Author's Note: It is finished. Beyond this chapter lies only the Epilogue. In a few weeks the sequel will be written. It has been a good three-year run. Thank you for persevering with me. Here is the chapter to finish it. Enjoy.
Copyrights: All characters belong to Square-Enix and Disney with the exceptions of Aozora, Kobi, Lorien, Rupert (no idea if he's mentioned in this chapter), some characters down the page, and Motsu, The storyline is mine, all the way to the end, and extending further into the Epilogue.
Songs: The first several stanzas of the song 'Around the World' by M.O.V.E. is featured here. This is one very good, fast-paced song but it's not important, hence no English translations. The feature song is 'Hikari' by Utada Hikaru. Where would Passion fit in the picture? That's for you to find out.
Warnings: All you have to be aware of is the language. And my own grammatical and spelling errors. I was writing this in the midst of a headache so bear with me, okay?
Secrets of Memories
Chapter 80: One Sky, One Destiny
Cid was losing the battle with the static on the radio and cursing under his breath when Yuffie came walking into the store, soaked. She stopped in front of the fireplace and shook her head, spraying water everywhere and the fire hissed. She then looked up, with her wild hair and all, grinning at the people in the room. Cid had stopped touching the radio to glare at the water trail she made.
" Raining again.," she said as she held up a bundle of newspapers. She then tossed it across the room to Cloud, who was sitting with Aerith on the couch.
" What's it say, Cloud?" Cid asked, still not devoting his attention to the radio as he usually did. " Anything new or are things just the same as it was for the past few weeks?"
" Heartless activity," Cloud read. " And the Nobodies. They're on the move again."
" Where?" Yuffie asked, bounding over to an armchair and plopping into it.
" Ancient Greece," the blond man explained as his eyes skimmed the front page. " They're on the move for a city."
" Does Hercules know?" Aerith asked quickly, twirling her brown hair around her finger.
" Greek army is headed for the city to counter them."
" What's the city's name? I need to alert others of this," Cid said as Rupert appeared from the storeroom with some Protega Chains.
" Mr. Highwind, I can't find the box you were talking about-"
" Goddamn it, I told you it was on the top shelf!"
" There wasn't anything on the top shelf but dust!"
Cid growled something in his throat and stormed into the storeroom, Rupert meekly following him. Yuffie grinned and gave the teenager a thumbs-up while Aerith smiled rather whimsically.
" City's got two names. The city people call it Illium. The others call it Troy."
Aerith and Yuffie nodded. Then Yuffie asked, " What else?"
Aerith leaned over Cloud's shoulder to take a peek. " Deep Tranquility is back in this Universe, thanks to Kairi. I believe Aozora's going there today. Leon, Zexion, Selphie, Tidus, and Yuna should have reached the headquarters by now. I'm expecting representatives from all worlds to be gathering there to decide how to prepare for war. It's going to start very soon, today, tomorrow, or the day after.."
" All that's in the newspaper?" Yuffie demanded, her eyes wide. " These people are nosy!"
" No Yuffie, this is stuff we know," Cloud replied, now opening the newspaper to begin reading some articles. " Interesting…people are headed for Hollow Bastion now-"
" Quiet everyone!"
The three people on the couches jumped as Cid slid out of the storeroom on his feet and ran to the radio. Quickly he twisted the knobs on it, the static shifting between very loud to rather mum. After much cursing and fiddling, he finally came to a static-free station. He put his ears close to the speakers. With the expression on his face so serious, the others leaned towards him, wondering if it was news of battle or-
" I love this song!"
Yuffie groaned. " Cid, please! Enough with the music. I mean-"
" No, you don't understand, this is like the most amazing song ever!" Cid insisted.
" Yuna can sing better than that," Aerith remarked.
" And Lenne," Cloud added.
Cid glared at them.
" What do you know? Oh and for your information, there's been a fight after all…"
""
Donna toki datte
Tada hitori de
Unmei wasurete
Ikite kita no ni
Totsuzen no hikari no naka me ga sameru
Mayonaka ni
(No matter what the time
I'm just alone,
Destiny forgotten,
Even though I kept going.
Inside of the sudden light I awaken
In the middle of the night.)
""
It was raining. Heavy droplets of water fell from the clouded night sky and collected in puddles and rivers all over Traverse Town. They fell on his face and slid down his cheeks and once in a while he had to blink quickly to get the rainwater out of his eyes. His hazel eyes.
