Day 13, I have been posting this story for 13 days straight and I couldn't be prouder. I loved working on each and every prompt now it's time for one that somewhat details the future. This is the second AU I've created where Dakota gets married the first being my Danganronpa one and while Dakota and Ventus are my main head cannon ship I never thought of having these two marry until now. With that said enjoy the chapter. :)
From the first day they met, Dakota and Ventus were destined to be together. Every moment the two shared was spent with love, not a day was taken for granted, and every adventure was one they'll look back at fondly.
From the first day, they met in Castle Oblivion, the day Dakota developed her first crush to the day she confessed and would later get her first kiss. First date jitters, I love yous, and more were just the beginning of this blossoming relationship. To this day, Dakota still fondly remembers the day Ven asked to be her boyfriend. It was Dakota's fifteenth birthday. Everyone was gathered around the birthday cake as Dakota blew out the candles and cut the creamy dessert.
"Hey, where's Ventus? I thought he'd be here by now?" Emily wondered as Dakota handed her a piece.
"I'm not sure." She replied, cutting another piece and giving it to Chloe, "He said he had a last-minute stop to make. He'll be here soon."
"Hey, sorry I'm late," Ventus called out, coming into the room,
"Ven! There you are." Dakota smiled, running to hug the boy,
"Sorry, Dakota, the line at the jewelry store was longer than expected. Then it took longer for them to find my order. I hope I'm not too late."
"You're just in time, Ven. But what were you doing at the jewelry store?" She asked,
Ventus gave her a present, and Dakota opened it. Inside was a necklace that looked just like his Wayfinder.
"Huh, oh Ventus, it's beautiful." She gushed, "This must have cost you so much money."
"It did, but it was worth it, Dakota. We've known each other for four years now. Ever since the under-cover date we had, I loved the idea of us being a couple. So, Dakota, will you be my girlfriend?" Ven asked,
"I will! Oh, Ventus, I would love to be your girlfriend!" She cheered, jumping into her new boyfriend's arms and pulling him into a touching kiss.
Years later, Ventus and Dakota's love has proven to hold true. Every day was worth it to wake up and see the other's smiling face. Even though the universe had a habit of throwing crisis after crisis Dakota and Ven's love never wavered, they had each other's back for years, and now they were in their early twenties, and it was time for the next big step in their lives.
Ventus invited Dakota for a picnic in the park at Twilight Town his girlfriend happily agreed and quickly got ready. Ven was nervous as he felt the ring in his pocket. This could make or break everything. But while the blond Keyblade Master was worried about her answer, there was no one else Ven wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Soon Dakota landed wearing a pink sundress and white floppy hat, she smiled at Ven, and he returned it. "I'm so glad you could come; have a seat. You must be hungry."
"I am. It was so sudden that I forgot to eat breakfast." She said, sitting down and grabbing a sandwich. The two enjoyed their lunch. Ventus was still very nervous about asking Dakota to marry him. But he knew it was time to shoot the bullet.
"Dakota, we've known each other since childhood. You came to me when I didn't know if I'd wake up. You've saved me on multiple occasions, and for that, I am so grateful to call you my soulmate." He started,
"Aw, Ven, I'm happy to call you mine as well. But what's with the formalities? You're starting to fluster me."
Ventus took a deep breath, got down on one knee, and pulled out a ring. "Dakota Natalie, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"
Dakota was at a loss for words as tears streamed down her face. "And here I thought I'd have to ask you." She teased, "Yes, a hundred times, yes, Ventus, I will marry you."
Everyone in the park cheered as the newly engaged kissed, and later that day started wedding planning. The two agreed to have it next summer. Emily was on decorating and gown shopping while Chloe was on catering. Amy was in charge of the guest list, and Cindy helped Emily with the reception.
Everything was pulled off without too many hitches, and in summer, Dakota was walking down the aisle, her arm around Namine, who she asked to be her maid of honor. Ventus was overjoyed to see her in her white wedding dress. The two faced each other as Yen Sid read his lines.
"We are gathered here today for the union of Dakota Natalie and Ventus. If any of you are against the two's marriage, please speak now or forever hold your peace.
"Wait!" Emily yelled,
"Emily, what's wrong?" Dakota wondered,
"I'm so sorry this can't wait. Can I borrow the mic?" Yen Sid complied, giving the brunette the microphone.
"Um, to the owner of the blue Toyota Plus, your engine is running, and it sounds terrible. Might want to get that checked out."
