Well its finally finished! I hope you enjoy the last chapter of Journey Home. love, binasu
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Chapter Nine: Hellos and Goodbyes
Gabriel held tightly to the railings as they descended to Bevelle. The city was worse than it had been only days before. The temple was falling to pieces, and the walls around it were breaking down. If something wasn't done, surely this would be the next Zanarkand. The pounding in his head lessened as the city grew closer. The others who had followed them were already on the ground; the boy was looking around as though ready for something to strike. They were close enough, Haniel called from the microphone:
"If you're getting off, you'll have to jump."
He was going alone, for now. So he jumped and grabbed onto a nearly torn down banner and slid neatly to the ground. The others turned to look at him, he pointed toward the temple.
"Up there, Terra will come here first. She'll either look for me at home or come to the temple to see if I'm with thePraetor; of course he's disappeared again and as you can see; everything is falling apart. Those, heartless creatures I suppose over ran the city, though I don't see them anywhere," he mused leaning against a piece of rubble.
"How do we know she isn't in there already?" Sora asked.
"You'd hear the yelling. You see, Isvara; a rather uppity man has taken it upon his shoulder's to run the place in the Praetor's place. Terra is rather outspoken against the politics of Spira as of late. Not that I blame her, it's rather complicated. Everyone figured it was going to be stable after Lady Yuna once again, saved Spira. Last thing we were doing before those falling stars was to speak to her on behalf of the Praetor. Anyway, if she were in the temple we'd know."
Gabriel looked up to the sky; the once bright blue was covered in deep grey clouds threatening rain at any second. He looked back at his new companions, his head was clear he cleared his throat catching the younger boy's eye he was serious and wanted answers and if this boy knew anything he was going to shared; even if he didn't want to.
"Sora, isn't it? Tell, what do you know of nobodies and their difference from the heartless?"
Sora's blue eyes widened and then closed them, the rest of them straightened up. Sora opened his eyes a slight smile on his lips.
"Well…,"
--
They had come through a strange forest that hummed with magic and secrets he guessed he'd never learn. They now stood outside large stone walls and a huge gate. The walls were crumbling and the gate had been torn down. Terra was shaken, with rage or sadness he wasn't sure. But from what they could see beyond the gate was rubble as though a battle had taken place here and whatever this place was had fallen and fallen hard.
"Bevelle," she said her voice choked.
She ran ahead, and he followed. As they grew closer he saw that the city was still somewhat intact, this outside area however was broken stone. It was a long run and then up a long flight of stairs and soon they were in the inner city, here there were a few broken pillars or statues and the only sign of destruction was a large building in the center. Terra balled her hands into fists.
"This isn't right, where is everyone?" She looked around, nothing.
They walked slowly up a smaller set of stairs that allowed them to see further around them. Nothing and no one was around, it was like some kind of ghost town and it was giving him the creeps. Even if the heartless had taken over they would still be slinking around but they were nowhere to be seen. Terra cupped her hands to her mouth; he should stop her just in case there was something bigger lurking around.
"HELLO!! IS ANYONE HERE?" Her voice echoed through the empty city, close to them a few pieces of small rubble rolled off the larger piles.
Someone or something called back but if something was said they were unable to understand it. But even with that, they started off in the direction the voice came from. It was drawing them closer to the large building, Terra once more called out; this time they were able to understand it.
"Terra?"
"Riku, Terra is that you?"
They kept running and soon they found themselves at the base of the building standing in front of familiar faces. Terra began to cry as the latched on the tall, dark haired man who lifted her from her feet and in giant hug. Riku was attacked by Kairi and Sora, and followed by Donald and Goofy. Too much love. The man sat Terra down on her feet and wiped her tears from her cheeks.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again Terra. Don't you do it," he hugged her again.
Muttered something to him and stepped back from his embrace. She smiled at the others and Kairi hugged her, and told her she was glad she was safe.
"So I take it your Gabriel." Riku said flatly holding out a hand to Gabriel.
"And your Riku, your friends filled me in." He said taking the hand.
For a moment they looked at each other as though sizing the other up, the grip on their hands became one to see which was stronger.
"Uhm," Terra looked at Sora who shook his head and placed a hand on Riku's shoulder.
Instantly they both let go and their arms dropped. They all stood there silently for a second, but Terra made a small sound and looked to Sora again.
"Where is Iole?"
"Ask your friend, he took her with him." He replied, so Terra turned to Gabriel.
"She's on the Oasis with Nyx. She got hit on our way to the ship, she's fine though." He lied, but Terra took it.
Gabriel reached out grabbing the girl's hand and waved to the rest of them and pulled her up toward the temple. He could hear them following behind and Terra was trying to wriggle from his grasp on her wrist.
"Gabriel, wait a second! I have to say goodbye, besides if those heartless are still here, they can help get rid of them. Gabriel stop it, you're hurting me!" She protested.
Gabriel growled in annoyance and turned twisting her arm up and pulled her close and wrapped his free arm around her waist. Her eyes showed the shock this sudden movement had caused, he grinned leaning close and keeping an eye on the others who had stopped, they looked at them suspiciously.
"Terra I've been so worried about you. Isvara has too; he wanted to see you the moment you got back. You can say goodbye to those outsiders later, right now you need to be a good girl and come with me. "
"Gabriel! Let Terra go!" Everyone turned their heads since the demand had come from none of them.
Galatea stood her gun pointed directly at Gabriel, her face was still bruised and her free arm was covered in bandaged and hung outside of her coat. Behind her was the bronze, blond-headed man, and the dark, red-haired man. And floating next to them were three small creatures they couldn't quite make out. Gabriel laughed picking Terra up and slinging her over his shoulder.
