Sora looked out of the Gummi ship's window; he gazed at the beautiful stars filling the sky. He had seen them many times before during his countless trips between the different worlds, but something was different; the sky was clear, there were no more enemy ships attacking them, and that was a good thing I guess. Sora didn't feel too good about it, he missed the thrill of fighting heartless and nobodies, since every world now had its own heroes, more than capable of dealing with its threats. But I am the wielder of the keyblade, am I not needed anymore? That thought had wandered a lot in his head since they returned to their island, and he drove it out of his head every time, but it's been lingering there ever since, and the fact that Riku was becoming better every day wasn't helping. That feeling of jealousy wasn't going away, she told himself it would. But wait, why am I jealous? I am the wielder of the keyblade….i am the savior of the world, I am the one who stopped the organization. To this, a small cynical voice answered … and all of this would not have happened, if Riku had managed to contain that darkness that overwhelmed him. You were just an errand boy, just like he told you in hollow bastion. Sora shook his head, as if to drive the thoughts out of his head. Kairi saw him, and came over, looking worried
Kairi: Sora? Are you ok?
Sora: huh? Yeah…I am ok. Just got a bit lost in my thoughts, that's all.
Kairi smiled a warm smile that made Sora's insides tingle a bit, a feeling that wasn't new to him, although it made him feel uncomfortable. I shouldn't feel like that. Sora, you idiot, she doesn't even feel that way about you, and why would she? You're just a dumb kid with a giant key, so don't get any funny thoughts. He smiled back at her, and turned back to the controls. He didn't want to get too distracted; there were still some meteors and asteroids out there.
Riku: so, Sora? Are we there yet?
Sora: Almost…we'll be there in 15 or 20 minutes tops.
Riku: alright….so, what do you think of this mission we've got?
Sora: you know…I know that this is wrong, but I am kinda hoping it turns out to be dangerous…some action wouldn't hurt one bit.
Riku: yeah, I know how you feel, and to be honest, I feel the same way. But you know, less problems means a safe world, and we can't say no to that, right?
Sora: guess so. Alright, here we are….radiant garden
They looked down at the renovated and improved radiant garden…their breath caught as they gazed at the beautiful place, no longer the desolate and chilling hollow bastion. The remains of the castle that occupied the center of the city were now gone, replaced by a beautiful white castle, with sparkling walls, and battlements shining in the morning sky. Gone were the deep gorges that surrounded it, now there were only green, large gardens and orchards that spanned every inch between the castle and the city, which was now large and bustling with life. People walked all over, shops were available at every corner, and fountains sparkled at every square. They brought the ship down near the castle, where there was a large courtyard, decorated by a large statue of Ansem the wise. Sora and the others walked out of the ship, and gazed up at the large monument. He felt reverence and regret struggling deep within him, that man had given his life for something he didn't do. He was a great and wise leader, and a man of science, yet because of his disciple, a young man he saved from a dreadful fate, corrupted by darkness, he betrayed his master's trust, and delved too deep into the darkness, and soon, they lost themselves to it. he often wondered: what would make a man give away so much for something so evil, what is it about darkness that makes people want it so much? His close encounters with it weren't so great, when he became a heartless, he felt void and senseless, a feeling that filled him with dread. Even thinking about it made him shiver. Maybe some sort of madness, desire for power...he knew too well how power could drive people over the edge. After all, his closest friend had fallen into that pit some time ago, and it took a considerable amount of effort by everyone to bring him out of it. He shook his head…now is not the time for such thoughts…Riku went through a lot. Again, the cynical voice answered…what? And you didn't…you fought the heartless, had your memory wiped clean and reinstalled, then you fought the nobodies and defeated them. At this point, Sora felt weird at this point, he felt as if something was intruding into his mind, but at the exact point when he got that thought, the feeling just vanished. He wiped the sweat off his brow, and rejoined the others.
Riku: Sora. You okay? You looked a bit funny back there…
Sora: Yeah, I am alright...it's just a bit hot here, I'm not used to it. Radiant garden used to be a lot….
: cooler?
They all turned to see a tall young man standing in front of them; he was wearing a white shirt emblazoned with the image of a lion, and blue jeans. He was holding a strange weapon is his hand, half sword, half gun…a peculiar weapon, known to the people who used it before as a 'gunblade'.
Sora: Leon!
Leon: hey, Sora! How've you been? These must be the famous Riku and Kairi.
Kairi blushed a bit, whereas Riku gave a careless shrug.
Sora: Hey, Leon…what's with the weather? Last time I was here, it was pretty cold.
Leon: Cid and Merlin worked together and developed what I understood as a weather machine, it simulates the weather of all seasons; and it's summer right now. It really works quite well.
Sora: you're telling me…I should have brought some lighter clothes.
Riku: So, the king told us you had something to show us.
Leon: to the point, eh? Well, I like that in people. You're just like Sora said.
Riku turned, a bit surprised
Riku: Sora talked a lot about us?
Leon: you have no idea…back when we were in Traverse Town; his only concern was to get back to you and Kairi. He wouldn't shut up about it.
Sora: Come on, Leon. You're embarrassing me.
Kairi: aw, Sora, you're no fun. Tell us more, Leon.
Leon: I'd love to, but we need to turn our attention to the more serious stuff now. Let's get to the computer room.
Sora: hey, where are Yuffie, Aerith and the others?
Leon: they're already waiting at the computer room
They walked into the gigantic castle through a small side door, Leon told them that the formalities would have to wait till later. They went up a few stairs, and now they were on their way to ansem's study. As they walked, Sora turned to Kairi, he talked to her in a low voice.
Sora: so, Kairi, how does it feel to be back home?
Kairi smiled a bit, but she didn't seem that excited.
Kairi: I don't have many memories of radiant garden. My home now is at the islands where we all live, Sora.
Sora: really? Well, we're all glad you think that way.
Behind them, Riku could hear everything. He shook his head and smiled at them those two are shaping up rather nicely. If they could get over the Kid stuff already…besides, Sora is one hell of a fighter, even empowered by darkness, I don' think I would have held for long. Kairi too, is looking sharp. Maybe that Donald doofus managed to train her right. well, the king trusts them more than anyone I know. Perhaps I ought to give them a break.
Leon: alright, we're here, and by the way, guys, my name……is Squall.