Author's Note: This is the list of special cards, summons, and sleights Philia has:
-Alexander
-Stop
-Gravity
-Megaelixir
Summons:
-Dumbo
-Tinker Bell
-Bambi
Sleights
Philia:
-Gifted Miracle (Bambi + Blizzard + Item Card)
-Ice Breath (Blizzard + Dumbo + Magic Card)
-Idyll Romp (Bambi + 2 Attack Cards)
-Shadowbreaker (Gravity + Tinker Bell + Magic Card)
-Blizzard Cross
-Reflect Accel
-Fire Cross
-Thunder Cross
-Armor Pierce
-Dagger Throw
-Cross Edge
-Round Accel
-Fad Edge
-Shadow Stitch
-Rising Sun (Aero + 2 Attack Card)
-Light Volley (Tinker Bell + Ether + Attack Card)
-Accel Raid
-Eternal Cyclone
-Tempest (Attack card + Aero + different type Attack card)
-Warp (Stop + 2 Aero)
-Bind (Gravity + Stop + Magic Card)
-Synchro (Cure + Gravity + Aero)
-Aqua Splash (Blizzard + Fire + Aero)
-Homing Blizzara (Aero + Blizzard + Magic Card)
-Teleport (Time + Aero + Item Card)
-Magnet Spiral (2 Gravity + Attack Card)
-Firaga Burst (2 Fire + Gravity)
-Freeze (2 Blizzard + Stop)
-Warpinator (Time + Gravity + Aero)
-Triangle Magic (Blizzard + Fire + Thunder)
-Raging Storm (Aero + 2 Fire)
-Soul Burst: Sora (Tinker Bell + Elixir/Mega Potion + Summon Card)
(Effect: Reloads all Attack cards, switches to Keyblade Attack cards. Allows Philia to use Sora's sleights until reload deck.)
During Soul Burst: Sora
-Blizzard Raid
-Reflect Raid
-Fire Raid
-Thunder Raid
-Strike Raid
-Sliding Dash
-Stun Impact
-Blitz
-Zantetsuken
-Sonic Blade
-Lethal Frame
-Tornado (Aero + Gravity + Summon Card)
-Ars Arcanum
-Judgement (Aero + 2 Attack Cards)
-Holy (Mega-Ether + Megaelixir + Item Card)
-Ragnarok
Abilities:
-High Jump
-Superglide
(Philia Speaking) Last time, I joined up with Riku as we made our way to Naminé. However, when Ansem was about to take control of Riku, King Mickey arrived in time as he and I used the power of light to save him. I have no idea where that came from, but maybe it was Sora who helped me then.
We entered Twilight Town, where we thought we met the villainous Ansem, only learning he was really a man named DiZ, who I felt like I should know. Before we got to know him, we were sent on our merry way, and encountering the replica of Riku and my Dark self. Thanks to words from Riku, I managed to find something to protect to give me strength and fight against Dark Philia, defeating her, while Riku defeated his replica. They were finally down for good, and vanished, though I felt bad for my other self, who only got to be this way because she was corrupted by PHox and the memories he forced Naminé to add into her.
Speaking of which, I guided Riku to Naminé, where he encountered the sleeping Sora, and we explained all that happened. Naminé offered Riku a choice as whether he wanted to forget the darkness in him. In the end, he chose to take it head on, and defeat Ansem inside his heart. With my full support, I followed him to see him succeed, where we bumped into Mickey again, and DiZ, who was waiting for us.
It was through words I heard him say before that led me learning the truth of our connection; DiZ saved me from becoming a member of the Organization by pulling me out of my world. However, in the process, he ripped a part of my heart, which became who I was, with my digital body as my current one. I was a unique entity, not a Heartless or a Nobody, but not human, either. I was something in-between.
I could've been really angry at him for taking me away from my old life, making me lose my memories. However, I ended up being grateful. I lost a lot of my memories, but gained new ones thanks to being with Sora and my friends. It helped me develop into the girl I was today. So now, with a heart full of memories, I followed Riku as he went to accomplish his goal; Defeat Ansem that lurks inside his heart.
