Final Fantasy XV - Kingdom Hearts

Part 97

Summary: Two warriors of Light, the Chosen King and Keyblade Master, face an unseen Darkness.

*Land of Departure*

Only when they all stood together side by side, it occurred to the three former students of the late Eraqus that over a decade had passed since they were all standing in their home world together.

The world hadn't changed much, if they were honest they thought the flow of time was stilled just from looking at the landscape and even inside the castle. Only thing to change were the little details in Aqua's room for obvious reasons, but at the very least now they could now add something to this world, something they wished that could have been done a very long time ago.

A wreath of multi coloured flowers hand made by Aqua with the stone inscriptions made out by Terra and Ventus, carved unto a large stone with the emblem of their master craved upon the face of it. The most difficult thing either of them had to do, the final true farewell to their fallen master. Following Sora and Noctis' return to the realm of light, a few days later and most of it was ensuring they along with Kairi weren't suffering from any aftereffects of their previous conditions, there were still a few things for the guardians to finish off before they could all move on.

For the former students, it was giving their master a proper and true farewell.

Once the boys were done with their side, Aqua stands before the stone obelisk with a heavy heart, holding the urge to squeeze the delicate wreath in her hands. She closed her eyes and clears her mind, hoping her tears would stay back long enough for her to bid farewell. Even after a year of living here again, she wanted to wait for everyone to come home before she could give her master the farewell he earned, and to do it without her brothers would be a slap to the face. She opens her eyes and with one hand, calls Master's Defender to her hand.

Both brothers stood by her side as Aqua stares at the keyblade, the very weapon she carried not because of its combat uses, but because it was for a time, her only keepsake of her master. The strength she had lost was filled by this very weapon, her master's spirit keeping her going whenever her heart waned in despair and doubt. Losing it for a time and recovering her powers again had shown her she had become too dependent on him, and through her trials she became a master worthy of the title and one Eraqus would be proud of.

Now was the time, to finally lay this weapon to rest.

Together, the three gently gripped the weapon and planted it in the ground before the obelisk. She placed the wreath around the ring guard, but then both boys pull out their Wayfinders, surprising her. Yet their eyes were alit with hope and a strong renewed light within, comforting her and speaking the language only their hearts could understand. Aqua takes hers out and together they hang their charms upon the keyblade, their hearts will find their back to their master one day.

Standing back and looking at their handywork, it surprises Aqua that none of them had shed a tear yet. Perhaps this was something they were long prepared for, maybe after so long of this maybe their hearts were stronger than ever and saying goodbye wasn't so hard now. But she still couldn't help but think on their master and the good times with him, nostalgically smiling at the memories and wondering how he'd react to seeing them all again.

She glanced at Ventus' shaking shoulders and then to Terra who's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and once she touched her cheek, she feels her tears go without her knowing. She giggles sadly and says: "This…is so much harder than I thought it was going to be". "Yeah…you'd think we'd…we'd be able to handle it better", Terra says with strain in his voice, trying to rub the tears out of his eyes. "Guess we're all still softies, huh?", Ventus says with a watery laugh, "Master would probably pat our heads and tell us to cheer up".

"Or he'd tease us", Terra remarked, "Remember when Aqua wouldn't talk to us for two days?". Ventus lets out a legit happy laugh at that memory while Aqua gave him a mock glare. "Oh I wonder why? Was it because you painted my wooden keyblade pink? Or was it because you kept holding my book above us because I was shorter?", she accuses with a raised brow and smirk. Terra snickers profusely before Ventus elbowed Aqua and replied: "So what? You deliberately made a super huge mess in the kitchen and left us to tidy it up!".

Aqua smirks and says: "And master had no problem in pulling the "she did this, you do that" card~".

Laughs were shared and slowly the pains lessen within their hearts, they smiled at each other and turned to the obelisk one more time. They all bowed to their master's grave and each prayed for his heart to always be his guiding key. One more prayer for their father, they all turn to walk their own roads, under the light of their father always watching them. The weight of this event would forever remain within their hearts and souls, but they were content with it. No matter how painful this memory would forever be, it will lessen and gently turn into one to think on for good times of their master and none of their pain.

Along the walk, the trio speak up and start talking about what they were up to with their year of searching and guarding, and Aqua was smiling the whole time as she learns more of her brothers and their happiness.

The future for them was looking brighter…

*Twilight Town*

"I can't believe you two", chastised Olette.

"Hey! How was I supposed to know Roxas had the world's worst balance!?", Hayner asked impatiently as the five teens walked up the flight of stairs. "Just how were you expecting Roxas to balance twenty dishes and walk to the kitchen?", Olette asked with a narrowing glare, "We are SO lucky Lea and Isa managed to talk to Scrooge and NOT get fired". Hayner huffed and throws both hands behind his head, saying: "I mean he's one of those keyblade wielder guys, thought he could handle it!".

"How? I mean I'm pretty sure they've limits too…", Pence remarks, then turns to Xion, "Unless it was Sora or that blue hair girl…".

"Aqua could have handled it with magic!", Xion argued, "She's amazing with it, one time she managed to make the entire set of teacups and plates dance, wash themselves and put themselves away!". Roxas rolls his eyes at the gushing of the raven, who decided to tell the other trio more about Aqua's magical prowess and even made it a spectacle of her tales. He had no doubt when Aqua decided to take up the mentoring role again, Xion would be the first in line to learn magic from her, and likely himself.

He heard of Sora's summoning of magical teacups and wants to learn that as soon as possible. He and Xion had plenty of ideas with those types of spells. Those hills in the city have limitless possibilities for those two…or three soon.

Reaching the top of the clock tower at the usual spot, they waved at Lea and Isa nearby. "Took your time", Lea teases with a smirk, "Did you get lost or something?". Olette just glares at Hayner, who rubbed the back of his neck and sheepishly chuckles, then Xion chirped: "Scrooge got REALLY angry at us for the dishes yesterday…we got a super long lecture about finances and something…something about something". Lea raises a brow at the girl, then to the sensible lass Olette who shrugged and says: "He went into stocks and other business language that may as well be another language".

