Byron12: Go Kairi!

Chapter 11 Me of Then, Me of Now

Kairi's POV

I was inside of Castle Oblivion, and in front of me was a door. A door leading to a memory.

I walked up to it and took a deep breath before grabbing onto the door handle.

"May my heart by my guiding key."

…

I had entered the door, and the world it had brought me to filled me with emotion.

I was at Destiny Islands. I was home.

I looked around the beach…and stopped when I spotted something by the water.

It was my younger self laying on the ground, and standing over her…was Sora.

"Sora."

"Who are you", Sora asked my younger self. "Where did you come from?"

With that, Sora offered a hand to my younger self.

She reached out to grab it, but just as their hands were about to touch…the scene suddenly changed.

It was no longer a peaceful, sunny day. Now, the sky had been cast with darkness.

This was the day that Destiny Islands fell to darkness.

I turned around…and saw Sora running towards our secret cave.

I ran in after him. When I did…I saw my younger self turn to face Sora with an almost lifeless expression.

"Sora", she breathed out.

Then…the door behind her opened…pushing her towards Sora.

He tried to catch her, but she phased right through him.

Afterwards, he ran outside.

I tried to run after him…but felt something pulling me back.

I turned around…and saw that it was darkness coming from the door behind me.

I tried to fight it, but could not…and ended up being pulled in.

…

I opened my eyes. When I did…I found myself in the Realm of Darkness.

I looked around…and my eyes landed on a painful scene.

My younger self was grasping onto Sora's hand, desperately trying not to let go.

"Kairi, Remember what you told me? I'm always with you too. I'll come back to you someday. I promise!"

"I know you will!"

With that…Sora's slipped from my fingers.

Desperately…I tried to reach out for him, but by the time I got there…he was already slipping away from me.

Then…a Darkside appeared…and grabbed onto Sora!

I looked at my younger self, who could only watch, but do nothing more.

I looked away from her, closed my eyes, and clenched my fists.

"The me of then couldn't do anything to help Sora", I said. "The me of now will be different."

With newfound determination…I summoned my Keyblade…and glared at the Darkside.

"Give Sora back to me."

With that…I fought the Darkside until it let Sora go.

He began to fall into the abyss…and I dived in after him.

As he fell…I reached out to him.

"Never again will I let Sora slip from my fingers", I said.

And then…my hand grabbed onto Sora's.

"And when I see the real Sora again, I will never let him slip away ever again."

Aqua's POV

We all waited outside Castle Oblivion.

"She's been in there for a while", Ven said. "I hope she's okay."

"Look", Chirithy exclaimed.

I looked up. When I did…I saw Kairi, and I could tell by the look on her face…that she had done it.

…

Castle Oblivion had been returned to the Land of Departure.

We were now all in the throne room, as Kairi stood before me.

"Kairi", I started. "You were able to face your past, and overcome your self-doubt. It is because of this…that I bestow upon you…the Mark of Mastery."

With that, I pinned a brooch of the Mark of Mastery onto Kairi's clothes.

"With this mark", I started. "I hereby grant you the rank of Keyblade master."

With that, everybody cheered for Kairi.

"Now you can go and find Sora."

Upon saying this…I found myself becoming emotional.

"Master Aqua", Kairi asked.

I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled Kairi into a tight hug.

"Please be careful", I pleaded.

"Don't worry", Kairi reassured. "I will be. And I'll come back with Sora."