Chirithy we're gonna head home, but you're coming with us."
"What?!" Chirithy jumped back in surprise.
"Take it from me…" She patted Chirithy gently on the head, her smile still spread, but there was a sadness in her eyes that Chirithy could see right through. "It's not enough to just wait for someone you care about. It's true that hearts are connected no matter where you are… and that if it's impossible to be together all you can do is wait."
She crouched down to Chirithy's level and lay a hand over her heart.
"Still if it IS possible to be together… then that's how it should be. I'm taking you to see your friend, Chirithy."
The small doll-like creature seemed to weep with gratitude. Sora took her in her arms and hugged her tightly.
"Let's all go home."
~Destiny Islands~
Riku walked alone across the sand, sighing heavily. Nothing ever changed here… not the sound of the waves, the scent of the sea and paopu trees, or the feel of the mist spraying on his face. And yet... this place seemed much more lonely without Sora and Kairi there with him.
"I can't abandon her again, Riku. I just can't. From the very start of our journey we've left her alone. We saved her heart, protected her from the darkness… but we always seem to leave her behind. I can't do that to her again. I don't want her to be alone for one more second!"
In his heart, Riku knew Sora was right. It was his own fault that Kairi was left alone. Sora had always wanted to include Kairi, but he'd done his best to shove her out of the picture. He'd been selfish, inconsiderate, and a bad friend.
Sora was none of those things. He knew that Sora would save Kairi, and he had to have faith that both of them would return safely.
He sat down in the sand, his keyblade beside him and he traced the dangling star-shaped charm. He closed his eyes and slumped down on the sand very much the same way he'd seen Sora do on multiple occasions. A small smile appeared on his lips… it was no wonder Sora like to nap here. The soft bed of sand, and the soothing sensations of the surrounding beach were quite comforting.
"Sleeping on the job, Mr. Keyblade Master?"
Riku jolted up at the sound of Sora's voice, and Kairi's laughter. He looked around, saw no one on the beach but himself. He huffed, shaking his head. His heart was playing tricks on him again. He lounged back down, and gasped when he Saw Sora and Kairi standing over him smirking.
"WHOA!"
"Riku you lazy bum!" Kairi teased.
"We just knew we'd catch you snoozing down here." Sora laughed, and squealed when Riku quickly shifted and picked her up, hefting her over her shoulder. "Kya! Riku! Put me down!"
"Not until you pay the price for scaring me half to death… oh no you don't, Kairi!" He caught the girl around the waist holding he rup in his other arm. "You two are in so much trouble!"
He dragged their wriggling bodies to the surf and tossed them in. The girlish squeals they released were immensely satisfying. Sora emerged first and she ran to him dragging his body into the water with them so they could splash fight. Kairi jumped on his back, dunking him under and Riku wriggled and sputtered trying to pull himself up and her off.
The three friends splashed and laughed, before coming together in a group hug. Riku held both girls to them and then gently nudged Kairi away so he could kiss Sora soundly. Kairi smiled at the sweet gesture, and started to back away, but the two pulled apart, snagging an arm each and pulling her back into the surf.
"Kya! Hey! Come on I was just trying to give you two some privacy."
"We can have privacy later… right now." Riku pulled her into a solo hug. "I'm just happy that you're okay."
"Thanks, Riku…" Kairi hugged him back, and felt Sora stepping back and away. She turned around to face her friend who just smiled at the two of them. "Hey, you okay? You've been acting kinda strange since we left that one world."
"Yeah, I'm okay." She sighed. "I was just thinking… that we should celebrate. Yeah!" She pumped her fists grinning wide suddenly. "We should collect all our friends and bring them here for a big party! Roxas, and the Twilight Gang, Venus, Terra, and Aqua, Mickey and our friends from Disney Castle…"
"That's a great idea, Sora!" Kairi clapped her hands together.
"Yeah, I'll notify the king and see if he and the others can swing by on the Gummi Ship." Riku pulled out his phone.
"Good idea, oh! We should check to see Ansem the Wise and Zexion have fixed Namine's vessel by now." Sora pulled out her own phone. "We can't leave her out."
"This is gonna be so great! I can't wait to see everyone together!" Kairi bloomed and peered over Riku's shoulder, the two talking to the King and going over the details with him. Sora lowered her phone a moment, watching the two interact together.
There was a small pang in her chest that she recognized as jealousy. Would this be how it was without her here? Would Riku move on once she was gone from this world? Would he find someone else to love?
"Sora?" Riku raised a brow at the look on Sora's face. "Is everything okay?"
