MEL

Tears slowly fell down my face, but I quickly wiped them away.

"Mel? Are you crying??"

"No! Something flew in my eye….It was sand…"

We were walking along the beach; the gummi ship floated just off the shore. It was huge! It was every color you could imagine; almost like it was luminescent. I looked behind me and saw Kairi standing there alone on the Paopou Island, waving frantically. I looked up to Axel and he lightly smiled. He understood.

"Hey, wait up!" Sora cried

He caught up to us as we stood and gazed upon the huge ship. Donald and Goofy stood in front of it cockily.

"Whoa! It's huge! Look at the size of the blasters!!" Sora cried.

"Yep! It has Gravira, Comet, the Saw, Masume, Orachilum, and Ultima. It also has quite a few other things….. but I can't remember them…" Donald said proudly.

"Do I get to drive it??" Sora asked excitedly.

"Well….. I don't know….."

"Please??" Sora begged

He dropped to his knees in front of Donald.

"Well….. okay!"

Goofy, Donald, and Sora all waded out into the sea, towards the ship. I glanced up at Riku and Axel.

"I'm kind of nervous now that I know Sora is driving…"

"Yeah… no kidding…" Riku agreed.

"If you hear anyone panicking… it's just me." Axel added.

I patted Axel's shoulder then followed Riku out into the sea. Sora was already boarded. In order to get to the ship, we had to swim to it. Riku got to the side and lifted up his hand. Sora grabbed it and helped pull Riku onto the ship. When I touched the side, Riku turned around and offered his hand. I cautiously took it. He completely lifted me out of the water with one hand, and brought me onto the ship.

He's really strong….

"Thank you…"

"No problem…" Then he stopped down to help Axel.

"Oh! Thank you soooo much!" Axel said in a girly voice.

If he continues to make fun of me I'm going to pummel his face in……

RIKU

Needless to say…. I was quite worried about Axel. He just laughed and Mel was glaring at him, so there was obviously something that I missed. Axel grinned at her and I just made a small smile. Sora walked through a door and I followed. I glanced back at Mel. She was steaming; she was so mad.

I wonder what it was that I missed. Axel has some kind of black mail over her head….

I walked inside and my eyes adjusted to the sudden light loss. I was in the base of the ship where on each side of me, was four rooms.

"My room is the last room on your right. Donald's is the first one on your left. Goofy is the second one on you right. Um….. yours can be where ever you want. In whichever room is left…."

"Me? Why do I get to pick first??" I asked.

"Because you my best friend you dweeb…. Now pick…."

"Okay….. I want the one on the far left side…."

"Alright sold!" Sora said excitedly.

In the middle of the hall there was a spiral staircase that led up into the control panel.

"You can go upstairs… or you can go roam around or whatever. I will get everyone else situated."

I nodded and walked up the stairs.

AXEL

"Alright Mel…." Sora began but he was caught off guard by the glare she was giving me.

It looked absolutely dangerous! But I was not afraid.

"Um….. okay…. Mel…. Where do you want your room to be?" Sora asked.

"As far away from him as possible…." She growled.

I laughed.

"So I guess that means I have to pick first?? Okay…. Um how about the third room on the right. Is that one taken?"

"No… but now it is…. Alright what about you, Mel?"

"Um… the last room on the left…"

"That one is already called…."

"Oh….well then the third one on the left…. That's one isn't taken is it?"

"Nope. Okay now if you guys want to explore that's fine…. If you want to go up the stairs and watch me pilot this thing that's cool too. You decide."

I glanced at Mel and she rolled her eyes at me as Sora walked up the stairs.

"Okay I'm sorry for teasing you. There is that better?" I asked.

She looked up at me and grinned.

"Yep! Now let's go watch Sora wreck the ship!" She said excitedly

I smiled as she ran up the stairs. I followed her but then a thought came across my mind.

I never said 'sorry' to Kairi…. But I guess I don't owe an apology just to her…. I owe one to Sora…. And Riku….. and Donald and Goofy.

I was such a jerk, caught within my own darkness. Sure, I plotted against the Organization and all. Along the way I had intentions of controlling Sora and Riku. I came into a large room with buttons every where. Mel turned around and smiled at me, but she sensed something was wrong. Her eyes asked me what was wrong but I just looked away. Sora sat in the big middle chair with all the steering equipment. His eyes glistened as he looked over all the buttons. Donald sat to the right of him and Goofy was on the left.

