Back again with another exciting chapter and if anything I suppose this would be a Part 2 of the last chapter. Also I take pleasure in saying: LEAVE GOOFY ALONE! A cookie if you get the reference.


Chapter 18

Tears

Luna's eyes opened to a familiar room coated in pure white. It took a brief transitional period for her vision to adjust to the intensity of the bright room. Across the wall were many colorful sketches, and when she moved around the just as familiar white looking table to examine these, it became clear what they all featured. A picture of Shiki and the gang in Traverse Town, her Reaper Chess game match with Joshua in another; the Dalmatians, Roger and Anita; Alice, the Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit; Mulan and the three Princesses, and so on and so forth with her in every one of them. They were pictures from her own memories of her adventure.

"Why am I here?"

"It's your heart, and you're asking that question?"

Luna spun around to confront a stranger dressed in a black coat. "If this is my heart, then what are you doing here? Who are you for that matter?" she asked warily.

"That's something you'll have to ask yourself. That and why your heart is showing you this place in particular. Maybe something resonated with you here." the black coat figure answered. The pitch and softness of her voice identified her as a female and yet if she was then she was a child at best who tried to act more mysterious by guising her voice under a low tone.

"Is that possible? I've only ever been here briefly…" Luna returned to staring at the pictures. These were the type of sketches that she only knew one person could make.

"Have you noticed the similarity between those drawings? It may not be obvious at first but you only need look harder to find the answer."

"What is this, a 'Where's Faldo?' picture book?" Luna joked before examining each of the drawings. The problem was an inherent one within the drawings where a certain character's facial features were missing in comparison to the other characters in the drawings. But she had gotten all of her memories back, hadn't she? "I don't understand. When Namine showed me her drawing I didn't have a face, but that was because of my memories, right? So why then do I still…"

"Do you honestly believe that your memories are the answer to that question? Or is that an answer you fashioned for yourself because it was what you wanted to believe? Even now I'm sure it must feel good to place all your worries on an external force completely out of your control. Not that I would know."

"I don't-"

"Understand? No one ever does when it's convenient for them. Ignorance truly is bliss." The covered figure proceeded to also move around the table while admiring the drawings as she passed them. Soon enough she arrived at Luna's side, the bridge of her nose and her lips just barely being visible to the latter. "So which would you rather live I wonder? Would you prefer a life of disregard for the world around you for simplicity's sake? Or maybe you prefer the cold harsh truth? Keep in mind why you left your world in the first place."

"Well when you put it that way, why would I ever pick the second option?" Luna asked.

"You see? You're afraid to take risks. There's a glass ceiling in your life, but you're too afraid to look up and see it. That's why you'll never know yourself. That's why all you'll ever be is a blank face."

Luna stared at the girl in anger before shaking her head. "I am scared. Is that what you want me to say? That I'm afraid of who I am? What I am? But you would already know that, wouldn't you? You are me after all. The person I'm scared of the most." she said. She was about to lean against the wall when out of nowhere, the girl reached for Luna's arm and held onto it.

"But we'll get through it together. Won't we, Sea Salt?"


Luna's eyes flickered open, first moving in different directions in confusion but finally settling on the ceiling after a while. She barely had time to register her surroundings before she was attacked by a body with a familiar scent.

"SEA SALT, you're awake! You're really awake!" Her best friend cried while clinging on tightly as if it were a matter of life and death. To her fairness, Luna had probably kept her worried having been in this state.

"Am I still dreaming? Astra?" Luna asked only let out a squeak as Astra pinched her arm. "What was that for?"

"I pinched you. Still wondering if you're dreaming?" Astra said with a playful grin.

"No, it felt pretty real to me. You're gonna crush me Astra," Luna somehow managed to roll the taller girl off her before giving a matching grin. "Where are we anyway?"

"The afterlife."

"And they stuck me here with you of all people…"

"Most would consider that a compliment," Astra replied and snapped her fingers jazzily. "C'mon toots, ya know ya missed me."

Luna sat up leaving the softness of the pillows behind and outstretched her arms. Without hesitation, Astra went into her arms as easy as a puzzle piece that fit correctly with another. Even with their closeness, nothing felt real. In a yesterday gone by, Luna would have had no idea who Astra was. She had completely forgotten about her best friend for a good few months… that fact was something she hadn't and doubted she ever would be able to fully comprehend. So when Astra had said that, Luna knew that it couldn't have been true and it pained her inside to think of it. She felt undeserving of their friendship because of this.