"I can imagine…", Isa sighed, "But he's right to be upset. Those dishes were worth over five thousand munny". "And Roxas going all bull in a china shop PROBABLY didn't help ya", Lea teases with a smirk. Roxas crossed his arms and glared at Hayner who shrinks under the glares from both teens while Pence just laughed and Xion innocently smiles at the whole ordeal. "Be more careful, I have a feeling he won't hesitate to fire you if this happened again", Isa warned wisely.

"Oh please, he'll never get rid of Xion!", Hayner argued, "All she has to do is pull the puppy eyes and he'd probably make her the owner!". Everyone looked at the blond hot head, and all but Xion started to hum and agree with his statement, making Xion frown with irritation. "Huh? That's not true! My puppy eyes of power aren't that convincing! Scrooge is too greedy", she argued. "A fair argument, to be fair", Isa hums, "His greed versus her eyes, probably a spectacle".

"Lea, did you get the ice cream?", Xion asked hopefully. At this, Lea lifts a cooler from his left, his body obscuring it, and plants it on the ledge of the tower. "Yeah, good ole Iggy says he managed to replicate it and guess what? Claimed he made it even better", he explains. During the year long training in the forest, Lea managed to smuggle in some sea-salt ice cream from Merlin and after a month of training he shared them with the new team members. Sure only Gladiolus didn't like it (which he swore he'd never tell Xion or Roxas) but when Ignis tried it, he claimed he came up with a new recipe.

"Pfft, yeah right", Roxas jokes, "Guy's a great chef but come on, you can't exceed perfection". "Hayner please stop influencing Roxas with your misunderstanding of sayings and metaphors", Olette pleaded with a dramatic sigh. The blond growls at the brunette while Lea hands Xion the first ice cream, her first since she was the only one who hadn't gotten into trouble outside of being involved in one of Hayner's careless planning.

She unwrapped it and sees it looked the same as usual, so with a shrug, she takes a bit. Her eyes shoot open as she stiffens, a sound of great approval ruptured from her throat. She squeals in delight and with the largest smile, boldly claimed: "ITS EVEN BETTER!". All other thoughts disappear, any subject someone had was dropped and finally eyes and jaw were open with disbelief, unable to believe that Ignis had made their trademark desert even better than its already amazing taste. Lea opens his and takes a sample bite.

"…that bastard…", he quietly muttered, "He actually did…".

Together the gang settled on their spots on the clock tower and watched as the sun begins to set, ending their day. Roxas glanced to his left to see Hayner and Olette getting into another argument about the boy's tendencies to cause trouble or get them in trouble while Pence was wisely keeping his mouth shut to avoid stirring the pot. Olette lecturing him on using their friends as scapegoats while the blond hot head argued he was only defending their more naïve friend, and Pence occasionally defending both before closing his mouth.

He looks at Isa with a book in hand, reading up on something that's been on his mind for some time. Whenever Roxas asked, the man would deflect and merely tease him on what the contents of the book entails, the closest thing he was ever told about it was it supposedly told him of another world that may not be far from their future. Whatever that mean Roxas doesn't know, but he didn't care enough to pester him more for information. Behind him he smirked when he sees Lea teasingly holding Xion's ice cream above her, with the smaller girl jumping and dancing around to grab it.

She whined about height differences and Lea being a "meanie", it still warmed Roxas' heart whenever she acted like a child. Sometimes he forgot how old she was whenever she acts like this. He looks back to the sunset, surrounded by friends and smiles happily.

Later once they bid their trio of friends a good day and returned to the mansion, Xion squeaks loudly. They looked at her staring at her GP. "We're going to be late!", she proclaims, waving her phone up and down crazily, "Luna just texted me to ask if we're on the way!". Lea blinked, then lets an "oooh" sound out and hummed: "Oh yeah…thought I was forgetting something". Roxas gave his best friend a deadpanned look of disbelief before Isa clears his throat and gained their attention. "Suitcases are already packed, and I've scheduled with Donald to pick us up in five minutes", he explained.

"THANK YOU MAMA-ISA!", Xion declared with a bow before she races to the rooms for the cases. Most likely to ensure Isa at least packed two of her little minions while the other two just grinned at the nickname the girl had given Isa. In response, he just glares at them and scoffed and heads for the door to await for their transport while at the same time doing everything he could to resist crushing their skulls.

And hating how his lips curl into a smile whenever Xion did that…

*Radiant Garden*

For the first time in what could have been in another lifetime, she feels the cool surface against her back, the smells of a clean lab tickles her nose and this strange weariness in her body that felt so strange yet liberating when it slowly receded. She could feel strength in her limbs and joints again, fingers twitching softly when she moves them unconsciously, and that weird crick in her neck like she had been sleeping uncomfortably. Her brows furrow in confusion as her eye lids slowly lift themselves up and let her blue eyes finally see where she was.

She sees the old man who had treated her so cruelly in the past, two of his students watching her wake up and when she sits up in her bed/chair, she looks ahead and sees the boy who had healed her heart and her sister bouncing on her toes with a gigantic smile on her face waiting for her. Her sister speed walked towards her when she tries to get her legs on the ground, catching her before she stumbled and smashed her face into something. Once Kairi's hands touched her, she gasped when she feels the heat from her palms along with the strange mixed of rough and soft skin.

It felt so strange to her, but so good to feel another person's warmth against her. Naminé looked to her sister helping her stand, grinning still and almost crying with joy at the sight of her sister. Naminé looked at their joint hands, mesmerized that she could touch her again, touch another person's hand and feel it. Not artificial like she could with her and Lunafreya in the past, but true. This still feels like a dream to her, and she couldn't remember all these sensations before, nor could she express how it feels to just be able to hold someone's hand again.

