(Ambiance Cue: Dearly Beloved – BBS or KH2 versions)
"Riku, what's this all about? I was about to kick Axel's butt at the Command Board!" Sora said as Riku sighed.
"Namine wanted to have a word with you in private. She asked that I bring you out here." Riku said as Sora arched a confused eyebrow.
"What's going on, Riku? You've been acting kinda strange lately." Sora said as Riku stopped and turned towards him.
"Because…because I'm about to break an eleven-year-old promise I made to your parents." Riku said, confusing Sora even more.
"My parents? What kind of promise?" Sora asked.
"It's a long story." He heard Namine say. He turned and saw Namine approaching from behind, a guilt ridden expression on her face.
"Namine? What's wrong? What's going on?" Sora asked as Namine took a breath.
"I've hurt you, Sora. I've perverted a memory of yours into something that it shouldn't have been. I've lived with the guilt of my actions for over a year now. And now I must set it right. But at the same time, setting it right will only make you hate me. Worse, it will break you, wound you far more than any other weapon that has ever harmed you before now." Namine said as Sora looked at her confused.
"What are you talking about, Namine? I could never hate you." Sora said. Namine took another breath.
"A year ago, you entered a castle known as Castle Oblivion. The moment you entered it, you began to lose your memories, all because of me. I was tasked with slowly restructuring your memories, so as to turn you into a pawn of Organization XIII or even the would be usurpers Marluxia and Larxene. But as you know, their plot failed thanks largely to your resilience." Namine said as Sora gave an absent nod.
"Yeah, I only vaguely remember it though. I can see the castle but I don't remember ever entering it." Sora said.
"Part of that is due to the restoration efforts to bring you back. You couldn't be allowed to remember it. It would only make the restoration process take longer." Riku explained.
"But while you were in there, you slowly began to remember a promise you made, a promise to come searching for someone. To protect them." Namine said as Sora smiled at her.
"Yeah. A promise to search for and protect you, Namine. If you're trying to tell me that memory is fake though, I kinda always knew that." Sora said but Namine shook her head.
"No, it's not fake…not entirely." She said, confusing Sora again.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I'm a Witch. I can alter, rearrange, and copy the memories of others as I see fit. But to do that, I must first have existing memories to work with. I can't create memories from scratch. I can pull parts and aspects of other memories together, cannibalize them in some ways, to create the memories I need. The memory you possess of your promise to find me and protect me, was created from a memory I found buried deep within your heart, buried so deep that I almost didn't find it and yet, it's subtle influence on your whole being is undeniable." Namine explained as Sora looked at her worriedly.
"A memory buried deep within me?" he asked.
"You've felt restless for most of your life. You've felt a desire to go out and explore. A desire to search for something but you don't know what and you don't know why. It's because of a promise you made eleven years ago, on your fifth birthday, that you've had this desire." Namine explained, Sora blinking in confusion.
"A promise? You mean the promise I remember making to you?" he asked as Namine gave a nod.
"Yes. When you were in Castle Oblivion, I used this memory to make you believe that I was a friend that had moved away from your home long ago. The promise you made to protect me was the one you made to Kairi. But the promise to find me…was made to someone else." Namine explained.
"Someone else? I don't remember making that promise to someone else. Was it that person who buried the memory?" Sora asked. Namine seemed deeply saddened by the question.
"No, Sora. The only person who could've buried that memory…was you." Namine replied, surprising Sora.
"I buried the memory? But why?" he asked.
"So you wouldn't have to deal with the pain, the sadness, and the grief, of what those memories once held. Can you remember anything beyond your fifth birthday, Sora?" Namine asked as Sora thought for a moment before a look of worry appeared on his face.
"No, I can't. What did I forget, Namine?! What could I have forgotten?" Sora asked as Namine took a deep breath.
"The one person who, for almost five years, meant so much to you, that their loss devastated you to the point that you forgot they ever existed in the first place." Namine replied, causing Sora to freeze.