"Of course I missed you," she eventually replied. It felt like a lie but Luna wouldn't dare ruin the moment. When the two separated again, Luna took some time to examine her surroundings. She could just about see out of the window while lying down and was able to discern where she was from the familiar style of buildings. "We're in Radiant Garden? Wait... are Sora and the others here? Oh right, you don't know him-"

"I do," Astra said. For whatever reason she seemed a little disappointed but before Luna could raise the question of how she knew him, Astra got off the bed. "I'll go get them."

Luna smiled at her friend and watched her leave the room before lying back down. Even though she didn't have all the answers, she could at least guess a few things. Astra knew Sora. Luna knew, according to Abraxas anyway, that Astra had a Keyblade, so maybe they had worked together to rescue her from the Realm of Darkness. The thought of her two dear friends from completely different lives coming together to help her was emotionally uplifting for her. Even more so when she set her eyes upon the both of them stepping through the door with smiles.

That widespread grin, the unique spiky hair, blue eyes as clear as the sky and, for those who knew him, a heart of pure gold. The last time she had seen him was on that dreadful day which truly didn't seem all that long ago. She just hoped that he hadn't beaten himself up over it.

It was Luna who was rushing out of bed and closing the distance in order to embrace him. It was faint, but she could just about make out sounds of sniffling from Sora as they hugged. He didn't want to let go for fear of being separated again, and neither did she.

"Sora, please don't tell me you're about to cry. That's not like you." Luna whispered into his ear. You don't get to cry Sora. I should be the one crying… for the both of us.

"I'm not crying. I'm just happy." Sora replied. Suddenly he pulled away almost too quickly leaving for a slightly unsatisfying hug.

"Is there something on me?" Luna asked. She didn't know how long this translated into Realm of Light time, but she had spent what felt like ages in the Dark Realm. Her clothes were also torn but that didn't seem to be what Sora was worrying about.

"What? Oh- no, nothing like that." Sora said, glancing every now and then at Astra as if he was giving Luna cues without having to say it out loud.

"Fair enough. Kairi! Riku!" Luna said as they both took their turns to hug her. Although she hadn't hung out with either as nearly as much as Sora, Donald, Goofy, Jiminy or Kupopo for that matter, they had been incredibly welcoming the first time they had met her. "You all rescued me?" she asked after hugging Riku.

"Well we couldn't leave you. You're our friend. Heh, you should have seen how determined Sora was to save you. A total one man army! He couldn't keep his mind off of you for one second." Kairi said in a sing-song voice.

"I was worried, can you blame a guy?" he protested at Kairi's eagerness to tease him. He turned to look at Luna and pointed at her chest. "You kept it safe."

Luna looked down and clutched Sora's necklace before nodding and flashing a smile. "You were always there with me, even when I was alone. I don't think I could have faced most of things I did in there without it. Thank you."

"Hey, no need to act so formal like we're strangers. We have each other's backs, always have and always will. Besides… I felt like you were pushing me every step of the way too." Sora told her while scratching at his cheek. Luna's timid smile grew more confident and became a beam. How long had it been since she had last smiled like this? She could feel her cheeks straining to make an effort, but she persevered nonetheless. Luna hoisted the necklace chain above her head before placing it in Sora's hands. He gripped the necklace tightly and returned her beaming smile with his own before putting it over his neck.

"How long has it been since I was here? I know I was in the Realm of Darkness and then I passed out…"

"Overall, it's been just over three months since we lost you and it's been five days since we rescued you. We got back to Radiant Garden in one thanks to the warp drive system though," Kairi explained. "You haven't really talked much but you remember Aqua? She was there along with us when we rescued you as well, her and the Gullwings."

"Are they here now? Then I'll be sure to thank them when I see them," Luna said. Three months… Time had felt immeasurable when she had wandered in the darkness so alone for so long. She supposed then that it was possible for it to have been that long but it was still shocking to hear. How much had she even missed? "So what's happened since I was gone?" she was almost afraid to ask the question but it was one that desperately needed answering.

"Maybe we should save that for after you get something to eat." Riku said. The rumbling of Luna stomach came shortly after the fact. She flushed a deep shade of crimson and awkwardly laughed it off.

