Mr Destiny Islands

Chapter Ten: Announcing the New Mr Destiny Islands (teen category)...

Author's note: Well, this is the last installment, as promised, of MDI. ;; I will miss playing around with Riku, Sora, Kairi, Selphie, Tidus, Wakka etc etc. The winner of the competition is pretty much not a surprise but I hope everyone will still be satisfied with the ending. Thanks to all who have supported me and encouraged me to continue and complete this piece. (Whew, my longest writing feat ever...) Watch out for MDI Gaiden: an alternative ending to the fic!

Disclaimer: I don't own them! I really don't have the rights to KH characters!
Sora's widened to the size of saucers and Kairi's jaw dropped as they watched 'Selphie' step out of her house. The young lady in a lovely shell pink strapless gown could not possible be the Selphie that would not wear anything other than her fireman yellow jumper.

Her hair was curled and fell into ringlets that framed her make-up enhanced face. It seemed that Selphie had grown into a proper sixteen year old over night. Both Sora and Kairi were shell shocked by Selphie's transformation. Sora thought that maybe they had pressed the doorbell of the wrong house while Kairi suddenly felt underdressed in her bareback black dress and lightly dusted on makeup.

Selphie grinned at the disbelief reflected on both Sora and Kairi's faces. She herself was shocked by her makeover and stood transfixed before her mother's full-length mirror with her hand poking the foreign reflection in the glass. Selphie's mother vehemently objected to Selphie's choice of dinner outfit of a clean yellow jumper and new ribbons for her hair. She threatened to disown Selphie if the girl refused to take her 'advice' and wear the nice dinner gown that was given to her during Christmas. After trapping Selphie in the pink gown, her mother 'convinced' the girl to sit down and let her curl her brown hair (which Selphie did not resist to due to the hot curling iron held to precariously against her chin). And Selphie's resistance was worn out by the time her mother whipped out the cosmetics boxes and advanced to apply the paints to her daughter's face.

Sora tugged at the knot of his dark blue ribbon as he said, "Excuse me Miss, do you happen to know where Selphie is? We are here to pick her up for dinner."

Kairi blinked and kicked Sora in the shin with her stilettos, "You idiot, that is Selphie! Sorry Selphie, you look so different that Sora here did not recognize you. You look really good."

"Ha, I know. I didn't recognize myself either." Selphie comforted Kairi as she looked down at the watch strapped around her wrist (Selphie wearing a watch?!). "Isn't it time to leave yet?"

"Yes, Riku is waiting for us at the pier," answered Sora as he switched to tugging at the dark blue vest he wore.

Thus, the trio stepped off Selphie's patio and walked briskly to the pier where Riku was waiting patiently for them.

................................

"Selphie, don't sit so close to the edge of the boat. You don't want the sea spray to dampen you curls," cautioned Kairi.

The boat driver was thankful for the cooling sea spray that relieved the heat rising from his face. In his entire career as a boat driver, he had ferried many a famous people to the seaside shack restaurant. But never had he come across a group of so very good-looking young adults.

They quartet had boarded the speedboat that would carry them to the posh seaside shack restaurant which was located off the shore of the main island. Riku and Sora sat quietly opposite Kairi and Selphie. Riku was wearing a dark green suit with a clean white shirt within. He had purposely left out a matching tie or bow and left the shirt unbuttoned at the collar, exposing a good portion of masculine torso. Sora, on the other hand, wore a dark blue ensemble complete with a blue ribbon tied loosely around his collar in place of the conventional tie.

Riku's long silver hair was tangled by the wind created by the speeding boat and Sora removed the ribbon from his neck and passed it to Riku to secure the flying locks of silver. Kairi wrapped herself with a light gray shawl that shimmered under the moonlight. Under her wrap, she donned a simple black dress (kind of like the Marilyn Monroe plunging neckline thing... only in black). She also accessorized with matching heels and chandelier-like tier earrings of black opal.

After an approximately eight minutes, the boat slowed down to dock at the side of their destination. As the four teens stepped out of the speedboat, they were met with a stunning picture of the seaside shack that made this restaurant become the most famous and fancy eatery in all of Destiny Islands.