"Loss?" he asked softly. Namine stepped forward, gently taking him by the hand.
"It's time to remember, Sora. Helping you to remember will be like breaking a dam. Once there's a hole, the dam will collapse, and the memories will flood back to you." Namine said as the world around them turned dark. Suddenly a light appeared beneath them. Gradually the light grew brighter until it illuminated a stained glass image of Sora, lying asleep beneath them.
"The Station of Awakening? But, what are we doing here?" Sora asked.
"Because it's the only way for me to show you." Namine replied. Sora then heard the faint echo of laughter in the distance, the laughter of a child. He looked around anxiously for the source but saw nothing in the darkness around them.
"Namine, who did I forget?" Sora asked, growing impatient. Namine took a sad breath and looked at something behind him. Sora furrowed his brow and followed her gaze, turning almost a complete half-circle before seeing what she did and it made him freeze in place, his eyes wide with surprise and confusion.
"What? You?" he whispered. Standing before him was a nine-year-old girl with blue eyes like his, brown hair, almost spiky like his but still worn down the back. She wore a simple bright green t-shirt with brown shorts. She had no shoes or socks on, but on her right wrist was something that stood out to Sora, something that he recognized easily. It was a simple charm bracelet with only a single charm on it. That charm, was shaped exactly like his signature crown necklace. The girl then grinned at him before running towards him. Sora was confused and unsure of how to react but in his heart he knew he recognized this girl, his heart pounding like mad, an increasing sense of disbelief beginning to overtake him as she ran past him, running to a younger, four-year-old Sora.
"Come on, Sora, we're going to miss the stars coming out!" the girl said, taking the younger Sora by the hand and leading him towards a window nearby. The older Sora watched this with slowly dawning realization. The girl opened the window, just as a starlit sky appeared above them. The girl then started to hum a small tune, a tune that Sora recognized.
"Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.
Though make a wish, and do as dreamers do,
And all our wishes, will come true."
The girl sang as Sora sat with her at the window.
"Look Sora, see that star out there? The bright one waaaaay off in the distance? One day, I'm going to visit that world." The girl said as she pointed towards a star shining brightly in the distance.
"Can I come too?" The younger Sora asked, causing the girl to giggle.
"Of course, silly. But you have to promise me, if we ever become separated, you don't stop looking for me. Promise?" the girl asked.
"I promise." "I promise." Both Soras answered, the older being surprised by his answer.
"Kids! It's time for bed!" the voice of Sora's mother, Umi, called.
"Coming mom!" the girl called back. This sentence shook Sora to his core.
"Mom? But…that would mean that she's…that I have a-…" Sora stammered in shock as he turned to Namine who nodded but said nothing.
"How? How come I don't remember her?! How do I not even know her name?!" Sora asked, breathing heavily from the shock. Namine looked away, saddened by the question. There was suddenly a clap of thunder and flash of lighting. Sora jumped in alarm, turning to see what looked like his younger self standing on the beach at night as a storm raged just off shore. In the distance was a small raft with a sail, caught in the tides. Sora's eyes widened in fear.
"No! No come back! NO! STOP! NO-O-O-O-O-O-O!" Both Soras cried out as a bolt of lightning struck the raft, causing it to sink beneath the sea. Both Soras collapsed onto the floor, the older sitting upright with his hand clutching his chest as the vision and the Station of Awakening faded away, returning Sora to the back lawn outside the mansion.
"You were only five. You didn't know how to cope. Somehow, you reached the conclusion that the best way to cope was to forget about her. To forget she ever existed." Riku said as Sora staggered to his feet, a look of contemplation and pain on his face as he stood up, his memories flooding back to him. Namine and Riku stood silently nearby, watching sympathetically. Sora then looked up at the stars as they twinkled above.
"Beautiful Sky…it's what her name meant, right?" Sora asked as Riku nodded.
"Yeah." He replied.
"And you knew about this, all along?" Sora asked. Riku nodded quietly.