He wondered if it was tragedy that gave his eyes that metallic sheen. When he returned from Hollow Bastion, he immersed himself into the history of his past, finding memories that he had forgotten. Memories including his flashing eyes. He knew Ronsend had eyes that glowed but Alara had blue eyes, like the ones Sora had. Somehow things had come out differently for him. He was told he was born with hazel eyes but there was something in them, something cold and metallic; after the destruction of Deep Tranquility, his eyes had gone all bronze and that was the way he remembered them. Until a few nights ago, when he looked into the mirror and shouted in shock and horror.
Emerald, sapphire, and flecks of dark gold. Those were the words she had used to describe them, when at night the moonlight shone through the storm clouds and the window of the Blue Room and illuminated them. She said they were like beacons of light in a dark place.
He smiled. It was a sad smile; he could never escape his sorrow.
He looked behind him at the doors of the Hotel and wondered if she was watching him. Last night she repeatedly cursed – mildly – what seemed to be the living hell out of the Order of the Hearts and Souls for preventing her from going with him to his home world. But they had no choice. Orders were orders, right?
Aozora sighed, then turned around while tugging at the hood of the dark blue coat he was wearing over his head. It was just so weird now, him going somewhere, anywhere, without her at his side. They had been practically inseparable for the last week and a half, earning the title, at Yuffie's insistence, of "Traverse Town's Lovebirds". And, she added, they had beaten out Tidus and Yuna, and Zexion and Selphie for that 'special' status.
" See, " she began to explain during breakfast a few days ago, looking quite happy at the look of shock Aozora and Kairi shared, " there weren't a lot of candidate couples to choose around here. I mean Zexion and Selphie are really cute-" Selphie flushed and covered her face while Zexion retained a lazy grin "- and I don't want to give anything away from Yuna who's been searching for Tidus for two years and Tidus himself, who has one extremely crazy life story- make that life and death, since he did die but came back to life-" the couple could only roll their eyes as Yuffie continued her insane bantering "-but you two are like way out there somewhere. Sometimes I feel like you two really are in a different world altogether."
" I thought that's what happens when you're in love," Zexion pointed out with a smile as he snatched a toast from a rather formidable pile in the middle of the table.
" Well that depends on the maturity of the two people," Yuffie declared importantly. Cid choked into his coffee and Leon, with a sigh, began to bang on his back until the pilot was able to breathe again. " See, I won't bother to even begin ranking Cloud and Aerith, after everything the two have been through. They're much too way up there to even begin to rank."
" Yuffie…" Cloud groaned while Aerith laughed. She was mainly laughing at the look Cid had on his face.
" And Squall and – I mean, Leon and Rinoa, well, I would like to rank them but that would be for a different title. I would say they're "Traverse Town's Noisiest Couple" but-"
Leon began coughing wildly on a bite of scrambled eggs while Rinoa turned cherry red and tried to hide her laughter in Leon's shoulder. Seeing that nobody was helping Leon, as everybody else around the table started laughing, Cid reached over and began banging on his back. Yuna just shook her head.
" Yuffie, why do you have so much free time?" Tidus asked. " And who gave you the right to listen in on what people do?"
" And while you're at it," Cloud began, trying to stifle his laughter and failing miserably, " why don't you go ahead and give that title to Aozora and Kairi as well-"
" Cloud!" Aerith smacked him on the head.
" Ow! What did I do?"
The chaos that followed was quite memorable. By the time the scuffles and finger-pointing had ended, Yuffie found herself saddled with the task of cleaning all the dishes and the tables besides. Leon and Cid were throwing each other dirty looks while rubbing at their smarting backs, Rinoa kept laughing into Leon's shoulder, Aerith was bickering with Cloud over his inability to say the right things at the right time, Yuna and Tidus went off to visit weapon shops, Zexion and Selphie went to find Gepetto and Merlin to discuss gummi ship armor and the latest updates from around the Universe, and Aozora and Kairi walked off, hand in hand, to disappear into the Second District.
Aozora sighed, smiling under his hood as the chilly rainwater dripped off the edge of his hood in waterfalls. He breathed in and out easily, watching his breath fog and fade away. He couldn't remember when he had more than a day's worth of peace. Despite the impending war, and a visit to the home he had forgotten, every day he spent with Kairi brought more smiles to his face and a happiness he couldn't explain.
Happiness, even when the dark sky, the heavy rain, the dim lights shining through the windows of the buildings, and the heavy silence around him evoked memories of the darkest sins.
""
Shizuka ni deguchi ni tatte
Kurayami ni hikari o ute
(Quietly, stand in the exit way,
And, in the pitch-black, take the light.)
""
The doors behind him opened abruptly and Aozora, who took had begun walking towards the doors of Second District, turned around, only to be enveloped by a tight embrace. He stumbled back a few feet. Aozora then felt hands, wet with the rain, feel for his face, then slide under his hood and touch both sides of his face.
