Kyrie (c) Me

Kingdom Hearts (c) Square Enix

Kingdom Hearts

Bonded Soul

Chapter 66

"Mama, can you tell me a story?"

"Of course, sweetheart. What story would you like to hear?"

"Tell me about the one with the Princess of Light."

I opened my eyes and found myself in a child's room. The walls were painted a soft lilac, and the floors had matching carpet. Toys littered the room, and millions of drawings covered the walls. Strangely, the toys were all star-shaped, varying in sizes and some of them even had faces sewn on. A bed centered the room, where a silver-haired woman and a white-haired little girl sat. Then I gasped, the child was me! And the woman was my mother!

"Sweetie, you've heard it a dozen times!" my mother laughed as she tucked my younger self into bed. But she just stared back, pouting a little. "But it's my favorite!" she protested. The woman smiled softly and ran a hand through her hair, before pulling the thick quilt up to the child's shoulders.

"All right, then. Well, long, long ago, there was once a small glimmer of light-"

"That light was Kingdom Hearts, right Mama?" she asked. The woman nodded as she continued.

"Yes, that light was Kingdom Hearts. You see, Kingdom Hearts was the first thing to ever exist, even before the universe. But since it was the first, it was also the only. And after some time, the mighty heart grew lonely, and wanted a companion."

"Aw…poor thing." my younger self sniffled as tears began to form at the corner of her eyes. The silver-haired woman smiled gently and stroked her hair.

"So one day, it decided to make a companion. Taking a part of itself, it created a young girl-"

"Who became the Princess of Light, right Mama?" she chirped. The woman nodded. "Yes, that's right. The girl became the Princess of Light, Kingdom Hearts' companion. And the two were happy together, enjoying each other's company as they played."

I watched on silently as my younger self gave a giggle and cuddled a familiar star plush against her chest. Was this my memory?

"This is more than just a memory. This is the tale of who you are, princess. Try to remember. Remember yourself." a familiar voice spoke. But I growled, how can I remember?

"After a while, the princess saw that the universe was dull and lifeless, and it saddened her. Turning to her companion, she said `The universe is so dark, so desolate. Let's make a world, a world creatures can live in happily and in harmony. We can make more, too, so that the universe isn't so dark anymore.` and with that, the two combined their powers and created the very first world."

"The Radiant Garden!" my younger self squeaked. The woman laughed and nodded as she continued. "Yes, our world. Once it was created, they also created the sun, the sky, and the clouds, decorating the world with life and water. After it was done, they brought humans and animals into the world, watching in awe as they adapted and began building a town, a town for them to live in. After a while, she decided to gift them with light." she took a breath and paused, before continuing.

"But sadly, the people began to love the light so much, that they began to fight over it. And so, darkness was born in everyone's hearts. It devoured the world and the people, and a being like her was born. He was the Prince of Darkness, a being who carried the darkest desires from the people his darkness devoured. A being who was never a part of Kingdom Hearts to begin with."

"The Prince of Darkness is bad! I don't like him!" my younger self protested as she crossed her arms. My mother laughed as she brushed her bangs back. "Honey, the prince isn't truly bad. You can't change the way you were born, but you can change who you are. Anyways, the light the princess had given the people had survived, in the hearts of children. With the fragments of light, the children had rebuilt the world. But it wasn't just one world anymore, it was many." she explained.

"Wow, all those worlds were made by kids?" she nodded.

"Yes, they were. After the worlds were reborn, the Princess decided to make peace with her counterpart. Since she knew protecting Kingdom Hearts wasn't a one person job, she offered him a chance to protect balance alongside her, and live together with Kingdom Hearts. The Prince swiftly agreed, for he understood the importance of protecting the mighty heart. From that point on, they protected it." she explained. The little girl nodded.

"Next is when they created the keyblades and the big war happened, right, Mama?" she asked. The woman nodded.

"Yes. Some time after the war, the prince grew bored of his duties, and longed to see what life was like outside. So, he threw his immortality away and came here, abandoning Kingdom Hearts as well as his duty. The princess, knowing ill will would come of this, followed after him. But, she could no longer go back, even after finding his human form. And so, from then on, the two have continued to wander the worlds, trying to find a way back home." she finished. The girl blinked owlishly at her for a moment, before pulling the covers to her chin.