"Ready?", Kairi asks with a smile.

"…yes", Naminé says with a small smile.

Together with Sora, the trio exit the castle with Ienzo and Even taking notes on her mobility. Walking was a strange trial at first but once they were in the foyer, the ghost of Kairi's shadow managed to walk on her own two feet and is lead by the two to the outside world of the castle. As the large doors opened, she had to raise her hand to shield her eyes from the golden light in the skies, relishing in the warmth it poured into her skin. The clean air was something new to her as well, when she was back in the world that never existed its air was dark and almost impossible to breathe, but here she could taste the clean and clear air.

It took all of her will to not cry at this wonderous sensation, to be able to feel again like the others almost made her a blubbering mess of a girl. Only when she lowers her hand, she sees her two best friends waiting for her and together they set forth. Climbing down the stairs and exiting the main gates, she sees the Gummi ship, Sora's one, before them and waiting to take its vessels to the new world. She lowers her eyes and gasped when she saw Lunafreya standing before the ship with a radiant smile.

It seemed she shares the same sentiments as her closest confident, because the woman's eyes water and her smile was so gentle and genuinely happy. Naminé could feel her legs shake as emotion overran her mind and she clasped her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks, but one gentle push from Kairi and an encouraging smile from Sora, she breaks into a sprint towards the woman. Tackling her into a hug, she almost knocked the former Oracle off her feet, but the woman of light clutched the girl as tightly as she could.

Naminé sobbed into her as Lunafreya holds her as close as she could, hiccupping and letting her joyful tears fall. Watching the two, Sora and Kairi stood at the castle gate with gentle smiles and hearts warmed by the sight, hands held by the other and shoulders touched warmly. Kairi hums in content while Sora feels a massive weight lifts from his heart, at long last the last separation coming to an overdue end…

*Insomnia*

The once empty and war-torn city of Insomnia was filled to the brim with its citizens in the streets, watching on the giant screen of one of the largest buildings in the city. The reformed Kingsglaive gathered in the city streets to maintain order and peace, donning their new gear and armour made by the king's mechanic, several people from all over the world had come to join the festivities. Within the Citadel were the top elite members of the guard, standing guard upon the stairs leading inside the building.

With poise and grace refined to perfection worthy of a king, Noctis walks up these flights of carpeted stairs with his Kingsglaive by his side. He feels every ounce of hesitation within his body disappear with each step he takes towards the building, every fear he carried is quenched by the light of his friends by his side and whatever dangers the future will likely bring him, Noctis held his head high and continues to end his road.

Back in his kingly raiment, renewed and restored by the three fairies, he enters the building of his home's capital. Every member of the staff bowed to him and his brothers while he nods to them and greets those who had poured their hearts and souls into restoring their home back to its glorious state, faces memorized thanks to Ignis and Prompto. The media was here and while many of them were opportunists at worst and best, but for the sake of the people getting their king back he begrudgingly allows them to take pictures and ask what questions lingered on their minds.

Graciously Ignis took over the more recent related questions and Prompto keeps the more nosy kind busy with quick and witty reminders of their king's deeds to restore and save their world, and gods bless Gladiolus, just one glare at the more rude and physical media workers was enough to help them remember the man they were "interviewing" was their king. And all four of them did not hesitate to give the less than mannered reporter harsh and even threatening glares when they besmirched Lunafreya's name.

They reached the throne room where much of the political parties would be waiting along with more of Ignis' council, but most importantly those who have given so much to restore this world. Once the massive doors opened to reveal his majesty, Noctis held back that goofy smile that yearned to show case his feelings but once more he reels it back to keep himself looking like a true king for the media. Yet those who's hearts are connected to the king's can see in his eyes the gratitude and kindness in his eyes.

On the entire left side were those who have suffered alongside him, the guardians of light all dressed in their most respectful gear, silent and respectful to the king of light. Bowing to him and mimicking the Insomnia bow, only Sora shared a glance to the king and quick as possible they flashed each other a grin before returning to their stoic faces as the king ascends his throne. Finally before him, the throne he was only meant to sit upon once in his entire life, but now the moment he takes his place as the rightful king of Insomnia, a new chapter in his life will begin.

Standing by the throne is Lunafreya, dressed in her pure white dress with the trident in her hands, smiling elegantly with all the grace within her body. His brothers stand before her on the platform, bowing before her as their king climbs the final flight of stairs leading to his destined place. He kneels before the Oracle, one final duty of her legacy before they can finally let the title of the Oracle finally come to an end.

She blesses him and acknowledges him as the chosen king, bowing to him slightly as he stands tall before her, the king she knew he'd become. There is no crown for him to wear, no more would they show respect or any form of tribute to the cruel god of war, instead the king is recognized by his heart and his eyes. The same eyes that held fast against the worst the worlds could throw at him, strengthened by his friends and love along with that willpower to surmount even destiny. He nods to her, and she secretly mouths "I love you" to him.

Finally he turns to address his people watching him, eyes watching the man who would soon take the throne and guide his people to the future. He holds back the smile and keeps the stoic look on his face, just as his father has in the past whenever he had to don the title of the king. "Dad…sorry it took so long but…", thinks his majesty as he finally takes his place on the throne.

"But I've walked tall…at last".

The king of Insomnia had finally come home.

*Destiny Islands, several days later…*

The wonderful sunset bathing the world where many journeys had begun, a little island where children played everyday while carrying a single room where memories would forever remain, now the island is full of a set of people who had all walked an exceedingly long and difficult road, reaching its end at long last.

A celebration that was a year overdue because of the price to pay for an end where all hearts would gather.

Speeding along the sands, Riku in first place while being followed by Roxas and Terra with Aqua and Mickey acting as the judges for this race of sorts, the younger master reaches the man-made goal post mostly made form jackets and supplies with two fist pumped into the air. Roxas groans in dismay while accusing the fairness of the match up, only for Terra to rebuke that he was the one who challenged Riku to the race in the first place, and even the silvery master teasing him he was truly Sora's nobody in the end.

