"You're fading away even faster now, aren't you?"
"Yeah. How many hours do I have left?"
"I'd say it's more like a matter of minutes," Terra corrected, "So, let's test your memory. Leon?"
"No idea."
"Traverse Town?"
"Nope."
"Aqua?"
"Who?"
"Kairi?"
"No idea."
"Wow, she doesn't even remember Kairi!" Ven laughed, and asked one more, "Sora?"
"A little... we grew up together, right?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. And the other boy... um... hold on... Riku, right?"
"That took longer than we thought..."
"How long do I have?"
"Ten minutes."
"Ten minutes..." She repeated, sighing, "Well, I guess my time is almost up..."
XXXXXXXXXX
"Riku?"
The silver-haired teen looked around for the source of the voice, but he saw no one else on the island. Everyone had gone home, and the sun was setting.
"Guess I imagined it..." He muttered, but he could've sworn that he had heard that voice somewhere before... He stretched out on the Paopu tree and watched the waves come crashing in towards the shore. It was nice to be home with his friends.
But there was always something bothering him. Even though he had been back for two months now, he always felt that something was missing. The island was the only place he seemed to really get a bit of a grasp of what it was...
"What the heck is it?" Riku asked himself, grabbing a Paopu fruit and spinning it in his hands. He held it still at stared at it like he was expecting it to tell him, but when the fruit didn't speak, he tossed it onto the sand below and hopped off the bent tree trunk.
"Guess I'll come up with it tomorrow..." He put his hands in his pockets and crossed the beach to his boat and set sail back to the mainland.
The fact he couldn't remember killed him the rest of the day and into the night. He just couldn't sleep. It was bothering him to the point where he just might go mad! So he got up and took the boat back out to the island, where he paced around the entire landmass, hoping he would come up with something.
He climbed back up to the small islet with the Paopu tree and looked out at the ocean, trying to clear his head. When the issue just wouldn't go away from his mind, he stepped backward toward the tree, where he heard a soft squishing noise.
Riku looked down at his foot to see the star-shaped fruit crushed in half by the sole of his shoe. He picked up the two halves dripping with juice and sighed, "What am I supposed to do with these?"
"Do you think what they say about the whole destiny thing is true?"
The voice again. Where was it coming from?
"Don't you dare Riku! If you take my body in that castle, I'll give you a migraine so bad, that you won't wake up for weeks!"
"Now you ARE okay, aren't you?"
"Leon already gave me the 'you can't go because you're not strong enough' speech. Don't wanna hear it, so don't waste your breath."
"What is going on! Who is talking to me!" He asked himself as he looked up at the starry sky, "What is happening to me?"
"You don't remember?"
"No! No I don't!" He watched as a shooting star flew across the sky, and he quickly made a wish, "I wish I could remember!"
He looked back down at the Paopu fruit halves and waited patiently for something to come to him, but all he got was a sudden rush of talking in his head-all the same voice.
"Shut up! I can hear you, okay! Now just tell me who the heck you are!"
"Secret... pl-"
The voice was suddenly cut off, and Riku tried to piece together the final sentence.
"Secret pl... Secret place? As in, THE secret place?" He looked over his shoulder to the small hole in the rocky wall covered by weeds and vines. He stared at the Paopu fruit halves again and repeated 'secret place' over and over again.
The star fruit fell the sand with a thud as Riku raced over to the small hole and crawled through, adjusting his eyes to the dim light. But as soon as he reached the cave inside, he froze and whispered one word, "...Saiyoku."
In front of him was Saiyoku's body, propped up agains the door and completely lifeless.
"Saiyoku, is it... you're... alive?" He hesitantly took a few steps forward, but she didn't move at all, nor did she show any signs of ever moving again. This time, he dropped down to his knees at her side and checked her pulse. There was none.
"N-No, don't... Don't do this to me, Saiyoku! Don't just appear here and give me hope that you might come back, and then just end up dead right here in front of me! You have to wake up, you have to! You're Kingdom Hearts for cryin' out loud! You can come back... right?" Tears poured down Riku's cheek as he yelled at the empty body, "Don't do this..."