" I'm going with you," Kairi whispered into his ear. Her warm breath brushed his cold face and warmed him.
" You know you're forbidden to go," he said softly, though he refused to actually follow orders, instead pulling her even closer to him. He missed her presence and really didn't want to let her go.
" I don't care. I have the tickets, and Merlin's going to cover for me."
" You blackmailed him, didn't you?"
She laughed softly. " Merlin was unfortunate to tell us too much about himself during our time in In-Between. It was either that or I do some dealings with the triplets, since we all know what they can do."
" When did you learn to be so evil?"
Kairi pressed the side of her face next to his, her hands sliding down to his chest, where his heart beat. " Does it matter?"
He smiled, knew the answer. " No, it doesn't matter at all."
He lifted his hands and touched her face. Aozora then kissed her. The rain gave it a sensual feel, took him back to the night in that strange sanctuary, where the rain fell, the light in the water glowed, and the love was eternal.
After what seemed like forever, he reluctantly pulled back. Kairi smiled as she pulled on the hood attached to the simple black coat she was wearing.
" We should go. The train leaves in ten minutes and I don't want anyone seeing me leave Traverse Town."
He nodded. They left the Second District for the train that would take them to Aozora and Sora's home world, hand in hand.
""
Imadoki yakusoku nante fue ni saseru dake kana
Negai o kuchi ni shitai dake sa
Kazoku ni mo shoukai suru yo
Kitto umaku iku yo
(And what about the recent promises, is it just that I'm so anxious?
A wish that's wanting to be said, but shall be repressed.
I'll introduce my family,
You'll surely get along well.)
""
" Y'see anything yet?" Ashita asked impatiently. His arms were aching; he shifted his grip on the rocket launcher on his shoulder to relieve the pressure. His shades were sliding down his nose bridge but he couldn't push it back up. Slowly he peered over the ledge of the building's rooftop and studied the empty street.
" Can I see anything?" Riku echoed, his voice edged with mockery. Everybody knew he could see, especially with the sunglasses he forced Ashita to find for him. Of course, that wasn't the point.
" Shut up. Let me rephrase the question: can you sense anything?"
" Yes. But it's weird. Maybe the Heartless and Nobody forces had problems trying to become one power. They're approaching from opposite ends, a group of Dusk and a group of NeoShadows. If I'm to assume anything, they're going to start the war. They're going to fight over Twilight Town."
" Well, they're in for one big surprise, eh?"
" Hell yeah. How many?"
" I've got four. Fifth one's in the launcher."
" Good. Ashita, you sure this area's cleared out?"
" The Gullwings won't fail on us, not after everything they've done to help us. They know who we are, they know what they're part of. Stop doubting them, Riku. Trust them for once, even if Rikku's not in her right mind half the time."
" Right."
Riku smiled as a fresh breeze blew, tossing his silver hair about.
" You know, I just realized that a whole year's passed by."
" And your point is?"
" I'm seventeen. One year older. And I'm going to start a war. Excellent way to grow up, don't you think?"
Ashita just smiled and shook his head. He immediately regretted the action; his sunglasses slid even further down his nose. He grimaced, then swore when he felt beads of sweat form and roll off his face.
" Damn it, I can't see!" he muttered, blinking furiously as sweat entered his right eye.
" I know you're jealous of my über looks but please, don't try and go blind as I almost did," Riku stated matter-of-factly. " I got powers but if you tried to go blind, you'll stay blind."
" Very funny," Ashita snapped. He quickly let go of the launcher with one hand and swiftly wiped his eyes while pushing up his sunglasses. He then quickly grabbed the launcher before it broke his shoulder.
" Are you ready?" Riku asked quietly. A breeze was blowing, cold in the warm twilit air.
" If they want war," Ashita said, the year rushing through his mind. It all went from Aozora's nightmares to Orion's betrayal to Riku sealing Kingdom Hearts to Sora's death to the very last seconds of peace before all hell broke lose. " If they want war, we'll give them war."
Riku nodded, his face now grim. War. He knew Selphie would romanticize it and imagine glorious charges and mighty heroes and heroines save the day. Tidus was much like Sora, ready to charge in and save the day. Wakka would laugh things off but he was serious, too, when he needed to be. He wasn't sure about Kairi, though. He had talked to Kairi once through Cid's comms. link but she didn't give much away. Maybe it was because of Sora's twin brother, Aozora. He knew about their relationship and though he honestly didn't feel comfortable about it, he let it go. Kairi needed the most help and support now, and he would do anything to make his childhood friend happy.
