The Sapphire Sorceress
Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.
Act 56: Desire For All That Is Lost
"A scattered dream that's like a far-off memory... A far-off memory that's like a scattered dream... I wanna line the pieces up... yours, and mine..."
Hollow Bastion: Marketplace ( Kairi's POV )
The wait was a long, enduring, and painful process for not just myself but everyone who's become involved with Sora's life. Squall and Yuffie tried remaining optimistic about things, and while Aerith and Cid tried cheering me up over this past couple of days I knew there was a chance it would all go wrong for him. At the very least I got to see the efforts being put into the construction process of this town into something everyone wanted to be proud of living in. Now that Maleficent wasn't running around to cause misery the people in this world hoping to make a shining beacon of good out of this place.
"Kairi! Kairi! Kairi! She is the one who helped us out with our special project! She is considered a hero just like her friend, Sora!" I guess that kind of reputation will continue as I keep stopping the heartless from causing havoc around the worlds. At the very least it kept me distracted from having to worry about my best friend's condition while he was asleep. The days kept getting longer as there was no contact from DiZ about what is happening with Sora or Xion since it turned out she was the one who absorbed the nobody of Sora: Roxas.
'But that didn't mean Sora was lost forever.' I thought to myself. Despite the fact, Roxas wasn't the victor of that "battle" I believed deep within my heart that everything would work out in the end. I also noticed how people here also had changed despite the issues they once had while under the thumb of the black witch. Apparently, she had them all working to help out her cause by promising that a select few would "be rewarded with favor" and those who didn't would end up being lost to the darkness. Now, things had changed with her demise; from the complicated matters of working together to rebuild this part of the world, to more simple changes like speaking and treating each other like normal people rather than someone to look down on, and I for one couldn't be happier about that.
We all shared lots of things in common with one another, so why fight with each other just because of the little things that make us different and special in the end.
"Sora. You know, in a weird way he reminds me a lot of Cloud, but I guess he's a lot more cheerful in his attitude compared to my friend!" While I haven't met him in person Aerith, Yuffie, Cid, and even Tifa seem to really look up to this guy as their own hero who seemingly is the opposite of someone called Sephiroth. In a weird way, they were two sides of the same kind of coin, and each represented different ends of the spectrum of light and darkness. One cannot exist without the other like Riku and Sora.
Perhaps that is something I need to consider when it comes to the nobodies, the majority of them use darkness but their intentions seemingly are to find their own light by regaining their hearts; the method of going about remained unclear for now but it has to do with keyblade wielders if Roxas and Xion are considered valuable to them which also meant they would possibly come after me and even Sora...that is if he can wake up.
'Oh, things used to be much simpler without dealing with threats against the universe, and worrying about you two knuckleheads...' Guh! I can't stress of this forever, so I need to find a way to distract myself from that. Well, I guess looking around town might be a good way of getting my mind off this, so I began to see how things were going in the development process. Things had actually been going well since the last time I was in this world, and everyone felt happier that this huge project was going so well without much interference by the heartless or nobodies thanks to myself.
"How can we ever repay your efforts?"
"Oh, there she is our special protector!"
"Can I become a keyblade wielder like you?!"
"Umm..." I'd forgotten how many people knew about me in this town and how quickly they could pile up into a small crowd like this. Answering all of these questions I had finally gotten a minute to breathe so I can help out someone who was carrying some heavy boxes over to a certain spot in town. The elderly man certain looked like he could use the assistance.
"Ahh! Thanks for da help, lass. While I certainly was capable of handling this stuff it does warm my heart to find youngsters like yourself willing to offer a hand." Grinning we both walked up the ramp where some of the other workers had been banging, hammering, and slamming their hammers down on some wood needed for the reconstruction.
"To think we started this little plan a few years ago with simple words; our labor has made such dreams and worlds a possible reality. Funny that someone like Maleficent wanted us to remain in the darkness and not experience such a bright future like this..."
"That is the true power of people, and you have this strength, not because of a keyblade but rather your determination!"
