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"Sora?"
"Is that… you, Kairi?"
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Red like fire was the day I met you.
I tell you now, there are no regrets.
In this room there are many memories.
Some are good, some I try to forget.
I thought we were the chosen ones,
Who were supposed to fly.
We're very much the same, you and I.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
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You won't believe what I've seen… Kairi. I was… floating. There was this bright light around everything. A river, and a city, and so many voices, singing sweet songs…
But the only voice I could hear was yours. I heard you, calling my name. There was this speck on the horizon, a golden light, and so I kept swimming towards it. I heard another voice calling me, and then I felt you. You were holding me.
You waited. I'm so glad. If I had woken up in anyone else's arms, I might've cried.
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"… Sora?" Eyes darting from his eyes, to his mouth, his shoulders, his face, everywhere, Kairi took everything in with wide eyes, inching towards the boy. "You're really… alive?" It only took her a moment to leap on him, sobbing and laughing, holding the boy tight.
"Kairi!" Sora laughed, holding her weakly. "Be careful!" Laughing happily, Kairi held him tight, never wanting to let go.
"I was so afraid" Whispering lightly against his neck, Kairi leaned into him. "I thought you were gone, forever"
Eyes smiling, Sora pulled the both of them to their feet, holding Kairi lightly around the waist. "I would never leave you if I didn't have to, Kairi. I would miss you too much. And the others, where are they?"
Smiling, Kairi leaned away. "They're waiting outside."
"Outside?" Sora blinked confused. "For what?"
Stepping back, Kairi nodded over her shoulder. "For us… to open the door."
Sora's eyes grew wide.
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It was strange, how easily everything faded away, and ended, without any delay. With ease and quickness, the heartless began to retreat, sinking into the dark shadows below. Slowly, surely, each warrior stood, brushing themselves off, looking out onto the battlefield in mild surprise.
"We… we did it?" Cheering, Naruto looked around the battlefield, a bit battered and bruised. "H – Hey! We won!"
Leaping into the air, the boy pumped his fists, laughing insanely. Vincent watched the boy's enthusiasm, reminded a bit too much of Yuffie. But he could not help but chuckle at the boy's strength.
"It's over!" Yuna gasped, letting her head fall back. Brushing her ponytail away from her neck, Yuna wiped some of the sweat and blood away.
"Hehe!" Cid grinned, already lifting a cigarette to his lips. "What'd I tell ya?"
"Um, you said something? Afraid I wasn't listening" Cloud muttered, letting his sword fall beside him in relief.
Glowering over his shoulder, Cid grimaced. "What the hell, spikey?! Have you ignored me all this time?"
Twitching a little, Cloud looked to Cid. "Well, seeing as you threw a shoe at my face, I have reason too."
Squabbling like children, the blondes turned towards each other, red faced and enthused. Tifa had to laugh at them, her long time friends. It was very hard to get under Cloud's skin, but Cid Highwind was one of a few who was very talented at it. Chuckling behind her gloved hand, Tifa fell to the ground, sitting cross legged with a happy sigh.
"It's over" Roxas muttered. "Over until he opens the door"
"I guess that's why it's over" Marluxia muttered, walking up behind his friend. Surprised, Roxas leapt to his feet, calling his ally's name. "Sora's so close to the door, the heartless are scared."
"Well, I suppose that's a good thing" Roxas murmured, looking to the sky. Marluxia wiped a speck of blood from his eye, and sent his long, bloodied scythe away.
Below, the air ship was coming in for a landing, preparing to board all the warriors had fought so long and hard. Grinning slightly as Cid cheered and pulled Aerith into a tight hug, and then the child Mari leapt on Yuna, the boy looked to Marluxia.
"How cute" Behind them, Larxene walked up, arms crossed, favoring her left leg. Laughing, Marluxia looked back down to the group, sitting on the dirt. Absentmindedly, his hand pulled at the sand, letting it slip through his fingers, patting it down.
