"Xion?" Sora asked as the girl nodded. Roxas slowly started to have flashes of memory where he saw a girl much similar in appearance. Only difference was that her hair was shorter, like Kairi's was a year ago. This girl looked like Kairi did now, only with the obvious change in clothes and the jet black hair.
"Sora, you wouldn't remember me if you tried. Reason being, we've never met before. Roxas knows me though, so he should remember." Xion said as Roxas looked down at his hands and summoned Oathkeeper and Oblivion. Suddenly though, Oblivion disappeared and reappeared in Xion's hand.
"Did you ever wonder how you were able to wield two Keyblades, Roxas?" Xion asked as Roxas suddenly remembered.
"Xion! How did I forget you? How did I allow myself to forget you?" Roxas asked as Xion looked sadly at Oblivion in her hand.
"Because you weren't meant to remember me. No one was. All the memories of me were supposed to disappear when I did." Xion said as Roxas looked confused.
"But…oh…that's right. I remember now…but if I wasn't supposed to remember you…why am I remembering you now?" Roxas asked as Xion smiled.
"Because you will need the strength of your memories of our time together. Those memories will help you in the battles to come." Xion said as Sora finally interjected.
"Um, I'm sorry for sounding like a broken record but, who are you and why do you look like Kairi?" Sora asked. Roxas also turned towards her with an expectant look.
"Yeah, and how come you're hair's longer than it used to be?" Roxas asked as Xion giggled and ran a gloved hand through her hair.
"I can answer both questions easily. Sora, I'm an imperfect replica of you. I'm made of your memories. Your memories of Kairi are your strongest ones which resulted in my appearance becoming to look like Kairi. Well, your memories of her are still your strongest ones, so once you saw her again in the Castle that Never Was, your memories changed slightly. Your memories made me, Mmm, mature a little as it were." Xion explained.
"Okay…that explains the hair." Sora said, scratching his head.
"But I'm still confused as to how and why you're here?" Roxas asked as Xion sighed with a chuckle.
"I'm a part of you both, Roxas. I'm a part of Sora's heart just as much as you are." Xion said.
"So my memories of you are supposed to strengthen me?" Roxas asked as Xion nodded.
"You need proof? Alright." Xion said as she raised Oblivion and dropped into a battle stance mimicking Sora and Roxas's perfectly. Sora and Roxas both dropped into their stances. Xion leapt over them and landed behind them on a giant platform resembling the Station of Awakening only with an image of Xion herself asleep on the platform. (Battle Music Cue: The 13th Reflection – KH Final Mix Soundtrack)
"Where did that come from?" Sora asked, referring to the platform as Roxas shrugged. Roxas then leapt onto the platform as the sky darkened. Sora attempted to follow after her but something held him back. He clutched his heart and realized it was Ven holding him back.
"Let go, Ven! Roxas needs my help!" Sora argued with himself but to no avail.
On the platform, Xion stood ready for battle with Oblivion in hand while Roxas stood prepared with Oathkeeper. Roxas was then taken completely by surprise when Xion hurled Oblivion at him. He quickly reached up and grabbed the Keyblade by the handle, now double-wielding yet again. Xion held out her hand and summoned forth a black and white Keyblade possessing a curved, notched blade with a noticeably sharp edge. The handle was composed of the same checkerboard pattern on Roxas's wristband and the keychain was the X shaped symbol on Roxas's zipper chain.
"What is that?" Roxas asked as Xion dropped back into her battle stance.
"This is a Keyblade formed from your very existence, Roxas. It's called Two Become One. This is an example of how your memories will strengthen you. You also need to remember one very important thing Roxas…" Xion said as Roxas looked at her curiously. She then suddenly lunged forward with a downward swing of her Keyblade, but fortunately Roxas thought to block the blow.
"…The stronger you get, the stronger Sora gets!" Xion said as she leapt back and fired a Thundaga at Roxas who dodge rolled out of the way and charged at her head on. Xion did the same and made a full three sixty degree turn before swinging the Keyblade fiercely at Roxas who managed to block with both Keyblades. Outside the platform Sora was watching in disbelief as he watched Roxas and the near Kairi-lookalike doing battle.
"Banora Apple?" Zack asked, holding out one of the blue colored apples to Sora, who only gave him a disbelieving glare in response.
"How can you eat at a time like this?" Sora asked as Zack looked at the apple and shrugged.