"Glad to see you're alive Captain, but this doesn't concern you." He called.
Terra began to hit Gabriel everywhere she could and telling him to put her down and to stop acting so scary. Riku face darkened he held out his hand his keyblade appearing instantly. Sora looked at Riku and reached out a hand grabbing the other boy by his free arm. Donald and Goofy brandished their own weapons unsure of what would happen. Kairi stood staring from the boys to Terra clearly frightened by her friend's actions. The others who had just arrived moved forward as Gabriel backed toward the temple's doors. One of the small creatures, a fairy dressed in yellows and oranges with a long blonde hair zoomed passed them all. Sora recognized her, one of the fairies he, Donald, and Goofy had met in Hallow Bastion. Another followed her, she was in black and had silver hair, last was the brown-haired fairy.
"Oh yeah you big bully, it does too!" The blonde one yelled as she zoomed up to Gabriel's face.
"Put her down." The silver-headed one commanded in a flat voice.
The other fairy stopped a few feet from Sora; she turned and smiled at him.
"It's nice to see you again; Sora, Donald, and Goofy."
"What is going on, I thought you three were hunting treasure in Hallow Bastion."
"This is no time to chit-chat, Yuna." The bronze boy had moved forward holding out his hand.
The fairy flew and landed in his hand holding onto to his thumb. He smiled at her then looked back to the scene in front of them. The blonde fairy was flying around Gabriel's head, the silver-haired fairy hovered her arms crossed. Gabriel had, had enough and with his free handed smacked the offending fairy sending her into the wall.
"Rikku!" The silver one called and flew to rescue her friend.
The one called Yuna quickly zoomed over as well. Terra stopped her attacks and stared at the place where the fairy had fallen.
"Gabriel, Gabriel…what is wrong with you! GABRIEL!" She screamed kicking him.
This took him off guard and she was free flipping backwards and sliding back in the rubble using her hand to slow her speed. Gabriel was rubbing his chest where her kick had landed, his eyes narrowed and he too brandished his sword.
"What is wrong with me? Terra who are you to ask that, you've lied to me! Isvara told me everything, you're…," he shook with anger, but it was clear that tears were rolling down his cheeks.
"A nobody," Galatea finished his sentence.
She cocked her gun still focusing on Gabriel, who was ready to leap at Terra. The girl stood up her head lowered, she shook her head and looked back up.
"No I'm not! I'm Terra, you guys know me! You've known me! Don't call me a nobody, I know I've failed a lot, but I'm gonna be a somebody! I've never, ever lied to you Gabriel. I don't know what Isvara told you, but how can you believe him? We grew up together! Tell me what did I lie to you about?"
Riku, Sora, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy stood still staring at Terra then to each other. Terra looked around; everyone was looking at her, except Galatea who looked down clearly ashamed to look the girl in the face.
"What is going on, why are all off you looked at me like that?"
"There is no way, she can't be a nobody…," Riku muttered his grip on his keyblade lessened.
The three fairies had risen from the rubble, the blonde; Rikku, being supported by the others. The red-head walked and stood by the bronze boy as the fairies flew to them, the red-head held Rikku in his hand while Yuna cast cure spells on her.
"Tidus, bro you should explain it, ya?" He asked while Rikku began to perk up.
Kairi turned her head to look at the two of them good, her hands flew to her mouth as her eyes widened. Sora followed her glance; Riku looked from the corner of his eyes but still stared at Terra who had a hand on the wall still confused by what was going on.
"Tidus, Wakka? What are you doing here?" Sora asked looking up at Tidus, something he wasn't use to.
From the last time he had seen them they were younger, and now it seemed they had jumped 10 years in age. Wakka raised an eyebrow; Yuna flew to Tidus's shoulder looking at Sora then to Tidus.
"You know them too?" She asked.
"No, who are you?" He asked.
"Tidus its Kairi, Sora, and Riku, don't you remember us? I just saw in class a few days ago!" Kairi said.
"Nope, I think you've got me confused with someone else. But anyway, what is your relationship with that girl?" He pointed to Terra.
Gabriel slammed his sword into the ground growing irritated at all the chatter.
"We're friends; we were helping her get home. Why are you calling her a nobody?" Kairi answered, Sora nodded glancing at Terra himself.
"I can answer that." Yuna said matter-of-factly.
"When those stars began to fall Rikku, Paine, and myself were on the beach with Tidus and Wakka. These black creatures Isra up from the ground, naturally we defended ourselves. But then, a bigger one showed up along with this creepy girl dressed in black. She called herself Maya, next we knew Rikku, Paine, and I got separated from Tidus and Wakka and were surrounded by those creatures, excuse me heartless. They backed us toward the ocean, that Maya girl she was controlling them. One grabbed Rikku, she tried to get off of her, Paine tried to help but got caught too. Pretty soon they were engulfed in them. Last thing I saw Maya had closed in on me, she put her hand in the center of my chest and I couldn't move." She took a deep breath.
"She told me: "I expected better of the High Summoner, disappointing I hope your nobody is a better I'm sure she'll be useful." Everything went dark, when I opened my eyes Paine and Rikku were bending over me and we were in this strange castle. Of course we realized weren't who we use to be, just three fairies hunting for treasure. When we met you though, things clicked so we tried to find our way back here. We caught up with Tidus and Wakka and we've been searching for our nobody's ever since." Yuna took another deep breath as she finished her story and sat on Tidus shoulder.