"Heh. That is true I suppose, Kairi. Name's Biggs, and if you run into my pal Wedge in the shops around here tell em I sent ya!" Certainly! Waving goodbye I noticed there was a little girl who was crying off in a corner nearby, running over to her as fast as my legs would I decided to investigate to find her holding her leg and expressing pain.
"Owww! I just wanted to help out by carrying stuff..." Looking at the small box with several nuts and bolts I knew that she must have hurt herself by trying to help out things here. Asking for someone to provide a band-aid or something to help cover this wound I also requested some water to pour over the wound to clean up the blood, so I needed to distract her from the pain she must be feeling and I decided to ask how she was doing today - it was something at least.
"I was fine until nowohhhhhhowwwww!"
"Okay! How about your folks? Are they off doing some work in town?"
"Uh huh! Papa is working in the bailey, and Mama is gonna help feed some of the workers later." I couldn't help but grin at how many people were taking part in this Restoration Committee.
"I-I just wanted to do something besides stay in our house all day while everyone is busy trying to make this world a better place!" Even the youngest minds were trying to help out, the pure goodwill of man was being presented in front of me through this young girl.
"This pain you're feeling right now will pass; the hardships you might have to endure will make your efforts all the more uplifting once you succeed, little one."
"Cindy! My name is Cindy, and I ummm ahhhh I r-really l-like you, Kairi!"
"Well, I really really like you too Cindy!" Applying the liquid over her knee and wrapping the huge band-aid around her leg I helped this girl over to her parents who decided to bring their daughter back to their home, but I felt my heart get warm at the realization of how much this project meant to everyone living in this town. That is why I should be here trying to keep them all safe from future problems that may arise...
The day was over for many here, but while I sat in this rented room where I could sleep with Yuffie and Aerith my night was only beginning for me. Whenever I tried getting some shut eye there was some voice who kept waking me up, and I couldn't tell who it was speaking but the voice was familiar to me.
"I guess my summer vacation is...over." Huh? That voice again, but this time I could see there was someone looking directly at me. Standing in front of me was a girl with black hair, blue eyes staring up at me, and she had on a strange white outfit covering her body. This was - Xion! That nobody I saw before with Roxas and Aqua, but why isn't she dressed in her usual outfit this time?
'The memories are being shared through you...because of me...' Turning around I saw that other girl Namine looking concerned as she was speaking to Xion.
'This method is rather dangerous to Sora's mind, and chances are Kairi will be able to get glimpses of this as well, but don't have too many options left...'
Then, she must be trying to restore all of Sora's memories. Was I watching these two speak with each other somewhere?
"I...am sorry that you couldn't truly experience having this new life you've gotten but-"
"No, I understand what must be done. I had wanted to return to Sora and while this isn't the way I had in mind this is where I and Roxas belong..." Was she going to still give herself up into Sora?
"The desire for all that is lost, the only thing me and this special boy truly have in common. Despite not being his real nobody I can see why it is important for this warrior to arise once more...despite how much I want him to remain asleep. I - suppose this is the vanity and envy real people have when they can't get what they want for themselves..."
"Xion, it isn't wrong or bad for wanting to express such thoughts. I wish that I wasn't the shadow of that girl either, but in the end, we both must sacrifice ourselves for the greater good of the universe."
"Still, will it be enough to stop them," From wherever I was looking at this conversation Xion seemed to show concern about all of this going wrong. "He has been able to - wait is he conscious right now?!"
"Impossible! He shouldn't be up yet despite having to remove him out of the pod for the final procedure unless-" What are they talking about? Why are they looking at me so closely right now?
"She must be observing our conversation through his eyes. Sora doesn't seem aware since his mind is still asleep, but Kairi on the other hand..." Suddenly I could feel myself being pulled away from wherever this was back into my dark room while screaming out to stay and understand what just happened since I was dead certain none of THAT was a dream! Falling over landing on the ground I tried to get back to sleep in order to figure out what's just occurred while I was unconscious but I couldn't return to that place again.
"Come on! I need to be getting back to sleep to see more!" I kept telling myself over and over...
