MEL
Riku and I were suddenly awoken by a loud annoying voice.
"Hey everyone! We're just about to be in Hollow Bastion….. or Radiant Gardens!" Sora hollered over the intercom.
I don't really think that Sora is annoying, but for that one instance, when I was having the perfect time sleeping his voice made my ears bleed. I moaned as I got off the bed. Riku sat on the side of the bed and held his head in his hands. He took in a deep sigh. He wasn't quite ready for all of this.
"W-what about Maleficent? Is still…. There?"
"I think Leon and Cloud chased her out…. But I don know that Sephiroth is there. We have to make sure that we….. well at I need to watch out for him. I'm not able to take him. Besides….. he's really scary. I'm sure you could though. Sora has done it a few times. Though…. He just doesn't seem to ever die."
Riku didn't say anything. I walked over to him and got on my knees before him.
"If it helps any, I will watch your back for you. If you get hurt, I'll Cure you. If you get captured, I'll save you. If Maleficent shows up, I'll kill her. Especially for all that crap she put you through."
Riku looked up and nodded. He looked so cute and innocent….
No… stop it!
I wanted to punch myself in the face.
"Now…. You can't meet Leon and everyone by wearing that….. hmm….. I wonder…."
I stood up and back away. I pictured him in his usual, casual wear…. Only it was clean and smelled like…. I should make it roses for fun…. Nah….. then he would smell like a girl…
"Be nice…" My heart warned.
I touched my magic and he sighed. I opened my eyes and approved of his clean and comfortable look.
"Better?" I asked with a smile.
"Better…"
"Your lucky that all I did. I really wanted to either make you smell like roses…. Or put your hair up in pigtails…."
"Gee….. thanks a lot." He muttered sarcastically, "I thought girls loved my long silky soft hair…"
"Is it really that soft?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course it is! Feel!"
I reached out and petted his head. I laughed and continued to pet him like a kitten. He seemed annoyed with it after a while.
"Good Kitty…" I said with a huge grin.
"Okay, okay, enough already…" He laughed as he pushed my hand away.
He got up and opened his door and held it open for me. We walked up the stairs and met everyone in the main control room.
"There you are Mel! Where have you been?!" Axel asked.
"Uh…er…" I looked up at Riku, but then thought about how bad that would sound, "I…. Was in my room…" I lied.
"But…. I knocked…. You never.."
"I can sleep pretty hard sometimes…"
He shrugged his shoulders. I looked up at Riku again. I absolutely hated to lie, but I felt that if I hadn't…. it would've turned to something much worse than it was. Riku seemed to have been thinking the same.
"Well… let's go! Leon and Aerith will be excited to meet you. Yuffie as well." Sora said.
I was excited and giddy again. I mostly wanted to meet Leon and Cloud… but most of all, Yuffie. She was always one of my favorites.
"Here we go." I said with a smile.
I looked up at Riku. He still seemed a bit nervous so, on instinct, I touched his hand. Everyone else warped.
"Riku… it's okay. I'll be with you…" I said softly.
We both looked down at my tiny hand on his huge one and I felt my face turn red as I looked away.
"I-I'm sorry….I… don't know why I just did that…."
"Ha ha! Soon I will be in absolute control! I will show you to listen to me! Bwahahaha!!" My heart cackled
My heart has gone completely bonkers for Riku. Wonderful.
Riku only seemed to smile as he looked into my eyes but I looked away again.
"O-okay….m-maybe we s-should go…" I stuttered.
"Yeah."
We both warped ourselves to Radiant Garden. I looked around and knew instantly we were just behind the Market. I glanced at Riku.
"It looks a lot different…. Doesn't it?" I asked quietly.
He slightly nodded. Sora had already walked down the stairs and was standing with everyone in the center of the Market place, waiting on us.
RIKU
What is this feeling? So….. I truly am… falling for Melody. It's not just a crush…. I'm afraid.
