Start

Riku shoots Xion a grin as they get ready for the race. The Reapers and Nightmares are probably going to give them a hard time, but they're ready for it.

Ready for another chance.

"Start!"

The order rings in Riku's ears, but it's better than the sound he's been hearing for months—the ceaseless tide he now knows was Xion's voice trying to reach him.

He runs as fast as he can, dodging and countering while trying to keep his pace even with Xion's.

"C'mon, Riku—I thought you were better than that!"

Riku can't afford to lose this time.

Author: Heavy The World Ends With You influence on this chapter... What with the Reapers being behind their little game and Riku and Xion partnered up to win Xion a chance at living again. Which is why Riku doesn't want to lose. ;) (I finally beat TWEWY the weekend before last. The ending was AWESOME. Very motivating and beautiful all-around...)

As for the last chapter... the cookies go to MonMonCandie, Mirae-no-sekai, and DMGSilverAirHead03 for correctly guessing that the last drabble was inspired by the Disney film "Enchanted." I love that movie.^^ Especially how the main characters manage to find their "happily ever after" even in New York City. I've been wanting to draw a RikuShi parallel to that for a while now...

To my reviewers:

XIIIXV: Yeah, most of the time anyway.^^ I've read a couple that didn't feel quite as happy, but most writers do try to keep the endings uplifting in some way.

vanitas1776: I was trying to do something a little different there, so I'm happy you thought it was nice. :) And I don't know a LOT of Disney films, either, but I have seen most of the animated ones at some point or another...

MonMonCandie: Your guess for "Enchanted" was right, though I do love Gargoyles as well! :D And I have a lot of fun writing them together... And yeah, lol, that's what I was thinking as well.

Mirae-no-sekai: Hee.^^ Yes, the movie was "Enchanted." And I was drawing from Riku's somewhat jaded nature there. It's only natural he'd be a little less trusting of such a thing... Though he's definitely a actions-over-words kind of guy. ;)

Espionage247: He will, eventually... xD They live happily ever enough themselves, even though they have their fair share of problems...

DMGSilverAirHead03: Yep, it was Enchanted! And I'm glad you liked "Slow Down," I had fun writing that scene. :3

See you next time!