"You really think Xion is going to kill him or vice-versa? For Pete's sakes we're in the afterlife kid. It's not like anyone here is gonna die any more than they are already." Zack replied as they returned their attention to the fight. Roxas and Xion were still going at it, neither of them getting a definitive edge over the other.
"Hey Roxas, remember that time we toilet papered Memory's Skyscraper?" Xion asked as they exchanged blows.
"Yeah? Why?...oh." Roxas said sheepishly as he realized that he remembered the event, which was Xion's intention. Xion then leapt back and raised her Keyblade towards the sky, causing a number of glowing swords made of light to appear in an effort to hit Roxas but the Key of Destiny knew the move and quickly crossed his two Keyblades, causing a wall of light to surround him. He then swung his Keyblades outward in a scissor cut, shattering the wall and sending out a crescent shaped wave of light. Xion grinned as she dodge rolled out of the way.
"You see Roxas! That's a move you never had before!" Xion shouted before she lunged at him again but this time Roxas was ready, he blocked with Oblivion and pointed Oathkeeper towards the sky, creating a powerful beam of light similar to Sora's Light of the Worlds Command Style attack. This time however, the beam lit up the sky overhead before raining down a countless number of smaller beams onto the platform, causing Xion to dodge repeatedly while trying to avoid the attacks.
"You're only proving my point further, Roxas!" Xion shouted as she continued dodging the rain of light before she was hit by one.
"I've not only grown stronger because of you Xion…it's because Sora's grown stronger too." Roxas said as he aimed Oblivion at Xion before it suddenly gave off thirteen clones of itself made of light. The clones quickly surrounded Xion in a circle before suddenly converging on her and pinning her in place. He had just used Sora's Thirteenth Strike Shoot Lock. (End music)
"Now you understand!" Xion said with a grin as she dismissed her Keyblade. A powerful gust of wind blew in causing everyone to shield themselves. When the wind finally died down they opened their eyes to find themselves back in the serine and peaceful knoll covered grassland with the road. Sora and Roxas stood on the road while Xion stood with one foot on the grass, and another foot on the road. Zack and Kairi's grandmother both were on the grass.
"I think I understand. You've been with me all this time. Even when I became one with Sora, you were there with both of us. You've seen everything we've done, so why haven't you revealed yourself before now?" Roxas asked as Xion smiled.
"Because I couldn't. This world, the Road of Remembrance, allows those once forgotten, to be remembered. I was given the opportunity to see you again Roxas, to remind you of all the great…and not so great times that we spent together. Oh and you don't need to worry about Axel. His memories of me are coming back too." Xion said as she approached Roxas and pulled him into a hug.
"Thanks for being there Roxas." Xion said as Roxas smiled and nodded.
"No, thank you, Xion." Roxas said before turning to Sora and nodding. Sora nodded back understandingly as Xion slipped her arm around Roxas's waist as both of them plus Sora started glowing with the white aura. Roxas and Xion both disappeared in a flash of light, leaving only the Blue sphere with the XIII etched into it behind. Sora caught it and looked at it silently in his hand before turning to Zack and Kairi's grandmother.
"Pretty cool, huh Sora?" Zack asked, still reclining on the knoll near the cottage.
"Yeah. Now Roxas's memories of her are being shared with me. So we both have gotten stronger." Sora said as he held out his Keyblade and summoned "Two Become One" instead of his usual Keyblade.
"And with that, it's time to move on." Zack said before he started to climb to his feet.
"Already?" Sora asked as Zack nodded.
"Yep. Afraid so. We've gotta get you reunited with your Master." Zack said but Kairi's Grandmother approached.
"Before you go Sora, there is something I must tell you. It is the same thing I told Kairi many years ago, when she was only a toddler." Kairi's Grandmother said as Sora turned towards her.
"Really? What is it?" Sora asked.
"Have you ever heard the story of how the worlds came to be the way they are? How Kingdom Hearts came to be?" Kairi's Grandmother asked as Sora pondered and shook his head.
"I'm afraid not." Sora replied as Kairi's grandmother smiled and began the story.
"Long ago, people lived in peace, bathed in the warmth of light. Everyone loved the light. Then people began to fight over it. They wanted the light for themselves and darkness was born in their hearts. The darkness spread, swallowing the light and many people's hearts. It covered everything, and the world disappeared. But small fragments of the light survived... in the hearts of children. With these fragments of light, children rebuilt the lost world. They rebuilt Radiant Garden. But the true light sleeps, deep within the darkness. That's why the worlds are still scattered, divided from each other. But someday, a door to the innermost darkness will open and the true light will return. So, listen, child. Even in the deepest darkness, there will always be light to guide you. Believe in the light, and the darkness will never defeat you. Your heart will shine with its power and push the darkness away. Do you understand, Sora?" She asked as Sora smiled and nodded
"I think I do." Sora said as Kairi's grandmother smiled.