"Yeah, that might be best. Oh dear…"


During a much needed meal, Luna received the answers that she wanted to know. They explained how they had searched the many worlds for any trace of her whereabouts, their idea about Luna having some kind of immunization against the Chimera and how it could help in the long run, and finally…

"Alice is missing? No…" Luna said after they had finished. Alice had been one of the first friends Luna had made and one she could entirely empathize with. Alice too had been under the watchful eye of Abraxas, or Dr. Zager as he had called himself in not just hers but Quasimodo's presence as well. As a result, she too had lost her memories of Wonderland.

"Abraxas mentioned that Alice had the power to create an entire world because her dreams and heart were so powerful. I imagine any Princess of Heart could do the same," Sora said glancing at Kairi before looking back at his empty plate where a sandwich had once been. "You don't think that's what Kefka, Pete and the others are after, do you? If they had the power to create worlds-"

"Why stop there? We don't really know how much power the Princesses of Heart have. They could after the door to darkness, they could choose to create a new world or who knows what else." Riku said.

"I'm… not really sure how much I can help but I'll do my best to help you find her. I won't forgive them if they've harmed her." Luna said frowning. Even as she said this, she was doubtful as to whether she had the strength to fight for Alice. She was tired, and she wasn't sure whether it had to do with being in the Realm of Darkness for so long or something else. Or maybe it was just an excuse to hide her growing lack of confidence.

"Do you mind if I borrow Luna for a second?" Astra said, appearing from the hallway. She hadn't joined them for the sandwiches, saying that she wanted to collect her thoughts for a while. Luna knew Astra well enough to know when she said something that Astra would never say and this was one of those moments. Her best friend simply wasn't the one to think things through so thoroughly, preferring to leap before she looked. It wasn't a bad quality to have by any means, and many a time Luna had wished that she could live life so simply like Astra.

Luna excused herself and followed Astra out of the house into the street. It was the first time in months that she had felt the chilly breeze, or had smelt the au naturel air. She extended her fingers out and let the cold air wrap around each digit. Her body even felt lighter than the atmospheric nightmare it had been in the dark realm. She felt free.

"So, I hadn't had the chance to say this when we left Alexander but… you were right, we did it, we really did it! We've made it to other worlds." Astra said.

"Not under the circumstances I would have wanted though," Luna regrettably acknowledged. She looked down at her feet while talking. "But I'm going to keep walking. I don't know exactly where I'm headed, but as long as you and the others are by my side I know I'll find the answer to that."

"Sora told me that Alexander is gone. I'm not quite sure if I believe him." Astra said.

"He's right, or was. I think I might have saved it, maybe, well I'm not sure but it just might still be there," Luna said recollecting with Astra how she had found Alexander in the Realm of Darkness and had done something with the keyhole there. When she had finished, Astra had put on a funny combination of surprise and happiness. Luna continued, "I haven't told Sora yet but I just know he'll be happy to hear it. I think I may have just saved something of his too if my theory's correct."

"Sea Salt, I…" Astra paused and looked away unsurely before looking back. "I don't think we should interfere with this. Maybe we should just go back to Alexander where we'll be safe."

Luna looked up to meet Astra's green eyes. "What? I don't understand. We've spent so much time dreaming of other worlds, and now you want to go back?" she asked in surprise.

"Things have become… complicated. The World is changing, and I don't want you to get dragged into a mess you didn't even create." Astra said.

"I can't- I can't just abandon my friends like that in their time of need. You say the World is changing, but that's all the more reason to be with them. Besides, even if it were there, I don't think I could go back. I don't deserve to go back." Luna retorted.

"What are you talking about? Don't you want to see Kit again?" Astra asked.

"Of course I do but… I've done terrible things and I can't-" Luna cut herself off. The lump that had formed in her throat made it hard to entertain the thought of telling Astra. She clenched her fists tightly and tried again. "You remember when we left Alexander, right?"

"Of course, you were standing in the middle of your street. I was wondering where your parents were so I went into the house to check and… I didn't see any light in your eyes, and your body was swaying from side to side kind of like a puppet. And you were mumbling something under your breath repeatedly. I couldn't get through to you." Astra said.

"Do you remember exactly what I was saying?"

"No… only that it was the scariest moment of my life, and I can't imagine that will change. I kind of had to carry you. What's this all about Luna?"