"Whoa…" Mel whispered.

I cleared my throat loudly and everyone turned around to look at me.

"Um…. I…I wanted to say…."

Riku crossed his arms and Sora looked at me expectantly. Mel softly smiled at me and put her hand on my arm. She knew what I was trying to say. I lowered my eyes and then scanned across everyone faces.

"I want to say I'm sorry. I know I messed up each of your lives while in the Castle Oblivion. Even after that. I'm sorry for being in the Organization and ……I… I'm so…. Overwhelmed that you… have just let me in the circle of friends. The only true friend I had was Roxas….. and well…… so…. Thank you…."

MEL

Sora had a bright grin on his face.

"Axel…… Roxas is with you….."

He looked up at me. Sadness filled his eyes.

"No…. after he left the organization…… I never saw him again."

"No, I mean…" She smiled at me kindly. "Roxas is in your heart…. Where all your friends are. No matter how much darkness lies in your heart…." She glanced at Riku, "You will always find your friends. Roxas is in Sora. They are one. You still have Roxas sitting in front of you. They are the same though they seem different."

I looked at Sora as he nodded and grinned. A white flash and I suddenly saw Roxas nodding his head and smiling, then it flashed back to Sora.

She's right. I can see Roxas within him.

I felt my heart warm up inside as I looked back at Mel.

What is this feeling? This is new….

"Axel….. I forgave you a long time ago. Once you helped me defeat those Heartless and Nobodies…. I forgave you. I wanted to say it to you then…. But you used up all your power… and…"

"Yeah well….. that's fine and dandy but……I still don't feel like I should be forgiven…"

"It's like I told Riku…. You have to forgive yourself before you can receive forgiveness. If you don't forgive yourself then what is the point of someone forgiving you if you dwell upon it afterwards?" Mel said.

Riku nodded and smiled at Mel. Sora also agreed. I really didn't want to forgive myself… but seeing as how Riku forgave himself for what he did to everyone…. I'm sure I could get through it, too.

"Alright. I understand. Thanks everyone….." Then I pulled Mel into my chest, "Thanks Mel. I needed it."

"No problem…. But your crushing me…."

SORA

I couldn't believe that Axel apologized. I wasn't expecting it… in fact, I didn't even really think about all of that. I watched Axel hug Mel tightly and Riku had his arms crossed but I could see his hands clench.

I wonder what's bugging him….. could it be Axel and Mel??

"Well… Axel….. I really appreciate your apology. It really wasn't necessary…" I said .

He let go of Mel and turned to face me. Riku's hand quickly relaxed. Axel didn't notice, but I think Mel did.

"Well…. It was necessary for me…"

"Alright…… so… where do we need to go Donald?" I asked.

"We need Mel and Axel to meet the King."

"King Mickey?!" Mel asked.

"G-hyuck, Yep! He'll be sure glad to meet you! He has reading about the prophecy for a long time now….."

"Goofy!" Donald scolded.

"Oops… sorry…."

RIKU

I quickly glanced at Mel. Her eyes lowered to the ground and I thought I saw a hint of fear, but as quick as it came it was gone.

"Aw, it's alright….. that's what I'm here for. To save other worlds… right?"

Sora lowered his eyes then spun around in his chair and faced the controllers.

"Well…..as much as I would like to stay with Kairi in Destiny Islands…. We had better get going…" He said changing the subject.

I was very grateful for that. Every time her fate was mentioned her head seemed to sink lower. I know she has been trying to hide it for some time now…. But I can smell the fear coming from her. She was terrified. Sora asked Donald to start the ignition. With one or two buttons, Sora was raising the ship from the sea. Mel ran to a window and waved at Kairi one last time.

She's going to be bummed out for the next few hours now….

"So…. How fast do one of these things go?" Axel asked.

"About three times the speed of sound…." Donald answered.

"Wow…." Axel commented.

Sora sadly waved at Kairi, too, then spun the ship around. Mel's head hung low as she turned around, but then she suddenly perked back up as if she thought of something.

"Hey… how long is it going to take for us to get to Disney Castle?" She asked.

