Chapter 22: The Playhouse (Luna's Song)

"I admit your friends are very dedicated to their cause. You are one lucky kid. But not lucky enough." said Vanitas, as he flew into one world after another in the Playhouse. They passed Planet Pollie, they passed through a river with boat houses, and they passed through a world with a Big Blue House. That was where they stopped.

Vanitas felt something was not right. The sun was beginning to set and Vanitas could not help but feel a powerful aura of light coming.

"I feel it too. Your doomed." said Sky to Vanitas.

"We'll see about that, once we'll land." said Vanitas. He then landed softly on the roof of the house and Vanitas still held on to Sky.

"Let me go." said Sky. Vanitas didn't listen. He still held on to Sky like he was some sort of blanket. Sky tried to push himself away and looked up to see Vanitas's face. Sky couldn't even look at him. That face, that familiar face of Vanitas. It was the face of his beloved father. But this man was not Sora. This was Vanitas. A monster who tormented so many lives.

"I said let go!" cried Sky. Vanitas did that and looked up at the Sky.

"I see. The light of this world…. It was a moon." said Vanitas.

Sky looked up as well and a large moon appeared out of nowhere, with a very warm and friendly face.

"Sky. Vanitas. Welcome to the world of innocence." said the moon.

"Who are you, stranger!?" cried Vanitas angrily.

"I am Luna. One of the Guardians of Light in our world. There are many of us here in the Playhouse." said Luna.

"Then if you are the light, then allow me to consume your world with darkness." said Vanitas.

He snapped his fingers to summon Heartless, but apparently they vanished. "You animals aren't even Unversed! How pathetic are you!?" he cried as he snapped his fingers again. Luna chuckled warmly.

"My dear boy, your monsters have gotten weaker. The Guardians of Light in the Playhouse have arrived to stop your darkness." said Luna.

"You mock me." said Vanitas.

"No Vanitas. I'm welcoming you." said Luna.

"Why!? He's a monster!" cried Sky.

Luna smiled at Sky, then at Vanitas. "If truly you are a monster, why did you make sure Sky was safe and sound while flying in the air. You could have let him go and fall. And yet, you made sure he was safe." said Luna.

Vanitas backed away with rage as Sky looked at him. "You dare say that to me?! I'm not a saint!" cried Vanitas.

"I'm not calling you that my dear. I'm simply showing to Sky that deep inside yourself, perhaps, just perhaps there is some form of light." said Luna.

"Light?! No! I am pure darkness! I was created from darkness!" cried out Vanitas.

"That may be true, you are darkness. But remember, even in the deepest darkness, there is light to guide you. Perhaps your heart is trying to show you otherwise." said Luna.

Vanitas laughed. "My heart knows exactly what it wants! And what it desires is the world to burn!"

Vanitas spread his wings and flew up into the sky, opening a portal. The shadow of Axel followed after and once they passed, the portal closed.

Luna did not frown. Instead, she smiled as she shook her large face. "In time, he will have to see that good will prevail and good will change people." said Luna.

Sky looked up at the heavens and folded his arms. "He didn't squeeze me while I was flying with him. He didn't hurt me." he said to himself.

Luna then turned her attention to Sky. "You have the power to connect with others. Your heart and mind are your biggest weapons. No Keyblade can top that." said Luna.

"But I don't understand. Vanitas is my enemy. How could I have made a connection?" asked Sky.

"Only time will answer that for you." said Luna.

In a moment, Sky landed on the balcony of the house and there he met Summer, who was waiting for him.

"Sky! Thank goodness!" cried Summer. She hugged Sky tightly and turned to thank her helper.

"Thank you so much and sorry for the trouble." she said. Sky was taken aback to see a large furry orange bear standing there.

"No problem. I'm so glad you found your friend safe and sound." said the Bear. He then sniffed something in the air. He looked at Sky and sniffed him.

"You poor kid. You need a bath urgently." said Bear.

"Thanks…" said Sky nervously.

"Luna, the world is safe. Clay and the other Guardians have stopped the Heartless." said Bear.

"I'm so glad." said Luna.

In a matter of moments, Summer and Sky looked down from the balcony and saw dozens of family friendly looking folk standing in front of the house. They saw a family of otters of different colors, toy like people waving with smiles on their faces and residents from Planet Pollie were also there. Roxanne, Red and PJ were in the crowd, alongside Tony and Vivian.

"Everyone! The world is now safe! The Heartless are gone." announced Luna. Everyone outside the blue house began to cheer and applaud with joy.

"It looks like it's our cue to go." said Sky.

"Before you guys go, why don't you stay and listen to our goodbye song?" asked Bear.

"What?" asked Summer.

Tony pulled out his bongos from below. "May we start?" asked Tony.

"Start us off old friend." said Bear. Luna's light beamed with radiance as Tony and Vivian began to sing, along with some children who were by their side.

"So long. Farewell. To you my friend. Good bye, for now, until we meet again. So long. Farewell. To you my friend. Goodbye, for now, until we meet again. It's been great, to play and sing together, (in the box), but now it's time to say goodbye! Take it away Bear and Luna."

"Hey, this has been really fun. We hoped you liked it too. Seems just like we've just begun, but suddenly we're through. Goodbye, goodbye, good friends goodbye. Cause now it's time to go. But hey, I say now that's okay. Cause we'll see you very soon, I know. Very soon I know. Goodbye goodbye, good friends goodbye. And tomorrow just like today. The moon. The Bear. And the Big Blue House, will be ready for you to come and play. Come and play. Come and play. Bye now."

"What a cute world huh!" exclaimed Roxanne as the friends were walking in the corridor of light.

"Too bad we didn't get to meet many people. They looked like fun." said Red.

Everyone was walking ahead, but Sky stopped. He looked back and folded his arms.

Summer noticed and told the others to walk on ahead. She went to meet with Sky who was standing there by himself.

"I don't feel so good." said Sky.

Summer put her hand on Sky's shoulder and she felt something in Sky that troubled her. He was breathing heavily, as if trying to hold back something.

"Want to talk?" asked Summer.

To Be Continued.