'Why was I so close to him, and yet so far away from Sora?!' Screaming into my pillow I told Aerith that I was okay hearing her knock on the door likely concerned about me. The next couple of days were not that different from usual but today Yuffie and Aerith requested that I put on this blindfold over my eyes while walking into a room for a "special surprise" in store for me.
"You have been working so hard for Hollow Bastion's people, the whole gang here felt like you had deserved to have this special gift!"
"Aerith my sweet bestie here came up with the idea, but I thought of using the blanket around your face to make it that much more exciting!"
"Ummm...you could have just covered my eyes-"
"No peaking, Kairi! Believe me, I've heard from some of your roomies at school when you take a peek while covering your eyes for "privacy" around the boys~"
Gasping out I began to lightly blush while not admitting that was the case as it was only when they were coming out of the gym after practice, and I couldn't avoid running into them. Shaking my head I began to wonder about what this was about when I could smell a sugary smell enter my nose. Immediately, I was able to recognize the scent entering my nose as sea-salt ice cream that I ate in Twilight Town. Sure enough, there were two bars of that ice cream on a plate along with a purple card that apparently had my name on the surface.
"You were already kind of a member by this point, and we figured that we should make it as official as possible now. So, welcome to the club!" With both of these other members egging me on I accepted the card and ice cream happy they considered me part of their group.
"You can now take part in our meetings, and hangouts when the boys are busy with boring stuff!"
"Also you can explore the sealed off parts of this place like that abandoned castle where no one is allowed to visit."
"How come, Aerith?" The idea of not visiting that huge castle seemed disappointing to me. When I asked her face grew more gloomy along with Yuffie making me nervous.
"The rumors are that the ghost of Maleficent still haunts that place. Some say when they tried peeking around the place a huge ghost came out and almost devoured their souls!" Ghosts? Sure I can buy abominations being formed out of darkness, the creatures from the deepest depths of our hearts seeking out to devour our own souls, but the idea of a phantom coming back from death seems hard to swallow...
"Relax Kairi. I'm sure if Sora could take down that mean old dragon you certainly can stop that spirit of that old evil fairy as well."
"R-right me take on a fire-breathing dragon..." I couldn't help but gasp after imagining myself standing in front of a gigantic, black dragon looking to crush me underneath its feet or crush my throat with that long tail it can also use, but the likely result of my demise would be in that green fire that it spits out.
"Oh, there is another matter that we should talk about involving Sora...ummm do you think she will be okay once she hears about it, Aerith?"
"I'm sure that it will be fine..."
"WHAT! W-what will be fine...exactly?" My eyes looked at their faces trying to figure out what they weren't telling me about my friend...
"He's back!" Tears began to come down my cheeks as I didn't hesitate to run around the town in joy once Yuffie and Aerith told me about Sora coming into this world today; instead of expressing sadness on my face I couldn't stop sharing my joy in knowing that my friend has not only awakened but he has gotten back most if not all of his memories! My body jumped around in happiness while I began telling everyone from Biggs to Wedge, the ducks in charge of the other shops, and even that little girl I helped out several days ago with her minor injury.
Walking over to Cid's place once I was done spreading the good news I expected to find my friend there, but rather it was just Cid rubbing his neck with no one else in sight except for an elderly man in blue.
"Where is Sora?!"
"Ahh! Are you looking around for ya pal? He went over to the Bailey to help out Squall. You should be able to catch up to him in no time if those heartless don't get in your way." Heartless? There weren't any of those creatures roaming around when I was running back here.
"You must be Sora's friend! I don't believe we have properly been introduced yet. I am Merlin, and I have worked with your friend to help improve his magical talents."
He certainly looked the part of a wise, old sage gifted in the magical arts with this outfit of his.
"Do you think we can have a moment so that I can grasp your current level of training?"
"Maybe later, Merlin!" I did want to get better certainly, but right now I had only one goal in my mind seeing my friend again. Waving to the both I ran outside running directly into some weaker shadows who appeared along with strange glitches that suddenly began to appear in front of me. That certainly wasn't normal however I should focus on what is normal to me: destroying heartless.