"Please tell Kairi how you feel the next time you see her. It will change the outcome of the future when you do." Kairi's Grandmother said as Sora nodded again.
"I'll do my best ma'am." Sora said as he turned to Zack.
"You ready to go?" He asked as Sora nodded, "Alright then, follow me."
Later…
Sora and Zack reached a point in the road where it met with another road and stopped at a shady green garden shaped like a keyhole like the one in Disney Town that Aqua had found, and subsequently fallen asleep. Zack and Sora entered into the garden to find Aqua and a man that Sora didn't recognize standing and talking with each other. Aqua was now wearing a white haori with a red lining.
"Aqua!" Sora exclaimed as he ran towards her. Aqua turned to her apprentice who skid to a halt.
"Sora, you're here. I'd like you to meet someone very special to myself, Ven, and Terra. Sora, this is Master Eraqus, the Keyblade Master who trained me." Aqua said as Eraqus gave Sora a humble bow. Sora was awe struck.
"Master Eraqus! Wow!" Sora said, too stunned to really say anything, causing Eraqus to laugh.
"What's the matter Ven, cat got your tongue?" Eraqus asked as Sora shook himself for a second.
"I thought you looked very familiar. You were in Ven's memories!" Sora said as Eraqus smiled and nodded.
"I would hope so." Eraqus said before Aqua noticed Zack, hanging back at the entrance to the garden, leaning against one of the walls, watching them with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.
"Will you two excuse me for a second?" Aqua asked as she walked towards Zack whose smirk widened as she approached.
"Excuse me, but…haven't we met?" Aqua asked as Zack chuckled.
"Oh come on, you honestly don't recognize me? Zack? Zack Fair?" Zack asked as Aqua's eyes widened and she covered her mouth in shock.
"Zack? You're dead? How did that happen?" She asked as Zack shrugged.
"I took a few rounds protecting the life of a good friend of mine. It was just a flesh wound." Zack said as Aqua sighed.
"Why do I feel responsible for this?" Aqua asked as Zack arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah why do you feel responsible? My death had nothing to do with you. It was long after you got trapped in the Realm of Darkness." Zack replied.
"It did?" Aqua asked as Zack nodded.
"Yeah." Zack replied.
"Oh. For a moment there, I thought that my not agreeing to go on that date with you had something to do with it." Aqua said as Zack gave her a funny look before busting out laughing.
"Oh that's a good one! Seriously, Aqua, just ask anyone who knew me in life, and they'd say I was a major flirt with the girls. Talk to Aerith in Radiant Garden, she'll tell ya." Zack said as Aqua nodded.
"Oh okay." Aqua said with a smile.
"But let me tell ya one thing Aqua. That kid over there is really lucky to have you as his master." Zack said as Aqua summoned her Keyblade, now with the "Mark of Mastery" keychain.
"And his master is lucky to have him as an apprentice." Aqua said as she looked at Sora conversing with Eraqus. She then saw Sora fall onto his back, laughing like a lunatic as Eraqus laughed along with him.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Aqua mumbled to herself as she marched towards the two.
"This, I gotta see." Zack said as he followed after her.
"And this is one of when Aqua decided to try and die out the blue from her hair." Eraqus said as he pulled out another photo, causing Sora's laughing spasm to intensify. Aqua then arrived and saw the picture.
"AUGH! MAS-TER!" Aqua whined as she slapped her forehead. Sora was now gasping for air between laughing fits.
"Oh nice." Zack said as he flipped through a few that Eraqus showed him.
"Give me those!" Aqua growled as she tried to snatch the photos from Zack's hand but Zack played keep away.
"Na-ah, finders keepers!" Zack replied as Aqua turned and grabbed Sora by the hair, yanking him up onto his feet.
"Ow-ow-ow-okay-I-get-the-message-ow-ow-ow-ow!" Sora yelped before Aqua finally let him go.
"We really must be going, Master." Aqua said as Eraqus put away the photos, much to Zack and Sora's chagrin.
"So does this really have to be goodbye?" Sora asked as Eraqus nodded.