Hollow Bastion had really changed. Melody and Sora were right. I could hardly recognize it. The smell is even different…. But I wasn't so convince that Maleficent was out of the picture either. Mel and I met Sora and the others in the center of an area full of shops. It looked like a Market square. Mel gasped and then Sora yelled, 'Hey! Leon!'. Two men casually walked up to us; one with blonde spiky hair and the other with longer, choppy brown hair. One had a smile, the other had a serious and straight face.
"Wow, Sora. You're taller now." Said the guy with brown hair.
Mel whispered to me, 'that is Leon, the other guy is Cloud.' I nodded and then Leon looked right at me.
"So….. you must be Riku. I've heard a lot about you…" He said as he shook my hand, he had a strong grip.
"Uh….. I hope it was all good…." I said sheepishly.
"Are you kidding? Sora can't say anything bad about anybody…. Even an enemy!" Leon laughed.
I heard Mel laugh.
"Well… I'm glad to see that he found you and you're both okay…"
"I hate to break up this happy reunion….. but we still have a problem." Cloud said darkly.
"What sort of problem?" Sora asked.
"We have uncovered a few files about another of Ansem's studies. One about Pure Hearts…"
"Uncle Ansem?" Mel asked quietly.
I could tell she really didn't mean to say it out loud. Axel and I had stood in front of her, but we all moved to the side so Leon and Cloud could see her. She looked at everyone uncomfortably and rubbed her right arm.
"This is Melody, our new mission. We have to protect her." Sora explained.
"Welcome to Radiant Garden. I have to ask though. Did you just call Ansem your 'Uncle'??" Leon asked.
"Because…. He was my uncle, when I was very little. He was on my mom's side of the family."
I almost flinched when she said that.
No….. he was your only relative left. Everyone was murdered because of their money…. Your also a princess…. And I also sorry I am keeping this from you… right now….
At first, Leon and Cloud didn't seem to believe her.
"She truly is the only niece…. Or the last descendant…. I should say…from Ansem the Wise." Sora said.
"Yes. My world disappeared, I guess… I'm the only one that made it…" Mel said sadly.
"She also has the potential to have a Pure Heart." Axel said, "The name is Axel…. And now that you have it memorized…. I'm sure that we all would like to know whether or not you have seen any sort of Organization Thirteen member?"
Leon and Cloud looked at each other.
"Actually, I have only seen a slight few Heartless around…. But that is about it."
"Sephiroth is also around here somewhere…. So watch out for him. If you see him, let me know." Cloud said.
"Anyway, come on. I'm sure everyone will want to see you and the gang again, Sora. That reminds me…. Jiminy is here. He's been waiting for you guys for a few days. You'll have to tell him about your journey so far. But everyone will also want to meet Riku finally and now… interestingly enough…. Ansem's last descendant, Melody."
MEL
Leon and Cloud walked down a path that led into the Borough area where Merlin's house rested. We came to a large house and Leon opened the door.
"everyone… Sora, Donald, and Goofy are back."
"Sora!" Yuffie cried as she came out with a huge grin on her face.
I grew even more excited as she gave them each a hug. She was taller and her hair was a bit longer.
"You've changed a lot." Sora said.
"Yeah, so have you! You're taller than me now." She teased.
Her eyes traveled to Axel and her grin eased into a smile.
"Who are you?"
All the while, Aerith, Cid, and Merlin came out smiling.
"My name is Axel…." He said.
I couldn't tell whether or not he enjoyed this attention. I laughed and Riku turned and looked at me. Yuffie saw Riku and smiled kindly.
"You are Riku, aren't you?"
"Yes.." Riku smiled.
"Sore described you so well!" She laughed.
Then her eyes slowly traveled to me.
"Well finally! A girl my age! What are you doing… traveling with a bunch of smelly boys??"
I glanced at Riku and Axel. They both seemed to be annoyed by that comment. I laughed.
"Oh it's worth it. I would never trade a second of it. Besides…. Luckily… none of them smell bad. My name is Melody….. but everyone calls me 'Mel'."