While they aren't that tough should just a single heartless attack someone who can't defend themselves that will hurt my conscious just like before with Zidane. No, the enemy can't be allowed to hurt anyone here not when these people have been working so hard to rebuild! Before my strikes were slow, heavy, and full of hesitation when I had to fight the darkness. Instead, the fear I had while facing this enemy from the earlier days was gone replaced by newly born determination. Soon enough the little creatures were destroyed in a matter of a few seconds rather than in a couple of minutes.
Running around the people told me where I could find this bailey while trying to eliminate any heartless I happened to come across. Butterflies were fluttering in my stomach, the moment of a reunion had indeed come like that voice told me in that other world and that meant I had to look at my very best...
"Get out of my way you jerks!" While these soldiers weren't that strong they were quick a problem when they gathered up into small groups like this. That said I knew that these guys weren't going to stop me from getting to meet Sora and so I took them out with some of my fire spells that dispatched them out of my path. Come on it can't be that further away from here...
"Coming to find your best friend? How adorable..." As I turned the next corner I could hear that snarky reply from someone, but I didn't find anyone around the place except a bunch of beams and some place filled with nobodies crawling around.
'Alright, so long as you can remain on the attack they shouldn't be able to hurt you Kairi.' Keeping my back toward the wall my hands began to fend off these nobodies trying to overwhelm me with their numbers. I certainly knew this was no easy task defeating this amount of nobodies, but Sora had to be close by, so that means I have to reach him no matter the odds put against me. Striking back I stabbed as many of these creatures as I could, however, they managed to knock me back into the wall through their force in numbers.
"Am...I too weak to overcome nobodies?" Was DiZ right about my training in the end? Despite how much effort I put into defeating just a few of these guys there was only more and more in my path.
"Finally coming to an understanding of what you are fighting against, girl?"
"As if! She's just like that kid with that same look in her eyes!"
"Who are you, people?!" I hissed out trying to figure out who exactly is taunting me, but I felt these creatures continue to hit me simply toying with my body at this point since I could barely hold them away with my keyblade.
"Kairi!"
"Sora?!" I wasn't able to see him over this huge crowd, so I fired off some light-based magic to make a path out of this crowd hoping that who was speaking is, in fact, my best friend - the first keybearer that I've known since Aqua. Time slowed to a crawl, my body was moving through this small army of nobodies as I swing around my keyblade to rush over to someone who is else fighting off these guys with a keyblade.
"S-sora!" I couldn't believe this was really happening. He looked much older, and while his outfit had changed that same old spiky hair belonged to only my best friend from those islands where I grew up on.
"K...Kairi?!" The next few seconds were like an eternity to us; the nobodies roaming around us didn't even matter to me or him by this point. It had been only a year of time since we had both looked each other in the fact like this, but that time apart felt so long apart from Sora...
"...The nobodies!"
"Oh, right!" We could cherish this moment later when our lives and others weren't on the line. We both stood by each other as our enemies charged in to fight us not prepared for the both of us to strike back with double the keyblades and double the pain for these emotionless monsters. We haven't seen each other since Sora decided to stay behind to find Riku, just as I feared about us not working well together with the both of us actually seemed to be in perfect sync with each other during our attacks.
"Where did you learn to fight like me?"
"Hehehe. Well, I had to do something with my time besides going to school. As for how I got here...that is a long story." Turning my attention on the last remaining nobodies I grasped onto Sora's hand while we moved in a circle to fire off a combined amount of magic power trying to finish off this small horde of enemies.
"There might be more around the place! Kairi, Sora follow me!" We both nodded at Squall's request when a voice spoke out that interrupted us.
"The Keyblade...a truly marvelous weapon. Were it only in more...capable hands..."
That laughter! I knew that wasn't just my imagination playing a trick on me, and Sora must have heard it too.
"Show yourselves!"