White Room
Riku, Mickey, and Philia walked up to the final door that led them to the last illusion world; the world of Castle Oblivion. They stopped at the steps, before Riku pulled out the card, looking at it.
"He said this card will draw Ansem out..." Riku recalled DiZ's words.
"Don't worry! We can defeat him together!" Mickey assured him, with Philia nodding in agreement.
"Sorry..." Riku apologized to the pair, "I've gotta face him alone."
"But why?!" Mickey asked.
"There's no point in doing this if I can't do it on my own." Riku told them, "But I do need a favor. If Ansem if the victor, he's going to enslave me. If that happens, use your powers to des-."
"Uh-uh. Not happening!" Philia intervened, "We'll save you if that happens."
"Of course! We'll be right there to save ya!" Mickey assured him.
"Huh?" Riku looked surprised, "No, that's not it. I want you to destr-!"
"No way!" Mickey and Philia shut him up together.
"I've already had too many bad memories in this castle. I am not gonna form one by destroying you!" Philia argued.
"That's right. No matter what happens, I'm gonna be right there to help ya." Mickey assured him, "I promise ya that."
"I'm adding to that promise as well." Philia added, "Promises remain forever embedded in our hearts. Sora taught me that. And that promise will give you the courage to face the darkness, Riku. Unless you don't think His Majesty and I can come save you?"
Riku looked to the two, before smiling as he replied, "I choose to believe in you...always, Philia, Your Majesty."
"And us in you." Mickey replied, with Philia nodding in agreement, "You're not gonna lose, I know it."
"Thanks." he told the pair, before approaching the door. He looked to it, before raising the new World card to the door, and he entered into it.
When he came to, he was running down the hallway, determined to take on the darkness. He stopped to catch his breath, and summoned his Soul Eater, demanding, "Ansem! Where are you? Show yourself!"
There was no immediate response at first, before Ansem chuckled, before asking, "Why in such a hurry? I'll be here in the very heart of darkness... Watching you plunge into the same darkness inside of you." Riku didn't give a response to this, but charged ahead, determined to prove him wrong.
Meanwhile...
Philia and Mickey stood there, looking at the door that Riku entered into, their hearts wishing him the best of luck. Philia clenched her hands into a prayer close to her chest.
"This is really nerve-racking!" Philia exclaimed, "I have faith in Riku, and I know he wants to go on his own, but... I just can't stay here! There must be something I can do to help!"
"I know. But we must respect his wishes." Mickey reminded her.
"I know, I know." Philia sighed. She looked at the cloak she was given by DiZ, examining it. Finally, she decided to put it on, seeing how it would fit. Mickey looked to see her do it, and watched as she pulled her hands through the sleeves, pulling back the hoodie so as not to cover her face yet, and zipped up the coat. "Well, how do I look?" she asked Mickey, raising her arms out.
"Perfect! You should blend in along with the other Organization members." Mickey replied.
"I hope so." Philia replied, adjusting her collar, "Honestly, it's pretty awkward. After everything PHox put me through, putting this on almost makes me feel like I'm giving into his idea of me joining him."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. You're only protecting yourself."
"Hope you're right." Philia agreed.
Suddenly, Mickey and Philia sensed something behind them, and they turned. Something was approaching. They saw a bright light coming into the area, blinding them for a moment, before the light bounced about, and vanished, revealing an annoyingly familiar character. One Philia faced before; Gilgamesh.
"Owowowow! Enkidu, why'd you stop here?!" Gilgamesh demanded, in a sitting position, before looking up to see Philia standing there. "Oh-ho!" he gasped, bouncing onto his feet, "We meet again, my rival! It would seem our fates have crossed once more!"
"Gilgamesh?! You're still here?!" Philia demanded, "Haven't you left the castle yet?!"
"Not until I am a true master of this place!" Gilgamesh demanded, "I have been circulating all over the place, encountering all sorts of strange things. I even saw a sleeping boy in a chair somewhere, but he wasn't waking up. But I did find all sorts of new weapons to use! Look at them!"