Luna gave a pained smile at Astra before focusing on her shoes again. "I don't exactly remember much from it either. I know I saw the ember flames fly past me like a blur, and I could feel the heat of the flames tickling my face as it happened. What I do remember and what is clear is the worst part of that night however. My parents… I was the one who killed them."

Astra gave a look of confusion though Luna was adamant about keeping her eyes on the ground. "What?" she finally said after a while.

"I wanted to forget about it, so I must have somehow supressed those memories, but in the end I suppressed them too much and I lost more than just that one memory. But these things always have a way of catching up to you no matter how far you run from them. I remember it now. I killed them. Whatever happened next, seeing the town burning… that must have come from me as well, or I suppose it would be the Chimera inside me." Luna said.

"Luna…? No, I know you. You wouldn't do something like that." Astra said.

"Wouldn't I? Then what am I feeling right now? This lump in my throat… is guilt… and the truth. Maybe I couldn't kill them, but I couldn't prevent the thing inside me from doing it either. I'm just worthless." Luna said. She was crying now. She didn't even care to show it to her friend.

SLAP.

The impact left Luna momentarily stunned. She placed one hand on the stinging cheek before looking up at Astra.

"Care to prove that? Luna, I know who my friends are and worthless isn't what I would describe any of them as being." she said grabbing Luna's slumped shoulders.

"I'm your only friend." Luna said. Astra had given up most if not all of her friends in the past just to be Luna's. To her it was the ultimate sacrifice, and she knew of no way to repay such a thing. Then again, she supposed that being the greatest friend she could possibly be in return was enough.

"Exactly. I'd like to think that if I'm wise about anything, it's picking my friends wisely so if I've ended up with you, I know I've made the right choice," Astra said. "I'm not going to pretend that I know what these Chimeras are but you know I'll do anything to help you so I'll be damned if I don't try my hardest here. Now let's see what we can do about those tears of yours, you're not allowed to cry and if anyone makes you…"

Luna allowed Astra to wipe away the tears from her face before smiling. "Thanks Astra but try to keep the violence to a minimum for me, kay?"

"You know that's a promise I can't keep," Astra grinned. "But if we're going to start somewhere we may as well by leaving this place and going back to Alexander. Heck, screw Alexander, we can go and live anywhere we want. Just the two of us. You don't need to live this life Luna. It'll only bring you more pain and misery."

"I don't know about this. I've only just woken up and there are so many things I have to think about. Just give me a little more time." Luna promised. Could she really leave the others after they had saved her life? Did she even want to?

"You're right. There's no need to rush things. Take all the time you need." Astra said, "So… how was Christmas in the Realm of Darkness?"

Luna let out an exaggerated gasp with her mouth hanging open. "Wait, you're telling me I missed Christmas? Oh dear…"

"No worries, I think I might know a world that will make you happy. Fluffy Snow covering the land as far as the eye can see." Astra hinted.

"Looking forward to it," Luna replied knowing it was merely an attempt by Astra to convince her into leaving. "You don't mind if I have some time alone? Not that I mind your company but I haven't felt like this in a while."

Astra nodded and gave Luna another hug before going back into Merlin's house. Astra certainly had a way of making her feel as if she knew herself, even if it were to only last for a short time, but she supposed that's what best friends were for. With a newfound sense of wanting to find some kind of self-appreciation, Luna started off down the street to get the one thing that would most definitely put a smile on her face.

Here I come, Sea Salt Ice Cream!


"And that would make the last of them, excluding Alice and Kairi of course." King Mickey confirmed looking around the room. Ansem's study had never seemed more packed than it had now. On his visits to the wise leader in the past, it usually had only been him and Ansem the Wise. Sometimes he had even encountered the other six apprentices walking to and fro in the corridors who would soon later have cast aside Ansem's teachings. But now, Ansem the Wise was gone, choosing to sacrifice himself according to Sora in order to protect him and Luna.

The apprentices standing before him however had been revived. They had regained their full form after Sora and Riku had defeated both their Heartless and Nobodies and had been given a second chance by Ansem the Wise when he had been rescued from the Realm of Darkness along with Aqua. Aside from Even and Ienzo being in the room, there was also Master Yen Sid taking the seat where the departed once sat, and five of the Princesses of Hearts.