"I'm afraid so. Because until the two of you arrive here in your own time, then we shall not see each other again." Eraqus said as Zack looked at him.
"Dude, way to bring down everyone's spirits." Zack said as Eraqus shrugged innocently.
"But you have given us one thing that means worlds of difference to us." Sora said as Aqua nodded in agreement.
"You've given us hope." Aqua said as Zack interjected.
"And a fancy new Keyblade and snazzy looking haori for you." Zack said, pointing at Aqua as Sora noticed the new Keyblade and haori.
"Eh, I got a new Keyblade too, although when can I get a haori like this?" Sora asked as Eraqus smiled.
"Once you become a master. Only true masters of the Keyblade may wear a haori such as the one Aqua is wearing." Eraqus said as Sora crossed his arms curiously.
"Then where's yours?" Sora asked as Aqua rolled her eyes.
"Uh, where do you think Aqua got her haori?" Zack asked as Sora finally realized what he meant.
"Oh, okay, cool." Sora said as he rested his hands behind his head.
"As much as it really pains me to say this, we really do need to go." Aqua said as Eraqus and Zack both nodded.
"We know. And we wish you both well on your journey." Eraqus said before he and Aqua closed as much distance as possible with each other without stepping off the path and into the grass, and vice versa, before embracing each other in a hug.
"I'll never forget you master." Aqua said, a tear running down her cheek, as Eraqus kissed her on the forehead like a father would a daughter.
"And I won't forget you either, Aqua." Eraqus replied, a tear running down his own cheek as well.
"I'll be sure to tell Cloud and Aerith that I saw you." Sora said as Zack smirked and gave him a thumbs up.
"Thanks pal. I really appreciate it." Zack said as he and Sora bumped knuckles together. Aqua and Sora then switched places, Aqua saying goodbye to Zack.
"I'm sorry you died, Zack. You really seemed like a nice guy." Aqua said as Zack shrugged.
"Eh, forget about it. I'm just fine where I am." Zack said as Aqua glanced towards Sora for a second before looking back towards Zack.
"And, about that date…even if you were still around, I couldn't. I've got someone else." Aqua said as she rubbed the back of her neck nervously.
"Bah, it's alright. I know you and Ven are quite an item. Eraqus filled me in, and I have been watching you guys for quite a while." Zack said as Aqua smiled at him.
"So, you think I could get copies of those pictures?" Sora whispered to Eraqus who glanced mischievously at Aqua before turning back.
"I'm sorry, Sora! I cannot give you those pictures!" Eraqus said loudly so that Aqua could hear. He then gave Sora a wink.
"Check your back pocket." He whispered into the boy's ear. Sora quickly did so and he felt a large envelope inside. Sora winked back with a grin. Finally Aqua and Sora stood next to each other, their armor activated, Aqua's armor neatly appearing over the haori, and their Keyblade Riders summoned. They watched as almost magically the world around them dissolved into the multicolored clouds they had seen when first entering the world and soon they were flying amongst the stars once more, no sign of the clouds in sight.
"So Aqua, what did you and Eraqus talk about?" Sora asked as they flew.
"We talked about you if you must know." Aqua replied.
"Me?" Sora asked curiously.
"Yes, you. You, Ven, and Terra." Aqua replied.
"And…?" Sora asked expecting an answer.
"And I know what to do when it comes time to restore Ven." Aqua replied as Sora grinned inside his helmet.
"So, do you think I'm ready?" Sora asked.
"Not quite. Ven's heart still isn't fully awake yet. Let's give it a little more time. The second he's ready to come out, we'll make a B-line to my homeworld." Aqua replied as Sora grinned again.
"Alright!" Sora cheered, causing Aqua to giggle inside her helmet.
"Easy there Sora, don't get off course." Aqua replied. They then started to pass an unfamiliar world.
"Hey! Look at that!" Sora said as he came to a stop. Aqua pulled up next to him.
"Looks like another world to me Sora." Aqua said.
"Yeah but I don't recognize it. Do you?" Sora asked as Aqua shook her head.
"Nope, can't say that I do." She replied.
"Doesn't that make you want to go and check it out?" Sora asked as Aqua shrugged.
"Oh why not. We could use a little distraction. Who knows, maybe Ven will decide he's ready while we're there." Aqua said as Sora cheered with joy before racing off towards the world with Aqua in close pursuit. Inside Aqua's mind, she was thinking one thing…
"It'll all be over soon Ven. I can feel it."
End Chapter 30.