"Yeah, I mean it's nice being small; easy to get into tight spaces to find goodies. But I want to be me again, though Paine and I don't know who are nobodies are. But we figured if we find Yunie's we'd find 'em." Rikku added, clearly feel better.
"It's annoying." Paine commented glancing at Gabriel.
"So how did you do it? How did you make those memories in my head Terra? How did you do it?" Gabriel screamed.
"I don't know." She muttered.
"So why don't we just go ask Isvara? We've got enough people to take him down. Lady Yuna, can you wait just a little longer?" Galatea asked.
Yuna nodded.
"You bet, right girls?" The others nodded as well.
"Hold on, ya?" Wakka said tossing his ball into the air.
"What is it Wakka?" Tidus asked.
"I say we split up, some go through the front, the rest of the back. You know, in case it gets ugly. Take 'em both side with no chance of escaping."
"Good idea, so there are thirteen of us. How to do we divide this up?" Tidus mused looking at Wakka.
"Well naturally the way we came." Galatea piped up picking up Gabriel's sword and thrusting it into his hands.
"Except, he'll come with us, he's still under Isvara control and I don't want chance the fact he may just kill Terra. After that wouldn't good for Yuna would it?" She added grabbing him by the ear.
"Right, so it's settled then!" Sora said, twirling his keyblade and dramatically pointing it at the doors.
"Overkill?" Kairi whispered causing his cheeks to flush.
So the parties divided, Terra glanced at Gabriel as he walked way; well he was dragged away. Terra had hit rock bottom and soon, she feared would be gone for good. But she hoped by the end of the day, at least she could go with knowing why she was here in the first place. But, still she wanted to know WHAT she was in the first place. Sora, Goofy, and Donald were at the door, Kairi was behind them she turned and smiled at Terra once more before the doors opened and they walked inside. Riku stopped at her side staring inside.
"I…," she started her voice shaky.
"Don't worry, I get it. Come on, I don't want Sora hogging all the glory this time around." He grabbed her hand and walked through the doorway.
They walked through a small hallway; pillars that had once stood had crumbled to the ground. Beyond the hallway the ceiling had fallen around a circular room. The back wall still stood on it was a small balcony on which Isvara, Maya stood. On Isvara's other side, Leuce and Minthe were tied to the railing. Upon seeing Terra, the one face she recognized Leuce who had been hopeless of rescue felt a surge of courage.
"And you said they wouldn't come. You're really stupid." She spat at Maya.
Maya had gone down to her blue skirt, a black leather tube-top, and thigh-high black leather boots. She growled clenching her fists and glared up at Isvara who was three feet taller. He placed a hand on Maya's head running his fingers through her black hair. He remained in his black coat; his dark skin seemingly hiding him in shadows, what was seen was the glint of his large broad sword and his golden eyes. Maya, being pale glowed and her dark eyes burned with anger and desire. Terra pushed past the others looking up at the frightened Minthe and Leuce then to Isvara.
"Let them go, they're just little girls!" She screamed her voice echoing off the walls.
"I'm afraid dear one, I cannot. You see they're part of my plan, as are you my child. So come, join me and your friends can all go free. After all, they're outsiders and need not meddle in Spira's affairs." His voice was soft and he smiled sincerely.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but we're just as much a part of this as Terra. I promised to get home and keep her safe, and it seems she still in danger from you, and the friend you turned against her." Riku said standing next to Sora.
"That's right. As long as the world remains open to the darkness the heartless with continue to attack. It's my job to stop those attacks and lock the door to the world from the darkness." Sora added holding up his keyblade.
"Hmm, so you're the boy I was told about. Yes it does seem logical for you to be here. But as for Terra's safety I assure you no harm will come to her. And her friend was never turned against her by I. He did that on his own when I told him what she was. He didn't like the fact that his memories had been tampered with, I can't disagree with him. Though, I do wonder how that is possible. These two girls don't been to be capable of such a feat, Terra perhaps being born from the High Summoner you acquired that ability?" He asked intrigued.
"Well I doubt it since that past is all I know. And if I had created those memories shouldn't that knowledge remain with me?"
"Perhaps, it would have been useful to the cause. " He said nodding.
"What cause?" Sora demanded.
"Why, don't you know? If you are the boy Demyx told me about then surely you know." Isvara said a little confused.
"Demyx?" Sora looked at Donald then to Goofy.
"That nobody from Hallow Bastion?" Goofy replied.
"I thought we got rid of him!" Donald squawked.
"If the Organization has their hands in this world then it would make sense. Terra, what is Yuna to this world?" Riku asked.
"I thought I told you. Lady Yuna is the High Summoner who defeat Sin for good and brought the eternal calm." She replied.
"Yes, her abilities were what the Organization needed. They also wanted Baralai, Gippal, and Nooj, but they have once more disappeared. So, once I gave myself over to darkness and Maya was born I took my rightful place as ruler of Spira. After all, a heartless and a Nobody are strong enough to hold this place. I'm just sorry the people don't seem to understand, though what puzzles me more is how the Macalania Woods seem to hold the advancement of darkness to the rest of Spira. It is my understanding that those that escaped the heartless attacks took refuge in the Calm Lands and Mount Gagazet. Well, it's all a matter of time till all of Spira is under my control." Isvara laughed.
"Think again!" Little Yuna flew in followed by Rikku and Paine.
She flew into Isvara's face her hands on her hips the other two behind her, Rikku held her arms behind her head and Paine had her arms crossed.
"That's right you better give up right now before we seriously kick your butt!" Rikku jeered.
Maya tried but the fairy zoomed away from her just in time and blew a raspberry at her.
"My Lord!" She exclaimed.