"What? Oh come on why'd ya bring that up?", asked the dual wielder with a small glare. "You lose as gracefully as he does", answers Riku with a smirk. Roxas grumbles something while Terra pats his back comfortingly and says: "Maybe try a skateboard challenge next time? Or whatever sports you do back home". Roxas would have said they both partake in the struggle tournament but begrudgingly remembers it'd be a tragically one-sided match up between them. Aqua folds her arms while watching them chatting away, turning to Mickey.

"You seem distracted, Mickey", she notes, gesturing the light frown on his face. Mickey lets a small sigh out and turns to his fellow master, before crossing his arms. "Its just…we hadn't heard anything about Maleficent and Pete for a whole year now…and Donald and Goofy didn't find anything either", he explains. Aqua sees the source of the worry and agreed it's justified, remembering they still had a lethal user of darkness still prowling around the worlds. Without Xehanort or any other challenging threats, there was no competition for Maleficent to worry about.

"Do you think she's still plotting against the realm of light?", Aqua asked, "Not to toot our horns but…considering the talent and power we have, I think she'd be hard pressed to challenge the stability of the worlds now". "Oh of course, with Sora and Noct for starters, even she would try anything…and I suppose with our victory over Xehanort, she probably won't risk anything for now…", he replied, "I'm just worried we…might be underestimating her". Aqua hummed in thought, seeing the problem and wisdom in his explanations. But then she smiled and says: "Whatever she comes back with, we'll be quick to put an end to her plot".

"Ahh come on now", groans Prompto, handing them each a cup made of a coconut shell, "You two still talking about keyblades and stuff?". Aqua gave the blonde a playful glare as Mickey sips his drink, all the while Prompto waved his robot limb dismissively. "We're suppose to be partying and not letting the mood die, why don't you guys take it easy?", he asked. Aqua rolled her eyes, agreeing with the gunner's whine. "I suppose…", she mused quietly before sipping her drink. Her face scrunches up and she moves it away, with a small groan.

"Ugh…is this Cindy's?", she asked. Prompto blinked and confirms it was her special brandy. Mickey compliments, much to the younger two's surprise. He assured them he's no stranger to drinks like this, and even remarked that his grandfather was a brewery owner. He leaves them shortly after to check up on Donald and Goofy's sand figure, leaving the gunner and master to chat away about whatever wasn't regarding their duties. Aqua ducks suddenly and above her head was that toy chakram/frisbee Lea brought to the islands.

"Sorry Aqua!", calls out Ventus, catching it and then tossed it back to Isa. The older scarred man catches it with ease despite the impressive throwing power the boy displayed and then flings it towards Lea. With his stylish skill, Lea leaps and catches the frisbee and throws it towards Ventus again. The frisbee goes over the boy's head and he chases after it with a light curse in his chase. But the toy is caught by Rikku during a flip and she tosses it back to the boy with a call of his nickname.

Ventus catches it and throws it back to Lea, and the cycle repeats between the four. Nearby the water fall with the stove, Ignis was in the middle of doing the campfire food with Gladiolus helping him out, his coconut cup placed near him. "Just saying we could have ordered pizza, heard there's a good pizza place on the mainland", says Gladiolus as he guts the recently caught fish. "And by the time we bring it here it would have been too cool to eat", Ignis reminds as he flipped a few burgers on the grill, "And no, Aqua stresses no one is allow to use magic for such things".

"Just saying…", repeats Gladiolus as he starts on the next bit of dinner. He is then patted on the back of his head and sees Aranea walk past him with a wave. "Why are you whining about? Four-Eyes is cooking his usual awesome meal and you want third rate pizza?", she asked him exasperatedly. Gladiolus grumbles something as he returns to his work while Ignis gives his "girlfriend" a nod of gratitude while she sits down on the ramp, watching everyone doing their own thing. "Jeez, you guys weren't kidding when you told me this was gonna be a sizable gathering", she comments.

"And I'm still surprised Donald's fine with you knowing about…well, all this I guess", Gladiolus remarked with a shrug, "Nearly blew a gasket when Iris found out". "Figured by this point anybody standing near your kingly boyband may as well know", Aranea commented, "But sheesh, everything else you told me? REAL grateful ya didn't tell me about that Xeha-whatever before the big fight". The two men glanced at each other, smirking and secretly enjoying the woman's blatant disregard for the whole ordeal. Least one of them can make light of it.

Peering into the waters by the shore, Xion narrows her eyes in searching for a shell. Nearby her is a small child's bucket she picked up before coming to this world filled with colourful shells of the aquatic life, and near her was Naminé helping in her search. "How about this one?", Naminé asked, holding up a pinkish white shell that almost looked like Kairi's charm. Xion, like a diamond inspector, studied it and nodded with a toothy smile. "Yes~ Another one!", she cooed happily and placed it in her bucket.

"So you're still not going to tell us what you're planning to do with all these?", Naminé asked kindly. Xion shakes her head and resumes her search, leaving Naminé to follow suit. Until she was being bombarded by affection from furry creatures. Paws at her back and pushed onto her knees in the water, she giggled as Pryna and Umbra tackle into her, panting and yipping at the blonde. "Puppies~", cooed Xion, petting Umbra. The raven-coloured dog turns his affection seeking attention to the younger girl and plays with her.

No sooner did Xion meet these two furballs, Naminé knew they'd become best friends. They simply adored the raven's affectionate and childish attitude to them, cooing them and even rolling with them for fun. She looks further up the beach and watches the baby sized Koko running around the sand statue built by Donald and Goofy, chirping at their progress and occasionally flapping her little wings to hover near them with approval. The poor chocobo had been at Kairi's sleeping side for the entire year she was put into a coma, only leaving her to be cared for and tended by the RC members.