"Yes. When we lost her, you were so…broken. Then you started to act like nothing had happened and that she'd never existed. It tore us all apart inside but for your sake, we decided to go along with the delusion. It was wrong of us, but we weren't sure what you would do. We were afraid you'd try and go find her on your own and end up just like her." Riku said as Sora turned towards him.
"Sora, please, say something." Riku said as Sora looked at him, a look of pain on his face.
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Sora asked.
"Because I couldn't bear to do that to my friend. I remembered seeing you like this eleven years ago. I swore I'd do anything I could to make you smile again. Even if it meant going along with the farce. It was wrong of me, I know, and I wouldn't blame you if you cut me out completely." Riku said but Sora took a deep breath.
"No. I can't. I know that you'd never hurt me. Not like that. If you'd wanted to, you'd have used that information against me last year, when we fought. But you didn't." Sora said as Riku blinked in surprise.
"Yeah…you're right. I never realized it, but you're right. I couldn't use your sister's memory as a weapon against you, no matter how much I might've wanted to." Riku said as Sora smiled at him. He then turned towards Namine who seemed apprehensive and nervous about what Sora might do.
"And, Namine, you're not suffering anymore right?" Sora asked as Namine shook her head.
"No, but now yours has just begun. Remember your list? I'm the Witch." Namine said as Sora blinked in surprise, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his list, unfolding it, the list reading…
1 - The Wandering Master – Aqua
2 - The Fragmented Heart – Ven
3 - The Lingering Sentiment – Terra
4 - The Key of Destiny – Roxas
5 - The Replica – Xion
6 - The Nobody – Axel
7 - The Emptiness - Vanitas
8 - The Forgotten Master -?
9 - The Apprentice –?
10 - The Lost King - Ansem the Wise
11 - The Witch –?
12 - The Assassin –?
13 - The Hero -?
One through seven, and ten were all checked off. Sora looked at the list for a moment before looking up at Namine.
"You're the Witch?" he asked, Namine nodding.
"And you're the Hero." She said with a smile. Sora took a deep breath before pocketing his list and nodding.
"Thank you, Namine." Sora said as Namine smiled warmly.
"I knew you'd keep your promise." She whispered softly. Sora looked at her confused for a moment before realization dawned on him, flashing back to the lone entry in Jiminy's Journal after he had awoken in Twilight Town, the lone entry which had read "Thank Namine." Sora smiled at her for a moment before looking towards the stars. He then turned and summoned his Keyblade.
"What are you doing, Sora?" Riku asked as Sora's Keyblade turned into its Glider form.
"I've got some questions to ask about my sister, and I know just who I need to ask." Sora said as he stepped onto the glider.
"Alright. If you need anything, you know how to reach me." Riku said as Sora gave a nod.
"You bet." Sora replied, summoning his armor before flying off into the stars, leaving Riku and Namine alone in the yard.
"Will he remember what really happened?" Riku asked, Namine frowning slightly.
"He will, but not right away. I've taken the necessary steps to make sure the truth comes out." Namine said as Riku gave a grim nod.
"I thought you might." Riku muttered.
The following morning…
(Ambiance Cue: Victor's Pride – DDD)
The entire city of Sublime was celebrating. The sky over the town, for the first time in over a decade, was completely clear, the sun shining down on all seven districts of the city. The bells were ringing across town and the air was filled with tickertape and confetti. All of the Guardians of both Steadfast and Sublime were in the city, celebrating with the locals. The Keyblade Wielders, Axel, Yen Sid, Mickey, and Oswald were just exiting the manor, Nixe marveling at the sight of the town's energy.
"Whoa! Now this is a party!" Nixe said excitedly.
"Try not to get too excited, Nixe. We might've beaten the Sisterhood of Seven, but there's still dangers in the worlds." Si'Lea said.
"Yeah, the Horned King and Phantom Blot are still out there. They're probably working on some kind of new scheme." Aqua said as Terra scoffed.
"Nothing these two can't handle though." Terra said, motioning to Si'Lea and Nixe.