"Yes, it does seem these three could cause trouble."
"Wrong." Paine said flatly.
"You're the one causing the trouble!" Yuna added.
"But my dear, I'm merely trying to help. Uniting Spira is what you want isn't it?" He asked.
"What is going on?" Sora asked.
Terra looked around the room; there were no stairs, or doorway or signs of reaching the balcony. She looked back up at Leuce who jerked her head to the right side of the room. There was a hallway that was partially blocked by debris; Terra nodded looking back at Riku and Sora.
"Keep him distracted, okay?" She whispered.
"Stupid fairy I'll kill you!" Maya hissed trying to smack Rikku who was circling around her head.
"Pft, as if!" She retorted.
"What are you going to do?" Sora whispered moving slightly closer to Terra.
"I've got to free those two; I don't want them to get hurt when this fight eventually breaks out." She said taking one more glance up at Isvara.
He was consumed in a debate with Yuna and didn't seem to notice as she climbed through the rubble and disappeared down the hallway. However, when Yuna flew off followed by her friends he did notice. His demeanor changed, he gave a look to Maya whose grin grew as she leapt from the balcony to the ground with a cat's grace.
"Now!" She yelled and charged at Sora.
Heartless came up from the ground and appeared instantly. Soldiers with guns and swords came through doorways that opened within the walls. Within seconds the five that remained stood back to back weapons at the ready. Maya walked around the outside of their circle grinning.
"Oh how sad, seems like you're in trouble now. Only five against us, shame but at least I'll enjoy killing you." She giggled and disappeared into the masses of enemies. The soldiers who held guns raised them, Kairi shrank behind Sora.
"Well now what?" Riku asked looking around for any possible means of escape.
"Hey this isn't a fair match, brudda!"
"Yeah, hundreds against five, are you scared of three kids, a duck, and dog?"
Heartless began to vanish and the soldiers turned, some bodies were thrown into the air. A blue and white zoomed pass Sora's head, and the first real shot was fired leaving an icy trail. The other four had arrived and were fighting their way to them, even Gabriel who didn't seem to want to be there. Once the tight circle opened up Riku and Sora launched into attacks. Donald began casting fire spells, Goofy charged through the masses and Kairi joined the boys. Maya had reappeared next to Gabriel who was taking on two soldiers with swords. He swung his sword at her; she grabbed and punched him in the stomach her knuckles drawing some blood.
"Traitor," she whispered as he dropped to the floor holding his stomach.
"Bitch," he swung his leg causing her to fall to the ground.
She tried to move but a foot slammed down on her stomach pinning her to the ground. Galatea stood above her, Galatea held her gun to the center of her forehead. Maya growled still trying to get free, cursing as she did. A soldier heartless appeared next to Maya's side and slashed Galatea's leg, she moved backward and fired the shot at the heartless. It disappeared as did Maya. Gabriel was on his feet with one arm still wrapped around his stomach the other clutching his sword.
Terra finally found the stairs after wandering down the hallway. It was creepy, dead silence she fought back her fear and ran up the dark staircase. She clutched her staff as she reached the opening slowing her pace to make her movements as silent as possible. Isvara had his hands on the railing surveying the battle before; the noise of clanking metal and gunshots was loud and stung her ears. Leuce and Minthe were watching terrified, Minthe had started crying. Firing up what courage Terra jumped and kicked Isvara square in the back sending him tumbling over the railing and crashing into the ground. Terra
quickly sat her staff down and went to untying the girls. Leuce was the first free, Isvara was on his feet and staring up at the balcony. He jumped and landing with his feet on the railing and one hand holding the railing to balance himself. Leuce screamed backing up, Minthe was free and Terra picked up her staff and pushed them both back toward the stairwell.
"That wasn't very nice you know," he said stepped down and standing up towering over Terra.
"Look who's talking, jerk!" She held out a hand launching a fire ball in his face.
He howled and pain one hand flying to his face. Terra grabbed Minthe by the hand and they took off down the stairs. At the bottom she pushed Minthe toward Leuce and pointed for them to go ahead down the corridor. She turned and readied herself; sure enough he was down the stairs quick enough. He swung his sword; she ducked and rolled to the left standing back up quickly holding her staff out to the side. He swung again; she blocked it and twirled her staff forcing the sword to the ground. This time she attacked catching his shoulder. He howled again in pain, he dropped the sword and reached out a hand grabbing her by the throat and throwing her into the wall.
Leuce and Minthe climbed out from the hallway, Gabriel was down against the wall he was bleeding from his stomach and his left arm. Another soldier heartless slunk toward him, he tried lifting his sword but couldn't.
"Minthe, we've got to help." Leuce whispered pulling the blind girl in Gabriel's direction.
When they reached him, she placed the girl's hand to Gabriel's face and kicked the heartless back. She picked up the sword, which was fairly heavy for her and slashed at it. Minthe ran her hands along Gabriel's face to recognize him.
"Are you hurt badly?" She asked.
"Yeah, can you do something about it?" He asked groaning with pain.
"Where?"
He grabbed her hand holding it over his stomach; she nodded and held out her other arm holding both them over the wound. Her hands glowed with a white light and the wound slowly began to close up. He grabbed her hand again holding it over his arm, she repeated the same spell. Leuce was still fighting with the heartless who she finally managed to kill, she looked back and Gabriel was slowly rising to her feet and Minthe sat on her knees her hands slightly bloody.