"Maybe less than two days…. Why?" Sora asked.

"Well…. I'm just kind of tired…. I was hoping I could squeeze in a nap…"

"Sure…. Go right ahead… It might get a little bumpy though, Heartless usually attack us about half way to the worlds we visit."

"Well…. I'm somewhat of a hard sleeper unless I have nightmares…. But if that time comes, then wake me up….."

"Alright… will do."

Then she turned to the stairs and put her hands on the rail, and carefully walked down the stairs.

What is she playing at?

Axel had an eyebrow raised at me. He must have been thinking the same. He nodded after her, suggesting we followed.

"Hey, Sora? Axel and I are…. Going to take a look around….. alright?"

"It's cool with me…. Have fun…hey if you see Mel before she locks herself away in her room…" He said with some amusement, "Be sure to tell her to look out the window…."

How did he know what we were doing??

"O-okay….." I said unsure.

Axel and I clambered down the stairs quickly.

"How did Sora know??" Axel asked quietly.

"I'm not sure…."

SORA

I knew what they were up to. They wanted to see what was wrong with Mel. Because she, like me, can make everyone laugh and smiled, but when we are sad or troubled… everyone knows it. They can feel it in their hearts. Plus I think I know what really lies in both their hearts, and I believe now more than anything, that Axel does have a heart. Somehow…. Both their hearts are tied to Mel….. I just know it….

RIKU

I was given an order from the King himself not to keep a close eye on Mel. Since Sora is driving it's basically my responsibility. Axel may be her guardian, but I have been appointed to be her savior.

MEL

I closed the door behind me and looked around. It was a good sized room with a huge dresser, a king-sized bed, and a connected bathroom. It also had a door leading to the room on each side of me.

Reminds me of a hotel….

I sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep sigh. It felt strange to be alone. After being with friends for four days straight… this seems to be a bit depressing….

Has my life always seemed like this to other people? Is that another reason why I was an outcast? Because I enjoyed being by myself?

Well…. I now understand what my life has been missing. I heard a soft knock on my bedroom door. It overwhelmed me. I didn't like the silence like I used to. I walked to the door and opened it. Axel was leaning against the doorway and Riku stood back in silence.

"How's it goin' Mel? We just wanted to check up on you…. making sure you're okay….."

I smiled with appreciation.

"I'm fine…. But…..why don't you two just come in?" I asked.

"Alright…"

Axel quickly came in and Riku followed. I closed the door and watched as they uncomfortably stood around. There was a couch and two recliners, but I suppose they were just being gentlemen and waiting for me to welcome them to take a seat. I smiled. I love my friends.

"Go ahead and sit down…. My room is yours…"

The both grinned and sat in the recliners opposite from each other. The couch sat between the chairs and in front of the couch was the bed. I flopped backwards on my bed and let out a sigh.

"Well… I really miss Kairi. But I also wanted to see what it felt like to be alone…. Like my life used to be….. with no one around me. I used to love to be off by myself……"

I looked up and saw the two of them lower their heads.

"But….now that I've found what the light in my heart is….. I realize I can't live without it. I never knew that as my life was secluding, I was separated from the most important things…."

"Like what?" Axel asked.

"Friends…." Riku whispered.

I nodded quietly.

"So I want you both to know, along with Sora and Kairi, that I would have never made it if it weren't for you…. Thank you…"

Axel and Riku both got up as I got off the bed. My shoulders felt much lighter and so I took in a relieved breath.

"I feel better that I got that off my chest…" I smiled.

I opened my door but then Riku cleared his throat.

"By the way…. Sora told me to tell you to look out the window…"

"Oh yeah….. I forgot about that…" Axel said apologetically.

I raised an eyebrow and then walked to the big window beside my bed, on the other side of my dresser. I pulled back the curtains and watched thousands of sparkling stars pass by.

"Oh." I said with amazement.

When I was younger I would always sit outside with my mother and watch the stars. I used to fantasize about how each star could either be a world or another galaxy, juts winking at me. Taunting me. Proving that I could never check my hypothesis. But now…. I was watching every world, every galaxy…. Every star pass right by my window. I was speechless. It was so beautiful. I felt my eyes glistened with excitement. I quickly glanced behind me and looked at Riku. He gave me his famous half-smile as I motioned him to come. I pointed out the window. He looked and a bright grin spread across his face.