"Wonder what they plan to do, once this is all over" Marluxia muttered, eyes faraway, and it seemed he did not truly expect a response.
"They will go back to living their normal lives, I guess" Roxas responded.
"Their lives were never normal" Larxene added, draping herself over Marluxia's back. The man stumbled, falling off the tips of his toes to his knees. Though he sent her a glare, Larxene only smiled sweetly at the eleventh member of the organization.
Down below, Vincent was being helped into the ship, to have his wounds treated. Larxene watched as the nobodies of the group excused themselves, heading up towards the light at the top of the hill.
"Come on" She whispered, patting Marluxia's shoulder as she stood. "Let's go"
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His body was made of metal, his eyes glazed over, half closed. It pained him to look, but it pained him to look away. Grasping the man's hand, Zexion then forced himself to let go, only to hold it tightly again, so unsure of himself.
Behind, he could hear footsteps approaching, and yells of pain, but he could not bring himself to care. His heart was feeling something so strange. Never had he felt such undeniable pain, and yet… why was his heart so light? It was not a lightness of happiness. This perhaps was what it was … to let go.
Behind him, Zexion recognized the footsteps of an old friend. He was not sure he wanted to look. But, he did. Glancing over his shoulder, Zexion saw Xemnas standing beside him.
"We can take his body to the other side, or you can bury him here" Xemnas muttered, walking towards him.
"I can't take him with me" Zexion muttered. "He's already gone"
"So" Whispering weakly, Xemnas looked to the earth. "You need help lifting the body?" Looking up to his friend in a bit of disbelief, Zexion could only glance away, chuckling with a small smile as Xemnas smiled back.
A small grave was erected on the precipice, marked with a gray stone, with only a few words carved into it.
Deeply in love with his song, I fall
And love him even after I learn he cannot sing at all
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The castle was a dark mess, with blood and the wounded piled into the rooms. Sitting on the edge, Rikku looked about with a sigh, seeing on the other side of the room, Yuffie and Aisu, both asleep, very tired.
"They worked hard" She commented over her shoulder to Paine. "The wounds on these guys were pretty bad, Aisu was good for a beginner"
"She told me she wants to be a violinist" Paine muttered. Gaining her friends wavering attention, Rikku turned in her seat. Grimacing a bit from the pain in her abdomen, Rikku spoke.
"A violinist, huh? That's strange. She's not what I'd picture … Sora's twin to be"
Smirking, Paine nodded. "They aren't all that much alike. But, they look a lot alike."
"Yeah" Rikku nodded in agreement.
Still waiting to get hurt, time after time.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
When love lies in our hands, we seem to run and hide.
And I can't help but wonder why.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
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"All right, we have some people to pick up, move it people, don't slack, I'll kick your ass, move it boy! Move it!" Almost leaping through the crowd, Cid shouted orders on his ship. "Somebody run over and help Vexen, his wife's off the deep end! And, by the by, you might wanna help Cloud, he's been off the deep end for a while now."
Cloud extended his boot as Cid ran by, attempting to trip him, but it did not work. The blonde mechanic leapt away, cackling, and as he did Tifa ran out the ship, followed urgently by Yuna. The two rushed up the hill to aid Vexen, even as Cid shouted more orders.
"Hey, you, whoever the hell you are" Cid muttered, sliding to a stop in front of one room.
Sitting in the room, the children ninja were crowded around their wounded sensei, Kakashi, not to mention Lee and Gai's presence in the back corner. Glancing from one to the next, Cid pointed towards Kakashi in the bed.
"You! Freak with no eyebrows. What the hell world you from?"
Twitching slightly, Kakashi paused in his answer. "We're from Konohagakure, the village hidden in the leaves."
"Coconut hag a fury? Damn, that sounds harsh." Kakashi's eyes went wide in surprise at Cid's stupidity, but the man moved on in his questioning.
"Hey, shorty! Zexion clone. Seen Zexion anywhere?"
Sasuke growled at the strange nicknames, crossing his arms. "I would have to know Zexion first."