Riku and Sora had both taken down a few soldiers and heartless Kairi was in-between them casting small spells keeping them healed. They looked up the balcony to find no one there. Riku's eyes scanned the room finding the two girls with Gabriel who had taken his sword back and was fighting back heartless, one of the girls was fighting melee with a soldier who seemed to have lost his weapon. The other was against the wall her hands held out in front of curing the both of them like Kairi had been doing. Sora followed Riku's eyes and looked up the balcony himself.
"Hey! That Isvara guy is missing!" He called to the others who were busy knocking back soldiers.
Riku ran toward the hallway but was pulled backwards and sent sliding along the floor. Maya was over him when he stopped and she pulled him up by his shirt.
"Where do you think you're going hero boy?" She asked.
Kairi was behind her and gave her a good whack with her flowery keyblade. Maya hissed and dropped Riku back to the ground and rounded on Kairi who held her ground.
"Go on Riku I can take her!" She said as she twisted around hit Maya again.
Sora had appeared behind Kairi and nodded for Riku to go ahead. Maya seized Kairi's keyblade and lifted her from the ground, Sora dropped to the ground and slashed at her legs. When she went down he caught Kairi and stood her on her feet. Riku ran once more, and jumped through the debris. He could hear yelling, and soon he saw Isvara's back and Terra on one knee she had a gash on her head but was still fighting back. She had changed once again into her samurai dress so she could use a sword. Riku charged and leapt up bringing his keyblade down on Isvara shoulder catching him off guard. Terra grabbed her sword with both hands and swung it around slicing him across the middle. Riku flipped over the man Terra grabbed his hand to keep him from sliding backwards down the hallway any further. She let go and raised her sword again.
"Thanks." She muttered watching at Isvara tried to recover.
"Don't mention it."
"You're really starting to…," Isvara growled.
"I'm already there so why don't we just finish this." She cut him off spreading her legs and hunching down.
She lifted the huge sword over her head and bringing it down into the ground. A pink and white blast launched up from the ground hitting Isvara with a popping and crackling sounds. He was knocked backward and when another one of the blasts hit him he fell on his back. Terra stood up and pulled her arms back holding the sword at an angle pointing toward the fallen foe.
"Get up." She ordered.
He made a move and she jumped landing on his chest with the sword poised at his throat. Isvara laughed grabbing the girl by her leg and tossing her backwards again. She crashed into Riku who tried to catch her, they both slammed into the back wall. She moved off quickly pulling her sword trying to guard him as Isvara lunged. He brought his broadsword down, Terra pushed hers upward blocking him and holding him in that position. He was using all his force to shove her down, it was working slowly she was shaking and almost down on one knee. Riku pushed himself from the wall, his back was killing him. Terra went down to one knee about ready to break the block. He shoved his keyblade against Isvara's sword and shoved against it. The force pushed Isvara backwards and Terra slumped to the ground for a
moment. He shoved against it once more it broke the block stance and left an opening. He took his keyblade in both hands and lunged hitting him in the chest. Terra got to her feet retrieving her sword and charging forward as Riku fell back she jump catching his shoulder and propelled herself forward striking Isvara in the face. She flipped backwards slightly out of control, Riku caught her, the best he could and they both watched and Isvara straggled backwards holding his head. He set her down and glanced up the stairway, screams were becoming higher he was worried but for the moment there was no way to keep Isvara down long enough. Terra pointed up the stairway, then raised her sword and charged at Isvara again.
"Go on!" She screamed as she jumped again striking his shoulder at the base of his neck.
"Shit," he ran up the stairs and looked down at the scene below him.
Sora and Kairi were fine and were dancing around the other taking out the enemies…it was kind of funny. Donald and Goofy were ok too; Galatea had been backed into a wall but was firing off shots as rapidly as she could. The two girls and Gabriel were nowhere to be found, as well as Wakka. Tidus was in the center of the room almost moving too fast to be tracked. Riku could make out the fairies floating near him and using magic to keep the heartless off his back. The soldiers' numbers were little but the heartless still appeared in droves. The screams erupted again, he saw them then. Gabriel was down on the floor; the older girl had his sword and was screaming as she attacked the heartless she was clearly distressed. The other girl was down at Gabriel's side holding a single red feather. Galatea had noticed too, she was cussing and kicked back the heartless trying to reach her comrade. Wakka was still as far as he could tell not in the room. He head running behind him and Terra was there, she grabbed his arm and jumped from the balcony pulling him over it with her.
When they landed Terra stopped whirling around. She held her sword with the end pointing to the ground. She drove it down and the energy that had flowed when she opened the gateway was flowing around her once more. This time it flowed around and covered like a flower closing its petals. As it opened she was standing in her normal clothes holding her staff at her side.
"What are you doing?" He asked looking over his shoulder.
The heartless had all disappeared and the soldiers were gone. Maya was gone; Wakka had returned and was supporting Gabriel. They were all battered but staring at the two of them. Yuna flew over and hovered next to Terra's left shoulder.
"What is going on?" She asked as the room started shaking.
"Something bad," Terra replied staring at her apologetically.
"Terra, what happened?" Riku asked reaching out for her but she held up a hand staring back up at the balcony.
"Just get everyone outside, Yuna I apologize if I mess this up."
Isvara walked out to the balcony, a dark energy was flowing around him and his muscles seemed to have grown in side. His sword was much larger and he was clearly PO'ed.
"MAYA!" He screamed, he glared down at Terra who had crouched down.
She held her staff vertically behind her and her free hand was out. Yuna tugged on Riku's collar, but he didn't move.
"Get out!" Terra yelled glaring at him from the corner of her eye.
"Come on you!" Yuna tugged hard, slowly he walked.