"Without the Sisterhood to help them, it will be easier to find them. I've already got the Reaper's Game searching for any traces of them. They so much as sneeze and we'll be on them in an instant." Si'Lea replied as Nixe looked around.
"Hey, wait a minute, where's Sora? I haven't seen him yet this morning." She said as Riku grimaced slightly.
"He left late last night. Family emergency." Riku replied, getting worried looks from the others.
"Uh-oh, nothing serious I hope." Nixe said, visibly concerned for him.
"It's too early to tell. I'll keep everyone apprized." Riku said, Kairi nodding in agreement.
"We both will." Kairi added.
"Well, I guess that means we all better start heading home too." Axel said as Yen Sid gave a nod.
"Indeed. We shall return to Twilight Town. Master Si'Lea…" Yen Sid said, earning his former apprentice's attention.
"Master?" she asked, earning a warm smile from the older Keyblade Master.
"You have done well. You are a True Keyblade Master." Yen Sid said as Si'Lea smiled and bowed to her former Master.
"Thank you, Master." She replied.
"Say, Master, do ya suppose we could get a lift?" Mickey asked, he and Oswald looking up at Yen Sid.
"Of course." Yen Sid replied.
"You're leaving us, your majesty?" Si'Lea asked Oswald who gave a nod.
"I've been away from home for so long. After all that's happened, I feel that I need to get reacquainted with my past, my people. Don't worry though, I'll be back real soon." Oswald said as Si'Lea nodded.
"I totally understand." She replied as Yen Sid looked to the others.
"Would you like transport?" Yen Sid asked but Aqua shook her head.
"No thank you Master. We can get back on our own." Aqua replied, Yen Sid nodding understandingly.
"Of course." Yen Sid said as his hat started to glow, Mickey, Oswald, Donald, Goofy, and Axel starting to glow along with him.
"Farewell, one and all." Yen Sid said before he, Oswald, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy disappeared in a flash of light. Curiously though, Axel didn't disappear.
"Huh? Hey! Old geezer! You forgot something!" Axel yelled into the air. The glow then appeared around him again.
"Did he just punk you, Axel?" Ven asked with an amused smirk.
"Sometimes I wonder. Got it memorized?" Axel asked before he vanished as well, disappearing back to Twilight Town.
"He totally just got punked." Terra said, Si'Lea chuckling in agreement.
"Did it all the time to me, back in the day." Si'Lea said as Namine looked to Kairi.
"Well, I guess this is it, Kairi." Namine said, Kairi taking a reluctant breath.
"If you insist, Namine. You sure you don't want to stay independent?" Kairi asked.
"I'm sure. It's been wonderful getting to see you all. I just wish it had been under better circumstances." Namine said as everyone smiled her way.
"Hey, don't worry about it. You're back safe and sound, that's all we ever really wanted." Ven said as Namine smiled appreciatively before shrugging off her coat, placing it around Kairi.
"Here, I think you look good in white." Namine said as Kairi smiled, holding out her hand.
"You too." Kairi said, Namine taking hold of Kairi's hand. There was a brief white glow that appeared the two of them as both closed their eyes. Namine then slowly faded away, returning to Kairi once and for all. Nixe then spotted something in the crowd.
"Hey, check it out! They're giving out free sea salt ice cream cones!" Nixe exclaimed.
"Sea salt ice cream cones? Huh, in our worlds they have it on a stick." Riku said as he and Kairi followed Nixe into the crowd.
"Hey, wait up! I wanna try some!" Ven called, chasing after them, leaving Si'Lea, Aqua, and Terra behind.
"So I suppose Nixe's well on her way to becoming a Keyblade Master now, huh?" Aqua asked.
"She's made some undeniable progress, but she's still not ready. I'm definitely going to take a different approach with her from now on though." Si'Lea said as Aqua looked towards Riku.
"Yeah, but I think it's fairly safe to say that there's a Mark of Mastery Exam in the imminent future for one of the Apprentices." Aqua said as Terra gave a nod.