Cid put his hands on his head to imitate Zexion's strange hair. "Blue hair, really emo, kinda bitchy, like a male on PMS"
"Oh, he's on that hill over there" Kakashi muttered, pointing out the window.
"Well, all right then!" Clapping his hands, Cid made to leave the room, moving on. "Thanks, Emo clone, Eyebrow-less Freak. Have a nice recovery, and keep Whiskers boy" Cid muttered, glaring down at Naruto, "quiet, all right? His voice makes my ears bleed."
With that, Cid sped from the room, leaving a confused group, an aggravated blonde, and Kakashi, simply sighing.
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He was silent, still as stone. Unable to breath, unable to comprehend his reason for living. Did it even exist anymore? What could he do? Hands shaking, the man reached up to his blonde hair, clutching at it, almost trying to pull it out. Crive could not comprehend anything.
"V – Victoria –"
Leaving his cousin in a great state of distress, Vexen sat by Ariel farther along on the path, shaken, and nervous, but sure of himself.
"Hold on, Ariel, please"
As she convulsed, quieting, yet still pasty colored and with veins that were black. Holding tight to her hand, Vexen lifted her into his lap, feeling her stomach as the baby kicked, thrashed inside.
"Oh, how I love you both" He whispered, rocking her in his arms. "What I wouldn't give"
Yuna and Tifa rushed up the path, slowing down as they saw the two, sitting at the edge of the path, Vexen sobbing over his wife and child. Yuna was shocked, a mouth over her hand. Placing a hand on Tifa's shoulder, the woman hung her head as Yuna cried.
"Ariel!"
My heart was like a runaway train, babe.
I don't believe I've ever felt more alive.
In this room I hear voices linger.
We never talked about the price.
You know you're not the only one,
Who knows how to cry.
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Straining, reaching, the boy felt his hand shiver. He tried to grab to anything, to awaken, hold on to something.
"Y – Yuffie"
The girl moaned in her sleep, hearing her voice. Stirring, she sat up, eyes wide and confused.
"Yuffie"
Eyes wide, the girl's hand flew to her mouth. "Demyx" She gasped, leaping up and running to him. Falling to her knees beside him, Yuffie felt tears sting her eyes. Lightly, she took hold of his twitching palm as his eyes faded in and out.
"Demyx" She whispered. "Oh, Demyx!"
"Yuffie, it's – really you?" Chuckling happily, Demyx still seemed unable to truly focus on anything, unable to see. "Ah – I was afraid – I'd never see you again."
Sobbing happily, Yuffie leaned over him. "Don't – don't be silly. You're gonna be okay"
Slowly, Demyx shook his head.
"We all knew it was coming eventually" He sighed happily, contently, lifting a hand to trace Yuffie's cheek bone. "Don't worry – it'll be all right. I'll watch over you, every day."
Across the room, Paine was sitting against the wall, her lover unconscious at her feet. Grimacing, the girl looked down at him, deep in thought. Her leg suddenly flew out, hitting his shoulder lightly. Xigbar did not awaken, his hair sprayed out behind him. The man was very weak, and out cold.
"Damn lazy ass" She muttered quietly. "Not even gonna wake up and tell me goodbye"
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"So, what are we going to do with him?" Luxord asked, looking over his cigarette to the screaming retch that was standing on the hill, Crive, writhing in his own mental break down.
"Hell if I care" Xaldin spat, his hair blowing fiercely in the wind. "My spears won't be dirtied with his poison" Chuckling a bit, Luxord seemed to agree, his eyes lighting up if just a little.
The two stood silently as they leaned against the rocks, unable to really do anything but wait.
"Sometimes I wonder if we drank it all up much too fast" Luxord whispered, throwing his cigarette to the ground. Stepping on it, he walked away from the rock, turning to look at his friend.
"Of course we did" Xaldin muttered, looking over the horizon. "That's what happens when you're addicted."