"I know….. it's beautiful….. "

"What?" Axel asked.

RIKU

I could see how happy she was. Her fate has left her mind for the moment. She waved at Axel to come over with us. Axel strutted over and looked out the window with us.

"Whoa…."

"Both of you have never been out here have you?" I asked.

They both sadly shook their heads.

"I've often wondered what it's like though…" Mel said looking back out the window.

"Well? What do you think? Just like you imagined?"

She shook her head.

"It's better…"

It grew very quiet as the two looked out the window, then I heard a small chuckle from Mel.

"What is it?" I asked.

She turned around and sat down on the bed. I stood in front of her, watching carefully.

"You know when you have a dream and you forget about it….. but years later it somehow finds it's way back into you're head?"

"Yeah…."

"Well…. I just suddenly remembered a dream I had when I was really little. I might have been about five or so….but I saw a little boy in my dream. He must of been my age maybe a year older, but he was in a dark place drawing pictures on the wall…."

I instantly thought of how I, as a kid, used to draw on the wall in the Secret Place with the strange door, behind the big tree. It was next to the waterfall.

"Sometimes, I would have the same dream over and over again…" She said with a small smile, her eyes were closed, "sometimes there were other children drawing with him…"

I knew, deep down, that she had dreamed about me. Sora and Kairi would come with me and draw, too.

"Uh…. Peaches…." I said with a smile, "You….you dreamt about us…."

"What?" She said, her eyes flew open.

"When I was little… about six. I used to go to this cave behind the big tree. All the kids on Destiny Island used to call it the Secret Place. Sora, Kairi and I would go in there and draw for most of the day. I remember one time, Sora and Kairi decided they wanted to draw.."

"Each other…."She said with a smile.

"So….. that's strange…"

Then I remembered a dream I used to have.

No…. it couldn't be…. Could it?

I looked up at Mel. The girl in my dream had short black hair put up in pigtails on the top of her head. She also had light blue eyes like Mel.

"Well,' I began. "That just reminded me of a dream I used to have….. it was about a girl in pigtails. She looked four or five and she was always silently crying herself to sleep every night."

Mel looked down and covered her mouth with her hand.

"Mel?"

"So… you dreamt about me?"

"It was you…."

She nodded her head and then looked away.

"Well this is slightly creeping me out…" Axel commented.

"Why were you crying?" I almost regretted to ask.

"…..When my moth remarried, I was beaten. Every day at least twice I was abused for a reason that only he could see. I went through the torture of waking up sore and going to bed bleeding for almost three years."

Parents. I used to have some. When Sora finally brought me back to Destiny Islands…. I found out they both passed away. Mom worried for me for so long, she didn't eat or sleep and eventually she grew really sick. After she passed away, Dad died because of deep depression. I was mortified to hear the news, but now I am thankful that I had good parents.

"Mel…. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.."

"No… it's fine. I made it through and that's all that really matters. You know how the saying goes…. 'All the bad will do is just make you stronger'. I think what's most important is where we have ended up. I mean…. Look at you Axle. For making the decision of joining Organization Thirteen you met Sora. Even though at first your intentions were not all that great, but you soon realized what you were doing was wrong and you ended up helping Sora to the death. In return for turning the tide, you were brought back to serve a better purpose. See where you're darkness has led you? Even the bad will lead to greater and lighter things. Riku….. you let you heart take in darkness and even though you turned against Sora at first, you're heart still could not deny it's softness towards him. In the end, you saved my life and Kairi's, then after facing your own darkness you used it to help Sora. You helped him defeat Xemnas and he couldn't have even shut the door to Kingdom Hearts without you either. Even your darkness has done much good. Now look at us. Look at our dark lives and look where it has brought us in the end."

She looked up at me and smiled. I never thought of it that way. She really can see a lot deeper into subjects than I can even fathom.

"What I think is weird is how we had visions of each other as kids…" Mel said.

"Yeah…"

"Maybe it was because your hearts called out to each other? Maybe because your hearts knew that somewhere across the galaxy there was someone you could seek refuge to…." Axel said reasonably.

Melody rolled her eyes and I avoided Axel's, but I could feel them piercing through my head.