"Oh, that's mine!" A woman realized, "Thank you, I should turn that off. Um, I've been meaning to get that fix." She rambled, running off.
"That is all," Emily replied, returning to her place.
"Right, now that the distractions are done with. Dakota, do you take Ventus to be your lawfully wedded husbanded in good times and bad until death do you part?"
"I do," Dakota replied tearfully,
"And Ventus, do you take Dakota to be your lawfully wedded wife in good times and bad until death do you part?"
"I do." He replied surer than anything else in the world,
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife you may now kiss the bribe. The aged sorcerer smiled,
Vents lifted Dakota's vile and pulled her into a joyful kiss. The audience cheered in a mixture of joy and tears.
"That's right. Everyone let this remind you that these two got married long before Sora and Kairi did." Emily spoke into the microphone during dinner. Dakota and Ven were glad to have each other, and in the years that followed, even more, joy came their way—from having their first kids to teaching them the ways of the Keyblade, even being rescued by them a few times. As the years rolled by and the Darkness invaded less and less, the two realized they were getting a little old for hero business and decided it was time to retire. They moved to a sleepy town and lived out the rest of their days, and as life moved on, so did the others.
Emily and the gang were the first to go. Dakota still sees them from time to time. But now that she was older, it was time for the angels to watch over her children and grandchildren. However, they promised to meet again when it was time to leave this life for the next.
Ansem the Wise was. Next, the aged scientist passed away quietly in his sleep. While the others didn't have the strongest connection with the man. He redeemed himself, so out of respect, everyone attended the funeral, with Kairi taking over as ruler of Radiant Garden.
Riku was sadly killed during a recon mission with King Mickey. A strong Heartless attacked them, and Riku didn't make it out alive he was the youngest of the trio to die at fifty. That was the worst loss Sora and Dakota faced, and they grieved for a long time.
Sora and Kairi died three years ago. Both died close to each other, and it seemed their hearts and spirits wanted to go when the other did. Dakota and Ventus were grateful to all their friends that are alive or passed away. As the elder couple sat on the roof overlooking the sunrise, Dakota knew it was their time.
"It seems our time in this world is ending." She spoke,
"I believe you're right. Good thing we said goodbye to the kids yesterday." Ven half-joked,
"Do you think the others are waiting for us?"
"Absolutely." Ven replied, "I know Sora and the gang will be ready for the long-awaited reunion. Do you think the heavens are a nice place?"
"If they're not, we can always ask Joshua to request reincarnation. But I'm sure it will be homey." The other replied,
"To think we've known each other for so long. Do you ever regret anything?"
"No, I love you, our kids and grandchildren. The only thing I regret is not talking Riku out of going on that mission with King Micky."
"I do too, but you know him he wouldn't sit still even if you paid him." Ventus chuckled, which soon turned into a coughing fit.
"Ven, are you okay?!" Dakota asked concernedly,
"Yeah, I'm fine. I guess my body is given out on me." He replied with a reassuring smile,
Dakota felt the same she felt her light fading, and it was getting harder to breathe. "Ven, it's time." She said finally,
"Ventus nodded in understanding, "I agree, I'm ready when you are."
The two spared one last glance at the rising sun soon. A new dawn will reach its peak, and life will move on with two fewer people. The two soulmates closed their eyes and felt a bright warmth as their bodies faded into the light.
"I was wondering when we'd see each other again." A male's voice spoke,
Dakota and Ventus opened their eyes to see Joshua, Emily, Amy, Cindy, and Chloe. Wings out and ready to take them to the afterlife.
"Hello everyone, I've missed you," Dakota spoke,
"We've missed you too. Amy smiled, "So, are you two ready? Sora and the gang have been waiting for you for years." Joshua questioned,
Dakota and Ventus smiled and nodded, "Let's go, guys. I think a reunion is in order." Dakota smiled as the two followed the group of angels, guiding them to a safe heaven. The love Ventus and Dakota had lasted a lifetime while their lives were over. The story of these heart-crossed lovers will be retold in the hands of time.
One more day, one more day and we'll be done. The last prompt is less of a prompt and more of a sneak peek of my post Kingdom Hearts 3 story called Heart's Love so join me one last time as we dive into a new story that's inspired by Werregix's story Lost Hearts' Lullaby. And yes, I did decide to bring Joshua in for this story, he's an angel and close friends with Dakota and the others it made sense to have him make a cameo.