How oblivious we were so long ago. How childish and hopeful and innocent. Now we're entering a galactic war against the Darkness, while forces more powerful than we can ever imagine push and pull us. And the Fates Hades knows well…they were the ones who cut Sora's life short and began it all. No, that's not it. It began long before our time. And now it is up to us to finish this. If that is our destiny, then-
" So be it!" Riku half-shouted into the wind. " These fellows are in for one fucking bad day. Be sure you can reload fast, Ashita, because we're going to blitz them and start the fucking war that could end everything! The war begins now!"
""
Donna toki datte
Zutto futari de
Donna toki datte
Soba ni iru kara
Kimi to iu hikari ga watashi o mitsukeru
Mayonaka ni
(No matter what the time,
We'll always be together.
No matter what the time,
Because you're by my side
The light known as "you" finds me,
In the middle of the night.)
""
In the dark world of the Gathering, nothing remained of the destruction Chaos, the secret creation of Zexion, left behind. Activity was sparse; not many remained in the Society. Whatever the traitor had tried to do had succeeded; he not only allowed Aozora to escape, but he also destroyed most of the Society.
The Society was in need of a total makeover.
That may be the nature of the meeting Vexen had called. The long-standing Society had stood the test of time until the balance broke down; in face of new threats, the structure and ability of the Society to counter them would fail. The attempt to forge an alliance with Ansem and his forces had failed to form. Crimson had declared him the enemy.
Nobody knew what became of the Advocate. He had returned from the mission at Hollow Bastion a ghost, his every movement screaming of an unspeakable horror he had encountered. Perhaps Crimson was the only one who knew what had happened, but three Society members knew. They knew but they kept this information to themselves.
" You'll never remove Marucia from his position of power, Axel, so get over it," Domitan spoke quietly as he and his best friend stared at the black sea. " You'll always remain somewhat of an outcast."
" I know that," the red-haired man replied. Upon some unspoken mutual agreement, they both fell silent for a few moments.
Of the Society members sent to Hollow Bastion to complete the task, Axel and Domitan remained unable to return to their old routines. Marucia unexpectedly took the lead in the Elite and began to vigorously change things, including taking in all the remaining Society members and training them. That included Xaldon, Roland, Sofis, and several unknown members – Demyx, Luxord, Rosalind, Helicon, and Nexus.
The Society received a shock when a blood relative of Ansem came seeking to join its forces. But they had heard enough from the man Axel had contacted for several missions in Twilight Town; the two had formed a brief alliance in trying to subdue and kill Sora. Orion would be a valuable asset to the Society's changing goals in the impending war.
" War. How I love the sound of it," Domitan suddenly said with a smirk. " I'm going to love this. Win or lose, the damage we'll inflict is something to look forward to, right?"
Axel didn't answer. There was a strange silence hovering over the normally flamboyant and crazy man.
" Hey! Don't you have anything to say?"
The redhead seemed strangely oblivious to his surroundings, until Domitan socked him on the shoulder. He stumbled to the side a few, then turned on the blue-haired man. " What the fuck was that for!"
" I was talking; you weren't listening," Domitan retortd. " Just what were you thinking about?"
" Nothing that concerns you, so stop worrying."
Domitan stared at him. This was so un-Axel. What happened for him to suddenly recant his insane ways? Did it have anything to do with the two forces they released from Hollow Bastion's secret seal, or was something else at work?
" Axel, have you seen Roxanne? I don't see her anywhere, and we have to be at the fucking meeting that asshole Vexen called."
" No…I haven't seen her," Axel answered dully. His green eyes kept staring across the black sea. " Haven't seen her at all…"
Now Domitan was irritated. " Axel, snap out of it! What's wrong with you?"
He shrugged. " I'll go find Roxanne. I'll see you at the gathering."
The blue-haired man nodded. " Alright then. But don't do anything funny. I expect you at the meeting in exactly ten-no, make that nine minutes."
Axel smirked, looking like his old self again. " I feel so distrusted…"
Domitan rolled his eyes. " I'm your best friend, Axel. I know what's going through your mind. And it's an important meeting. I'm sure we're going to discuss the whereabouts of Pete so you two have better be there. Don't start screwing things up now."
Axel waved him off. " Whatever."
" Oh just go and get the fuck outta here and find the damn woman!" Domitan muttered, then vanished, leaving Axel to stand alone facing the sea. The tall man sighed, then turned to walk off into the dark world. His green eyes gleamed with the faint moonlight, the only real light in the world between worlds.
If only Domitan knew the things I know…but not now. Later, during the war…all will be mine.
""
Urusai (when you turn my way) toori ni haitte
Unmei (take it all the way) no kamen o tore
(Enter a noisy street
And put on the mask of destiny.)