"or 'Peaches'." Axel muttered under his breath.
I threw a playful punch at Axel, but continued to wear a smile.
"It's really nice to meet you Mel!"
"I know this may sound really crazy….. but I already know you all. Believe me, though, it's a really long story. Yuffie, Cid, Aerith, Cloud, Leon…. And I can't forget about Jiminy!" I said smiling.
Jiminy hopped down from Merlin's hat to my feet.
"Hello! Sora, you have a lot of story telling to do! I need to know everything that has happened so far!" He said as he jumped to my shoulder. "You don't mind that I hang around you…. do you?" He asked.
"No of course not!" I laughed, "I would more than happy if you did!"
"Great! Now…. You both….. tell me everything."
AXEL
While Sora and Melody explained everything to Jiminy, I heard footsteps coming this way. I turned around and saw a woman with brown eye and long dark brown hair.
"Excuse me…" She said as she passed by me.
Melody turned around and had a huge grin on her face.
"Hello Tiffa." She said.
The woman stopped and looked at Mel.
"Do I know you?" She asked.
"No….. but my name is Melody. I am Ansem's last descendant. It's really hard to explain…. And really long…. But I know a lot of things."
"Well, Melody. Would you like to see your Uncle's Study?" She asked with a small smile.
"Oh, Yes! Please!"
"Good…. And maybe… you might know what his password it. We uncovered some files, but they are protected."
"Alright. Let's do it!" She said excitedly.
Jiminy took down a few notes as Sora talked, following Mel. Melody followed Tiffa, as did Riku. I watched as Riku and Melody smiled at each other as they walked by me.
Oh yeah. They realize what their hearts need…
I suddenly felt somewhat jealous of them both. I wished that my love could come back. But she's gone with the rest of the Organization. Larxene was her name…. And even though we had our ups and downs we loved each other. We disagreed on many things…. But who doesn't? I told Zexion that I took care of her…. That I had killed her…. But I couldn't. I needed her and she needed me. It was one of those Love-Hate sort of relationships. But in the end….. Zexion and Riku's replica took her out. I grew so angry that I plotted against the entire Organization, practically taking out Zexion first. Unfortunately…. She can't come back like I did. She didn't have good morals…. I did with a change of heart. I really do wish there was a way she could come back….. only this time…. With a heart. I fell in love with a Nobody, but I would give anything to have her back with her own heart.
"Come on Axel!" Yuffie said as she took my hand and dragged me off after Mel and everyone else.
MEL
"And then after that…. Mel suddenly just warped in front of Simba and tumbled off the cliff with Zeera!" Sora said.
Jiminy took all the notes as he told him the story. Donald and Goofy helped too. We came to the Bailey and began to head to the old restoration site. I felt a warm breeze come from my left and turned and saw the Castle Gate.
"What is it?" Riku asked.
"No! Don't loo.." I began but it was too late.
Riku saw the gate and took in a deep sigh. His eyes closed and he began to breathe heavily.
"What's wrong?" Jiminy asked.
"He is remembering the harsh memories of the past…." I said softly.
I put my hand on his shoulders and lifted his chin. His eyes slightly opened his eyes and looked up at me.
"I-I have to go…." He said.
He stood up and began to walk towards the Castle Gate.
"But Riku!" I began.
"Just go with the others….. I'll be fine…"
"O-okay…." I said with regret.
He flashed a smiled, drove his thumb in his pocket and walked away. He wanted to visit his past, alone. But I had a really bad feeling about it. Everyone passed me and continued to walk as I watched Riku fade into the Ravine Trail.
Oh, Riku. Please be careful.
Axel put his hand on my shoulder.
"Come on, Mel. Riku can take care of himself."
"I know….. I just have a feeling something bad is about to happen."
Axel walked with me to the Postern, then we finally caught up to everyone in the corridors. Leon and Tiffa led us all through the labyrinth of halls until we finally came to a large door. Leon opened it and invited me in first. The study was a tiny round room. Many pictures hung on the wall and books were everywhere.