Now that Kairi had awakened, the little bird is never away from her side unless it was because Sora and Kairi wanted their moments together. Plus it had become something of a mascot to the team and a bit of a cousin to Lunafreya's pups. At least she hoped so…and REALLY prays hard that whenever the dogs see the bird they aren't thinking of eating her…

She turns to Xion who was playing with the two dogs, giggling and cooing them. Naminé smiles softly, even though anyone could tell it was one out of obligation and to keep peace, because she shares a glance with Roxas. With an uneasy look, he gestured behind the shack and after telling the raven she'd be back soon, she jogged after him. Around the old shack, she stood before Roxas, away from prying eyes.

He scratched the back of his neck and she rubbed her arm, both showing nervousness in their body languages. "So…", he starts with a heavy groan, "This thing we have…I mean…do you, think we can make it work?". All her journeying with her friends should have made her wiser and more experienced in social events like this, yet Naminé feels so underprepared to answer this one question with was laughable to her. A whole year ago, that was when they last spoke of a potential blossom of love between them.

And now, it had become more complicated than ever.

"I mean…back then, I was still trying to get over how I felt about Sora, you had only awakened and managed to start walking around like I did…back then, it was easier", Naminé says with hesitance in her voice and the level of conflict within her was unheard of. Roxas sighed in agreement and leaned against the shack, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "But be honest with me, do you really want this?", he asks.

"…to be with you? And…Xion?", Naminé asked.

The blonde watches him as his cheeks darken and he suddenly looks very sheepish about this. Strangest thing to come out of this journey she had taken with Lunafreya, was to be part of something like this. After a few days of going their separate ways, Roxas and Xion did make it a routine to visit Naminé in Eos and one day when she was with Roxas alone, the discussion of their relationship came up and like she had thought, the sleeping memories of the raven came back with resurfaced feelings for her too.

She remembers how guilty he looked and apologized to her profusely and she almost cried at the scenario she was thrown into yet again. But she was willing to accept it because it means two hearts would be connected in the way only those who are touched by love could understand, and if it means she had to remain alone then it'd be fine. That was…until Xion came into the conversation between despite the two dogs trying to keep her busy. And then came the revelation to the girl that Roxas shared an interest in Naminé, and it was received equally.

So she and he decided they'd explain to Xion as calmly and wisely as they could. And the result?

"We can share!", was all she said.

Naminé and Roxas admittedly had to look at her for a total of ten seconds, then to each other, before Naminé went red and Roxas nearly fainted at the proposal. Worryingly enough, Xion had put forth a strong argument and even logical ones to boot, giving the two no reason to object to this supposed three-way relationship, claiming, in her words: "Naminé likes Roxas and Xion, and it was the for Roxas, and she loves them both".

Try as they might, both reluctantly decided to go along with this idea for a little while, thinking maybe when Xion saw the struggles behind it she'd understand why they can't make it work. But much to their shock…they did make it work. Granted it was likely because she didn't have a physical body yet but whenever Naminé was with them, Xion was perfectly fine with sharing Roxas, and even "flirted" with her.

Naminé cares for that girl dearly and she knows in her heart she's doing her utmost but the horrible pick-up lines, the clumsy deliveries and the absolute cheesiest lines she uses made her either burst into laughter or cringe so hard she has no choice but to laugh at them.

Only when she got her body at last, recently even, did the girl show more physically affection towards her. Not kissing, she was not ready for such a leap yet.

"You think she's ever going to understand how this is gonna work? Or heck, even in the long run?", he asked. "Knowing her?", Naminé says with a small smile, "She'll probably explain it to us like we're children and poof, everything will make sense to us forever". It was quite terrifying how this girl, for as simple as she is made out to be, has more wisdom and common sense than anyone else they know.

"Roxas, Naminé?".

They both turned to see the girl with Pryna and Umbra following her, in her hands was the over filled bucket of shells. "Iggy says he needs a hand setting up a table…and something about forks?", she explains. The two former nobodies smile at each other and followed her to the main beach, but then asked what they were talking about. "Oh, nothing really", Naminé assured. "Just stuff, that's all", assures Roxas.

"Eh? Then how come you won't tell me?", pouts the raven. "Between us", Naminé answered simply. "No fair!".

Standing upon the small building overlooking the horizon, the two members of royalty watched the sunset in peace and quiet. The crowned king with the former Oracle watch the day end in silence, taking in the beauty of such a small world, yet part of something much bigger. The day they had waited for so long, to have everyone they love here with them, to be able to go around and talk to them without any fear of an upcoming battle or worse.

"Its hard to believe its over…huh?", Noctis asks, not taking his eyes off the sunset. "Indeed…yet here we stand at the end of an age", Lunafreya comments, hands resting on her stomach, "The great keyblade war at an end". She frowns with thought in her mind, and then says: "Still…to think your journey to restore my heart would lead you to meeting Ardyn, discovering the truth and…the other you". Noctis hummed in agreement, recalling those adventures in the search. When he and Sora returned and after a heart-warming reunion with everyone, they regaled their stories to their companions. Many of them were shocked to discover what they had seen, and there was no shortage of comfort to Naminé and even Xion swore if they ever saw the two who had hurt so much she'd was going to pulverise them.

Even though everyone told her she'd be waiting in a line.

There was some sympathy for Ardyn to a degree, and even Noctis admitted he wished he could have done more to at least make up for how their god totally ruined his life, though Sora had reminded him how many paid for it. Their biggest worry was that other Noctis, and how things have taken such a terrible turn for them in his world. None could comprehend the idea that there was an alternative version of their world that was a complete opposite to theirs, and hearing of their deaths spooked many.

Even when Gladiolus joked they weren't as good as they were, nobody could help but thank their stars their own war with their enemies didn't end as poorly.