""
Leon led his group down the dark alleyway, ignoring Selphie's nervous squeaks and Tidus's mild cursing whenever he stepped in a puddle. Out in the streets life roared with intensity and nervous energy, but Leon rather that he and the others remain hidden. Zexion walked by his side, silent and rather gloomy at the collar that was suddenly placed around his neck as well as the leash that connected him to the headquarters of the Order. Leon kept checking his pockets to make sure he had the orders and the code needed to get past the guards at the secret door.
Alice and the Queen of Hearts quickly got off the train, both nervous of each other and the fellow passengers who kept staring at them. Alice may have been able to blend in, with her innocent looks and all, but the Queen of Hearts was altogether a different matter. She had already caused a bit of an uproar during the journey to the World Station when she argued with one of the stewards over her heart-shaped luggage. Hopefully, Alice prayed, hopefully the Queen of Hearts won't jeopardize what may be the most important meeting in ages with her temper.
Tarzan and Jane stared at the towering heights of the great buildings that ruled the skyline as they walked down the street. People bustled all around them, whispering of darker things to come and hawking their wares. With them were Pooh and Owl. Though Pooh was used to such unusual settings, Owl was jittery and kept quizzing everyone on the situation as well as the status of the city they were entering. His world was in Hundred Acre Wood yet he was the only one from that realm who had somewhat of an actual education. It had been decided that Pooh's friend Christopher Robin remain within their world to retain some sort of order; Owl wouldn't be returning home anytime soon.
Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Sultan pushed open the tall ivory doors with their sparse but elaborate gilt designs, entering a great marble room. The ceiling soared and the room seemed enormous. Hallways branched out from this lobby, weaving mazes deep into the unassuming but massive headquarters of the Order. Jasmine spoke softly to Sebastian, who had joined them on their journey from Agrabah to the World Station, then from the World Station to the headquarters. Sebastian didn't seem bothered by the chaos of the upper world of walking people, even though he was quite renown for trying to keep Ariel from entering the world the merpeople had feared the most.
From one of the halls, the one actually designated as the hall with the secret doors for those who wish to come undetected, came Sally, with a smile on her face. The seer had met with Jack Skellington and Dr. Finkelstein but it was a brief meeting; she gave them orders concerning Christmastown and returned to partake in the gathering Council.
From behind the entourage from Agrabah and Atlantica, the doors opened and Peter Pan soared in with Tinkerbell. They left golden fairy dust glittering in the air as they made spirals up to the ceiling and then straight down to where Aladdin, Jasmine, the Sultan, Sebastian, and Sally where. Peter hovered upright and gave a bow to the ruler of Agrabah, then looked at Sally, who smiled.
" This way."
""
Sakiyomi no shisugi nante imi no nai koto wa yamete
Kyou wa oishii mono o tabeyou yo
Mirai wa zutto saki day o
Boku ni mo wakaranai
(Thinking too much about the future,
Stopping things that have no meaning.
Today I'll eat delicious things.
The future is always before us.
Even I don't know it.)
""
Pocahontas and John Smith held hands tightly as they weaved their way through the busy streets of the city. People were stopping in their tracks to stare at Pocahontas, at the color of her skin, her clothing, and her exotic air. She smiled radiantly at the new world around her, while John Smith studied and searched for anything suspicious. New settings told him to stay on the alert for any surprises; with so many people here, no Heartless could resist attacking.
Mulan, Mushu, Shang, and the Emperor pushed their way through the people. Mostly it was Mulan and Shang, with Mushu standing on Mulan's head and shouting obscenities at people who refused to step out of the way of China's champions and the wise and almighty emperor. The Emperor, they knew, was a very special person, and they didn't want to take any risks, though they couldn't help but stop for a few seconds to stare at the huge stadium situated by the port.
Robin Hood quickly pulled the hatch up while Friar Tuck looked around for any suspicious bystanders. Once Robin Hood had the hatch up all the way, Friar Tuck quickly climbed in. The graceful archer swiftly followed, carefully closing the hatch behind him. Underground, they hurried down the cool passageway in the direction of the Order; Friar Tuck was one of the most important people in the Universe and it would not do to have him head towards the Order headquarters out in broad daylight, at the mercy of the masses. As their feet pounded down the cobblestone, Friar Tuck quickly taught Robin Hood the code they would need to give to the guards to pass.
Hercules, Megara, Philoctetes, and Eucletes stood at the second step up to the doors of the headquarters. They were busy trying to finish the fight that began the moment messages came in from the battlefield at the city of Illium. They knew a retired admiral may be returning from retirement to join the fight to destroy the Heartless and the Nobodies. What they were fighting over was whether or not to send a message to have the Greek army sit and watch what the Heartless and Nobodies would do. Scouts had reported them moving in two different groups from two different directions. If the alliance between the two forces remained permanent, then the Greek army would fight. If the month-long silence following the falling feathers meant infighting and a possible fallout between the two forces, then the Greek army could just sit back and witness a spectacular battle between the Heartless and the Nobodies. A good thing, sure, but that just might convince the retired admiral to return home to Atlantis.