I see where I got my reading taste.
I looked at the portrait that was on the floor. It was Xehanort, not Uncle Ansem. I walked over to his desk and sat in his chair.
"Ah…. Xehanort….did you bring the files?"
"Yes, Master Ansem."
"And what were the results?"
"This!"
Ansem the Wise fell to his desk unconscious.
"Whoa…." I whispered.
"What is it?" Jiminy asked.
"I just saw….. some sort of a vision."
I heard Jiminy scribble down some notes as I went through some of Uncle's drawers. In the very last drawer on the right side, hidden under a thick stack of papers, I saw something silver. I pulled it out and looked at it. It looked like the symbol for Kingdom Hearts but it the middle of it was three dots all connected by another heart exactly like my Keyblade. The fourth dot was outside of both hearts but connected to the smaller heart by a line. The fourth dot was also the tip of a triangle that was behind the hearts.
A man walked through a large pile of rubble in an area full of burnt trees, grass, and other shrubbery. He was very upset. Everything was burnt to the ground.
"No… not … not Melo…"He thought.
He went towards a garden that used to grow beautifully in front of the large mansion. Everything was ruined. There was noting that was salvageable.
"My entire family is gone. I am the last of the infamous Harts." He thought.
But then he heard a small whimper. He searched around and picked up a few pieces of wood. Underneath was a perfect green bush and hidden inside of the bush, was a baby girl.
"Melo!!" He cried.
He picked up the girl and looked over her. Not a scratch or even a burn mark to be seen. Absolutely nothing. It was a miracle. He looked inside the bush and saw a silver trinket. The symbol of the Hart Family.
"It's the family symbol. It has been passed down from generation to generation. It can supposedly protect the family member that hold it."
The baby's gray eyes saw the little trinket and reached out for it, but the man laughed.
"Come on, Melo. Let's get you out of here. Thank Goodness you're alright. I don't know what I would've done. "
He lifted the girl in the air and looked at her.
"I don't know what I am going to do with you. I can't take care of you… God knows I can't. Maybe…. I can find you a family that can…" He said as he tapped the girl's nose. "I love you… my little Melody."
The little girl giggled as he held her, walking away from the wreckage.
W-what??
"What is that, Mel?" Sora asked.
I still held the trinket in my hand.
"My…. My…. My family symbol." I whispered, "Sora…. I… I don't think I know who I am anymore…"
"What are you talking about?"
I explained to everyone about the vision I just had then explained how I was adopted. Sora and Axel were confused.
"I'm still Ansem's last relative… but I've been his only relative. My mom and dad weren't ever my parents. Uncle Ansem must have met them and told them about my past so they would keep it from me…"
"So….. you really are a princess then…." Donald said with awe.
"Uncle Ansem was royalty too. That is why he has the title of 'Ansem the Wise'. It wasn't just because he was a wise man. I also have a title. Melody Purest of Hearts. He left clues all along…. But I am just now beginning to understand them."
Yuffie stepped up to me and handed me a necklace chain.
"Here. You can use it to put your pendant on."
"Oh… thank you." I said as I put my trinket on the chain.
I smiled but I was still troubled. So just everything I knew about my life… was a lie? I put the necklace on and now had Kairi's necklace along with my own family heirloom.
"Aww… it looks good!" Yuffie smiled.
"At you know one thing is certain," My heart said, " You are falling for Riku whether you like it or not."
I let out a sigh as Axel patted my head.
"It's alright Mel. This is what an adventurous life is like. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Yeah… but now…. I'm not so sure."
"Well…. It's too late now." Donald said.
"Yeah…"
"Come on. His computer is this way." Leon said.
SORA
I wonder how Tron is doing?
We followed Leon through a secret doorway into a large computer room. Tiffa typed up a few things and a password blank came up.
"Alright Melody….. give it a try."