6H: Welcome to chapter 76, the very last 'chapter' chapter of Shattered Fragments. There are some CoM and KH2 trailers, like the Shattered Fragments 'Deep Dive' I wrote, that's just SOOOO awesome!

Anaretsu: Sure it is.

6H: IT IS! Well, here you go. Thank you for reading my story!


Kingdom Hearts-Shattered Fragments

Final Fragment-Aftermath


It stopped as soon as it started, but they all knew that the stillness wouldn't last long. Sora and Cedeile looked at each other. They knew-they just did. It was time for goodbye.

"Cedeile, are you coming with us?" he asked her. She looked at the ground and thought about it for a moment. Ryu and Aru watched her, wondering what she would say, and what would happen to them if she said 'yes.'

"I'm sorry Sora-I can't. I have to keep taking my own path." she replied. Ryu and Aru were puzzled.

"Why?" Sora asked.

"Because I have a mission-make it to the final purification and save 'him.' I haven't figured out the 'him' part yet, though. Oh yeah, and we have to find Silvia. It'll be easier if we split up, yeah?" She said. Sora nodded.

"I'm just being selfish. You have your way, and I have mine." he said. She nodded. The ground began to shake again, and the part Ryu and Aru were standing on broke away and began to move off into the distance.

"Cedeile!" They both called. Cedeile looked at them and then turned back to Sora.

"This is goodbye...for now." she said.

"Goodbye, Cedeile."

"Say hi to Kairi for me!" She yelled. She jumped off the edge of the ground and flew up towards the platform that was moving away from her. Herfingers just brushed the edge and nearly missed, but Aru and Ryu each grabbed one of her hands and helped her up. Sora looked down for a moment but then jetted his head up, like he remembered something.

"Cedeile!" he yelled, to get her attention. He threw something towards her and it sailed through the air. She caught it carefully in her hands and then looked at what his gift was. It was his necklace with the sliver crown on it. She looked back to him.

When you walk away
you don't hear me say
please, oh baby, don't go
simple and clean is the way that
you're making me feel tonight
it's hard to let it go.

She looked down at him, confused, but he just grinned back up at her. She smiled sadly and waved. Suddenly, golden orbs of light began to float down around them.

you're giving me
too many things, lately
you're all I need
you smiled at me and said...

Ryu looked over at Cedeile's back and smiled a bit to himself. Aru walked over to the edge of the platform and looked at the chain around her neck. She looked back up to the sky. It was like the light could grant wishes. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked over to it's owner. Cedeile smiled down at her, and she smiled back. Cedeile left Aru's side and waved back at the fading Sora. Ryu came up to her and stood beside her.

don't get me wrong I love you
but does that mean I have to meet your father?
when we are older you'll understand
what I meant when I said no,
I don't think life is quite that simple.

"Ryu?"

"Hmm?" he asked as Sora and the others completely faded from view.

"What did you want to tell me?" she asked. "Before, in the valley?"

"Oh, that." he said. "I wanted to say that we're friends now is all." he said.

"Is that all?" she asked.

"Yes, that's all. God, were you expecting a love confession or something?" he huffed, but then blushed in embaresent at what he said.

"LOVE CONFESSION? I should just knock you off the damn platform right now!" she yelled. Aru turned to watch them argue. She laughed to herself.

"They're back to normal." she said quietly. Cedeile looked back up at the night sky and the golden light falling. Suddenly, beams of silvr glitter jetted up above them. It was the stars- they were returning to the sky. Cedeile closed her eyes peacfully.

When you walk away
you don't hear me say
please, oh baby, don't go
simple and clean is the way that
you're making me feel tonight
it's hard to let it go.

Out on some cliffs, the morning sun shone down on them. Aru and Ryu walked down a path, talking about something when they noticed Cedeile lagging behind. They turned to see her looking out at the ocean as it splashed up against the rocks at the base of the cliffs. She looked back at them, not knowing they were waiting for her. She smiled and ran towards them, and they continued walking. Overhead, doves flew by, and swooped down over the ocean.

the daily things
that keep us all busy
are confusing me
that's when you came to me,
and said

Back on the newly restored Destiny Island, Kairi was in the secret place again, alone. She had seen the picture of Sora giving her the paopu, and had draw in her giving one to him. As she stood to go, she turned as saw a rock pushed aside in the wall, leading to a new area. She crawled through and was amazed at what she saw. She turned in a full circle, the presence of a lonely child still there.

wish I could prove I love you
but does that mean I have to walk on water?
when we are older you'll understand
it's enough when I say so.
And maybe, so things are that simple.

In the corner, she imagined Cedeile sitting against the wall, leaning against the rock. She turned and smiled, and then disappeared. Kairi saw a smeared image on the wall. She wiped away some of the grime and gasped at what she saw. It was a pretty good drawing of a boy in cloak-it looked exactly like Ryu. She picked up a rock and wrote his name underneath it.

"Cedeile..." she said out loud in thought. Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. A girl her age stood there, smiling.