"But did they ever go home? Did Kingdom Hearts ever take them back?" she questioned. The woman shook her head sadly.

"No, they are still traveling to this day, trying to find a way back home. But, there is a legend where it's said that the Princess of Light and the Prince of Darkness will one day combine their powers, connecting the worlds that were scattered in a time of danger. Now, I think it's time for you to go to bed." the little girl nodded as she rested her head against the pillows, her mother leaning over as she smiled tenderly at her.

"Sweet dreams." she whispered as she kissed the girl's forehead. The girl smiled and curled up under the blankets, falling asleep quickly as the woman stood, exiting the room. With that, everything became dark.

"Ah, my darling, you've grown into a beautiful young woman." Gasping, I turned and spotted the same silver-haired woman standing a few feet away, a blonde-haired man at her side. The two were staring at me lovingly, and I felt my heart tremble.

"M…Mama? Papa?" I thought as I took a step forward, reaching out to touch her cheek. The woman smiled, reaching out and grabbing my hand so that I landed against her chest. She quickly wrapped her arms around me, holding me in a loving embrace. I looked up at them and the man smiled as well, reaching out and stroking my head.

"We've missed you so much, our little Kyrie." the man whispered as he hugged the both of us. Ah…this feeling is so familiar…all of these sensations are so familiar. Their scent, their warmth, the sounds of their voices…I wrapped my arms around them as well, burying my face into her chest as tears began to fall down my cheeks. I felt my shoulders begin to shake as I cried, the two of them stroking my hair soothingly as I did so.

"Shh…it's all right, we're here…" my mother whispered. Suddenly, they released me and took a few steps back, with me watching in confusion as they did so.

"Our time is up. I'm afraid it's time to say goodbye. Don't forget, we love you, and we will always love you." she whispered tenderly as she and father began to fade away. I gasped, running forward with my hand outstretched.

"No, don't go! Please-!" I thought. But in seconds they were gone, leaving me alone again.

…

…

"…Mm?" Kyrie thought as she slowly regained consciousness. She could feel that she was in a bed, the warm covers draped over her shoulders as she lay there. But…how did she get here?

"The last thing I remember…was standing at the castle postern and looking at the lights in the sky. Then…that dream…" she thought as she lay there. She felt a hand on her forehead, and flinched.

"Hey, I think she's coming around!" she heard a familiar voice chirp. Slowly opening her eyes, she blinked for a few moments, before they focused. Leaning over her was Yuffie, as well as Aerith, both women looking down at her worriedly. Immediately, Sora, Donald, and Goofy moved in, standing over her as well.

"Kyrie! You're okay!" Sora exclaimed, a wide grin on his face. The girl smiled a little and slowly sat up, the group backing up a little as they did so. Aerith was quick to place her hands against her shoulders, holding her up in case she fell back.

"How are you feeling? Do you remember what happened?" she asked softly. Kyrie was silent before nodding, looking around for her backpack as she did so. Spotting it beside her, she pulled out her notebook and pen and began to write.

Sora? Donald? Goofy? Aerith? Yuffie? What happened? How'd I get here?

"After you passed out and your eye started bleeding, Sora and Goofy carried you back so Merlin could check you over. You really scared us!" Yuffie explained. Kyrie nodded silently before pushing back the covers, eager to get on her feet. The group backed up somewhat and watched apprehensively as she got to her feet.

"Gawrsh, ya sure you should be standin'?" Goofy asked worriedly. The girl smiled and gave the dog a nod. Looking around, she spotted Leon, Cid, and Merlin as they tried to fix Cid's computer. The three men looked over and gave her a small smile.

"Glad that you're back on yer feet. Gave everyone a good scare." Cid called before going back to his work. Kyrie smiled and nodded before Sora grabbed her arm, a smile on his face.

"Hey, you hungry? We should eat before we go, and I'm starving!" the group laughed as Kyrie smiled, shaking her head.

"Oh, Sora, you never change."

-Meanwhile-

"Axel, what's up? You look…down." Demyx asked as he and the pyro sat on top of the station tower in Twilight town. The man was silent before shrugging his shoulders, but he wasn't going to let it drop.