He concentrated as he made a sort of ninja-like hand signature with both hands, groaning, before with a 'ha!', he summoned out two more pairs of hands from his body, making him a six-armed person. "Gaze upon the weapons I gathered from fallen warriors in this castle, including a replication of you!" Gilgamesh shouted, throwing up seven cards that had, for the most part, familiar faces. He snatched up six of them in each hand, and out came six weapons. The seventh card fell to his hip, which transformed into a book.
Mickey and Philia looked startled at what they witnessed, before the latter examined the weapons. "Replica's Riku's sword, my dark self's dagger..." She listed off, "Larxene's throwing knives, Marluxia's scythe... But that shield, axe-like sword, and that book, I don't recognize. Must've been more Organization members I didn't get a chance to meet."
"Gaze upon the weapons that are far superior than the ones I used in our last duel!" Gilgamesh declared, waving the dagger and sword of the replicas with his middle pair of hands, before bringing down the axe and scythe heavily, causing the ground to shake, "Now, prepare to face me at my very best! This will prove once and for all I am the master of this castle!"
Mickey looked prepared to fight, but Philia raised a hand to stop him. "Your Majesty, keep your focus on Riku." she told him, "I should settle this match myself."
"But, are you sure?" Mickey asked.
Philia looked down at him, smiling. "Trust me. I've not just gained experience in this castle, but I've got a lot of people in my heart that will give me strength." She walked towards Gilgamesh, summoning her dagger.
"What fun! A one-on-one duel between the two of us." Gilgamesh stated, "But you will fail, for I have the weapons of powerful warriors that once ran this castle, and I have all their weapons. Now I am unbeatable!"
"Wrong!" Philia snapped, "That's just borrowed power. Mine is different because I have the memories and the hearts of all my friends deep within my heart. And my friends..." She closed her eyes, as she imagined Sora placing a hand on her shoulder, with Donald, Goofy, Jiminy, Kairi, Riku, Mickey, Naminé, and her friends of Traverse Town placed their hands on her from behind. She opened her eyes, waving her dagger as she went into a battle stance, finishing, "...my friends are my power!"
Riku
Back in the illusion world, Riku finally made it to his destination, and found himself walking down a hallway, reaching the end, where a wide room. He didn't even bother looking about before calling out, "I smell you, Ansem. Show yourself."
There was a moment's pause, before a black portal opened up, and Ansem appeared before him. "I have watched you fight. I know your strength." he told Riku, "Your skill with darkness has grown. It has become more mature. And yet, why..." He suddenly grew irritable as he asked, "Why do you accept the darkness, but still refuse me? You know you and I are similar. We both follow where the darkness leads. Indeed we are the same, so why? Does some part of your heart still have a fear of the dark."
"That's not it." Riku answered shaking his head, "The truth is..." He summoned out his sword, finishing, "...I just can't stand your foul stench."
"You are a fool." Ansem said, not intimidated by Riku's defiance, "You should know my powers well by now."
"Yeah, I know. Or did you forget?" Riku asked, "I used all the power you had to give...and Sora and Philia still beat me. I'm not at all impressed with your powers!"
"Very well. In that case-." Ansem gathered up his dark energy, shouting, "You shall sink into the abyss!" He unleashed an extraordinary amount of darkness, and Riku shielded himself from the wave surrounding him. When the wave passed, Riku looked about. He suddenly found himself in an area that was very familiar. It was the platform in the middle of the darkness, much like the platform that contained the door to Kingdom Hearts. The Realm of Darkness.
Riku almost got distracted, but evaded a dark hand that came down at him, nearly grabbing him. He glared at Ansem, who summoned his Guardian right behind him, as he furled his arms, smirking in a mocking matter at Riku, who readied to fight.
There were to flashes of light, as the battle begun in two different areas; Philia and Gilgamesh in the large rectangular room, Riku and Ansem in the Realm of Darkness. For one, it was a battle against someone who was using the enemies of the castle she fought so hard against before. For the other, it was a battle to conquer the foul darkness inside of him.
Philia saw Gilgamesh come at her first, and unleashed a card attack of throwing Larxene's daggers at her, to which she leapt over. This was quickly followed by him raising his shield in front of him blocking Philia's strike against him. He attempted another attack, swinging both replica's blades at once with a horizontal slash. Philia got struck by it, but it was on purpose, as she unleashed her Armor Pierce Dagger Skill, which surprisingly couldn't be fully blocked by the shield, and Gilgamesh took damage.
