Chapter 15: Coronation ceremony


The calm ocean waves moved back and forth, the sun was bright along the shore of the Destiny Islands. On the shore line a young boy was lying asleep on the sand upon closer inspection of the youth it turned out to be Sora sleeping on sandy shores, his eyes squinted a bit before waking up.

Sora turned his head side to side and immediately shot up as he realized he was on his Island again. 'What…What am I doing here?' Sora wondered.

He was on his way back to the Academy of magic with Siesta and Louise after they came from Louise's home. After that they went to sleep…and…

"...Good to see you awake, you lazy bum." A playful voice was heard Sora's eyes began to shake. He turned behind him and saw Kairi smiling at him.

"Kairi!?" He gasped as he got off the ground and immediately hugged her tight.

"I-I…" Sora couldn't find the word to say. There was no way she was an illusion she was real. He was really home.

"Sora what's wrong?" Kairi asked.

Sora let go "It's just…I never thought I would see you again."

"... Aren't you overreacting a bit, Sora." A second voice heard Sora turn around and saw none other than Louise. As she was wearing a white blouse with matching knee high boots and a navy blue skirt.

"I mean you did see her just yesterday."

Sora was surprised to see her here as well. "Louise? What are you doing here?" Sora asked.

Kairi said "What do you mean? She came with you?" Kairi said to Sora and Louise began to raise her voice as well.

"Yeah. Remember." She said

Sora couldn't believe it. Did he really invite her and did he also bring her here as well? Without so much as a word the girls grabbed one of Sora's arms, Kairi taking his right and Louise holding onto his left and they all began walking with pleasant smiles on their faces. Sora was confused just what is happening right now. He took back his arms and tried to think rationally.

Suddenly the environment changed. Sora soon heard the sound of a sword, he looked to his right and witnessed Kairi falling to the ground. Again he heard that same sound and saw Louise fall as well. This put him in a frozen state as he clutched his chest, breathing quickly. Just as a voice spoke to him out of nowhere.

"...No one can save you…As you cannot save anyone…"

Sora turned all over to see where that voice was coming from. He took a step back as was against a figure wearing the Organization coat holding the keyblade that was wielded once by Xeahnort. He quickly faced the individual as the black coated figure immediately raised the no name keyblade and struck down Sora turning his view dark.


(Halkeginia)

Gasp, Breath in, Breath out* Sora shot up from his bed and took deep breaths, viewing his surroundings he saw that he was in Louise's room and it was night. All of that, it was just a dream.

Sora's breathing returned to normal. "This is… oh man." Sora placed his hand on his face, "What a nightmare."

Sora pulled off the covers and walked over to Louise who was still asleep. He kneeled over and laid his head on his arms and looked at her. He gently poked her cheek before getting side tracked taking his finger and moving them towards her mother as he gently caressed her lips with his thumb. Sora soon realized what he was doing and pulled away, shaking off impure thoughts from his mind.

After that kiss happened there was a weird stir in Sora's chest, he knew he had feelings for Kairi and those feelings have not nor will ever change. Yet just now, this strange feeling took over as he thought back to those times.

He got on his feet 'Wha-What am I thinking?' He walked back to his bed and pulled the covers over his head but was having trouble falling back to sleep. What kind of dream was that supposed to mean?

[Hey, you okay?] Delf woke up, asking Sora.

"Did I wake you?" Sora question, pulling off the covers.

[Yeah. But don't worry about it.] The blade assured his partner. [Bad dream or something?]

Sora curled up his knees "Yeah. I haven't had one in a while."

[Must've been a really bad one.]

"You could say that." Sora said "Say, Derf…"

[Yeah, what is it?] The sword asked but there was a long pause in Sora's sentence.

"Nevermind, goodnight." Sora brushed his topic aside and quickly fell back asleep.

However, Derf could guess what was on his mind and it probably involved Louise, given how he was acting a moment ago. Best guess that his dream had to involve Louise.

But the blade decided that it might not be best to talk about it right now, but another time.


(Mysterious Tower)

Master Yen Sid was sitting in his chair in front of his desk when he heard the sound of knocking at his door. The handle turned and who entered were Mickey, Donald, and Goofy.

"Master Yen Sid." Mickey was the first to greet his keyblade master following with a bow, as Donald and Goofy did the same following the lead of their king.

"It is good to see you three again." The retired keyblade master returned the greeting.

"It is good to see you, Mickey." Yen Sid said "How is your search going?"

"Sorry master, we could find any clues." Mickey replied.

It had been nearly two months since everyone had begun their search for Sora or at least a clue as to where he could be. But so far, there wasn't much progress in the search.

"I see."

Donald let out a depressing sigh as he was worried about his friend and traveling companion. Goofy reached his hand onto his shoulder comforting his pal. "Don't worry Donald, I sure we'll find somethin'."