When you walk away
you don't hear me say
please, oh baby, don't go
simple and clean is the way that
you're making me feel tonight
it's hard to let it go.

"Hi there!" The girl said. Kairi's eyes went wide. This girl was so similar looking to her. No-this girl's hair was an indigo color, and chopped much shorter and in a much more boyish style than her own. The girl also had dark blue eyes, like the evening sky, but much bluer than Ryu's navy eyes. The girl wore a pale yellow tank top with a pale blue star on it, and a pair of blue shorts in the same shade.

"Hello!" the girl said again, grinning boyishly. "I just moved here with my parents! My name is Karri!" she replied.

hold me
whatever lies beyong this morning
is a little later on
regardless of warnings, the future
doesn't scare me at all.
nothing's like before.

(This is the part where the random images from the story flashed across the TV with the credits. I'll just write lyrics, and you can imagine your favorite scenes!)

When you walk away
you don't hear me say
please, oh baby, don't go
simple and clean is the way that
you're making me feel tonight
it's hard to let it go.

hold me
whatever lies beyong this morning
is a little later on
regardless of warnings, the future
doesn't scare me at all.
nothing's like before.

hold me
whatever lies beyong this morning
is a little later on
regardless of warnings, the future
doesn't scare me at all.
nothing's like before.


6H: Okay, remember the part of the credits where they shows what happened to everyone in the end? Well, I'm going to do that! Except my way!

Anaretsu: feh. Just get it over with!


Destiny Islands

The breeze blowed through the trees as Wakka, Tidus, and Selphie ran across the beach. Over on the other island where the village was, Cedeile's mom cried in their house, her father comforting his wife as best he can. They look at a family photo with a younger Cedeile and her younger brother

Traverse Town

Merlin was flipping through the pages of his large spell book, when he heard a knock at his door. He got up, smoothing out his robe. He went to see who it is and found himself looking down at a young girl's head. She wore ragged clothing, and her hair was a dark brown. She looked up at him with dark brown eyes and he looked back at her in shock.

"Nabuki...?"

Nightville

From up in the Castle, Lady Chain looked over the village, the wind blowing her hair back as she smiled down at the land. From behind her, a figure emerged from the castle. It was Kai, smiling at her. She walked up to him and they shook hands.

McFuzz Town

Silver Eye locked the door to his shop. A sign on the window said "Closed for Good!" He smiled as he walked down the street. Up above, fireworks were being shot into the air. Over in the main plaza, Benida twirled around, the mask absent from her face. Everyone in the square was maskless as well, and dancing together in celebration. Benida turned and smiled over at her father and mother, their masks also gone. They nodded at her, smiling.

Hallow Bastion

Yuna stood on the edge of the platform, looking out at the huge castle. She didn't remember it very well, but it was home, and others would be there who would remember her. She looked down. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. A hand suddenly touched her shoulder. She looked up and her bi-colored eyes went wide in surprise and joy. Tifa smiled back down at her.

Inside, they were all sitting in the library, reading, when the doors opened. Cid walked in, and behind him was Cloud. Leon and Aerith stood up suddenly from surprise. Aerith walked forward to him and grinned at him as he shifted his eyes away, nervous about being home again.

Book City

Up at Book Mountain, the library had been repaired. Kana came out of them and flew to the newly repaired railing of the balcony and stood on it. From the horizon, the sun could be seen peaking up over it. She sighed and looked at the land wistfully as morning dawned.

Ore Kingdom

The miners were back at work in the mines, and were bringing up loads of organic metal. From her place at the castle window, Mindy looked out over the tiny town and smiled. She turned back inside and smiled up at Risa and Rook. They smiled back and bowed for her. The little princess trembled and ran to hug Risa around her knees. Risa bended down and hugged back.

Atlantica

Ariel placed down a small arrangement of flowers in front of Makota and Kirisu's cave and put her hands together to pray for them. The currents carried some of the petals out over the currents where they floated endlessly.

Collusiuem

Phil grinned, proud ofh is work outside. Hercules joined him, crossing his arms and nodding in approval. A huge sign hung over the gates. "The New Champions! Cedeile the Heartblade Master and Sora the Keyblade Master! ALSO-Aru the Great Mage!"


The girl sat on the floor with her cup and handed the other one to her grandmother. The elderly lady oepned the book on her lap and began to read it to her granddaughter, who listened intently.

"Grandma?"

"Yes?" The girl paused, looking sideways and then back up at the lady.

"Will she be coming this way, you think? The heartblade master, I mean." The lady smiled and nodded knowingly.

"It is hard to tell, my child. You see, you never know where the path will take you. Just follow it along, and don't ever hestiate to follow it, for great things lie at the end of it."


Cedeile kicked at a stone on the path and sighed. Ryu and Aru came to a stop behind her.

"What is it now?" Ryu asked, annoyed.

"We've been walking for miles and miles, and still nothing! Ansem could be anywhere with Silvia right now, and here we are in some DAMN FIELD, wandering like rats in a cheese maze!"

"Cedeile, it's MICE that they put in those mazes." Aru said.