"It's true I've been sensing a darkness most horrible but… are you sure the worlds are in danger once again?" Cinderella asked. She had been brought back to Radiant Garden by Ven.

"I'm afraid so. The Heartless are gathering, eager to make their claim to the worlds known. All we can do for now is keep sealing the keyholes." Yen Sid answered with closed eyes.

"But it's not the Heartless I feel. It's something much different, much sinister. Is it truly the work of darkness at hand?" Princess Aurora asked. Terra had picked without a moment's hesitation to save Aurora, mentioning that he had something to atone for.

"What exactly do you mean Princess?" Mickey asked in confusion.

"I cannot describe it. Only that it feels… familiar." Aurora said.

"Like you've never experienced it before, but at the same time it feels like you have? Then I'm sure I've felt it too," Princess Jasmine supported. She was the one that Mickey, Donald and Goofy had rescued. The rest of the Princesses nodded in tow. "And if Alice is missing then maybe it might be linked to that."

"For all our sakes I should hope not," Yen Sid said. His eyes opened and he scanned the room taking in each of the occupants before speaking again. "At this point we must look to the worst possible scenario. We Keyblade Wielders swore by an ancient creed that we would protect the hearts of pure light at all costs. We have failed this task. Mickey, I ask of you not as my pupil, but as a dear friend, to remember one of our first conversations regarding this topic. And more importantly I ask you not to fault me for what are for now, only thoughts."

"Master Yen Sid?" Mickey asked. He didn't understand what his former teacher was getting at. He had had many conversations over the years with Master Yen Sid on the topic of darkness and all sorts besides, but Master Yen Sid wanted him to go back all the way to the start? Had he said something then about the creed of Keybearers or the Princesses of Heart? "Wait! But, Master Yen Sid, you don't mean- that's too dangerous!"

Yen Sid nodded, possibly unsure of where he was taking this line of thought himself, which would have been a first. "As I said before, it was only a thought, and no has dared attempt it before so the consequences on its bearer could be disastrous. Nonetheless, in times of crisis such as this, it is possible that a Princess of Heart can be replaced with another by means of purification of that person's heart."

Mickey had either become deaf or the whole room had been shocked into silence by Yen Sid's proposal. Everyone seemed to freeze in their place, unable to move or comprehend what was going on.

Ienzo was first to shake this wave of terror that had descended on them. "No, I cannot allow it. I will not allow it. Not only would you be messing with the forces of nature, you'd be-"

"Circumventing the precepts that govern Keyblade wielders and by doing so, intervene in the affairs of the worlds. Yes, you have been doing your homework Ienzo. It is indeed a very fine line we are crossing though I do believe that where the worlds have been interfered with by an outside force in the first place, we do have the ability to intervene. Such is the case with the Heartless, and may also apply to Alice as well." Yen Sid answered.

"But even so, Ienzo's right. It's not up to us to decide something as important as this. And like you said, it's never been done before. We could be putting that person's life in danger." Mickey argued.

"That isn't exactly correct. There has been one instance where a pure heart has been formed. Xehanort once extracted the darkness from Ventus' heart…" Yen Sid said. His face was growing more confident as he provided his argument, though Mickey hoped he could convince him otherwise.

"But Ven's heart was broken after that. His body would've remained unresponsive if Sora's heart hadn't helped him!" Mickey almost yelled pounding his fists on the table. He wanted to get across, somehow, that this idea wasn't the correct one.

"True, and yet it is something under a different circumstance. I wonder how a more willing heart would respond."

"Why would anyone risk their heart being permanently damaged?"

Yen Sid stroked his beard thoughtfully, a feature Mickey secretly wished he could possess to do the same. Sometimes Mickey wondered whether the sorcerer even realized his own habitual act.

"I suppose it is something that will have to stay at the back of our minds for now. A last resort. But let us turn our attention to the safety of the Princesses for now." Yen Sid said.

"Um, yeah…" Mickey agreed. But any sort of the flow that their interaction had prior was stifled by what had been brought up. Purification. The word hung above the room for the rest of the conversation like a dread. It was a fear greater than the darkness itself.


You know you can always count on friendship to cheer you up... and Sea Salt Ice Cream- that works too. Watch out next time for goodness knows when this wedding is happening. Could be next chapter, or the next one, or a hundred from now... okay, maybe that last one was a bit of stretch.