XXXXXXXXX
"Dang it Saiyoku! You messed with it! You messed with it!"
She opened her eyes and saw Terra and Ven standing across from her. Terra's face was contorted with anger, but Ven had a slightly amused expression. The only light in the place was coming from underneath, and she looked down to see a giant stain-glass platform that radiated the light. It was hard to tell what the picture was in the glass from her point of view.
"I messed with what?"
"His heart, dang it, his HEART!"
"Who's heart?"
"Riku's! You made him remember! And now it's come down to this..."
"But... I'm alive. I thought my existence was erased..."
"It was, but as Kingdom Hearts... we think that you accidentally-or purposely-tampered with Riku's heart and made him remember. In that turn of events, your existence was returned, and now..." Ven explained.
"Now what?"
"Now we have to fight each other. Because of the Paopu fruit, you can still go back without your own heart. As long as nothing happens to Kingdom Hearts, you can go home. But, the only way you can leave, is if you fight me and you win. If you win, then I will be forced to forever be Kingdom Hearts. But if I win, then you will forever have to be Kingdom Hearts," Terra said, and he drew his Keyblade.
Saiyoku stood up shakily and drew her Keyblade, "Right... Well, this should be interesting..."
"Saiyoku, I'd be careful if I were you. You're still just coming back into existence, and you won't be at your full power until everyone that you met remembers you."
"Of course, that's why Terra decides that we have to fight now..."
"Of course," He said, and he went into his battle stance. Saiyoku did the same and recoiled, using her weight and strength to launch herself at Terra with as much force as she could. She slashed downward, aiming for his shoulder. But Terra merely blocked it with ease, looking at her as if he was bored.
"What is this? Were you trying to hit me?"
"You bet. Now what are YOU doing?" She was still being pushed against his Keyblade, so she was pushed up in the air. She pulled her feet underneath her and pushed off his weapon and shot up into the air. She flung her Keyblade behind his head, and it sunk into the glass behind his feet. She landed on the handle with her hands and side kicked at his head. Her foot made contact and sent him flying across the glass. She dropped down onto the floor and yanked Rise of the Dawn out of the ground.
Terra picked himself up and smirked, running at her with his Keyblade, "Like that made any difference."
"I didn't think it would... but this might!" She ducked down on all fours as he approached and twisted with her legs out, knocking him over. But he jammed Gaia Bane into the ground to balance himself, and he kicked Saiyoku hard in the gut, throwing her back where she landed on the ground painfully.
"Still think that would work?" He asked.
"Okay, maybe not..." She muttered, slowly picking herself up.
"I see you like to use your knowledge of martial arts and speed to make up for your lack of swordplay... clever. Well, if all you're good for is blocking, then I guess I can throw my weight around a little more," Terra ran at her while she was still getting up-still shaky from just coming back into existence.
She summoned her Keyblade back from wherever it had landed into her hand, but she didn't have enough time to counterattack or dodge, so the heavy weapon hit her on the shoulder, forcing her down onto the ground at his feet. She rolled over and blocked his next downward attack, only to be kicked in the head.
"Gaah!" She screamed as she slid a little ways away. Saiyoku rolled back over onto her stomach and got up on all fours. She got to her feet, expecting another blow from Terra, but he was still standing across from her.
"Had enough yet? Just say the word and I'll stop."
"As if. I don't give up," She panted, picking up her Keyblade. This time, she made the first move. Saiyoku charged at him, but had a new tactic in her mind. She maneuvered around his block and hit him straight on his right wrist, knocking the weapon from his hand. It flew into the air, but Saiyoku batted it down and pinned it to the glass with her own weapon, the teeth sunk in the floor in between the grip and the guard.
Terra's expression stayed calm as he reached his hand out, waiting for the Keyblade to return to his grip, but Saiyoku was faster. She picked up Gaia Bane and went for his hand again. She hit it, and he recoiled. With one swift movement, Saiyoku hit him across the chest, and he went skidding across the glass and over the edge.