"Piercing through my defense? Impressive!" Gilgamesh called out, unleashing a sleight, Duo Break, bringing down both scythe and axe sword onto the ground, which sent a wave of earth stalagmites and pink energy wave with rose petals flying along the ground towards Philia, who panicked.
Riku endured a dark shockwave that was delivered in a similar fashion as what Philia was dealing, but he regained himself. He saw Ansem come at him, his guardian ready to slug him with a dark-encased fist, but Riku blocked with a card of the same number, setting the two of them into a duel stance. Riku quickly countered all cards Ansem summoned up, before unleashing the Barrage technique, striking a few times before leaping back and sending his sword spinning into Ansem, causing him damage.
Ansem cackled as he regained himself, and his Guardian summoned energy discs that flew at Riku, which he ended up taking while trying to reload his deck, and he took it hard. Fortunately, he was still raring to go, and he fought hard against him, parrying his next sleight with a 0 card, and striking numerous times, before getting blocked as the Guardian slugged him, knocking him back.
"You will submit!" Ansem roared, before his Guardian summoned out energy waves, which Riku evaded, before lunging forward with a roar.
Gilgamesh could block Philia's series of attacks, but broke her attack, going into another twin slash with the daggers, which she was able to not get phased by and evade. He set himself up with another sleight, charging forwards as he waved his weapons wildly, attempting to strike Philia with any of them. She didn't evade, but used a 0 Stop card to stop his attack, though the spell had no affect on him.
"I can never be stopped!" he shouted, throwing his daggers and shielding himself. Philia narrowly evaded the daggers, but decided to hold off an attack, setting up a sleight for his next attack instead. Gilgamesh tried to unleash another twin slash with his sword, but Philia broke the attack, and unleashed the Ice Breath sleight, breathing freezing gust onto Gilgamesh, who took the attack and was knocked back. However, he recovered as he unleashed his Duo Break sleight again, with Philia easily evading it.
"Not gonna trip me up like that again!" Philia barked at him.
Ansem pulled out another sleight, encasing himself in darkness as he shot at Riku numerous times. He got hit by the first couple, but managed to pull himself out of the way for the next ones. He ended up using a couple of Mickey's cards together, creating a sleight to damage the surroundings while healing himself.
Ansem got stunned for a second, giving Riku a chance to unleash a series of cards, before he parried his consecutive attacks, and unleashed a shockwave at point-blank, causing Riku damage, but regaining himself as he dodged energy discs thrown by his Guardian, before finding the right card, and forcing Ansem into a duel, where he completely overpowered his cards, unleashing a barrage.
"Got any more chuckles for me?!" Riku questioned, as he lunged forward.
Both parties was dealing with powerful opponents. Gilgamesh was relentless and ruthless, using a double slash with both sword and dagger of the replicas, and a throw and block combo with Larxene and Vexen's weapons, which put him in a defensive stance until Philia could break his attacks. His sleights included a charge while waving his weapons wildly, and his rose and rock shockwave with Lexaeus & Marluxia's weapons.
Meanwhile, Ansem was unleashing all sorts of dark energy attacks, which came from the Guardian, such as punches, straight-line shockwaves, and sleights such as energy discs and rushing attacks. And whenever Guardian was in front of Ansem, he could be protected against attacks, like Vexen's shield. However, Philia and Riku were able to counter them and deal with their attacks, evading, striking when they let their guard down, doing all they could. The progress from getting stronger in the castle was really showing up here.
"You are not bad." Gilgamesh told Philia, "But I still have one more surprise to show you! Behold, my multi-weapon strike!" He utilized a sleight, and he tossed up Larxene's daggers into the sky, before pulling out Zexion's book, unleashing its energy. suddenly, Gilgamesh created six clones of himself, each using the six weapons he had, while Larxene's daggers created an electric triangular cage that surrounded Philia.
"You are finished!" Gilgamesh shouted, the one launching forward with his scythe ready.
