MEL

I opened my eyes and found myself lying in grass. I looked down at my stomach and saw I still had the huge hole.

Oh no…

"Hello, Melo."

"I sat up and turned around to see a man standing amongst what looked like a garden. A man…. I knew.

"Uncle Ansem?"

He smiled sadly.

"Why has my whole life been a lie?!" I blurted out as I stood up.

He turned and looked at something. I followed his gaze and stared upon a huge, gorgeous, white, Victorian style mansion.

"This was your real home…. Before it was burned."

In front of the house, including where we stood, was a beautiful garden full of flowers, bushes, ponds, waterfalls, trees, and fountains.

"Why did our family die?" I asked.

"They were murdered because of our wealth and fir our authority. I told your adoption parents not to let you know who exactly who you were for your protection. If those same people who killed our family found out that you were still alive, they would have been hunting for you all your life. Your life would always be in danger."

"Well…. Instead if them wanting me dead…. Zexion wants me dead…. Wait a second… he's already killed me!!" I cried in anger.

"Melody…. You've always had an adventurous life…. You just never knew. Nothing can change what has passed, but you can change the future."

"Yeah….. what else do you know?" I asked sarcastically.

He smiled kindly at me.

"You looked just like your mother."

"Well….. I wouldn't know now would I?"

"Melody…" He began with a heavy sigh, "I'm sorry…. But it's a choice that I had to make. Besides…. Look at your life now. You have friends. Your Heart is going to be Pure.."

"Why did I come here?" I interrupted.

"Because, you, like Riku, belong in both light and darkness."

"How's that?"

"Because your heart is powerful enough to control complete darkness or complete light. Now the question is which are you going to choose? You fear neither so which is the better choice for you Sanctuary?"

"Since I am dead….. and then brought back to life… hopefully.. won't my Heart be Pure anyway?"

"Yes…. But you are choosing, now, whether you want your heart to be Pure darkness or Pure light. Either one can be used to lock Kingdom Hearts or to open it."

"Can't I choose Pure gray?" I asked.

Uncle Ansem laughed. A laugh that my Heart knew but I did not.

"You also have your father's humor. No…. Unfortunately, you cannot walk the same road as Riku. Way to the Dawn is only made for him. He is the only one that stands in the Twilight….. But that is why you love him… Isn't it? He is different from everyone else. The greatest Love out there is falling for someone who knows who they are and is not ashamed of it… isn't that correct?"

"Yes…" I whispered.

I did do all of this for him….. without even thinking twice.

"So….. which will you choose?"

I think I should just stick with light. I'm not so sure I want to go through darkness as Riku did. It has seemed to tear up his life.

"Alright. I choose the Heart of Light."

"So be it."

"Uncle Ansem?"

"Yes, Melo?"

"Thank you for everything. You have given me…. Exactly what I wanted. I am sorry for misjudging your decision at first, but now I understand. Thank you."

I felt warmth run through my veins and I could hear my heart begin to beat slowly. I struggled to open my eyes, but when I did, Riku's eyes were looking into mine passionately. I took in a deep struggled breath.

RIKU

My stomach seemed to tie itself into a knot. The only thing that went through my mind at that moment was 'I really do love her.' I pulled her into my chest, hugging her. I wasn't going to cry… I couldn't, but I wish that I would have.

"Oh…. Easy… easy…." Mel whispered in a gasp.

I noticed her hand moved to mine as she took it and held it calmly. Her stomach was still badly wounded. I closed my eyes and touched my magic so I could Cure her. Green mist surrounded us. She crushed my hand and clenched her teeth as her wound melted together. She whimpered as tears of pain rolled down her cheeks. I just caressed her face to calm her.

"Shh…. You're alright. You're okay." I whispered.

Soon when her wound finally healed, her grip loosened on my hand and her jaw relaxed. She let out a soft sigh. Sora and Axel kneeled beside us.

"Can you stand up?" I asked.

"I…. I think so." She said weakly.

She slowly sat up and with Axel and Sora's help, she stood. She looked up at me and gave me a weak half-smile. I pulled her into my chest once more.

"I thought I had lost you. You didn't come back for a full hour."

She looked up at me with a small expression of confusion.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"W-who brought me back?" She asked quietly.

I smiled as I turned around and looked at King Mickey. The King bowed to Melody.

"So…. You now know who you truly are, Princess Melody, Purest of Hearts?" The King asked.

"Yes… I do. Thank you King Mickey…. For bringing me back…" She answered softly.

She was speaking so softly it was hard to understand what she was saying.

"Well….. I think you need to get some rest. Sora…. Don't leave here for at least a day or two. She needs her full rest. After taking a blow like that and then being brought back to life uses up all you energy. She will be well again within another day or two." Then King Mickey vanished.

Melody smiled and then as she tried to take a step, she nearly collapsed. Leon and Cloud caught her.

"Sorry, but perhaps is there a place we can all stay?" Sora asked.

"Of course." Aerith said with a smile.

"There are some vacancy houses next to mine." Merlin said cheerfully.

"Great…. If they are as big as your house we should need one."

"There is one big room in the house. The room has a king-size bed, a couch and a chair. The living room is huge and it has a couch along with four chairs. There should also be plenty of blankets and towels for showers." Yuffie said.

"Thanks." Axel said.

Leon picked up Melody with ease and handed her to me. She had passed out.

"Keep an eye on her. I've noticed that a lot more Heartless are here now since you all have arrived. They are attracted to Melody for some reason."

Zexion….

"They might try to attack her while she is weak." Tiffa said.

"Alright…. Let's head out." Cid suggested.

I followed everyone but I was zoned out at the same time. I watched Melody calmly breathing in my arms. She seemed so peaceful now. Her aura, I noticed, was much, much lighter now. The sun was setting by the time we got to Merlin's house. Cid got us the house right next door and opened it.

"If you need anything… just let us know. I will be making some Full Stomach Pot for tomorrow's breakfast…"

"ALRIGHT!!" Sora, Donald, and Goofy cried excitedly.

"Have a good night's sleep everyone." Aerith said kindly.

AXEL

We all went inside the house and Axel shut the door.

"I'm pooped…" Donald said. "Whatever that 'Zexion' did to us while we were asleep really took the energy out of me…."

"Yeah….I can't believe Melody would sacrifice herself for us like that. Gwarsh, we were just talking about that just a day or two ago!" Goofy said.

"Hey…. Maybe we should keep it down a bit. Melody is sleeping…." I suggested.

"No…." Riku said softly, "She has slipped into unconsciousness."

He looked down at her and then turned to face us as we all sat down comfortably on the couch.

"I'm gonna take her to her room. She does deserve her own since she is the Princess….."

"Yeah…. Good idea, then we should turn in for the night…" Sora agreed.

Riku said nothing as he turned around and went to the door on the right in the living room. He kicked the door closed.

"Alright….. let's call our spots for the night…. Who wants the couch?" Sora asked.

"I'll take it." I said.

"Alright….. Axel claims the couch. I claim the last chair on the left. Goofy, Donald? You two decide."

"It don't matter to me, I'll just sleep where ever." Goofy said.

"Now…. Where are those blankets and pillows?"