Fairy lights were hung strategically to create a soft and sophisticated feel to the place, which was placed with a nature backdrop of the ocean illuminated under the full moon, with the surface being ruffled by evening breeze. As they entered through the open doors and walked on a thick red carpet that your feet literally sank into, they felt as if they had gained entrance in to a mythical underwater palace. On the walls and ceiling were magnificent murals of mermaids and mermen frolicking with the beautiful creatures from under the sea. Mirrors framed with intricately patterned golden borders hung from the ceilings and sides, making the whole place look a whole lot bigger than it actually is. A dashing waiter dressed in a modified tuxedo ushered them to a table near the center of the room, near the raised stage that resembled a large clam with a pearl that added more light to the place, which was hidden behind a curtain of green. As they sat onto the comfortable seats, they admired the elaborate coral that take place over the tradition flower arrangement in the center of the table.

When the waiter returned with a crystal jug of water, Selphie was fascinated to find that the glass flutes whistled when water was poured into them. Sora was amazed at the mother of pearl handles of the cutlery that were each decorated with a different illustration of a mythical sea creature carved into them. Kairi could not bear to let the waiter touch the cloth that had been folded into a complicated coral design and requested that he bring her another cloth instead. Even Riku was impressed by taste of the served appetizer of seasoned scallop that melted on your tongue and left a tangy taste.

Sora torn his gaze from the fork he held carefully in his hand. When his gaze scanned the whole room, he realized that most of the contestants from the Mr Destiny Island (teen category) competition have already arrived.

Two days ago, both Riku and Sora received a letter each from the organizing committee of the competition, inviting them to the posh seaside shack restaurant for the ending ceremony of the competition. They were allowed to bring one partner each and they naturally thought of Kairi and Selphie.

Apparently, by just joining the competition, they would be entitled to attend the ending ceremony that included a free meal at the seaside shack. Thus, Riku and Sora (maybe only Sora) was upset at having work so hard, to the extent of wearing frocks, to win the competition so that they would have a chance to grace the restaurant in question.

Now that the pressure to win was off the boys (since they had achieve their goal of just being able to come to the restaurant), they sat comfortably in their chairs watching the other competitors sweat it out waiting for the results to be announcement.

...........

"Kairi," whispered Selphie, "Isn't that Tidus?"

All eyes at the table turned to the direction hinted by Selphie. It was indeed Tidus, dressed formal attire. But instead seeing Wakka as they expected, they saw an unfamiliar girl seated opposite him. She was really pretty and wore formal priestess robes. Tidus looked besotted with his lady companion and accidentally knocked out a glass down, spilling water over his lap as he was trying to give her a present he had gotten for her.

"Ooo... looks like someone is in LURve....." drawled Sora.

Both Riku and Kairi held Sora and Selphie down respectively before the two jumped from their seat and leapt over to disturb the couple in the corner. Kairi signaled for the waiter and distracted the two noisy 'children' by letting them place their orders instead of spoiling Tidus' date with the mystery girl. Sora and Selphie were interested in trying everything that was on the menu (since they were not paying) and by the time the waiter left for the kitchens, he had used up three sheets of paper listed with all of their orders. Kairi asked for some more appetizers. The only thing that Riku requested for was no pepper in his order.

Just as their soups arrived in front of their noses, the room dimmed as the lights were turned off leaving only the glow of the huge pearl in the center shell. The curtain of opaque 'seaweed' that curtained the shell opened to reveal a familiar figure seated upon the pearl.

Leon was probably the only person in the room that dared to wear a leather jacket to a fancy restaurant.

"The organizers threatened to take away the funds for my new sword if I don't appear for this year's competition. SO I am here just to tell you, young people, who the next Mr Destiny Island is. Let's get on with the thing... so stop stuffing your faces and listen to me," grumbled Leon as he took out an envelope from a pocket from his black leather pants.

All movement in the room paused as anticipation filled the place. Well, all except Sora who was too hungry and found that not drinking the soup in front of him was torture, and Riku who could not be bothered with knowing the results.