"Did something happen with Kyrie? Is that why you're upset?" he asked. Axel sighed in irritation.

"Demyx…I-" he started, but stopped. The man raised an eyebrow at him as he turned, glaring. "Xigbar, quit snooping around. I know you're there." A portal formed from behind the two men, making Demyx jump as Axel got to his feet, summoning his chakrams.

"Wow, you're good. And here I thought nobody would notice me." Xigbar teased as he stepped out of the corridor. Axel growled. "Cut the crap, Xig. Why're you here? To eliminate us?"

"As if. Not today, I'm here on important business." the free shooter replied. Demyx blinked. "Important business? What kind?" for a moment, the older man's face grimaced.

"Xemmy's given the order. Angel's gonna be destroyed, as well as the kid. When they get to Twilight town, they're gonna be ambushed." the two paled at this.

"What, Kyrie's gonna be eliminated? Why?" Demyx exclaimed. Xigbar sighed.

"'Cuz she turned down his offer to rejoin the organization. She said that she'd rather be with you guys and the little hero than with us." he explained. Axel was quiet as he listened, he was glad that she turned down the offer, but now he was concerned for her safety. "So why are you telling us this? Aren't we the enemy?" he asked.

"Well, normally I wouldn't have said anything. But I just don't want the kid to get hurt. Angel's too sweet a kid to deserve something like that." the man answered. Axel nodded as he opened a corridor, waving to them as he walked inside. "Later, dudes!" and with that, he was gone. The two were silent for a moment before Demyx spoke up.

"Ax, what are we gonna do? We can't let Kyrie get hurt!" he exclaimed. Axel was silent as he thought it over, if the small group was going to be ambushed, then there would no doubt be dozens of dusks and other nobodies around. Enough of them to no doubt wear the group down enough so that they could be eliminated. He turned to Demyx.

"I don't know about you, but I'm gonna help Kyrie and Roxas. Even if it costs me my life."

-Back in Radiant Garden-

"You guys be careful, and good luck!" Yuffie called as the group headed off, eager to get to the next world. After discussing their plan over lunch, they decided to go to Twilight town and figure out the mystery of the picture. Roxas's picture.

"I wish I could tell them about Roxas, but something tells me I should stay quiet for now. I don't know why, but it feels like I shouldn't tell them." Kyrie thought as she slipped her backpack onto her shoulders. Sora nodded as he waved.

"All right, we will. See ya!" and with that, he, Donald, and Goofy we off. Kyrie gasped and ran after them, trying to catch up when-

"Oof!" she slammed into something, landing on her behind as she did so.

"Ow…" Kyrie thought as she sat on the ground. Looking up to see what she ran into, she spotted an auburn-haired girl sitting on the ground a few feet from her, rubbing her behind as she did so. She was wearing the strangest outfit she had ever seen, and had feathers in her hair and tied to the hilt of her sword. Part of her hair was in a ponytail that flowed over her right shoulder, while the rest was left alone. Bangs framed her face, where she could see small freckles dotting her cheeks. A bit of her hair also stuck out, like a large antenna. The girl growled.

"Ow, hey! What where you're- Oh." the girl started before looking up, sky blue meeting brown as the two girls stared at each other. The two were silent as they stared, Kyrie felt like she knew this girl. But it wasn't like with Kairi, Belle, or Jasmine when they had first met, it was something different. Something deep down inside was trying to tell her something, but what?

"Um…sorry about that. Guess I wasn't looking where I was going. But then again I normally don't look where I'm going so- oh! What's your name, do you live here? Why's your hair so white, do you dye it? Oh, and-" the girl babbled as she held out her hand, helping Kyrie to her feet as she did so. She blinked, not sure why the girl was bothering to ask such weird questions. But a voice calling to her made the two girls jump.

"Kyrie, c'mon!"

"We've gotta go!" and with that, she took off, but not before giving an apology bow for running into her. The auburn-haired girl watched her go, before smiling.

"Kyrie, huh? I feel like I've met her before. But where?"

She paused before shaking her head. "Nah, couldn't have. I don't remember meeting any white-haired girls. Maybe I'm going crazy."

Oh gosh, more flashback-dreams. There's some mythology put into this, before you all start complaining. And that's I'm gonna say for today. Please review!