Everyone else had made their way from the room, as they stepped outside everyone was tending to each other's wounds. Yuna sat down Riku shoulder. The building began to shake and debris began to fall. Terra remained posed until Isvara leapt from the balcony, she jumped backwards and tossed her staff into the air and it disappeared.
"Foolish girl, do you think you can take me down with your bare hands?" His voice boomed.
"Not really." She replied closing her eyes and clasping her hands in front of her chest.
He laughed and moved toward her. Two small translucent wings busted from her back and she slowly began to rise into the air. He stopped watching for moment but tried to grab a hold of her leg, as he did his hand slide through her as though she wasn't there at all. White energy began to flow around them like a hurricane gradually increasing in strength. A white blindfold appeared around her eyes as she moved her arms apart and spread them out in front of her and she arched herself backwards slowly. As the gust picked up she moved faster and her foot caught Isvara by the chin and sent him flying across the room. Before he had a chance to get up she flew toward him grabbing him by his long black hair and chunked him back to the center of the gust. The energy wrapped itself around his wrists, ankles, and middle to where he couldn't move.
"Checkmate." He said closing his eyes.
Her body emitted a bright white light that incased the room. Outside a pillar of the light rose from the center of the temple and then disappeared. Terra fell to the ground, she was severely drained and very glad there were no more baddies around or she would be dead. Slowly she rose to her feet and stumbled grabbing a large piece of debris for balance. She glanced back at the spot where Isvara had once been. All that was left was his sword that been sent flying across the room and stuck into the wall. When she felt stable enough to walk she ambled toward the exit. It took what was left of her strength to push open the door. She collapsed to her knees and looked up at the 24 pairs of eyes that were watching her. She forced a smile and gave them all a thumb up. Then those 24 pairs of eyes looked upward, Kairi pointed to whatever had caught their attention and Sora held up his keyblade. A bright light emitted from the end and shot overhead, she heard a clicking sound; like that of a door being locked. Riku hurried over to her placing one of her arms over his shoulders and lifting her by the waist to her feet.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
"Eh, I've been worse." She chuckled.
He walked with to the group; he sat her down on a broken pillar that made a nice seat and went and stood next to his friends. Minthe and Leuce moved from Gabriel's side to hers. The three fairies hovered in front of them, and the rest gathered around.
"So did we ever figure out how our memories were changed?" Galatea asked looking at Terra who shook her head.
"No I never…,"
"I can answer that." Minthe said cutting Terra off.
Everyone stared at her, Leuce placed a hand on her shoulder and Minthe smiled.
"I remember it very clearly. A girl with blonde hair and a white dress appeared on the beach. Terra and Leuce were lying in the sand, though I didn't know them or myself, I did hope they were not dead. She checked them and smiled at me. She told me she would help us, and hope they didn't find out. I have no idea who "they" were but I did feel afraid of them. She said she found some whose memories were not the best and that by placing the three of us in them that maybe those memories would be happier. She placed a hand over my eyes and told me not to be afraid.
The next thing I remember I was on the Oasis with Leuce holding my hand. She was angry that Gabriel had left Galatea with Isvara. While I didn't know who she was talking about, but then I realized that I did. Gabriel was Terra's guardian, Galatea was captain of the Oasis, and that I was blind. But memories of my false life lingered within me, but I knew they were false because I hadn't been alive that long. I had no idea what I was till that woman, Maya, kidnapped Leuce and I from the Oasis. I do hope Haniel and Nyx are alright, she attacked them they did the best they could but…I do not know. That is how it is." Minthe finished reaching up and touching Leuce's hand.
"That girl sounds familiar." Sora said looking at Riku.
"Naminé," Riku muttered.
"But why would…," Sora started.
"She didn't want the Organization to become stronger, so she tried to hide the nobodies that Demyx had Maya create so they couldn't use us." Leuce said and smiled secretly pleased with herself that she had eavesdropped on Maya and Isvara's conversation before they were brought into the circular room.
"Why didn't you say anything to anyone before now?" Terra asked kneeling down before the young girl.
"Because you both seemed happy this way," She replied.
"Mmm, yes I am very happy despite everything." Terra looked up catching Gabriel's eye and then looked to Riku and smiled as she sat back down.
"I am very happy to have met everyone, though I do not like the fact someone created me to use me. That Naminé girl, since you seem to know her Riku please thank her for me, and I'm sure Leuce and Minthe want to thank her as well." She added standing up.
"She'd say you're welcome." Kairi smiled.
"So how do we make this right Lady Yuna?" Terra asked on the verge of tears.
"I have no idea." She replied.
"Like this," Minthe held out her hand to Paine who stared at her for a moment.
"You're my nobody?"
"Yep, take my hand." She chuckled.
Paine placed her hand into Minthe's. Minthe began to glow and fragments of light moved from her body into Paine's and slowly Paine stood in her normal form, minus the wings. Leuce held her hand to Rikku; she looked at Terra and smiled as she faded into Rikku who twirled around once she was her normal self again. Terra could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks; Yuna bit her lip trying not to cry herself. Terra reached her hand out shaking. Losing someone only when you've just met was killing Riku. As the fairy reached out to touch Terra's hand he felt a tear roll down his cheek. He kept his emotions bottled up, but this was harder.
"Wait!" Everyone turned and stared at him.
He made his way to her and once more he took hold of her hand, she looked up at him. He smiled bending down moving his face closer to hers. He placed his free hand behind her head, her breath caught in her throat as he kissed her. After a second she let go of his hand wrapped her arms around her neck.
"That's so sweet!" Kairi said.