Lunafreya looks to the king who was sporting a warm smile, and he says: "But that's all over now…we're free". He then turns to the others and gesture them to the woman of his heart. "And we're not alone, look how big our family's gotten". She forms a wonderous grin as she watched their friends interact with each other, their companions bonding and laughing without any cares in the worlds, free of the chains of destiny and no longer were their hearts apart.

The future she had longed for, the era of peace with people by her side, it was all here now. Though their loss of friends and loved ones will always linger in their hearts, they'll live in within theirs. "Its been a ride…and strangest thing…it all started with a wedding", Noctis says softly, chuckling nervously. She giggles in agreement, the amusement in the start of their journey was for a false peace treaty. What should have been a journey to reclaim his throne, ended up in him joining the battle to save their realm.

Though her heart ached at the deception of the wedding, she would never hold it against him for putting it aside. "Yes…and then the road to reclaim your throne…turned into you becoming a guardian of light, and more", she acknowledges. Noctis hums as the woman stares at her family and then she smiled. "I must confess…the strange turn of fate has me bewildered and at the very least, pleased by it", she says.

"What about-

She says but when she turned to him, she sees he is on one knee. Holding a black box in his hand with the most sincere and gentle look in his eyes she had never seen before. "When I first made my journey to reunite with you…I didn't think on the wedding as a true wedding but a means to an end to help our home", he confessed, his voice strong and yet gentle at once as her voice was gone, hands clasped to her mouth in shock.

He continues: "But…over time, with Sora, I realized something else about this journey, about how I feel about you. That every moment we had together became precious to me, not just for making up lost time or just to have you in my life again, but because I felt whenever you were with me, I could take on the worlds and more".

"Losing you, and even hearing what was going to happen to me only showed me how much you mean to me. And now looking back on the wedding, seeing how happy Sora, Riku, Gladio and hell the others are, I realized that if I'm going to continue this road of my own, then I want…I want to see where it'll lead me, with you by my side".

He takes a deep breath as Lunafreya's eyes water and shoulders shake and says: "Lunafreya Nox Fleuret…will you marry me?". Opening the box to reveal a beautiful white-gold ring with a blue crystal in the shape of a small sylleblossom in the centre with two violet crystals on the side of it. "I…I…yes? Yes. YES!", cried the Oracle. She tackles him into a tight hug, crying and laughing at the same time as she holds her lover in her arms. Noctis shakes with joy before holding her and kissing her.

He slips the ring on her finger and they hold each other tighter, the woman sobbing joyously into him while he grinned like an idiot the whole time. Never had he been so nervous before, not even against his worst foes, but the absolute joy in hearing her saying that word was like nirvana to him. Then, he looked to the walkway and…glared.

Prompto was standing there, gobsmacked and speechless.

"GO", mouths the king with the more death threatening glare his advisor had taught him to use, and without a word, Prompto speeds away and almost leapt off the walk away.

Back with the others, Aqua sat down on the beach by the makeshift table after she started to set the forks and knives, the rest being handled by Isa and the others. Watching the waves come and go, she rests her arms on her propped knees and stares to the sunset, peacefully. Inhaling the salty air, she smiled, content. The last time she did this on a beach was in that dark place, but now back in the realm of light she started to appreciate these moments of peace and quiet.

"Your drink, ma'am", says Gladiolus, handing her a coconut cup. Aqua takes it and graciously thanks him as Gladiolus sat down beside her, sipping from his cup. "Phew…looks like everybody's winding down", he remarks at the silence. "Partying from afternoon to the evening is new to them, and likely they'll adapt to it in future", Aqua says wisely with a smile, "Events that will take place anyway". She takes a sip of her drink, smiling at the brew she and Gladiolus love as the day shifts to night.

"So…this is the end?", Gladiolus asked as he stares to the sunset with her, "The end of the road?". "It…still feels like we're still walking, doesn't it?", she asked quietly, "I guess it just hasn't sunk in yet. I mean, when my first journey ended I wound up in the realm of darkness. But now that my second journey is ending…happier, I feel like, I've still more to do". Looking at her cup in her hands, watching the golden liquid swirl within it, the master looked up the clouds in the sky.

"Sounds like you made a decision", Gladiolus hums, "Minds made up then?". Aqua nodded with a confirming sound and looked at the sea. "I want to end this chapter of my life right…and after all this, I think now more than ever, I need to mend the connections", she explained, "So once you know what's done I think…I'll go on one more journey". Gladiolus made a grunt of approval before downing his drink while the master takes her time with her own beverage. He placed his cup down and smirked at her.

"Guess we'll be going together then", he remarked. She turns to him with a smile, curious. He shrugged and gestured towards Noctis and says: "I've put in my holiday plan with the little pipsqueak, so I'll be free once you know what happens". Aqua's smile turns warmer and loving as she shuffled closer to him, brushing her bare shoulder against his. "Are you sure? I mean, you're his shield", she points. "…I think he can handle himself without me for a little while…I mean Luna's WAY more terrifying than I am", he joked.

"Oh you too have seen her judging glare?", giggled Aqua. "No…I was on the receiving end of it", reveals Gladiolus. Aqua's jaw dropped and she nearly dropped her cup before she burst into giggles at the sheepishly smiling Gladiolus.

"So THAT explains why there's no smell of cup-a-noodles at the Citadel anymore!", she laughed. "Divine and benevolent woman my ass…", grumbles Gladiolus.

Sitting down against the stone wall watching Ventus and Roxas playing with the frisbee with the others, Riku peeked at Iris with Lea, Xion and Naminé, flicking her wrist. Her face was contorted into a frown as she flicks her wrist with narrowed eyes and occasional silent swears escaping her mouth. He smirked softly at her, knowingly while the three watch her with odd expressions. "What are you doing?", Lea asks, sipping his drink.

"Concentrating!", revealed Iris as she tries again, each time looking more impatient and annoyed by the lack of results on her end, "I swear I did it earlier…". "Trying to break your wrist?", Naminé asked with a small teasing smile, "Or are you trying to cast a spell?". "Come on you stupid thing…come out…", Iris growled.