There, the figure in black appears far away from us. That black cloak that I've seen many times by now, which only meant one thing. The both of us watched on as one by one the members of Organization XIII appeared before us revealing 7 in total. Having never seen this many before I was somewhat concerned about what this could mean, but Sora only looked focused and determined.
"Good. Now we can settle this!"
"What a shame...And here I thought we could be friends." They suddenly began to leave? Why did they even bother coming out of the darkness unless they wanted to just toy with us! Looking at Donald I saw one of those figures appear in front of him cutting him off. Sticking behind Sora I wanted to know what they were doing by messing with us.
"What's the big idea?!"
"Oopsy daisy!"
"Move!"
"Now do you think that's polite, shutting me down like that?"
"I said get out of the way!" Sora. Why is he acting so aggressively about this? I mean yeah I wanted to stop these guys before they could enact whatever scheme they had in store as well but...
"As if! You can talk all you want, but that won't change a thing."
"Then we're gonna MAKE you move!"
"See, that would work - if I were just any old dude. Cept I'm not. I'm with the Organization. Nothing "any old" about me."
"You and the others are just using those other nobodies like your pawns! You don't even want to face us without involving those servants of yours!"
"Oh, dear. I think you got the wrong impression. I know you and that other kid like each other, but you shouldn't expect that kind of stuff to phase people like me."
Like? Well, yes I do like Sora but was this man implying that I love-
"You gonna cry?"
"As if! Why don't I remind you, kids, how tough the crowd you're dealing with really is?"
"Remind me?" Looking over at my friend he looked troubled by that remark and I didn't know why this phrase bothered him when the nobody began to laugh mockingly at us. "That's RIGHT, he used to give me the same exact look. Then again she also had that look on her face before she went away as well..."
"I guess you think you can pysch me out by saying really random stuff!"
"Gee...I just don't know. Be a good girl and boy now!" Before we could ask for some real answer this guy simply waved us "goodbye" in that usual taunting manner.
"Nuts! He got away."
"That was weird."
"WHO gave him that same look exactly?"
"Y'know, I think he was just tryin' to confuse ya."
"Are you sure about that Goofy?" I wasn't sure if that could be the case. "If he knew that much about you, then chances are they are holding back some information that would make things clearer for us..." Unless the person he is speaking about is...
"Yeah, you're right. Only one me!" As Sora held out his own membership card the light began to appear from it that slowly formed the keyhole of this world. I had never see Sora locks up the worlds he travels to before now, so when I watched him shoot out a beam of light into the hole I couldn't help but feel impressed by how much he's changed and improved despite only waking up from his sleep a couple of days ago.
"Sorry to run, Leon, but other worlds are calling."
"Wait! You can't leave me behind again and I won't let you get away after finally catching up to you!" Grabbing hold onto Sora's arm I couldn't hold back my feelings that came out, sadness, happiness, confused, and other thoughts mixed together that turned me into an emotional mess in front of my best friend.
"Kairi...I have to go out there and help out everyone that I can, but I guess that would mean you could do the same thing. We're both warriors of light, aren't we?"
"...Yeah, I guess we are..."
"Sora! We could really use Kairi if she's gotten as good as you! Right Goofy?!"
"Ya sure that she will be alright going with us on this journey, Sora?" Looking into his blue eyes I waited to hear his answer since I knew he might consider wanting me to stay here to keep me out of trouble.
"Kairi hasn't completed her training, but I guess we're out of time for that with nobodies running loose like Organization XIII." Squall made a good point about that fact, and I was aware of the risk involved with heading out in my current state.
"I...will be just fine! Sora will be with me, and the both of us will find our other friend!" I knew Riku was also in trouble, but with Sora, all we need to do is find him and the three of us will take on anything the universe can throw at us.
"Then it is settled! I can't wait to show you the Gummi Ship, Kairi."
"Um...I actually have driven in one before..." I couldn't help but chuckle when Sora looked stunned.
"Really? I guess we have a lot of catching up to do then..." On the one hand, I was disappointed my traveling portal watch couldn't work at the moment due to using it so often during my last days in school and back to Hollow Bastion, but I suppose hanging out with Sora in that tiny ship can't be all that bad.