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We're very much the same, you and I.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
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Towering over the two of them, Kairi and Sora glanced high up to see the door, at the top of a long set of floating stairs, still close in sight. It was a simple door, white, with stained glass, and a beautiful design. Both children gasped in delight, looking to one another in joy.
"All right!" Sora cheered, leaping to his feet. "Last one up there is… uhh…"
"Has to sweep the play house back on the island?" Kairi asked, running ahead. Sora watched her.
"Uh… yeah! That works! Wait… hey!" Mumbling under his breath, Sora followed after the giggling girl, who was more than thrilled.
I can't believe it…
The two laughed and giggled insanely as they ran up, coming closer to the door. But, as they did, they slowly realized they were not alone.
"Well, since I win" Riku muttered as he leaned on his keyblade. "Does that mean both of you sweep the play house?"
"Aw man! I'm only alive for a minute, and Riku's already beating me again!" Sora complained, pouting. That was all it took for Riku to laugh insanely and sweep the boy into his arms.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again, Yuuchou Sora, or I'll kill you myself!"
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The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
When love lies in our hands, we run away and hide.
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Luxord smiled with a small chuckle.
"The sun is rising"
A tear fell down his cheek.
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She was away from everyone else. Sitting on the edge of the hill, her back to the canyon below, letting her hair flow in the wind. Rinoa sat her head in her hands, looking down.
Footsteps came up behind her. She did not turn, did not make a sound, even as the man sat down beside her.
The both of them were very quiet. They need not say a word. Rinoa's hand twitched; she felt his hand enclose around hers gently, and somehow, it made her feel very warm.
"I'm sorry you had to wait for so long" Leon whispered.
"I apologize, too… for running so far away"
Chuckling, Leon wiped a tear from her cheek. "I would have followed you to the end of the world."
Laughing, Rinoa looked up at him, her hair no longer hiding her scar. "You kind of did."
They both shared a quiet laugh, holding each other's hands. Slowly, Rinoa let her head fall onto his shoulder, closing her eyes. Her breath quieted and slowed as she fell asleep, and she was not afraid too. She knew he was watching over her.
And so are you, aren't you? Rinoa laughed inwardly, smiling a little as her eyes closed.
I hope it's everything you've ever wanted, Victoria…
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White was everywhere she looked as she raced forward, and around, confused. She was hearing voices calling her.
Aren't you coming with us?
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It took a moment for their laughter to calm down. For the first time in a while, the three were able to laugh together again, truly. Sora leaned against Riku, shaking his head, and Riku pushed him away, sticking out his tongue.
"Where's the king?" Kairi asked.
"Went back out. Said we could handle the rest" Nodding with a slight smile, Kairi agreed.
The three shared one look.
"Ready to end it?" Sora asked. Kairi and Riku both nodded, even as Kairi stuck out her hand. The keyblade appeared, in its Ultima form. Gasping, Sora looked down on her and the blade in surprise.
"It was waiting for you" Kairi smiled, setting it in his hands. "It was never meant for me"
In awe, Sora took it back, loving the feeling. It was almost as good as being alive again, as seeing Riku and Kairi again. Sighing, the boy lifted his head and looked to the door.
His hand was raised, aimed towards the pearly white gate. In a flash, both Riku and Kairi had out their blades, aimed towards the door.
The stood, silent, still, poised and ready.
"So, I guess this is it" Sora whispered, letting his free hand take Kairi's.
"Yeah" She muttered. "I'm almost afraid of the consequences."
"We'll have to take them when they come" Riku muttered, smiling a little.
"Ready?"
"Yeah"
The blades shone brightly, shimmering in the light. It was a warm feeling in their hands, as they looked to one another one last time. Light extended from the ends of the keys, reaching out towards the door, and past it infinitely. As it did, the door shimmered, turned to gold. With a quiet creak, a blinding light appeared, seeping through the crack in the door.
The three lowered their blades, backing away, attempting to protect their eyes from the light.
Sora closed his eyes, feeling a pull at the back of his mind.
Sora? That's you, right?