He lifted his head wearing a goofy grin; her fingers were tangled in his hair. She buried her face into his chest and he buried his into her hair. Behind them someone had started to cry. Terra released her grip and lightly pushed Riku away. Sora grabbed his friend's wrist and pulled him back, Gabriel had moved forward and pulled Terra into his own arms hugging her as he had before. He was the one crying, Terra wrapped her arms around his back.
"I'm sorry Terra, can you forgive me?" He asked looking down at her.
She smiled at him breaking the hug and then punched him lightly in the shoulder.
"Of course, look after Iole for me." She replied.
She turned back to Yuna and held her hand out again. The fairy placed her hand into Terra's. The nobody began to fade, she looked at Riku her voice faded but he could read the words on her lips.
"Goodbye, I love you."
And she was gone, Yuna stood in her place. Rikku latched herself onto her, the High Summoner laughed as the girl let go. Tidus grabbed her hugging her tightly so glad to have her back. Spira had been locked against the heartless and the atmosphere lightened around them. Everything was as it should be. Galatea and Gabriel had turned and left without a word to anyone. Yuna and her friends were celebrating their return, and so the outsiders too figured it was time to leave.
"Wait a second!" Yuna called as they headed down the stairs from the temple.
She ran down to catch up with them she stopped and held out her hands. She was holding Terra's silver necklace with a crescent moon charm. She smiled offering it to Riku.
"I'm sure she'd want you to have it." He took it holding it then closing his fist around it.
"Hey Yunie wait!" Rikku was running down the stairs followed by Paine.
"I wanted to say goodbye too! You better come back and visit us, right?" Rikku beamed.
"Right," Yuna and Paine agreed.
"Sure thing," Sora answered as they all waved goodbye.
Once they were back on the airship Riku sat holding out the necklace the charm twirling as it caught the light. Kairi sat down next to him; Sora and Donald were arguing who should drive home while Goofy tried to break them up. Kairi placed a hand on her friend's knee watching the charm twirl.
"You're going to be okay?" She asked.
"Yeah," he replied flattening his hand and letting the necklace fall into his palm.
"Here let me," she took the necklace from him and clasped it around his neck.
Sora sighed as he sat down on the other side of Riku and placed his hands behind his head.
"So you ready to go home?" He asked looking at both of them.
"Yeah, I want to know how Selphie's date with Irvine went. And sure she'll want to hear everything that happened. So hey, Tidus and Wakka do you think maybe they were like Yuna and her friends and went back to Spira to "become whole" again?" She asked pulling her knees to her chest.
"They didn't know who we were, so maybe there is a chance they're not the same people like Terra said that night on beach." Riku said pulling up one knee and propped an elbow on it.
"Yeah, maybe they just skipped school. They would you know." Sora added.
"School…ugh." Riku muttered closing his eyes.
"Yeah, it's going to be interesting seeing you two in school after all this time." Kairi chuckled trying to picture them in the school's uniform.
"Geez, I hadn't thought about that. Hey Riku let's drop Kairi off and go far, far away!" Sora exclaimed Kairi glared at him.
"I was just joking." He muttered scooting down along the whole trying to hide behind Riku from her killer gaze.
"Well it wasn't funny!" She huffed pouting her bottom lip.
"Nope," Riku agreed and ruffled Sora's hair.
"Hey Sora, something weird has happened." Goofy called.
The three of them got up and joined Donald and Goofy at the controls. Donald pointed to a blank space of nothing but stars on the monitor.
"What is it?" Sora asked confused.
"Spira, it disappeared." Donald answered.
The trio look at each other, Sora looked disappointed.
"Well I'm sure it will reappear again. Like Monstro." Goofy said quickly seeing the disappointment in their faces.
"Yeah, I hope so." Sora replied.
Soon they were back on Destiny Island; they said their goodbye to Donald and Goofy who returned to the Disney Castle and report to the King. A few nights later they sat watching the sunset on the pier watching the sunset over the islands. As night fell they parted ways returning to their own beds for a good night's rest. Riku lay in bed staring up at the ceiling and running his fingers over the necklace. He closed his eyes and felt himself slipping off to sleep.
"Riku?"
Someone was calling for him, probably his Mom wanting him to wake up and come down for breakfast. He groaned rolling onto to his stomach, it felt like he had just gone to sleep and he didn't want to wake up.
"Yeah no good he isn't responding."
The voice wasn't different than the first, both were female. He opened his right eye, where his pillow should be were purple and blue flowers and he could hear flowing water and the sensor on his right wrist was beeping. He pushed himself from lying on his stomach before him it looked like a field of the
purple and blue flowers water flowed from various other fields of the flower that seemed to be floating over one another. He heard footsteps behind him; he rose to his feet and turned around. Terra was a few feet behind him and behind her were Leuce and Minthe.
"Riku!" Terra ran at him throwing her arms around his neck nearly knocking him back down.
"Interesting, well come on Minthe." Leuce turned the other girl around and walked away and disappeared into a mist.
"Terra?" He took her shoulder and pushed her back making sure it was really her.
He knew it must be a dream but a dream that felt real. She was grinning as she pulled her arms from his neck and took his hands.
"You came!" She exclaimed.
"But where are we?" He asked looking around.
"The Farplane," let one hand drop and walked him to the edge of the field closest to them.
What he saw was more of the fields that floated in a pink like cloud that seemed endless. He looked up but the sky was black and filled with stars and blue and green lines of light that seemed to dance in the sky. He looked back down at Terra was looking out at the clouds below them.
"This is a place in Spira where the souls of the deceased go for eternity. It's their final resting place, the living can come and visit them if they wish, though this is not that place. You're asleep, aren't you?" She looked up at him.