"Maybe…" Donald wasn't too sure of himself. "How about you master?"

Yen Sid let out a sigh as well, telling them that he could still feel Sora's presence, he still couldn't pinpoint his location, however Sora's presence was stronger. For a moment that faint signal that the retired master could feel became a little more clear but a few minutes later it became weak again.

The king and his friends were surprised to hear this, but as they asked master Yen Sid questions, all he could say was that there wasn't enough time for him to find his location.

"That's odd." Mickey commented.

"It is." Yen Sid replied "I'm unsure of the reason myself."

"Oh Sora, where are you?" Donald wondered with a bit of impatients in his voice.

"We're just gonna have to keep lookin'." Goofy said to his friend "I'm sure will find somethin' that'll help us track Sora down!"

The king followed up with Goofy optimism. "Goofy's right, Just because we haven't found anything yet, doesn't mean we wouldn't find something. Just keep pressing onward, and I'm positive we'll learn where Sora is!"

Mickey said to the anamorphic duck that he felt his worries fading away. "Yeah, your right, your majesty!" Donald cheered.

"Master." Mickey said, Yen Sid nodded.

"Alright, you three be safe."

Mickey, Donald and Goofy bowed their heads, and told the old wizard that they would be safe, and with that they left the tower.


(Radiant Garden)

In the castle of Radiant Garden, Ansem was over the monitors viewing the sleeping princess of heart, he turned to Even who could see that her dream state was nothing to worry about, her pulse, and everything else were okay. No abnormalities detected at all.

"How is she doing?" Ansem asked.

"Master, she seems to be quite stable. So far everything seems to be okay for the most part." Even said.

"If all else fails, Kairi 's connection to Sora might be the only link we might have to finding him." Ansem said.

Just as they heard the sound of knocking and appeared Ienzo, who was holding his master's favorite treat, Sea-salt ice cream.

"Hey, I brought us a snack." Ienzo said, giving the ice cream to the fellow researchers.

"Thank you Ienzo." Ansem said

"Yes, thank you." Even replied as well.

"It's nothing, I thought we could all use a pick me up." He said taking a bite of his ice cream and Ansem did the same.

"So have you learned anything from her dreams?" Ienzo asked.

Even answered "Nothing so far. Still somewhere in her subconscious, there is an answer."

"I just hope nothing bad happens. What about you master?" Ienzo looked at Ansem the wise as he seemed to be lost in thought, again the silver haired researcher called out his name and got his attention.

"Master!"

"Hm, oh sorry." Ansem said. "There's just been something I've been thinking about."

"Like what?" Even and Ienzo asked.

"It's about Braig." That got the attention of the two.

"Braig? What about him?" Even asked.

Ansem was a bit hesitant. "It's nothing, but lately I've been having this strange feeling."

"Strange how?" Even asked again.

"I know Sora and Riku told us that he fell to his own fate, but I've got my doubts."

He said to Even and Ienzo how they looked at their teacher, "Doubts? You're not saying that you think Xigbar's still alive, are you?" Ienzo asked as he did not believe a single word, he fell to his own demise, Sora and Riku witnessed it, there was no way that he was still kicking.

But while Ienzo was in disbelief, Even however slightly agreed with his master. Xigbar's was an enigma even before they became nobodies, there was always this air of mystery that surrounds him, which had him on his guard sometimes back when they were human. While Even also agreed with his silver-haired ex-organization member, he probably had a small guess that someone like Braig could still be alive.

But even if it were true…where could he have gone too.


(The final world)

While Kairi was in her state of slumber, she began to enter the world of her dream. When her eyes opened, she was looking around standing on water as she viewed her surroundings, she remembered that Sora took her to this world before.

…The realm of ocean and sky.

"This place…" She wondered why she was here. With no idea on what to do next Kairi started walking, for a few minutes she just walked. The young red head stopped for a second as she slowly brought her hand to her head as she heard a sudden ringing. The ringing was getting louder as she had both her hands on her head, it felt like she was in pain.

As she clenched her teeth and closed her eyes, as memories flooded her mind.

Memories of her past.

Flashback

A young Kairi was running through Radiant Garden, on the run from the heartless that were appearing left and right. She ran to the castle gate trying to open it. She soon found herself surrounded by shadows as Terra-Xeahnort came and grabbed the young princess of heart.

She woke up in an unfamiliar place, as she was tired both mentally and physically and unsure what was about to happen to her.

"This world will be engulfed in darkness…" Terra-Xeahnort begun to speak.

"Everything you care about and everyone you love. If you truly possess the power of a princess of heart, your heart will resonate with a keyblade wielder's, and I believe you can lead me to that wielder's world." He slowly approached her.

"That is the only possible way to save ours. You see, this is more than an experiment— it's hope. Like most, you probably believe that nothing exists outside of this world you live in..."