She could hear Ven make a small noise of surprise, and soon he was looking over the edge. She joined him and saw Terra hanging on the edge with one hand, looking completely helpless. Who knew how tall this tower was?
"Had enough yet? Just say the word and I'll stop," Saiyoku taunted, but Terra grimaced and tried to grab on to the ledge with his other hand.
"Don't try to help him, Ven. He has to admit defeat before we help him up."
Ven nodded and looked down at his helpless friend, "Terra. She beat you. Give up."
"No!"
"Terra..."
"No! She can't leave! She has to be Kingdom Hearts!"
"She doesn't have to be here! We still exist, whether or not she does. That's not fair to her-that she can't exist and we can, just so we don't have to take the responsibility!"
"We CAN'T fulfill that job Ven! That's why she was created! She was born to do this!"
"Destiny doesn't always pull through. I know that my destiny was changed when I shared that Paopu with Riku, and now my destiny has become yours Terra!" Saiyoku said, putting away her Keyblade.
"Our job is to be Kingdom Hearts now, Terra. Just face it already."
"Your destiny hasn't changed!"
"Yes it has, Terra. Her destiny changed. You and I both believe in the power of the Paopu fruit, and we've seen it work. Saiyoku here is proof enough. The fact that Riku even remembered... the fact that Saiyoku still exists... can't you see that she has to go home! We would've been stuck here anyway. It's not like we can't handle what we've been doing for eleven years now. She's going home, Terra. Whether you accept that or not! I'll send her there myself and push you off the edge!"
"Wait, no! Ven, wait!"
"Then what, Terra? Will you give up?" Saiyoku pressed.
The defeated teenager looked down and was silent for a time. Nobody moved or said a word. And after a moment of silence, Terra looked back up and said, "You may go home. You won."
Gaia Bane disappeared, and both Ven and Saiyoku helped Terra up onto the platform. He brushed himself off and scratched the back of his head sadly, "You'd better get going. I'm sure Riku's really worried by now..."
"Are you guys still going to be visiting me in my head and dreams? Or did that change?" Saiyoku asked, and Ven laughed, "Well-"
"That hasn't changed. So we'll be checking in on you from time to time to make sure that you're fulfilling your 'changed' destiny."
"No spying because you're bored."
"We promise," Ven said happily, elbowing Terra in the ribs. He grunted, "Yeah, we promise."
"Thanks you guys. And though I've been through a lot because of you guys, it's because of you that I exist. There's no way to thank you enough for that. And... I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused. Change doesn't always work well for me..."
"We've noticed. Anyway, off you go. Sora and Kairi have already remembered and have headed to the island, so you better not keep your friends waiting," Terra pushed, and Saiyoku nodded, "Thanks you guys. I'll see you guys around?"
"Of course. We're here when you need us," Ven answered.
"Bye Ven. Bye Terra."
Saiyoku disappeared with a flash of light, and Ven turned to Terra, "She's so much like you."
"Actually... I think she's more like you, Ven."
"Really?"
"I'm just wondering how that happened..."
XXXXXXXX
Saiyoku woke up in a dark cave with the ceiling opened up in a spot, with chalk drawings covering the walls. She sat up and immediately recognized the Secret Place. She just wondered how she got there in the first place, but when she saw Riku sitting against one of the rocks asleep, she forgot about it.
"Riku?"
He didn't move. He stayed in the same position: legs Indian style, his head held up by his right arm, and his face in a tight grimace, yet sad... like he was crying on the inside. Saiyoku crawled to his side-her body was too stiff to walk-and pressed his shoulder, "Riku? Riku, wake up."
He let out a small groan, but didn't wake up, so Saiyoku tried once more; this time, she removed his arm from underneath his head. He immediately woke up and opened his eyes, but didn't quite register that Saiyoku was kneeling next to him; that is, until he tried to use his right arm to run a hand through his hair.
His eyes immediately locked with hers and he put his hands on either side of her face, "S-Sai-"
"Saiyoku!"
"Saiyoku!"