Heh. I knew you'd come back. You're a hard nut to crack, Sora.
Well, anyway… I just wanted to thank you, for everything. All the adventures we've been on, all the fights even… thanks for watching out for me, fighting with me. It wouldn't have been as good without you.
I know we've been cheated of a lot of time. You've missed more time than you know. And I'll never have as much time as I need. This is the little bit of time I have left, so I'm gonna use it.
When the door to light opens, all the fake stuff, it'll go away. The barriers between worlds will fade, and the heartless will finally disappear. Once the fake is gone, the real stuff, the universe can begin to rebuild itself.
So… I guess this is goodbye. I mean, a nobody isn't very real, right?
I'll miss you. Don't ever forget me, okay? Don't forget my name… Roxas.
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The light spread without hindrance, and very quickly. Almost overwhelmingly, it spread, brightening the world, shining through the borders and the barriers.
It touched everyone, in the soul and the heart. The worlds felt it, felt the blockades fading away as they became one unit again. Stars shone brighter in the sky.
Mari watched the light come.
You're coming with us, right?
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For as long as she had lived, Mari followed Tidu. The two were one; she had no one else she loved as much as Tidu. And he loved her, his little sister, and his greatest friend. They did not think twice of their relationship, simply protecting one another, following one another.
"Wait!"
Mari felt him leaving through the whiteness, sauntering away towards something farther off. Tears fell from her eyes as he kept walking, unable to hear her.
"Tidu! Wait!"
Suddenly, the boy turned, extending his hand.
You didn't really think I'd leave without you, did I?
Everyone's coming. The ones who can't exist here anymore. You and I and Momma will be there too.
As she floated through the light, Mari felt the hand that took hers, and in her mind, she whispered. Momma?
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When Mari felt her feet hit the ground, she looked in shock to the boy holding her hand. "Tidu?" She whispered.
He looked a bit different; he looked human, his wings gone, his eyes back to their normal sky color. Grinning down at her, Tidu pulled Mari up. "See? Everything's all right"
"Where are we?" Mari asked, looking around. They were in a large crowd, very large, but no one was really looking at them. All sorts of food stands and little shops were everywhere. As she spun in circles, looking at the old style shops and the small lakes, Mari gasped at the sight of the large castle behind them.
Talking to her over her shoulder, Tidu whispered. "That's Cinderella's castle"
"Cinderella?"
"This world is different from all the rest" A woman spoke.
The two spun around, Tidu smiling, Mari shocked and in delight.
"When the door to light closed, the most complex, most sad, most beautiful, Light filled world was locked inside. This is that place."
"This place?" Mari asked.
"And everything beyond it, outside in the world" Tidu muttered, smiling at her delight.
Before her stood a woman with black – blue hair, smiling sweetly. Her pale skin contrasted with her dark blue eyes. Gasping in delight, Mari grinned and wrapped her arms around the woman's small waist, giggling happily. "Momma!"
Laughing, Tsuki held the girl, bending down beside her.
"I've missed you! Are you all right?" The woman asked, looking at the girl. Mari nodded.
"Tidu and I have taken care of each other"
Setting the girl down, Tsuki stepped back, letting her look at the others with them.
Standing behind them, standing by each other, stood a small group, with a big heart. With blonde hair, wavy and messy, and a small piercing through her nose, Hinode stood, smirking, yet kind. Her eyes were tired, yet happy, as she kneeled to look at the girl.
Beside her stood a tall man, with kind eyes and soft features. Grinning, he gave the child thumbs up, nodding. Orpheus walked up to her, and swept her into his arms, letting the girl sit on his shoulder as she looked at the people she knew and didn't know.
The girl in the back with brown hair, wearing a white dress, stepped up. Smiling with her hands behind her back, Victoria spoke to Mari.
"Do you like it here so far?" She asked sweetly. Mari nodded.
"It's nice" She grinned, hugging Orpheus's head. Behind Victoria, a tall man with strange hair smiled. Many were staring at him, but he did not care. Ansem, or Kai, or whatever he truly called himself, he stood watching the child happily. Mari looked about at all the crowds in the streets. "What's this place called again?"