Simba padded down the dark hallway, his tail swishing to and fro. No lion, no matter how intelligent he was, could prowl down the streets in daylight and not be ignored. Under orders from the king and with the help of Rafiki, he found his way to one of the secret passageways that would lead to the inside of the Order headquarters and away from prying eyes. Rafiki walked by his side, quietly humming that insane tune that had knocked some sense into his head when Simba thought he was going crazy. Rafiki was carrying a reed-woven basket that he made. Within were Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Bo Peep, and Wheezy, the representatives of the world of City Point. They were busy hiding inside the basket underneath the fruit Rafiki had collected to act as their shelter from prying eyes and curious hands. In times of danger, people would retreat to the safety of the known world, and not many would be bold enough to demand a price for fruit as strange as the ones Rafiki picked.
Queen Kida refused to take the king's suggestion and take one of the secret passageways, saying she was sick and tired of going underground. Milo Thatch, who was traveling with her, laughed at the response she gave over the comms. link sent to them as a means of communication should they get lost on their journey to the city. Nigel sat on the silver-haired queen's shoulder, busy trying to make conversation with the gulls that few overhead. All he got was a repetition of the word " Mine," and that was the end of it. Milo kept a tight hold on the round bowl that held Gill. The fish studied the world above water with a leer as they made their way up the stairs and gave the guards their code. They were then motioned inside.
Belle, wearing her blue and white dress, strode confidently into the lobby of the building. Due to a lack of sufficient communication between Fabled Countryside and the headquarters, she had to explain to the guards why she lacked a code. They had nearly come to blows when one of the guards picked up his comms. link and listened to the order issued from the other end. She was allowed inside. As she passed by the counter on her way down one of the halls, she smiled and waved to Chip and Dale Dalton, who were busy typing away at computers, and jabbering into headsets. They nodded to acknowledge her presence, then Chip pressed a button and spoke.
" Your Majesty, Fabled Countryside has its representative…yes, the guards have acknowledged that both Pride Lands and City Point have entered the headquarters…no, Your Majesty, we are still missing…yes, Your Majesty. We'll send you a message immediately after his arrival."
Chip sighed and pulled the headset off his head, leaving it hanging on his neck.
" This is gonna be fun, huh?" Dale asked cheerfully as he continued sending orders to the other cities on the world they were on.
" You dolt, there's nothing fun about the first meeting in hundreds of years! Be serious now!"
" Yeah, I know, but all these people from all over the Universe are walking. You can't ignore the fact that…"
The doors swung open and they stared at the newest arrival, Dale's sentence fading.
""
Kansei sasenaide
Motto yokushite
Wan shiin zutsu totte
Ikeba ii kara
Kimi to iu hikari ga watashi no shinario
Utsushidasu
(It's not necessary to go right to the end,
Just keep going.
It's okay if the scenes
Go on one by one.
The light known as "you"
Reflects my scenario.)
""
Jack Sparrow swaggered into the building, drinking from a canteen and studying the gold in the lobby. Obviously he could sense two pairs of eyes for he turned to the astonished Chip and Dale, and winked.
" Say, savvy, where's the meeting, I say?"
They silently pointed down the middle hallway.
" Thanks."
He swaggered off, while Chip carefully felt around for his headset.
" Your Majesty, we're set. We will load the defenses in a few minutes. We'll alert you when they're up….yes Your Majesty, we're keeping track of him…no Your Majesty. Dale, where is she?"
" They don't know. She's gone. You think she went with him?"
" Your Majesty, they don't know. She ignored a direct order; what are we to do? But…oh, I see. Yes, Your Majesty, very well. Dale, start the defenses. The Council's about to begin-"
" Chip, you'd better read this," Dale interrupted, pointing at his screen. Chip leaned over and quickly skimmed the contents of the report. Then he was hurrying to his own computer and typing in commands. While doing so, he pressed the button again.
" Your Majesty! Your Majesty! We've got two reports on two fronts a few minutes ago…Yessir, it's about Ancient Greece and Twilight Town. It's a three-way battle at Ancient Greece, Your Majesty, and-Dale, shut up! Sorry, Your Majesty…yes, Your Majesty, it was a three-way battle at Twilight Town as well. Riku reports the two forces are terminated but the reports are still coming in from Ancient Greece…Yessir, the admiral is in the fight. Shall we start negotiations? Yessir…yes, Your Majesty. Chip Dalton, over and out!"