"Y-yeah… yeah, I just spaced out is all." She went back to dialing. She couldn't think about that now. Sora didn't know how much time she had left in this world… but she would not spend it worrying, and feeling petty. Instead she would gather all her friends together. They would all smile, and laugh, and just enjoy each other's company for what little time she had left.
She was determined to say goodbye with a smile on her face.
~Twilight Town~
The sunset was even more beautiful than Roxas remembered. The town had changed since she last walked the streets, and the people there didn't know her by face or name… but for Hayner, Pence, and Olette.
Her three friends, despite not being the same three she'd bonded with and formed a kinship with, welcomed her into the group with open arms. Thanks to Ansem the Wise, she, Axel, and Xion all now lived in Twilight Town as legit citizens… and be able to see their friends and each other everyday.
Once settled in, Axel left… said there was something he had to take care of. A top secret mission, is what he called it. Roxas tried not to feel sour about it. Instead she relaxed atop the clock tower, and just did her best to soak up the good and not focus on the bad.
"I knew you'd be here…" Axel teased as he strolled up and posed. "Ta-da!" He showed off his new wardrobe to Roxas; a checkered plaid shirt underneath the short sleeved black hoodie and cargo pants. "What do ya think?"
"Not much of anything, really." She lounged back on her hands, giving him a careless shrug.
"You're just jealous…" he walked around her and sat in his usual spot beside her. "Those three fairies made some clothes for Xion too, she went to go change."
"So that was your top secret mission?" She slowly turned her head in his direction. "Getting new clothes?"
"Nope, I just picked these up on the way back. The results of my mission are currently down at the hub picking us up some ice cream." He started to hook an arm around her, but she shrugged it off. "Oh, come on! Are you STILL mad at me?"
"What do you think?" She turned her nose up at him and Axel hung his head.
"Roxas, I'm telling you there's nothing between me and Venus. She's only got eyes for Terra, and I've only got eyes for you."
"Except for when those eyes are on Sora…" Roxas scowled. "Or should I say, your lips."
"Hey! Both of those times were not meant for her, but for you. I would have never kissed Sora if you weren't inside her… and that sounded wrong, let me rephrase that."
"Oh just shut up, Axel." Roxas grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him into a kiss. When they pulled back she sighed frustratingly at him. "You talk way too damn much."
"Got that right…" he cupped her face in his hands and pulled her back in for another kiss.
"Should we come back later?" Xion questioned as she and surprisingly Isa walked over with ice creams in hand.
"Saix?"
"It's Isa, actually…" he passed her an ice cream. "... but I suppose I could get used to being called that given the circumstances."
"HE was your top secret mission?" Roxas pointed to Saix as he sat down and laughed. "You could have just said so, Axel."
"I wanted it to be a surprise… and besides I wasn't entirely sure if I'd find him." He snagged his own ice cream. "...but I did, cuz I'm awesome."
"Don't let him fool you, Roxas. Dillan and Aeleus found me, and called Lea to inform him I'd been recompleted." Saix corrected and Axel huffed.
"Dude, not cool."
"Hey, you guys got room for more?" Hayner called out, Pence and Ollete behind him waving at the group.
"Sure!" Roxas smiled and motioned them over. "Pull up a seat, the view is great!"
"If our group gets any bigger we're gonna need a bigger building…" Xion giggled and licked at her ice cream.
"True…" Roxas agreed, her hand slipping into Axel's to squeeze it and he in turn laced their fingers together. Above them Roxas spotted the familiar sight of the Gummi Ship. She could sense Sora there through their connection and broke out into a huge grin. "... but at least we're not alone anymore."
~Sometime later~
It took some time to gather all their friends together. From Disney Castle, to The Land of Departure, to Twilight Town, and finally Radiant Garden… all of the guardians and their friends rejoiced and celebrated on the tiny island, enjoying all it had to offer.
,
"Kairi, Namine come look at this one!" Xion held out the seashell for the other two girls to look at. "Don't you just love the color!"
"It's beautiful." Namine admired it then crouched down in the sand to pick up another. "Oh and the shape on this one is really intricate."
"Here let me see those." Kairi took them both. "Oh yeah, these'll be perfect to make charms later."
"Let's find some more!" The three giggled and continued to browse the surf. A few feet away from them, Hayner, Pence, and Olette molded sand into a mouse shaped head.
"Isn't this great? We finally made it to the beach, you guys!" Olette
"Yeah! Best Summer Vacation, EVER!" Pence exclaimed with a wide grin.
"Whoa, careful Venus! You nearly knocked his nose off!" Hayner complained after ducking a red frisbee. Donald squawked in complaint as the frisbee imbedded into his sand creation instead.
"Sorry! It got away from me." She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I don't give Lea enough credit for his aim."
