Part Eleven

Pence was typing away at the computer. After finding Riku had managed to find Sora, Pence and went to trying to redirect the portal back to the old Twilight Town mansion. Kairi was sitting anxiously in a chair in the room. Olette moved close to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sure Riku and Sora will be okay."

Kairi smiled a little but still seemed a bit worried. Roxas made his way over to where Pence, watching from over his friend's shoulder

"I wonder where Sora ended up." Roxas said.

"Who knows," replied Hayner, who was resting against the nearby wall. "I mean, you never really know what Keyblades are capable of."

Axel who had been pacing about the room soon let out a groan.

"It's been about a week now, hasn't?" he said. "How was he able to just find him within a single day?"

"You know Riku," Kairi started. "If anyone can find Sora, it's Riku."

"Actually, we kinda only met maybe a month or so ago after I was brought back from oblivion.." Axel intoned, an unnamused look on his face.

"Axel-"

Kairi was suddenly interrupted as Pence quickly stood up.

"I've GOT it!" he cheered. "I've got a connection!"

Everyone turned toward the section of wall where they had previously created a portal to the World that Never Was just over two or so years before. As they waited patiently, the group of friends watched in awe and uncontained excitement as two figures made their way through the portal.

"Sora! Riku!" Kairi cheered.

She ran to them and pulled the two into a tight hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Sora."

Sora returned his hug and smiled.

"I missed you too, Kairi.."

Sora soon let go and took a step back, looking at everyone around the room.

"Okay guys.." Sora began. "I've been through a lot of different things over the time I've been gone.."

He turned to every one of his friends who had now begun to gather around him, everyone anxiously listening and watching him expectantly.

"Well.. I've also learned a lot and well.. It was thanks to someone I met in the other world.. I couldn't have gotten through what happened without them."

He soon turned toward the still open portal and smiled.

"Hey, you can come out now.." he encouraged gently.

Sora turned toward his friends, who stared in shock as they saw a young woman about Axel's age with a slight build, long dark auburn hair that had a slight curl to it, and wearing formal attire made her way out of the portal. The woman readjusted her glasses as she slowed to a stop, the portal soon closing behind her.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet Mia."

Sora turned to her with a smile.

"Mia, these are my friends."

"Um, hey." Mia said a bit sheepishly.

Riku turned toward everyone in the room.

"I know what you're all thinking.." Riku started. " I had been the one to suggest she come with us to our world.. But I will talk with Master Yen Sid about this and inform him of my actions.."

"I.. Guess I'll have to let Donald and Goofy know too.." Sora admitted a bit sheepishly.

"And I'll let King Mickey know.." Riku added.

"Did you just say King?" Mia asked in surprise. "As in.. A ruler of an actual KINGDOM?"

"I guess there's tons we'll have to fill ya in on." Axel stated, making his way over to her.

Mia turned and was surprised to see a young man around the age of twenty or so with bright red hair that seemed to have been set into slicked back spikes. She couldn't help but blush as she saw his bright emerald eyes.

"Name's Axel," he smiled. "It's great to meet ya, Mia.."

Mia smiled back and nodded.

"Pleased to meet you too, Axel.."

The duo shook hands and she noticed he was wearing a black cloak with matching gloves.

"Hey, aren't you hot in that?" she asked.

"Huh? Oh, not really.." Axel shrugged. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, it kinda holds in heat so, if you're wearing it during the summer, it's probably gonna be uncomfortable."

"Huh.. I see.." Axel replied

As Mia and Axel continued talking Sora couldn't help but smile as Roxas, Hayner and the others began to join into the conversation. For so long with never having a single friend, Mia would now have eight. Sora began to think of others who still have no idea what had happened. He knew telling others of other worlds may have caused a rift in Mia's world.. Then again, it had only been Mia who really knew. He began to think back to that day he had first learned who he truly was. Sora glanced over as his friends, a slight pain in his heart at what he had seen about his home, his friends.. And even himself. As he looked over at Mia and his friends talking and creating conversation, all the thoughts of doubt he had faded away and he smiled. Sora thought of what Mia had said. Just because it had been in an ad did not mean it was true. Sora smiled and closed his eyes, not even realizing as a single tear slipped down his cheek.

"Hey, Sora?"

Sora looked up.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay?" asked Olette, concerned.

Sora scrubbed at his face with his hand and looked at everyone looking back at him, also noticing Mia's concerned expression.

"Y..yeah.." Sora smiled a little. "I just.. I r-really missed being home.."

Kairi smiled and gave him a gentle hug. Sora smiled as well and returned it, everyone else soon joining in. After about a moment or so, they let go and Sora turned to his newest friend.

"Hey Mia."

"Yeah?"

"Since you're here," Sora started. "We should show you around town."

Mia thought for a moment and nodded.

"Sure, sounds awesome."

Sora smiled and nodded and soon he Kairi, Riku, and Axel let Mia out of the mansion.

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As Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Axel led Mia through Twilight Town, Mia was amazed by the sights of her surroundings, having never been to a small town before as she had lived much of her life in the city. Mia gazed around at the small shops and stores scattered about the city. She was surprised to see the roads and walkways were made of flagstones rather than concrete and asphalt.

After a while of taking in her surroundings, Mia soon found Sora and the others led her to the small square of town where a small ice cream shop had been set up. Axel happily bought everyone a bar of ice cream before leading them up to the town clock tower. Mia looked out over the city in awe at the sight of the town below before she glanced up. From their vantage-point, it was easy to see the entirety of Twilight Town was completely bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, many of the clouds above it tinged, pink, orange, and crimson.

"Wow.." Mia whispered in awe.

"I'm guessing you never seen a sunset?" asked Axel curiously.

"Actually.. It's always been hard to see.. You can't really see that much in the city.."

Sora smiled as he sat beside her.

"Well.." he began. "It's definitely different.."

"Yeah.." Mia smiled softly.

She soon took a bite of her ice cream. Her eyes grew wide at the extremely sweet taste with a slight mix of being salty.

"I'm never had THIS flavor before."

"It's Sea Salt Ice Cream." Axel smiled.

"Huh.. I'll probably be addicted to it.. Almost like how Sora is probably gonna be addicted to coffee." Mia teased.

Sora gave her a look, his face becoming red as he stared at her.

"Uh.. What's.. Coffee?" asked Axel in confusion.

Mia chuckled a little.

"I guess I've got a lotta stuff to explain too."

Mia turned to look out at the sunset again, taking another bite of her ice cream. Though Sora felt a bit upset by the awkward moment when dealing with coffee, he let out a sigh and shook his head. As he turned to looked at the horizon, he couldn't help but smile as he listened to the mix of conversation. Sora glanced over as his friends again, so glad he had managed to return to them again. As he thought of the time he spent with Mia in New York, he realized he had formed a strong friendship with her. He knew Master Yen Sid would be upset about what Riku had done, Sora was happy to see Mia become not only his close friends but friends with many others. As he looked out to the horizon again, he couldn't help but smile as he closed his eyes and allowing a fresh tear to slip down his cheek as he thought of his friends.

The End

Author's Note: And so ends another story.. I'm very sorry if the end seemed a bit rushed.. I will try to do a much better job next time.. I hope you all enjoyed the story and have a great day