"Damn it! Where are we anyway?" she yelled out.

"Would you shut up?" Ryu told her more than requested. "Let's keep moving. We'll at least be going somewhere, even if we don't know where."

"But why! What's the point?" Cedeile whined.

"The destination isn't always what's most important." Ryu said. Suddenly, a dove from over them dropped a piece of paper. It fluttered down to them, and Cedeile caught it in her hands. They all looked at it. It was an envelope with a strange seal on the back.

"What is it?" Aru asked.

"God knows. Open it, Cedeile." Ryu said.

"Open it, what?"

"Open it or I'll smack you over the head harder than I ever had before!"

"Works for me!" Cedeile tore through the paper and pulled out the document inside.

"Well? Read it!" Ryu demanded.

"Alright, alright." she said. She unfurled the paper to it's full size and began to read. "'Dear Cedeile, Ryosuke the Fragment hunter, Aru the mage, and Hikari Tagami, the one who created the keyblade and heartblade,' Phew! What an intro! Okay, Ryu, stop giving me a death glare! 'I'm afraid I haven't properly thanked you for your hard effort. There wasn't much time at the end, but I wanted to show my grattitude towards you. Seems that everyone focuses on Sora, doesn't it? I wouldn't be surprised if, when this story was recorded for years to come, that they'd cut your half of it out. But you have overcome such great things. Fighting demons, saving lives, purifying the heartless, and finding the fragments of Silvia are all amazing accomplishments. You were right, Cedeile. You were meant to take that other path, seperate from Sora. All of you have done so well, even without my guidence. I wished I could've been of more help to you, but there just wasn't a way it could be done. But now that Hikari Tagami is with you, I won't have to worry anymore. She is indeed a wise guardian, and I have nothing but respect for her. I'm sure she didn't get the chance to say this, but she was the one that created that heartless in front of the keyhole at Hallow Bastion, as a test to make sure you were ready. She was also the one Sora heard at the door, and the one in his dream. But I doubt she'll know anything of the final purification you seek, Cedeile. You see, the heartblade is a mystery to even her. You have yet to meet the one who can open all the doors for you, Cedeile. Ryosuke, do not blame yourself for Ansem taking Silvia. Your family never knew about the secret of the fragments. In fact, you have actually helped us a great deal, for now that Silvia is awake, she'll be much easier to find. She hasn't FULLY awakened yet, and there are some things she must accomplish before we seal her away again, but this will come to pass in time. Aru, memories are not as important as you think, but still, seek them out. And never let yourself think you do not matter. You DO matter, Aru. You are a talented mage and a caring soul. Plus, within you is the last of dark, the original form of darkness. You must protect that last bit of dark from darkness, so that one day it can return to how it used to be. We will surely meet again, and when that time comes I hope to speak with you face to face. You three are all impressive young indivduals, who will make a great difference in all the worlds. Till then,

King Mickey

PS- Riku says that you will not have to wait forever to see us again.'"

"Wow." Ryu said. "He had alot of good stuff to say about us." Aru kept repeating the last line over and over in her head.

'I'll be able to see you again, Riku...I'll wait for that day...'

"Yeah. He's not a half bad guy. I wonder how he knew all this stuff about Silvia and Hikari Tagami? Oh well, I guess we'll have to ask him next time." Cedeile said, folding up the letter and putting it in her pocket.

"Now what?" Aru asked. As soon as she asked that, the fragment radar began to go off. They were all stunned for awhile-the hadn't heard that sound in so long. Ryu pulled it out and looked at it.

"What is it?"

"It's a faint signal, but it's there. Must be Silvia! Let's go!" He put it back in his cloak, and Cedeile dashed off ahead of them. Ryu and Aru followed as she went up the path, wind streaming through her black hair.

'This isn't the end of our journey. It's just the beginning of a new one. And over the horizon is where it'll take us, to a new place we've never seen before. I can't wait till tomorrow comes!" Cedeile thought as she jumped in the air for joy, Ryu and Aru behind her, the three of them laughing from happiness and joy.

SHATTERED FRAGMENTS-END

5/15/04-3/23/05


6H:IT'S OVER! Shattered Fragments has finally ended!

Anaretsu: YAY! NO MORE PAIN!

6H: I'll look forward to seeing you all in Kingdom Hearts-Adventures at Castle Chocobo!

Anaretsu:...wha?

6H:There's a sequal.

Anaretsu: Damn.

6H:Till then! Thank you for all your reviews! You guys kept Shattered Fragments going, even in it's darkest hours through getting kicked off the net and the long reposting process. Thank you all! You guys are great!

Six-

A little note of Karri:

Karri was a character I saw in a dream I had. It was really weird, and I'm not going to describe it, save for that Karri was in it with Kairi and Sora and Riku. When I woke up, I really thought she was a real character in the game! I debated with myself for awhile about it and then I thought-"Hey! Great plot twist! Let's put her in!" She'll pop up later in Adventures at Castle Chocobo, or AaCC for short. I don't plan to reveal her true purpose till KH2, though. Heh heh.