Orpheus smiled at the child, adjusting her seating position on his arm. "Well, the worlds called Earth. But this place… is Walt Disney's World"
Mari repeated the name, thinking it over. "It sounds… nice. Can we stay?"
Tsuki shrugged, looking down to Tidu.
"I guess it's all up to our one winged angel" She joked, winking at him.
He looked at everyone, from Mari to Ansem.
"I think" He whispered. "We'll be very happy here."
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Yuna let the light sweep over her as she listened to the voices that seemed to come from nowhere.
Hey. It's been a while.
I'm out here with Auron, talking about old times.
I know we can't see each other now. But we'll meet again, I promise.
Will you come visit me? In your dreams?
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Kakashi felt his body grow light, saw the scene change. When he opened his eyes, he and his friends were sitting in the Kohona hospital, worse for the wear, but back home.
"What the hell?" Naruto complained, grumpy as usual. "None of this stuff makes sense!" He shouted, crossing his arms.
"Ah, youth" Gai shook his head. Lee looked up at his master with a smile.
Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto began a heated argument/normal conversation between the three of them at the foot of Kakashi's bed. Smiling behind his mask, he sighed.
"I suppose everything's back to normal"
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The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
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It was working right in front of his eyes. As he gasped in delight, joyous and giddy, Vexen held his wife gently. The light was healing her, sending the darkness away, saving her unborn child, and her life.
Grasping her gently, Vexen felt the baby within.
"Yuna! Tifa!" He called as he felt Ariel begin to stir. "Hurry! She's having the baby!"
Once they were in the ship, they all rushed the woman to the hospital room. Vexen ran along side them, holding onto her hand for as long as he could, his eyes tearing up. But he knew inside. And so, he let go, watching her disappear down the hall, and away.
Zexion and Xemnas appeared behind him.
"It's time" Xemnas muttered quietly.
All Vexen could do was nod.
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We wish we had time to say goodbye.
All of us knew what would happen. It is part of our fate, as nobodies. The light would inevitably take us back.
All this time we've been given has been sacred. It was limited, yet full of memories and beautiful moments. Please live strongly without us, and we will watch over you every day, and your children, and those that come after.
I hope you don't forget us all. We love you, so desperately. We've talked it over, and decided.
So please, take care of Axel.
The Organization XIII
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Sora could see them, all around him. They weren't really there; it was a dream. They were floating in the realm of white.
Sora felt his body float down into the golden throne, and beside him, Kairi sat, smiling sadly.
Are you ready?
He could hear Namine behind them, and Roxas as well. His heart hurt, but he nodded, biting his lip. Everyone was watching, all of their friends, sharing the one last dream.
Sora sat in his throne. One of four thrones, and with a sad chuckle, he joked.
"For Narnia!"
Roxas kicked him from underneath the throne, even as he laughed.
"Jeez Sora you'll never change"
"Don't kick me, I just came back from the dead!"
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, Sora was standing in front of the door to light. It was large, opened wide, light streaming from within.
Everyone was silent, the nobodies and the humans and everyone else as they stood together.
We're very much the same, you and I.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
And very slowly, they broke apart. Silent, stoic, and almost relaxed. Hands in their pockets, smoking a cigarette, smiling back at their friends. None of the nobodies had their cloaks on, all wore strange clothes, normal, civilian clothes.
No one said a word.
Demyx smiled sadly down at Yuffie as he felt his body fade away. She was crying quietly, wiping the tears away. He raised his hand, holding hers to his heart as its beat grew, and then, gently let it go.
Luxord bowed regally to his friends, his eyes dancing over the crowd, before he took the hat that was in his hand and placed it on his head.
Vexen looked at the hospital bed that was in the group, on it sitting his unconscious wife. Bending down, he kissed her cheek, a tear falling as he let her hand go and turned away.