Then with one final attempt, a shine of light graced the teenager and soon when it fades, in Iris' hand is none other than a keyblade. Lea spits his drink out in shock while Naminé's jaw dropped and Xion giggles and says: "Sparkly". Grinning with satisfaction, Iris holds her keyblade of choice in her hands. The teeth, bound to the shaft with rope, are formed from a crudely nailed five-pointed star, with a spike on the other end. The shaft is joined to the guard with tape, and the guard is made from five pieces nailed together. The handle is wrapped with tape and painted on the shaft is a Moogle's face. The Keychain is made of small, green leaves, and the token is a Ripe Kupo Nut.

Truly this was at best a shoddily put together weapon that only seemed to be made up on the spot by the most amateur of smiths, and many could even look at this and claim a child made it. Not even the most desperate keyblade wielders would even ponder using this weapon. "W-Wha, when did you become a keyblade wielder?", Lea asked, scratching his head, baffled. "Oh about…err, what? A week ago? I accidentally touched Riku's keyblade and he probably bequeathed it to me?", Iris explains while swinging her new weapon experimentally, "Though he says this isn't exactly the best to use and says I need to train".

She shoots Riku a wide grin, and he responds with an eye roll, already knowing how their training is going to end.

Soon as the day turned into night, the gang gathers up to enjoy a banquet made by their finest chefs, and when the royal couple came down at long last, eyes were upon them. Noctis and his fiancé shared a glance before the woman bashfully and shyly raised her hand, now adorned by a beautifully made ring. Squeals and cheers from the girls, gushing over her while the men and boys congratulated the king for, and Gladiolus quotes, manning up to ask for her hand in marriage at last.

As the gang settled for this wonderous occasion, toasts for the future of the king's marriage be long and happy, to joyous futures for all and finally, a big finger to the forces of evil, two hearts share a glance…

*Night*

Stirred awake from a sudden urge, Sora opens his cobalt eyes and sees nothing, but the shadows of the treehouse ceiling accompanied by low snores and light breathing around him. He carefully sits up and with his refined stealth, manages to disengage the tangling limbs that were Kairi's and slowly stood up. He sees their gaggle of family all strewn across the floors and occupying the entire treehouse, sleeping bags hiding their bodies.

Couples holding each other, friends all clustered up and embracing while some were being used as pillows or beds themselves, Lea laying down with Xion and Roxas sleeping on his stomach for example while nearby he sees Iris nestled against Riku while he sat against the wall, arms around her while she rests her head between his neck and shoulder. Sora smiles at them but then notes that Lunafreya was sleeping with just Naminé resting against her, Noctis nowhere to be seen. After he makes sure Kairi is as cosy as she could be, he carefully skipped over his friends and leaves the house.

Walking onto the balcony of the treehouse, embraced by the cool summer breeze, Sora spots Noctis in the distance, resting against that bended tree where many memories involving two of the most important people were made. Carefully, Sora leaps off the balcony and with some impressive aerial acrobatics, he landed behind Noctis and then hops up on the tree. Without even a flinch of surprise, Noctis greets him quietly as they stared to the ocean glowing under the moonlight. Silence looms between the two, the two who shared an incredible journey beyond the realms of light and darkness.

"Hard to believe…its over, huh?", Noctis commented, looking at the dark horizon. "Yeah…the realm of light is safe now, Xehanort and Ardyn is gone, and no more searching for lost friends", Sora surmises. With a calm hum from his majesty, Noctis folds his arms, a clam smile adorning his kingly features. Sora grinned and looked at his best friend. "So when's the wedding? Where are you having it?", he inquires. With a wave of his hand, Noctis chuckles. "Once Luna and I set a date, then we'll discuss what comes next…and uh, you may not see Aqua for a while…".

"Huh? Why not?", asked Sora. "Luna's gonna need an adult to help her plan this wedding out…and who better than the woman who tolerated all of us for nearly three years?", asks Noctis with a smirk. Sora rolled his eyes and pouts, no fair that Lunafreya is keeping Aqua all to herself. "But I'm expecting all of you to show up at least…only family we've got left, ya know?", Noctis reminds. Sora makes an exaggerated groan and concedes to the request. Soothed by the night and the breeze, they relax.

"…you sure you're okay?", Noctis asks, eyes closed as he prepares for the boy's answer. "…having everyone around helped but…its still there", confessed Sora, placing a hand on his heart, the pain that still haunts him even after several weeks of their return. Noctis looks at the quiet and neutral expression of the boy, eyes shadowing the pain deep within his heart. "You haven't said a word to anyone else either, huh?", Noctis says, thinking on his own personal struggle.

"I can't…they're already feeling like crap for apparently taking too long to help us", bemoaned the boy. Noctis hummed in agreement, wishing the unjust guilt would leave their friends already and let them move on. Coming back home hadn't been as smooth as either boys hoped, many a times they were plagued by nightmares of being trapped in that place, isolated from their lights and loved ones alike, forced to battle that boy again and again. Noctis couldn't count the amount of nights he almost woke up screaming or how some parts of his day he swore he was being delirious or seeing things.

"Wouldn't hurt to tell one of them…think I'll be telling Luna at some point before the wedding", Noctis says, "May as well give her a chance to back out before she marries a crazy king". Sora laughed softly at him, kicking his feet to a steady beat. "And maybe telling Kairi about your own troubles would help ya sleep, even make her feel closer". "But after all she's gone through…", Sora sighed, but one pat on his shoes made him look at his king.

"Two wounded hearts can help mend each other, so long as both are willing to work it out", lectured the chosen king, "And besides, aren't you planning something yourself with her?". Sora turns red and looks at his hands, a sudden weight growing in his pocket. Noctis looks to the sea before he bowed his head, and says: "Ya know…I uh, umm…never really said…thanks". Sora looked at him, surprised to see the king had this faraway look in his eyes. "I mean…shit, you've gotten me into WAY more than I ever bargained for…plenty of close calls too…but then, I'd never would have saved Luna, save my world or, anything really", he lists.