He was interrupted by the cries of Sora and Kairi as they came running down the cave's only tunnel.
"Sora! K-Kairi..." She forced out Kairi's name in the happiest voice she could muster and tried to smile at her. They both immediately barraging her with questions. She patiently waited for them to finish before saying anything. Saiyoku expected Riku to say something, but she assumed he was just quiet because he was depressed that Sora and Kairi had ruined his 'moment'.
"Hey! Why did we forget you?" Sora yelled to get her attention again. She blinked a few times, "Why did you forget me?"
"Yeah. No one on the island remembered you. Not even Riku! It was like you never even existed!"
Saiyoku stood up shakily and pointed toward the cave entrance, "I'll explain once we get outside. I missed this place."
Sora and Kairi nodded, and Sora grabbed Kairi's hand enthusiastically saying, "C'mon Kairi, let's go!"
They ran out the tunnel, leaving Riku and Saiyoku alone.
"Clever. But how long until they come looking for you again?" Riku asked. Saiyoku laughed, "They won't. We're going out there too, stupid."
"Two minutes after you get back, and you're already starting the insults?"
"I missed using them."
"I'm sure there's a lot of things you missed."
"Having a body's one of them. Though, I'm used to it," Her smile grew wider, "But not existing is a first."
He stood up, "I'm sure it is."
"It's fun to see how much everybody missed me. Apparently Sora and Kairi consciously know that they forgot about me, so It'll be fun to see what everyone's reactions are gonna be."
Riku smiled a little as she continued, "But... there's something I remembered that I was gonna tell you before I disappeared."
"Really? What is it?"
She stepped closer and whispered, "I love you," before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. When she pulled away, Riku said quietly, "I love you too."
"Not to ruin the moment, but are you guys coming or what?"
"Oh, I so knew Riku had a thing for Saiyoku! Ha ha!" Sora laughed, both Kairi and him back in the tunnel.
"Sora, this is why I made you leave."
"And this is why we came back in. We're not stupid."
"Wanna bet?"
"Sure, how much munny do you have on ya?"
"How about we spar? I just took down another Keyblade master, so I think I can handle you."
"You WHAT!"
"C'mon," Saiyoku walked down the tunnel and out the entrance. Sora and Kairi followed, with Riku in the back.
"I might as well join in, 'cause I agree with Saiyoku."
"I'm so gonna beat you this time Riku!"
"Heh, yeah right!"
"If you two should be worried about anything, it's the fact that I'm gonna beat both of you!"
The group of four ran up the stairs, across the bridge and onto the islet, where they began their little competition games again, for the first time in over a year.
To be continued...?
OH MY GOSH IT'S FINALLY DONE! DESTINED SHADOWS IS OFFICIALLY OVER And... I cannot believe I almost wrote a sappy ending! AHHHHH! Anyway, we'll have to see if I can write about Saiyoku in the possible (but most likely, since they already premiered a bit of it in the ending to birth by sleep... oops! did I spoil something for you guys? I'm sorry!) Kingdom Hearts 3. If I can, I will. I'll just have trouble coming up with a name for it... hrm... two word theme, two word theme... GAH! I'll just think of it later. Anyway, here's a secret about the last dialogue in the story: it's the same dialogue from the opening dialogue in the first chapter of Masked Paradise-the first dialogue I wrote for this story... it's full of happier times...
I thank my readers so much, as well as those who have given me tips throughout the story. I especially thank MOJOMAKAVA for her brilliant idea that put Destined Shadows together. Love ya Mojo! I owe ya big time for this crazy, complicated plot! I also thank my awesome friend MikomiShinrai for not punching me (physically) when she found out about Saiyoku and for her support, and I'm also glad that she liked Saiyoku so much, every time there's a cutscene of Riku in the first game, she'd yell at him saying, "Listen to Saiyoku!" Love ya, Mikomi! I'd like to thank NinjaSheik for being the first to comment on my story and the most frequent commenter! And lastly, I'd like to thank Giulia95, for being the person I talk to the most on FF.
Well, until next time(?), I'll be seein' you guys!