""
Motto hanasou yo
Mokuzen no ashita no koto mo
Terebi keshite
Watashi no koto dake o miteite yo
(Let's talk more,
And about the tomorrow that's before your very eyes.
Turn off the television,
And look only at me.)
""
The search had not gone well. Every single person or group of people who signed up to audition had failed miserably. Some people didn't even get their first line out before the director ordered them out the door. All attempts to find decent singers had failed; Lady Yuna very well may be the only singer out there to entertain the masses. Unfortunately, she was also a woman of power and would not be able to perform all the time.
" Next!" his colleague called out, her voice weary and bored.
In strode a duo, number 842. The young man was grinning widely, He seemed to be of a flamboyant sort, with huge sunglasses and wild spiked red hair. He very well may be a bodybuilder with a built like his but he walked with the prowling grace of a wild cat. With him was a slender teenager with fiery, sexy red hair and cold blue eyes. Her face was grim and downright serious. She was wearing a long brown coat with black faux fur on the cuffs and collar, as well as a purple tank top with gold discs and long dark blue jeans. She obviously didn't look comfortable in her clothes; while she kept brushing at the strands of the faux fur away from her neck, she glared at the other man, who gave her what seemed like a wink and a thumbs-up.
" You're going to pay for this," they heard her mutter to him.
" So…you are…Motsu and Lorien, am I correct?" the director asked while reading the information sheet.
" Yo, yo, yo, that's the stuff, yo!"
" Motsu, please."
His colleague laughed. " Interesting, I must say. What can you do?"
" He says he can rap," the woman, Lorien said, jabbing a thumb at him. " He also says I can sing."
The director and his colleague looked at each other. Their personalities were striking and at odds with each other, but if they were yet another dud, what would become of this dreary talent search?
" Okay then," the woman said, sitting straighter in her seat. " What can you do?"
Motsu looked at Lorien, who sighed. Then he grinned.
" Trip to the world! Yo! Here we go unknown world e to umareta bakari no tabibito/ narenai ashidori mo mata aikyou kimeru took dake bashitto/ So many people in this world toki ni chuushou tokamonai wake ja nai kedo/ Shimannai took ha warp shite kou suji dake ha tooshite ikiteru that's our low!
" Ate no nai trip! One way ticket to your soul, let's go buttobitsudzuke mitsukeru your goal/ aishiai jdai ni kanjiai samazama na dorama tsukutte kou/ so many things we wanna try pop song no soko ni kakureteru deep style/ gojuu oku no negai uzumakiku world kitto dare ka ni todoku your light!"
" Iki sae sukenai nemurenai machi/ suki mo misezuni warai ate/ uso sae safety honto ga empty/ abunai gurai na wanna shut up and break out!"
" Let's move into a brand new world/ let's dive into a brand new trip…"
The director and colleague stared at each other, jaws slack with shock as the two people kept singing, unaware that they have gone over their time limit. All the people in the room besides the two judges and the two singers were moving to the fast beat, while the mood in the room rose quickly with brand new hope of some new stars on the horizon.
" They're good," the colleague whispered to the director. He had to agree.
""
Donna ni yokuttatte
Shinji kirenai ne
Sonna toki datte
Soba ni iru kara
Kimi to iu hikari ga watashi o mitsukeru
Mayonaka ni
(No matter how well we're doing,
I don't believe in us completely.
But at those sorts of times,
Because you're by my side
The light known as "you" finds me
In the middle of the night.)
""
The library was dark and stank of age. The bookcases towered in the gloom, seemed threatening, as he slowly walked across the dusty floor. Here and there he saw signs of life – his footprints, Lorien's struggle with Domitan, Riku and Tarzan's presence, Axel moving here and there, places were the dust didn't exist. But then his eyes caught something, signs of another presence in the silent, forbidden realm of Hollow Bastion.
It wouldn't leave his mind. Was it really here, in this castle, that Sora died and sealed the fate of war? But how could it be war? He knew what should have happened, knew the Universe should have gone down in torrents of black water. Did Sora fall or did he fail?
Kobi shuddered as he weaved his way silently to the windows of the library, seeking some light in this bothersome darkness. There was a pale glow and he decided to head there. When he first stood before his old home, it was raining and dark and the castle appeared gloomy; if there was light in here, then maybe-
He rounded the last bookcase and entered a space where the staircase spiraled up to the second level. The windows were towering and gave him a wide view of the dark, rainy world of his father. There were no light bulbs or torches or candles giving off the light.
It was the person standing at the window who gave off the light.
Kobi stared, and gripped his staff tightly and involuntarily. She had long golden hair, slightly wavy at the ends. She was very pale, nearly porcelain, and was shaped just as delicately, with a frail, slender frame and long limbs. She was wearing a light cream sleeveless shirt over white Capri pants, and on her feet were sandals with white straps. She practically glowed with the light.