At the same time, Riku knocked Ansem back, before he regained himself. "The final darkness is nigh!" he roared as he sent Guardian into the ground. Riku looked to see the ground go dark, before running and evade as the Guardian tried to strike from below. He kept running, evading, trying to leap over the hands of the Guardian attempting to strike him. The Guardian rose up and sent shockwaves at Riku, who tried to evade, but got caught off guard, and got knocked off his feet.
"Take this!" Ansem shouted as his Guardian appeared with him, and they went into a dark-encased rush at Riku.
However, both characters pulled out 0 cards, and broke their attacks, stopping them in their place.
"Some attack. I won't allow you to follow through with it!" Philia barked, activating her sleight, "Soul Burst: Sora!"
"I'll show you the kind of darkness that I choose to use. Darkness!" Riku roared, and he flipped in the air, activating his Dark Mode.
The two launched themselves at their opponents, with Gilgamesh proclaiming, "You wield a Key-sword! I want it!"
"You want it? Try and get it!" Philia roared as he unleashed a wild rush attack. However, Philia broke the attack and unleashed a Sonic Blade sleight, striking him several times with multiple flying thrust. She then quickly summoned another sleight, and unleashed a Thunder Raid, sending her Keyblade flying at Gilgamesh, in which he turned and took the hit by the attack.
Riku charged at Ansem who tried to strike him with flying discs, but Riku slid underneath the attack, before pouncing forward and unleashing a Dark Firaga sleight, blasting Ansem close with dark flames, damaging him hard.
"I will not stand for this!" Ansem roared, going into a Dark Rush once more. However, Riku evaded the attack, and set up a sleight, before unleashing it, the Dark Aura, stopping Ansem's attack, and striking him multiple times from different directions before slamming Ansem to the ground, hitting him with shockwaves that came from slamming the ground.
Gilgamesh tried to unleash another sleight, readying the scythe and axe sword, but Philia countered it with a Judgement Sleight, summoning a tornado that she caught Gilgamesh in, making him unable to get out. He toppled to the ground, and got back up to see Philia had yet another sleight at the ready, unleashing Ragnarok, charging up light from the tip of her Keyblade.
At the same time, Riku charged up another Dark Firaga, aiming at the weakened Ansem. Both attacks were launched at the same time, dark flames and light salvos flying at their targets, and they both simultaneously struck their opponent, causing them to fly, taking the final blow.
"Why do...you refuse...the darkness?" Ansem grimaced before he vanished.
"I surrender!" Gilgamesh exclaimed, before he vanished as well. Both heroes defeated their opponents.
Next thing they knew, Riku and Ansem were back in the room again, both exhausted, but Ansem was far worse off. Still, he looked frustrated that he was unable to beat him.
"Insolent brat!" he roared, sending a large orb of darkness at Riku, who blocked with his sword. He struggled to push it back, but he twisted his sword, and slashed the orb out of existence.
"Ansem!" Riku roared, launching forward, and with one clean sweep, slashed right past Ansem, before he came to a halt, his sword stuck out from where he stopped his swing. Ansem was petrified, his arms raised as he was dealt the final blow. "This is the end!" Riku told him, not looking back.
There was a moment's pause, before Ansem weakly grimaced, "This...is hardly...the end... Your darkness; I gave it...all to you... My dark shadow...lingers... Someday... Someday...I will return!" With this final proclamation, he gathered up all his remaining darkness, and exploded, causing darkness to consume the room, Riku with it.
Back outside, Philia was panting while holding her fighter's stance, while Gilgamesh's extra arms magically vanished, leaving with his two arms remaining, while he was on one knee, exhausted, the weapons gone.
"What...a bout..." Gilgamesh muttered, getting to his feet, "You have bested even the greatest of what I could find in this castle. Truly, you are a worthy rival. One I will etch deep into my throat and into my heart."
"Consider me impressed, too." Philia acknowledged, "But I gotta say, I think you missed a couple weapons out there. There was a couple Organization members we beaten, too...I think."
"Nonsense! I looked from top to bottom of this castle, and this was the best that I could find!" Gilgamesh argued, before something came to mind, "Hold on. Are you saying there were even greater weapons in this castle than the ones I found? Perhaps another Key-sword! That is the ultimate weapon, after all!"