"Well the last I remember is falling asleep, so yeah. But how are you in a place like this?" He took his free hand and placed it behind her head.
"I have no idea, but you know you're not the first to visit. Though this is the first time I've been here. I felt like I had to come here, I felt you were nearby. Well okay the sensor bracelet went off. Leuce and Minthe came with me, and we found you lying in the flowers. Gabriel came to see me in the place at Guadosalam. I feel sorry for him." She said as his hand came to her cheek.
She reach up her free hand placing it over his, it was a nice feeling.
"His past came back to him. His childhood friend was a girl named Isra. He joined the Crusaders, a group that was formed to protect the people of Spira from Sin's monsters. When he joined the other Crusaders for Operation Mi'hen in hopes to defeating Sin without the summoners, Isra followed him. After Sin defeated them Gabriel was one of the survivors and while searching the beach for others he found Isra, dead." Tears began rolling down her cheeks she looked up to Riku's face.
"That is what Naminé meant by creating happy memories for the people she found. For what short amount of time I existed I gave him happy memories from his past. He's been upset, they day he came to visit Isra was there too. Gabriel apologized over and over for what happened to her. I left them alone;
it wasn't my place there anymore. Soon after Yuna came, Gabriel had told her about seeing me in the Farplane. She was happy I could exist somewhere. And I can't say I disagree." While tear still rolled down her cheeks she smiled.
Riku nodded and rested his forehead against her, she laughed. They stood silently listening to the water flowing around them and the light breeze that was dancing through the fields. Once more, Terra pulled away this time moving backwards only holding on to his hand. She closed her eyes lifting her head to the sky, after a moment she let go of this hand and opened her eyes.
"It's almost time to go," she said pointing at him.
"But I just got here, that's not fair." He replied tossing his hair from his eyes.
"Nope, but who ever said it had to be." She said grabbing his hand again.
She began to run toward the place where Leuce and Minthe had disappeared pulling him with her. They were heading off the cliff, he tried to pull back.
"It's ok, come on." She jumped off the cliff and they fell down to another field.
She let go of his hand and rolled into the ground, he did the same and soon they were lying on their backs looking up at the sky. She rolled onto her stomach looking down at him with a grin.
"So is there anything you wanted to talk about before you go?"
He rolled to his side propping up an elbow to support him.
"When we left Spira disappeared from the map, do you know why?"
"Hmm," she looked at him for a moment before shrugging her shoulders.
"Perhaps Spira doesn't like being found so easily. But I bet you can find it again if you try."
"It's just odd, disappearing like that as though it never existed."
"Well it does happen." She said poking him the rib.
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Well think about this then; Sora asked Tidus why he and Wakka were in Spira. And when asked if they knew you they replied no. And when I asked why Tidus and Wakka would be in your world I was told they had been there all their lives. So perhaps the two exist in two different worlds, two different people but somehow the same. Maybe that is why Spira disappeared from the map, not wanting to tempt two boys to come and find those who were like them. Though that seems a little farfetched," she laughed rolling onto her back and bumping into him.
He pushed back some of her hair that had gotten into her face and rested his hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe, I have seen my Tidus and Wakka in the past few days. I didn't say anything to them about it, not that I am one to do that. I don't think Sora and Kairi did either, though I'm fairly sure Kairi said something to Selphie and Selphie likes to gossip so maybe they found out anyway."
"Where did they go that night Selphie said they packed their bags and left?"
"They went with a couple of the older boys on a fishing trip, a boring turn of events if you ask me."
"You don't like to fish?"
"I do, but I would never want to take a boat and just sit in the middle of the ocean doing it. It would be dull after awhile."
"True. I see you have my necklace. I wondered where it had gotten to." She said touching the charm.
"Yuna gave it to me, a keepsake." He replied.
"Then you better take care of it." She said sternly, he laughed.
"Did you mean what you said, well sort of said before you vanished?" She looked up at him puzzled for a moment.
But her face went red and she turned her head embarrassed by the question.
"Well yeah I mean I thought you did so I said it but if you didn't then I suppose I can just exist here embarrassed for all eternity. " She stuttered.
"I do, so don't hang around here embarrassed. In fact, I doubt anyone else notice that you said it."
"Yeah right."
Somewhere in the distance an alarm got off and gradually got loud. Terra looked back up and smiled.
"Time to wake up, Riku."
"One more minute, if you don't mind." He leaned down kissing her.
Slowly he felt it fade away the wind picked up again pulling him back toward reality.
"See you soon," her voice echoed inside his head as he felt it hit his pillow.
"Riku get up! You'll be late!" His mother called.
He opened his eyes to find his room, the daylight peeking in through the closed curtains. He lifted his right arm the bracelet resting there silently as it had the day she left. He wondered if it was just a dream or if he had gone to Spira through his sleep. This morning though, he had no time to think of the mysteries of the universe. His mother kept calling; he threw himself out of bed, turned off the alarm,
and got dressed. He ran downstairs grabbing an apple and was out the door. As it had been since they came back Sora and Kairi stood waiting for him outside the gate dressed in their school uniforms.
"Another day of nothing but boring lectures," Sora yawned as Riku took a bite of the apple.
"They're not always boring. You should stand to pay attention Sora! Right Riku?" Kairi asked.
"There are more interesting things we could be doing, so I have to disagree." He replied swallowing the bite.
"Like what?" Sora asked excited.
"No clue." He replied taking another bite.
A bell began to ring, Kairi's eye grew wider and she started running ahead of them.
"We'll be late come on you two!" She called.
Sora and Riku exchanged looks before running after her, just another ordinary day on Destiny Island.