"Together those nobodies are gonna regret messing with us!"
"Yeah!" We both smiled at I felt content in being with Sora in this next journey to protect the worlds from the darkness. Two lights that would ward off Organization XIII...and then find our other friend: Riku.
The World That Never Was: Where Nothing Gathers ( Auxaq's POV )
A sudden meeting was called into order once we made our way back into this castle. While Axel wasn't going to attend since he was "deceased" after failing to rescue Xion from her fate I knew what the subject matter would be about for this conversation. Sora has returned...
"Do my eyes deceive me? Does he really have the power to wield the Keyblade? He's nothing but a boy."
"Give me a chance. It means he's straight as an arrow. He's pure of heart, unlike all of us here."
"He had better be, or else he's worthless."
"I truly hope he's enjoying himself on his adventure. Maybe he'd like a hand to determine his fate."
"Hey, as long as it works in our favor. We can let him do what he wants for now. Then we'll jump in if needed." I doubt things will go that simply with the allies Sora has gained over time.
"Those are bold words coming from you. Are you saying you'll volunteer to take care of it if things go wrong?"
"Huh? What?! Me? No, you have the wrong guy. I'm not comfortable with that."
"You act as though you have a conscious. When was the last time anyone of us felt anything?" The last time...I felt like there was anything in my chest. Xion and Roxas...then again perhaps I had been fooling myself into believing those two could give me a certain amount of happiness. Yes...I guess that would be when I woke up from my delusions...
"Truer words were never spoken. Well, I suppose the fun will have to wait."
"Do you know what happens to those who lose their true purpose? Inevitably, they destroy themselves."
"Wrong..."
"Oh, and here I thought you would remain quiet during our little meeting, darling. So, what does our own "Keyblade" wielder have to say about matters this early in the game?"
"This is not a simple game, Luxord. We are putting everything on the line to win the ultimate prize, but that does not mean we should overlook the opposition. Kairi and Sora, the only two who truly pose a threat to us, but are also vital to fulfilling our goal." Despite not being aware of their true purpose those chosen warriors remain strong and determined in their belief of stopping us to "save" the universe.
"That would make sense, dollface. You did "bless" that redhead with the gift of using that weapon, so you better than anyone here would know how much a problem she has become."
"Aqua gave her that power, Xigbar. I am NOTHING like her..."
"You bear her face and powers, but refuse to accept your past self as who you are now. What a strange contradiction you've become."
"Is is any stranger than yourself, "Dilan"? Face it. None of us are who we once were..."
"No sense is trying to make sense out of it I'll say. Heck, all I can remember from my past life is the fact I was just as good on my good old Arpeggio!"
"Just as long as you can prove yourself useful with that imitation of a keyblade, Auxaq. The hearts that are torn out of the darkness are what should matter to you now and nothing else."
"What about Axel? Do you think he would feel the same way, Saix?"
"..."
"Gentlemen." Before I could get some answer our supe- no - MY superior interrupted our conversation, his voice commanding everyone's undivided attention. A pregnant pause came of us while we waited for our orders.
"The hero of the Keyblade has embarked on a new adventure. Make sure it is one that he will remember. Now go." With Xemnas giving us our instruction I had to figure out the proper place for my little "reunion" with those two keyblade heroes. Would it be in The Land of Dragons? Perhaps Halloween Town instead? No matter the location I knew that we would now be in a race to determine who can finish Kingdom Hearts first! That finish line was in sight, but there was more that must be done before I could cross the line...and regain my humanity.
[ Happy mother's day to everyone out there. I know that my mother is very special to me, so I will take some time out into speaking with her Sunday. Now that I'm gotten that bit out of the way we move onto KH2 proper next time. Kairi will be going with Sora in his quest meaning there will be loads of more moments between these two, and I hope you enjoy it when the next update comes out thanks for sticking with this story. As for how Kairi tapped into Sora's mind and see Xion and Namine it was a connection they have with each other... ]