Wisps of memory seem to rise out of her fragile form and swirl around him, whispering of the voices past. He shook slightly, realizing that Riku was right.
" You will lose your light, Kobi; I can feel it. But once the darkness moves out of Hollow Bastion, you should go back. I know you will find another light there, another hope."
" This is impossible," he breathed out, not realizing that he had spoken.
She suddenly turned, startling with her crystal blue gaze and her soft smile. She had pale rosy cheeks and her lips were blushing pink. Her smile was shaky, and her eyes held a look of mild surprise, but she was not afraid. She seemed…happy.
" Hi," she whispered.
His heart was pounding in his ears.
" Um…what are you…doing…here?"
Idiot! What a way to start a conversation!
" This was my home…. I came back. I wanted to see what happened to Old Citadel."
" Oh…"
" What about you?"
" I…I-uh…this was my home, too. I was born here and lived here for a few years…before everything went wrong."
He kept watching her, hoping and fearing. Was this really her? He decided to ask.
" Um…what's your name?"
She smiled again. " I'm Naminé. And you are-are you alright?"
Kobi kept staring at her, feeling his face heat up as memories returned of the very first crush he had.
" I-I-I-I-I-I…." he stammered, then caught himself. She giggled, while he took a deep breath and tried again. " I'm Kobi."
He waited nervously, wanted to know what she would say. He felt relieved when her smile became stronger and more certain. Her eyes were shining.
" Kobi? I thought it was you. Not a lot of people in this reality have silver hair."
" Riku does."
" He's no you, Kobi. It's been a long time, you realize that?"
" Yeah, I know…"
They were both silent, studying each other, simply content in each other's presence. It's been a long while, a very long time.
""
Motto hanasou yo
Mokuzen no ashita no koto mo
Terebi keshite
Watashi no koto dake o miteite yo
(Let's talk more,
And about the tomorrow that's before your very eyes.
Turn off the television,\
And look only at me.)
""
Naminé smiled at the silver-haired teenager as he stared at his feet, knew how hard life had been for him. The son of a king, traversing the Universe an outcast of an organization bent on abandoning its noble origins in favor of domination. How amusing. How tragic. How…amazing.
He looked up, saw that she was watching him, and smiled uncertainly in return. Then he asked, very quietly so the rain nearly drowned out all his words, " I just came here…to…to see how much this place changed, too. After all, so many of us grew up here, right? Do you…do you want to check out this place…together? You know, to be on the safe side?"
She knew why he asked but didn't push it.
" Okay."
He held out his hand. She took it and he guided her out of the library and into the dark corridors of Hollow Bastion, where children's laughter and a brother's tears echoed of innocence lost and a world begun.
""
Motto hanasou yo
Mokuzen no ashita no koto mo
Terebi keshite
Watashi no koto dake o miteite yo
(Let's talk more,
And about the tomorrow that's before your very eyes.
Turn off the television,
And look only at me.)
""
He looked calmly down the middle of the long marble table and at the strong, tall form of the cloaked and hooded old man, Eldest also known as Tesled, sat. The hood nodded in acknowledgement, as they waited for the chatter, commotion, and movement at and around the table to die down and fall silent.
His mind began to distance itself from the present situation and to the far past, when his life was first defined by betrayal. From there destiny took his hand and led him down a long and difficult road, sometimes in darkness, sometimes in light, among enemies, and among friends. All the faces of his dead family and his living friends, of his foes and allies, flashed through his mind, until the reel slowed to a set of faces. He studied them, closing his eyes and closing himself up.
Riku…Kairi…Aozora…Sora…
He sighed so deeply he caught the attention of everyone present at the meeting. He was still so deep in thought, as that one little strip of film played over and over in his mind. That was until Leon cleared his throat. Donald and Goofy sat at attention on either side, Goofy looking rather sad, and Donald staring at the bluish gray veins in the stone table.
King Mickey smiled as he looked up. Queen Minnie and Lady Daisy were in charge of Disney while he leads the Council of War. He, the only survivor of his royal family and a past master of the Keyblade, was to guide everyone and take them headfirst into war.
War…
" The 387th Council has begun," King Mickey announced in his strangely high-pitched but commanding voice. All eyes were on him now.
" Thus begins the last war…"
""
Mayonaka ni
(In the middle of the night.)
Author's Endnote: All that remains is the Epilogue. Thank you so much, readers and reviewers! Please leave your thoughts, opinions, suggestions, and whatnot, and do check out the Forums on my Bio page. There you'll find out what's coming up next and all that jazz. THANK YOU!