"...And yet, there are countless other worlds."

"You can see them sparkle brilliantly in the night sky. Through that sea of stars, fate will guide your ship to where you are meant to be."

She didn't understand what he was talking about as the white haired man started tapping on the screen.

"However, if you arrive in a world that's neither of light nor darkness, but somewhere on the other side, your task will be far from easy."

"If that happens you must abandon your search-We have failed."

Flashback end

The pain started subsided, she took a few deep breaths, as slowly began to open her eyes and was surprised by a flower-like crystal that was floating in front of her. Kairi took a step forward wanting to touch it, but the crystal itself backed away, before spinning and breaking apart, as the petals had all flown away.

But this wouldn't stop Kairi, she was determined to find Sora no matter what, she leaped in the air and began to glide chasing after the fragments.


(Dark world)

"Ven! Watch your left!" Terra shouted as slashed two Darkball with Aqua following his magic against an Assault Rider. Ven who was dealing with three Zip Slashers. Ven had blocked two attacks from them but there was also coming in his direction on his left, but thanks to Terra's warning from, Ventus managed to avoid it.

The third Zip Slashers landed on the other two as all three were surrounded by the wayfinder trio who each quickly put an end to them and any heartless they were in sight.

"Thanks, Terra!" Ven said

"It's alright." Terra said back.

"Man, I didn't think the heartless in this realm were so strong?"

Aqua followed up "Just be sure to keep your guard, Ven. The heartless in the realm of darkness are a lot stronger than before."

The young keyblade wielder nodded underneath his helmet. Aqua began walking forward alongside her fellow keyblade wielders.

They all made it past what seemed to be a valley, and were all standing at the entrance of a cavern, they all proceed inward into the cave using their respective keyblades as light sources.

"You know, of all the places, the realm of darkness is one of the last places I thought I would get to see." Ventus said to Aqua.

"That's reasonable."

"...And, you've been here for the last decade?" Ven replied to Aqua again as she confirmed.

"Yes. Getting in and out wasn't as easy as it is now." She said.

But still to survive ten years in this place is nothing but impressive, though underneath Terra's helmet, impressive wouldn't be the word he'd use. Aqua was trapped down here, all because of him. Yes, Master Xeahnort was to blame for everything but he still felt partly to blame.

As Terra kept thinking to himself, Ventus called out to him bringing him

back to reality. On their path they found a steep path that led downward.

"No way we're going here. We're gonna have to find another path." Terra said. Just then a sudden swarm of Shadows and Neo-Shadows came out of nowhere knocking Aqua down the steep path. Terra ran towards her, catching her as the stumbled and fell down.

They both made it all the way down from what seemed to be three meters. Aqua grunted a bit as she saw her armor was no longer worn; the same could be said for Terra as he was still holding on tightly to her.

"You alright, Aqua!" Terra said in a worried tone of voice. He said as he let go of her.

"Uh huh." She said standing up, she brought her hand towards Terra's and he grabbed it and pulled him up on his feet. The blue haired keyblade master dusted off her clothes.

Just then they heard the sound of Aqua's gummi phone going off. She answered it and on the screen was Ventus.

"Aqua! Terra!" Ven called out over the phone.

"Ven!" They both said.

"Thank goodness, you two are okay!"

"We're fine, but what about you?" The brown hair keyblade wielder asked.

"I'm good, I got most of them. As for the rest, they got away." The blonde keyblade wielder said.

"That's good. We might be a little stuck at the moment." Aqua said, looking at her surroundings as Terra called out her name, showing her a crevice that I found.

"Ven, we found a path, we're gonna see when it leads." She said.

"Ok, I'm going to find a way for myself." Ven said over the phone.

"Stay safe." Aqua warned as their communication ended.

Following Terra they both started walking through the crevice, while they were in the gap Terra decided to say something.

"Aqua…"

"Yes, Terra." She responded, squeezing through the narrow gap.

"I…I'm sorry for what happened."

Aqua however didn't seem surprised in the least. She knew what he was talking about "Terra, you don't have to apologize."

"Yes, I do! It's my fault you were sentenced to this place, to ten years of isolation. I was stupid, Xeahnort used me and the things I did…"

Aqua sighs "There is no need for that, it was my decision, and if push comes to shove, I'd do it again. Besides, you weren't the only one who was manipulated and used by him." She was referring to Ventus.

"So really, you don't have to apologize… not for anything." She didn't sound the least bit upset or angry, rather she was talking in her usual manner.

This made Terra let out a single laugh, even after ten years she's still the same. They both made it to the end of the crevice. Aqua was the first to make it out following Terra. They both found a path upward but it involved a little climbing.

"Looks like that's our ticket up." Aqua nodded to Terra's response. "And, Aqua. Thank you."

