A Red Sky

It is the end, but that also means it is a beginning. Welcome to Radiant Garden.

Amazing news today, listeners. The subway system is ready to be opened.

Everyone is gathering at the square, and since I can't leave my small, little booth, I've sent Xion down to not only enjoy herself but report back to me so I can report to you, though I'm sure most of you are there anyway.

Just in case you've forgotten, this system was originally designed and almost worked to completion by our previous mayor, Ansem. After finding a secret room, Mayor Namine found these plans and decided to finish what Ansem had started.

With the station entrances completed, the station at town square is to be the location of our ceremony today. There will be a speech given by the Mayor and then a ribbon cutting to properly open the stations for use.

Xion tells me the Mayor and City Councilor are coming from the castle now, looks like the things are underway.

Mayor Namine is leading the charge, giant scissors in hand, though I'm sure a pair of normal sized scissors would have worked fine. To each their own, I suppose.

Now the Mayor is beginning her speech. I won't be able to do her words justice, but I'll do my best to paraphrase. She, first, is thankful to everyone for their support in this endeavor and others. She is going on about the loss we've experienced, but instead of being crushed by it, we've remained strong. Apparently, her and Olette were closer than any of us knew, with the two often grabbing coffee at any time of day or night when they could. This project for her was a way to remain strong and continue forward, though she says she is not without hope. We simply cannot allow ourselves to stay within the past, and this project was a way to move not just her but the town forward. The past and the memories we have of it are important, but we should not live within them.

Well put, Mayor Namine. Well put.

She's cutting the ribbon now, and the subway system is officially open for business.

…

Oh, wait a moment, listeners. Xion is reporting something odd.

The stairway down was supposed to light up with the cutting of the ribbon, but the lights remain off. Even the sun doesn't seem to light the steps. Officer Fuu is stepping forward to investigate.

Oh my, listeners, it seems as though Officer Fuu was pulled down into the subway. The darkness, whatever it is, has taken her.

Officers Seifer and Rai are pulling Mayor Namine from the station and telling others to keep their distance.

Listen carefully, everyone, do not approach any of the stations around town. They are dangerous to get close to. Officers are being dispatched to those areas to keep guard, but until then, stay as far away as possible...

This just in, Luxord and Xigbar are both gone as well, apparently having descended into one of the other stations to get a preview of the project.

The Mayor and City Councilor have both issued reports telling citizens to stay away from the stations leading to underneath our town. This darkness is no doubt like what took ten of our citizens previously, with now three more gone.

It seems what was meant to be a joyous occasion amidst our loss has only deepened our wounds. Our streets are growing emptier and emptier, and I fear to see them barren. I fear to see Radiant Garden dim and wither as its people fall into shadows.

But don't lose hope, listeners. We've faced entrapping plants and teleporting storms; we can face this too.

…

We must face it.

Oh, Xion, great, you're back. I just need to run out for a moment.

What? Are really asking if I'm going to run into one of the subway stations in an attempt to find everyone we've lost? Cause if you are, then you'd be right, Xion.

I'm tired of just letting these shadows take and take. I'm going to face them head on, and if you listening want to too, if you have hope that we can get our friends back, then join me. Maybe we'll be just as lost as them, but we need to try.

I'm going to try!

…

…

…

Hello, listeners, it's still Axel.

The day is coming to a close, but I have no doubt we all won't be turning in.

I love this town. I love Radiant Garden, but make no mistake. It's not the enchanting gardens and looming castle that I love, but, rather, the people. A town is its people, and I am proud to live here with all of you.

I'm sure you already know what happened, but let me sum it up.

We met together at the station in town square, everyone who had lost someone and even those who just wanted to support those of us who had. It was all of us, a united front of love and light, and we charged into the darkness underneath.

Shadows swarmed us but we kept them at bay, and finally, finally we found them.

We found everyone, lost in the dark but still strong and hopeful, as Radiant Garden citizens are, and we brought them back.

The Shadows truly didn't stand a chance.

Making it out, there were tearful embraces.

I saw Demyx and Zexion clinging to one another and then pulling Aqua and Terra into their hold as well. Riku almost out of sight as Sora and Kairi hung on him. Namine holding Olette and even Pence close as Seifer and Hayner embraced just to their side. Officers reunited with hugs and friendly pats on the back and shoulder. Xigbar and Luxord seemed to make their way through everyone, even me.

But, listeners….

Listeners, I was looking at someone else.

Someone of short stature, with hair like golden thread, and eyes even bluer than the midday sky that had already passed us by. He looked so happy, watching everyone at least share a smile, and just like when I first saw him, I wanted to run and pull him to me. I wanted to hold his face in my hands and just look at him, make up for lost time.

But then he looked at me.

The sun was beginning to set, and it was like it was just Roxas and I underneath a red sky.

I couldn't move, but he came towards me.

There was so much I wanted to say, but it was too much and the only thing that came out of my mouth was:

"Bet you don't know why the sun sets red."

Ugh.

He laughed more than I'd ever seen, and though I was dying a bit on the inside, I laughed too because he was.

When he'd calmed down and it was quiet again, he held out his hand and requested I tell him, though I'm sure he already knew. He is a scientist, after all.

And as I took his hand without hesitation and told him about light and red traveling the furthest, I felt not the nerves and anxiety of finally being so close to him but the warmth and contentment of knowing, just knowing, he was mine and I was his.

Now… I've got a celebration to get to and so do all of you.

So, let's meet again, Radiant Garden, in the next one.