"Agreed." Terra said as Aqua looked back to Si'Lea.
"We'd be honored if you could attend. We've kept the Land of Departure exactly the way it was." Aqua said as Si'Lea smiled.
"I'm honored and delighted. Nixe and I will be there with bells on." Si'Lea replied.
"And to be fair, the Land of Departure isn't one-hundred percent the way you remember it. We've added a hot springs and swimming pool." Terra corrected, causing Si'Lea to blush from embarrassment.
"Yeah I don't exactly fill out a swimsuit very well anymore. Besides, water and my eye don't exactly mix very well." Si'Lea said as Terra leaned towards her with a smirk.
"Who said anything about you even getting in the water?" Terra teased, earning a coy smirk from Si'Lea.
"O~okay, that's enough of that horror show. Ven! Riku! Kairi! Come on, let's go!" Aqua called, the three approaching with bitter expressions, followed by Nixe holding a cone of blue colored ice-cream.
"Okay, now I see why they sell it in sticks." Riku muttered.
"It's an acquired taste." Nixe replied.
"Very acquired." Ven mumbled.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now." Si'Lea said as the others nodded.
"Yeah but don't be a stranger." Ven said.
"Ditto back to you guys, especially you." Nixe said, winking at Riku who smirked with a chuckle.
"Down girl." Riku laughed.
"Be sure to swing by the Land of Departure. We've got terrific blackmail photos of Aqua to browse through." Terra said, earning an infuriated look from Aqua.
"Shut up! I thought I'd seen the last of those pictures!" Aqua groaned as they started to summon their Keyblades, the Keyblades taking their Glider forms.
"Take care you guys, and thanks again!" Nixe called, waving as they all mounted their Gliders, their armor appearing on them.
"We'll see you real soon!" Si'Lea called as the five took off, flying into the sky. Nixe then glanced at Si'Lea with a smirk.
"Race ya to the steeple." She challenged, Si'Lea grinning.
"You're on." She replied, the two turning and racing towards the manor walls. Meanwhile Ludro, saw the five taking off into the sky and knelt down with a smile to several gathered children near him. (Music Cue: Bells of Notre Dame-Reprise- - Hunchback of Notre Dame)
"So here is a riddle to guess if you can,
sing the bells of our fair town.
What makes a monster and what makes a man?"
He sang as Si'Lea and Nixe reached the roof of the manor, the town starting to sing out…
"Shines the light, light, light, light…"
The crowd sang over the bells of the town as Ludro sang out, looking to the sky above…
"Whatever the brightness,
you can feel it beat darkness,
with a great and a radiant might!
Shines the light of King-DOM HEA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-ARTS!"
The people sang as Si'Lea and Nixe waved to their departing friends from atop the manor, watching as the five Keyblade Wielders disappeared into the stars.
Meanwhile…
On the Destiny Islands, Umi and Aozora, Sora's parents, were in the kitchen of their quiet little beachfront home. Their quiet life suddenly was disturbed as the front door flew open, revealing an armored Sora standing in the doorway.
"Sora? Sora is that you?" Aozora asked as Sora's armor vanished, revealing Sora with his head lowered. Aozora and Umi looked at each other worriedly before walking over towards him.
"Sora? What's the matter dear?" Umi asked, concerned.
"What happened to her?" Sora asked, not raising his head.
"Her? Who are you talking about, son?" Aozora asked back.
"My sister." He replied, both of his parents freezing in shock. Sora then looked up at them, a tear running down his face.
"What happened to my sister? What happened…"
"…to Misora?"
At that very moment, somewhere out in the universe, a pair of blue eyes opened.
"Sora?"
The End.
At long last, I've finished this story. It's arguably my longest story to date but it's certainly been fun.
So I hope you had fun along the way as well and will come back for more because this most certainly isn't the last chapter of the Reconnect: Kingdom Hearts Saga.
So until then…
Keep R&Ring…
Star Tours Traveler.