"No, what I meant was..." Philia started, but Gilgamesh ignored this, as he pulled out his green stone he called Enkidu.
"Come on, Enkidu. We must find the ultimate weapon that'll allow us to best Philia, our new eternal rival!" The stone shined as he raised it high, before looking at Philia. "I will give you this win, today! But next time we meet, I will become the winner, and will earn the right to claim that boy's Key-sword! Farewell!" With that, the stone shined brightly, blinding Philia, before she looked up, and saw Gilgamesh became a bouncing ball of light again, and he flew through the ceiling above, vanishing from sight.
Mickey approached Philia's side, as they looked up at the ceiling. "It was like fighting all of the Organization members and the replicas at once. He may have not wielded them like they did, but he was tough. Almost feels relieving that I managed to defeat him."
"I wonder how he found that Star Shard?" Mickey asked.
"Star Shard?" Philia echoed.
"Yep. My master had one, and I used it as well about ten years ago."
"Huh..." Philia looked from Mickey back to the ceiling above, before wondering about a couple things. One was if Gilgamesh would remember her after Sora's memory about her vanishes. The other is... 'I'm guess why he couldn't get Axel's weapon, but what about PHox?' she wondered, 'If he couldn't find it, could that mean he isn't really...'
Suddenly, Mickey felt something, and turned to the door to where Riku went into. Philia could also feel it, and looked to the door. "Sounds like Riku needs our help." Mickey told her.
"Yeah." she replied.
"Let's be his light to guide him out!" he declared, concentrating. Philia did the same, wondering if she could summon that light like she did before. Sure enough, she and Mickey shined brightly, as their lights entered into the door, going into the darkness that was spreading throughout the place.
"Sora... Kairi..." Riku was calling out, seeing nothing but endless darkness before him as he floated there, not even able to see his own body.
Suddenly, two balls of light sparkled down into view, with Mickey's voice calling out, "Gosh, Riku, I know you wanted to do this alone..."
"...but if your ego doesn't mind, let us help you out, at least for a LITTLE bit." Philia finished. The pair came to Riku's side, each wrapping an arm around his shoulder, as they guided him forward out of the darkness. The three were able to accomplish their goals. Now it was time to leave it all behind.
Moments later, Philia led Riku and Mickey to the front entrance of the castle, as she remembered the way. She looked ahead, seeing the cream-colored large doors. It was through those doors that led to Sora being in the state he was in, and why Philia chose to make him forget everything about her. She was glad to see those doors again so she could leave this place.
"So, Riku, Philia...what happens next?" Mickey asked, "Are you both goin' home?"
"Well, that's the plan." Philia replied, turning to the pair, "My memories are in my other self back home. Although...I have no idea where home is, actually. What about you, Riku? Going back to the islands?"
"I can't go home...not yet." he replied, looking at his hands, "It's still here. It's really faint, but I can sense him. So I think his darkness may still have a hold on me."
"Your darkness belongs to you. Just the same way your light does." Mickey informed him, "Up until now, I thought darkness was something that should never exist. And I spent time with you and changed my mind."
"Same." Philia agreed, "Darkness is creepy, but it is still a part of us. We can accept the darkness without letting it overtake us, just like you did. I bet there is a little darkness in me, as well, and maybe my past will have more. However, as long as I accept it, without it consuming me, then everything should be okay. You are my role model in that department, Riku."
"Me, a role model?" Riku asked.
"Yep, you got it!" Mickey agreed, "The road you both chose, I didn't know. Light and dark, back to back. With you, I think they might meet in a way nobody's seen before. Wonder where that road leads. I'd like to see myself." He raised a hand to Riku, saying, "I'd like to walk the road with ya."
"Same...well, from a distance." Philia admitted, "I still my own path I gotta take. The path that was formed from my memories, I must take to see if it'll lead me back to my past again, or somewhere else. Let's just hope my path and your road meet up eventually again."
She knelt down next to Mickey, raising a hand to the both of them. Mickey took her hand eagerly, saying, "I know we'll see each other again, Philia."
The two looked to Riku, who looked to them, before chuckling and taking each of their hands, forming a ring of hands as he said, "Philia, Your Majesty, I'm really flattered... I don't know what to say."