Xigbar held Paine tightly, close to him, rubbing his cheek against hers, giving her one last, passionate kiss.
Marluxia and Larxene stood, holding hands, looking at everyone. Sora gave a small weak wave, his eyes wide and sad. The two smiled, looked to one another. Marluxia lifted his palm a rose appearing in his hand. Setting it on the ground, he turned with Larxene towards the light.
Saix was holding his sister kissing her forehead as she cried and held to him tight. He almost could bring himself to let go.
Zexion did not say or do anything. He stood, back to the crowd, drifting away. But, almost like an afterthought, he looked over his shoulder, his eyes wide and taking everything in. He bit his lip. Perhaps overwhelmed by all there was to take in.
No one spoke. But they cried. Friends held each other, sobbed in each others arms. Leon patted Sora's shoulder, silent and stoic, his eyes dark.
Lexaeus smiled quietly, and walked over to Xaldin. The two looked back, waving, nodding, before walking up to Xemnas. He was turned away from everyone.
Roxas and Namine were at the head of the group, closest to the light. Both stood, smiling, holding hands. Their eyes were locked on Sora and Kairi, both trying to in their own way, let go.
Xemnas did not turn back as he walked towards the light. Sora couldn't stand it. Why wasn't he saying goodbye? Was he just going to leave.
Grimacing, Sora tried to turn away as they left, but he couldn't bring himself to.
"Sora!" Kairi gasped as he pushed his way through the crowd. Grasping tight to Xemnas' sleeve, he looked up like a lost child.
"You can't just leave and not say goodbye!" He pleaded desperately. Xemnas almost didn't look down. His mouth twitched, and sighing, Xemnas looked down.
The man was crying. Sora was shocked.
Everyone stood, silent, unable to think of anything to really say.
"Take care of Ariel and the baby" Vexen murmured to Aerith, who nervously looked to her future patient and took hold of the woman's hand. Nodding, she wiped the tears from her eyes.
Roxas looked at everyone, somehow managing to smile. "We'll be fine, don't worry"
The crowd began to part. Another was coming through. Slinking in, Crive stepped up, weak looking, lost. Vexen stepped up.
"It's all right" He whispered, taking his cousin's hand. "You have somewhere to go now"
Nodding as he looked about, scared, Crive followed Vexen into the light. Slowly, each nobody began walking towards it, and as they did, the humans began drifting further away. Almost helpless, Sora sobbed, biting his lip, trying to stay near them, running even as the others disappeared behind them.
"Roxas! Demyx! Zexion!"
They all watched him, smiling, some with tears in their eyes as their bodies turned into light, flickering gold like the stars. As they all faded away into the white distance, into the bright light of all, Sora reached out. He couldn't touch them, couldn't reach them, just wasn't strong enough. He could see them.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
When love lies in our hands, we run away and hide.
And I can't help but wonder why.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
Goodbye.
Xemnas was smirking, his eyes dark, yet brave.
Xigbar grinned his trademark grin, giving the boy confident thumbs up.
Xaldin nodded, looking away for a moment, before looking back up with a smile.
Vexen, holding his cousin's hand, looked down, shrugged. He smiled up at Sora.
Lexaeus laughed, a tear in his eye as he waved goodbye.
Almost weak, Zexion smiled dimly, his eyes bright with light.
Saix was stone cold, like normal, but his eyes were changing like the ocean, waving back and forth between emotions.
Demyx grinned waving madly, tears streaming freely down his face as he wiped his nose.
Luxord bowed once again, unable to stop a few tears himself.
Still arm in arm, Marluxia and Larxene waved smiling perhaps the kindest they'd ever smiled in their lives.
And at the head, Roxas and Namine stood together. Sora cried out for them, strained to reach, even as he read Roxas' last words from his lips.
Take care of Axel.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
When love lies in our hands, we run away and hide. And I can't help but wonder why.
The sweet hello, the sad goodbye.
Goodbye.
UPCOMING EPILOGUE. PLEASE REVIEW WITH SOMETHING!