"Alright runners, it's a free range race. The first person to reach the shack wins." Riku explained, stretching his muscles. "You ready?"
"Born ready!" Roxas tied back her hair into a high ponytail to get it out of her face. "You boys are going down."
"Whoa! I dunno, Riku. Roxas is looking pretty revved. We might be in trouble." Terra teased and rolled his shoulders back, getting loose.
"Oh yeah, be prepared to eat my dust." She jabbed a finger at both of them and waved to Aqua and Mickey. "Give us a countdown!"
"Okay! On your marks!" Aqua started lifting up a hand.
"Get set!" Mickey followed up, clearing the pathway.
"GO!" They called out and the three rushed across the sand in a mad sprint. Laughter and cheers sung out as everyone rooted for who they thought would win. As the race finished, there were some arguments on who actually won, and everyone had an opinion.
Sora watched all the little moments from above on the bridge. Her smile was warm and wistful, and just a bit weepy. This was exactly the kind of moment she wanted to see… Everyone was safe, together, and happy. She could fade away peacefully knowing that this would still be here even after she'd gone.
"Sora!" Kairi called up to her and waved. "You saw the race from above, right? Who won?"
All eyes turned to her, and Sora found herself at a loss for words. She started to open her mouth, choosing a winner at random, but her voice got caught, and a tear slipped down her cheek.
Who was she kidding. She could tell herself lies all she wanted… but she couldn't lie to her own heart. She didn't want to leave like this… she didn't want to leave at all.
"I'm sorry…" she said finally and shook her head. "I'm sorry." she stood up and walked the rest of the way across the bridge and onto the stone parapet.
"Was she crying?" Pence questioned with some worry.
"Yeah she was… I wonder what's wrong." Aqua held her chest, sensing something was up.
"I'll go talk to her." Kairi started for the door.
"No… I will." Riku touched her shoulder and made his way into the shack and across the bridge. She wasn't just crying, but sobbing and doing her best to quiet the sounds. His heart broke to hear the painful hiccups in her breathing, and see the quivering shake in her body.
"Sora…" He lay a hand on her shoulder and turned her to him. "What's wrong?
"I'm sorry… I just got emotional that's all." She bat away the tears trying to laugh them off. Her entire body was starting to go numb and panic bubbled up. "I'll come down in a minute, I just gotta stop crying first."
"Sora, look at me." He took her face in his hands. "I know something's wrong, I can feel it." He dropped an arm so he could take her left hand in his. He brushed a thumb over the ring and then placed a kiss over it. "Tell me."
"Riku…" her voice trembled out and she leaned her head into his hand. "I love you."
"I love you, too…" He replied, but frowned at the tone in which she spoke her declaration.
"I meant it when I said I wanna marry you. I meant it when I said I want a lifetime with you. I meant every single word." Her eyes sparkled with tears again and one dripped down her cheek. "...but I'm sorry, I don't think I'll be able to keep any of my promises."
"What do you mean?" He looked at her confused. "Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes…" her voice cracked. "I don't want to, I really don't want to, but I have to."
"Hey, it's okay." He stroked a thumb over her ring. "No matter where you go, you know I'm always with you right? There's no rush for us to get married. I'll be right here waiting for you to come back."
"That's just it, Riku. I don't know if I can come back…" She took a step back, shifting so that she stood silhouetted by the sun. It was then he saw it, saw that her body was slowly becoming transparent.
"Wha-" Riku felt his own panic bubbled. "H-How did…" he shook his head and immediately took her hands again. "No… NO! I'll find a way. There's gotta be a way to-"
"Kiss me…" Sora pleaded with him.
"Now just hold on a damn-"
"Kiss me, Riku… please before I won't be able feel anything at all." The tears spilled out faster and she went into his arms. "Hold me, squeeze me hard and kiss me until I disappear."
"No… no…" He squeezed her tightly in his arms, pressing his lips to her temple, cheek, and then her mouth. He felt her hands digging into his back, holding on for dear life. "Please don't… don't go, Sora."
"I'm trying… I'm trying… tighter! Hold me tighter!" She pleaded with him and sobbed as things around her started to fade around her. "Riku please don't let me go!"
"I won't! I won't let go of you, EVER! I'll always find you! No matter where you go, I'll…" Riku shuddered as her warmth disappeared. He hugged himself now, his eyes darting around as he searched for her. "Sora?"
He saw a shimmer on the ground, and fell to his knees as he picked up the promise ring he'd given her… and his heart screamed out in agony.
"SORA!"
~Ask Briry~
Bri: *sobbing hysterically*
Next Chapter: Destiny Awaits