"Gosh, Riku, you know you and Philia don't have to call me that now. We're pals." Mickey assured them.
"Fair enough, Mickey." Riku responded.
Philia smiled graciously, saying, "I'd be honored, Mickey."
Before the trio left the castle, Riku and Mickey joined Philia's choice, and donned their black coats, hiding their presence from the Organization. They exited the castle, going down the odd path, before finally reaching the grasslands where Sora, Philia, and the rest were in before the Organization guided them off to the castle. As they reached the crossroads, they saw that DiZ was waiting for them.
"DiZ..." Philia met him, not happy or angry to see him.
"What are you making me choose now?" Riku asked, glaring at him.
"Between the road of light and the road of darkness." DiZ answered.
Philia wasn't sure, until she and Mickey heard Riku answer, "Neither suits me. I'm walking the middle road." He walked right past DiZ going to the path that was behind him.
"Do you mean the twilight road that leads to nightfall?" DiZ asked.
"No." Riku replied, turning back as the faintest glow of light in the sky was starting to form ahead of him, "It's the road to dawn."
Philia didn't move as Mickey walked with him, looking down to think. What was her path forward? The light, the dark, or the dawn? She had no idea. She wasn't sure where her memories were at, so she wasn't sure which path to take.
"Philia..." DiZ addressed the young girl, and she looked to see him approach her. "While I can't give you a straight path forward, perhaps this might help you out..." He handed her a stone that looked very much like the stone Gilgamesh had before, only the green was replaced with its natural blue color.
"I know this..." Philia noticed, looking at the stone, before raising it to the mouse king, asking, "Is this one of those Star Shards you spoke about?"
"It is!" Mickey replied, "But how did you have one, DiZ?"
"I was given one of these a long time ago, but I have no need for it." DiZ replied, "Perhaps I was given it to pass it down to you, Philia."
"So…how does it work?" Philia asked, examining the Star Shard, "Is it a sort of Gummi Block?"
"Yep. It takes some control to use, but it can take you to other worlds." Mickey explained, "It's a little difficult, so it might take you to a completely different world."
"Basically, if I don't know how to control it, I'll just be going from one random world to the next, huh?" Philia asked.
"Won't that get a bit dangerous?" Riku asked.
Philia paused on it, before closing her eyes. "A stone that can take me to random worlds, and a chance that one of them might be my home world. And all the while, there are new adventures, new memories, and new treasures waiting to be discovered…"
(Insert Digimon Tri 'Butter-Fly' Instrumental)
Philia opened her eyes as she smiled and answered, "Sounds like a good start for my journey on my own." Riku and Mickey smiled and nodded in agreement. DiZ merely nodded in approval, not smiling at this.
Philia backed off from everyone, before looking at the Star Shard, and raised it high. "Okay, Star Shard. Take me to a path to my home!" The Gummi Block shined brightly, causing everyone to be blinded compared to the darkness around them. Then, a second later, Philia had turned into a bouncing, dancing ball of light that shot up into the sky, disappearing from sight.
Inside the light, Philia was holding onto the Star Shard, looking ahead as her mind was thinking back to everything she had gone through so far.
(Philia speaking) In the beginning, I was somewhere. For a while, I went everywhere. Now, my path is anywhere.
A journey that started with no memories of my past, but treasured memories were given to me after that. Some of them were happy ones. Others were reasons I wish I could forget. Regardless, they inspired me of what I had to go through to be who I am today, and to continue searching for who I was. My search for my Heart's Origin. Now, I must follow the Path of Memories that I had made so far, and see what new memories will be made as I continue onward. My name is Philia, and my story is only just starting.
Epilogue
Present Day, Mickey's Study
Mickey finished the story that was given to him some time later, about all that had happened inside Castle Oblivion to Sora, Philia, and everyone else involved. This had left Kayaba astounded by what he had learned, but not too astounded that he had his tablet out and recorded all that Mickey explained. The story was tragic, but ended with a slight bit of hope for Philia.