He turned to face the boy who slips off the tree to face him, standing before a man he had so much respect for. "When we first met, you were just some weird kid with a key, and I was no more than a newbie prince. But then as we travelled the world, fought together and then, saved the realm, I guess it dawned on me that, a lot of our future was locked in place because of you", he praised, and then offered Sora a hand, "So…thank you, Sora. For everything".

Sora looks at him, speechless. Then he formed a grin and takes his king's hand, strongly. "Hey, not like you didn't save my butt a few times", Sora reminds, then his smile turns softer and more grateful. "Kairi…wouldn't have been here, if you didn't stop Xehanort". The fact his most precious love was safe and here with them now alone made Noctis possibly one of Sora' greatest and closest confidants he could ask for, and because of his majesty and his friends, they were both here now. Free of the chains of destiny, the war once looming over their futures was gone and now whatever roads they take will be their own.

"Speaking of which…", Noctis says, pointing behind them. Sora looks and even in the darkness, he spots Kairi crouching and crawling through the shrubbery toward the secret entrance. Sora looks on before the king clutched his shoulder and steers him toward the wooden bridge. "Go, no chickening out on this one", he says with a teasing push. Sora gave him a pout that only used to be shown to Riku, showing how much Noctis reminds him of his best friend before jogging after Kairi, leaving him to enjoy this moment of silence.

His journey through the rough and dense shrubbery was more tricky than last time he did this, the downside of getting taller and bigger he guessed. He had to bend his legs to just awkwardly walk through the narrow and cramped tunnel to reach into the inner sanctum of this sacred place. A place where so many vital memories of innocence and peace had been created by himself and his two closest friends, before light and darkness, before keyblade and heartless. Before so many things that changed and melded him into a new person.

He reached the inner sanctum while plucking out some stray leaves and even a twig, smiling warmly at the old scribbles on the walls, and the door that once loomed was no longer there. It is a strange phenomenon that only about a year ago Aqua had discovered, upon searching this world for clues about him. Now it was just a wall of blue stones, empty for the newcomers to carve memories upon the stone wall. But that wasn't why he came here.

There crouched by the old portraits made by each other, Kairi's hand gently rubbed the hand offering the princess the fruit that sealed a bond between them. She turns to Sora with a beautiful and warm smile that had become more radiant throughout her awakening. He sees her shiver slightly and nearby was a blanket she must have carried with her secretly in case the call of slumber got to her. "Couldn't sleep?", he asked, approaching her. "Yeah…guess I'm too used to having you by my side", she confessed as he sat near her.

Once he settled in, she immediately cuddles up to him and sits on his lap, resting against him. Sora slips one arm around her waist that had gotten slimmer due to her coma induced slumber and holds her close to him, letting her rest her head against his chest. A sigh of bliss and peace escaped her, the steady rhythm of his heart was the best music to her ears, and it had only become more important to her within the recent few days that had passed.

They look to the single hole in the cave ceiling and see the moonlight piercing it, bathing them in the night's light. "A light in the dark", Kairi muses thoughtfully as she smiles. "No matter how dark it gets, deep down there is a light that will never go out", Sora finishes their little banter. Kairi sits up and faces him, brushing his cheek with a thumb while he rubbed her lower back, soothing her and bringing her comfort.

"Luna and Noct are finally getting married", Kairi mentions with a smile. "I know, its great to hear, huh?", Sora says. "After everything they've been through, they deserved it". Kairi nods and brushed her nose against his, giggling when he turns rosy in the cheeks. She feels his hand intertwin with hers as she rests her forehead against his, relishing in this wonderous connection that's been restored. Then Sora leaned in and starts to pepper her neck with butterfly kisses, eliciting soft moans from her while she leans back to allow him more of her neck to pepper.

His hand against her back keeps her close and steady so he could busy himself with making more noise come from her mouth, the way she grabbed his hair gently and squirms from this. Maybe it was from the year of no contact or touch, but she swore she had become more sensitive to his affectionate gestures or, dangerously so, he had become even better at this type of displaying affection. Not that she'd be complaining any time soon, no worries of that.

He starts to kiss her jawline, then her chin, nose and cheeks, before he stares into her sparkling eyes, flushed cheeks adorn with red and her breathing a little heavy. She smiles shyly at him, but before she could respond to his kisses some of her own, she felt something on her finger. Strange as she was sure she wore nothing on it and when she looked at the hand that was locked with Sora's, she gasps and clasped her mouth. Tears prickling at her eyes.

On her wedding finger was a ring that is smaller than Lunafreya's sure, but it was a silver ring with cobalt gemstones around the ring, atop was her good luck charm made of white crystals with a ruby in the middle of it all holding it in place. She looks at Sora with running tears, he gently cupped her cheek and says: "A promise. When the day comes and we're older…will you marry me?". Kairi giggles as more heartfelt tears go down her cheeks before she tackled him into a hug, repeating "yes" over and over.

Throwing the blanket over themselves, kissing one more time, they both cuddled and fell into a blissful and peaceful slumber…

A/N:

Its almost done…

Well 2021 is starts, but I'm ending this story soon. I'm not gonna lie, it feels weird.

Anyways! Thanks for reading, sorry for the late posts but holidays came and went, plenty of games to play and other things to do! Next time we'll have everyone getting a send off and who knows!

QUESTIONS!:

Q1: Thoughts on this chapter?

Q2: How were the KH3 moments?

Q3: The ending party?

Q4: Noct's proposal?

Q5: One last Prompto interruption?

Q6: KOKO!

Q7: Sora's promise ring?

Q8: Iris becoming a keyblade wielder?

Q9: Sad we're nearing the end?

Q10: What are you hoping for next time?

As always everyone, thanks so much for reading! Stay awesome but more importantly stay safe!