Leon's brow furrowed as he struggled to read his own handwriting.

"Okay, third place goes to Tidus, that dude fawning over Yuna in the corner." Leon announced and everyone applause politely as Tidus sheepishly went up onto stage to accept the palm sized trophy that the Leon tossed to him.

"Second spot belongs to Sora," stated Leon.

Sora promptly choked on his clam chowder and Riku sympathetically pounded his back to help his cough out the bit of meat stuck in his throat. Leon just stepped off stage and placed Sora's prize next to his soup bowl.

Suddenly, a huge man appeared from the shadows and dragged Leon back on stage and whispered something to him. Leon scowled as he said into he mike his had been holding, "The organizers want me to apologize for not creating any atmosphere when announcing the winners. So let's wait for a few seconds before I announce the 'lucky' winner' name. In the mean time, let me tell you what the winner of tonight's competition will get. As a former Mr Destiny Islands myself, the following is from my own personal experience."

"The winner will walk away with free meal vouchers to this fancy pansy place. But besides this, he would have to put up with fanatical fan girls that will camp outside his door and will be poached by various modeling agencies that will lure you with money to do they dirty work. If you accept their offer, you will be forced into a life of selling your looks and made to prance around in extremely uncomfortable and sometimes indecent outfits, plus you have no annually leave to visit home. Then, when you looks fade off, they will discard you like used clothing and pick a younger and more gullible bloke to continue their work."

"Thus, without further ado, like me present to you the next Mr Destiny Islands (teen category).... Riku!"

Leon looked expectantly at Riku. The latter just torn his attention from his onion soup and shoot Leon a glacial stare.

A devastating grin flashed upon Leon's face, causing all the girls (and some boys) to go ga-ga. Interesting guy, thought Leon. He threw the crown and sash towards Riku before escaping from the restaurant under the cover of the darkened room. He was promptly chased after by the huge man. Riku instinctively caught the crown and sash that he passed onto Kairi to keep. Then, he continued to finish his soup.

.................

Sora put a hand over his slightly bloated tummy. Maybe he should not have had that last tiramisu. He waved good-bye to Kairi and Selphie as they took another road home. Feeling stuffed and contented, Sora leaned onto Riku. Riku allowed the tired boy to cling to his right arm and accepted some of his weight so that Sora could walk easier. Clouds have moved to block the moon and only a soft light was cast upon the night.

"I am so happy Riku," smiled Sora before he gave a cat like yawn of contentment.

"I glad that you won," mumbled Sora as he sat down onto the soft sands of the beach, dragging Riku with him.

As Sora drifted off to sleep, he told Riku, "But I hope you will not end up like what Leon said... about leaving and stuff... I hope you will not leave Kairi... Selphie... or me..."

Riku looked down and smiled at Sora, who had closed his eyes and drifted into a dream.

"No, I will not leave Destiny Islands, Kairi or Selphie. And especially not you..."

The End.
Ending note: Whew, that marks the end of one writing marathon. I hope that all that have read my fanfic find it satisfactory and that I look forward to writing more fluffy stuff like this. Although I got blasted by some friends for writing something so fluffy, I do not regretting turning my idea into prose. Just a little background about how I came about with the idea for MDI: I was working on Realization, a KH fic centered around Selphie, when I was stumped because I did not know how to emphasis how good Riku looks. Then I recalled some ideas I have had before and hit upon a beauty pageant thing.

Thus, I created a non-canon Mr Destiny Islands competition to involve the KH characters in. I did not expect to turn the idea into something so long. I apologize for posting short chapters, as I could not resist posting a chapter that took too long to write because of the word count.

Well, I once again thank all the readers that review and encourage me to continue writing. So if you my stuff, I would be appreciative if you could read my other KH fics (Silver Lining and Reversal) and tell me what you think. Lastly, I would like to say thanks to all the poor KH characters that have been mutilated by my imagination, especially Leon, since I have totally shattered his cool character in his chapter. I still think Leon is cool though. Okay. Now I say farewell.

Dcal