"So that's the truth of the matter." Kayaba understood, "Due to Naminé putting the memories of Philia to sleep, no one could remember about her apart from those inside the castle, which included you, Riku, Naminé, DiZ, who was really Ansem the Wise, and couple others. You also said that Kairi and Maleficent also are aware of this, correct?"
"Yep. Maleficent was unaffected by the memory loss due to her being gone and only coming back a year later." Mickey explained, "As for Kairi, that's a whole different story. Besides that, once Philia comes back with remembering her past, she can reawaken the memories within Sora, which will trigger everyone else remembering their past, as well!"
"That is the kind of reaction I plan to record once that happens." Kayaba told Mickey, "But it confirms my theory after learning about her; that she was a resident of my world back in SAO. Meaning she comes from the same world as Kirito and Asuna. Has she made her way back home?"
"Not, at least, not that I've heard." Mickey sadly answered, "But I know she'll find a way back. After all, as we promised, that wasn't the last time we met one another."
"Oh?" Kayaba asked curiously.
"Yep. She actually played a big role behind the scenes of our previous endeavor with Oberon."
"Is that so?"
"Sadly, I don't know a great deal about what happened during that time." Mickey replied, hopping out of his chair, and towards the door, "But I know she's doing just fine. After all, last I saw, she has gained great friends, and is guided by Gretinal to stop a dangerous threat. I would like to ask her when the time is right. For now, keep what I told you a secret from everyone."
"I plan to keep it in my private records on my computer, but I promise to not tell anyone." Kayaba stated. Mickey chuckled as they exited the room. After all, promises were ones that they engraved deep in their hearts.
Epilogue #2: Darkness Forming
Keyblade Graveyard, After Castle Oblivion
Someone was wandering through the wasteland, walking towards an area that had sixteen different pillars of rock that almost didn't seem natural, due to how they stood in a circle around a lone rock mount. The person revealed himself to be PHox, who looked up to the destination, smirk, and continued to walk.
Moment's later, he arrived on the scene, where two characters stood, waiting for him. One was a man with a ponytail and an eyepatch over one eye, which was Zigbar. The other was a young man with tanned skin, and looked very much like the leader of Organization XIII. The man was the young version of Xehanort.
PHox came to a halt in front of the pair, asking, "So, do I pass the test? Am I in?"
"You seem pretty eager to join us." Zigbar stated with concern, "You really willing to replace your heart with the old coot's just like that?"
"Is that a problem?" PHox asked "I already proved that my heart is strong and ambitious. I did what I was told for the sake of the Organization, even getting rid of traitors among them. I even caused Philia to break ties with Sora and his rat-pack."
"Whether your actions have proven your worth is not the issue here." Young Xehanort, "We are wondering what your heart's desire is, and how you came to learn about this true goal for the Organization?"
"Come on. You don't think I'm just a killer, do you?" PHox retorted, "Back at headquarters, I did my own sleuthing, and learned about this shindig from looking at personal files."
"You seem to be a busy bee, aren't you?" Xigbar asked, "Don't you know it's bad manners to look through people's personal belongings."
"Well, we are a bunch of Nobodies..." PHox argued, getting in close to Xigbar, "At least, that's the story the master fed us. So how can someone who doesn't exist have any personal belongings to begin with?" Xigbar closed his eye, and gave a huff of amusement at him twisting what they were told around.
He turned away as he raised his hands up high, asking, "How could I pass up a party like that? A Keyblade War between the seekers of darkness and the guardians of light. And if I get a chance to kill off bigshot guardians like that, and consume everything into darkness, that will make it easy for me to sneak through the shadows and slaughter anyone that would do me wrong. Giving up a heart to do that? Easy trade."
Xigbar turned to Young Xehanort, asking, "Well, the guy's definitely wicked enough, twisted as all hell, but is he worthy to join us?"
Young Xehanort paused to think about it, before answering, "If he is willing to make our goal come true, then I see no problem. We will be keeping an eye on you, if you have any actions to betray us."
"Trust me, I'll be your personal lapdog." PHox answered, taking a knee as he bowed to them. However, with his head lowered, they didn't see his expression of delight as he mentally added, 'Philia, you are gonna play your destined role for what is soon to come. Better strengthen your heart and your bonds...before I crush it all.'
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