"Don't mention it." With everything said they both began climbing. On route to find Ventus.


(Twilight Town)

At the old mansion Roxas, Xion, and everyone else were watching Pence operating on the computer, since their memory diving has had little progress they decided to explore the computer room. Maybe down there they would find something but apparently not.

"So you got nothing." Hayner said. Pence got out of the chair.

"Nope, sorry."

Roxas let out a frustrated sigh "We haven't been making any progress at all!"

"Well what do you expect to do?" Lea asked his blonde boy.

"I don't know. What can we do, looking for a world we know next to nothing about… it's just so..." Roxas shook his fist in frustration.

It is oblivious that Roxas felt like using the power of waking would be the simplest thing, with that, they could arrive to where Sora was at. But they all agreed not to unless they were out of options.

"Roxas I know how frustrating it is, we all do. Must we need you to remain calm. We don't want you doing anything reckless." Isa said to the blonde haired boy.

Xion came to him and grabbed his hand. "Hey, we're gonna find him." The black haired girl looked at Roxas with a calming gaze.

As he felt his emotions subsided for now. "You're right. Sorry."

"She's right, you know, it doesn't matter what the situation is, come rain, snow, or high water. We always manage to make a miracle happen. Got it memorized." Roxas looked up to Lea as he said that. He couldn't deny that they have always made miracles happen even through the most dire or bleak situations.

"Wow, Lea. I never thought I would hear something like that from you." Isa said obviously poking his fun at him.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?" Everyone erupted in laughter, making Lea laugh as well. Roxas looked at Xion with a friendly smile showing on his face as she did the same, they were here, surrounded by friends. They both nodded letting each other know that they need to keep looking through the memories they shared with Sora in hope for answers.


(Kingdoms of Corona)

Naminé and Riku had arrived in a world that Sora previously visited and upon arrival there seemed to be some kinda festival happening but the decorations were actually for a wedding for the lost princess Rapunzel and her lover Eugene.

They went to the church where the wedding was taking place. Riku and Naminé entered just as the ceremony was coming to an end. As it did, Riku and Naminé went up to the newly married husband and wife saying to them that they were friends of Sora. Eugene was surprised to meet a friend of one of his sidekicks.

Riku deadpan when he called Sora a sidekick.

Getting back to the subject, he began to explain to them that Sora had gone missing, and wondered if they had heard or seen anything that might help.

But both of them shook their heads. Neither of them knew anything, but they were worried about their ally as well, they told the silver and blonde teens that they were free to ask around and see if any of the guests knew anything.

After a couple of minutes Riku sat in a chair feeling exhausted, he talked to almost everyone here and no one seemed to know anything.

"Here." Naminé gave Riku a small plate of cake, as she had a slice herself. The silver hair teen accepted.

"Thanks." He said to her, Naminé pulled up a chair and sat next to him.

"So no luck." Naminé asked.

Riku shook his head "There are a few people here who have seen Sora previously. But not recently."

"I see." She took a bite out of her cake. "Hey, the world that Sora is in. What do you think it's like?"

"Who knows, I mean there are still worlds out there that we don't even know about."

He does have a point, there are more worlds that have yet to be explored, so it's just uncharted territory in the sense.

Just now, the sound of music was being played and everyone grabbed their partners and began to dance. Naminé stared at the people who were dancing with either the partners or just random strangers. Honestly speaking this is the first time she's ever got to see a lively party, heck, this is also the first time she's ever seen or been to a wedding.

Riku saw how interested she was as a smile slowly showed on his face, he stood up from his chair "...You want to dance?" He asked.

"M-maybe a little. But…I don't know how to dance." She said feeling a little shy.

"I can teach you." Riku picked up her hand, as she stood from her chair, they walked to the dance floor standing face to face with each other, Riku held her hand and placed his other hand on her hip and she began to follow his lead. She took a step back as he took a step forward, and following his pattern he took a step back and she stepped forward.

Slowly the blonde girl began to pick it up, she was feeling joy in the fact that she was dancing. Riku himself was happy for her too. He even said that to her, Naminé looked at Riku as she looked away briefly as her face suddenly started to heat up, and her heart started beating a little faster.

'Why do I feel so weird?' She thought as she slowly turned back to Riku. This feeling was new to her, but it wasn't bad. Not at all, rather it was pleasant, she just didn't know why.


(Halkeginia)

Back in Halkeginia. Sora was eating a freshly made plate of breakfast that was produced by Marteau himself. Giving a small sigh, he continued to eat his food. He couldn't get that stupid nightmare out of his head, even more so since Kairi was involved but Louise...what's the deal with that. And the organization XIII member, and the two of them being cut down. Just thinking about it was enough to make him lose some of his appetite.

The chief asked their key if anything was wrong but he said that it was nothing for him to worry about. As he thanked the cook for the meal and left.

[Hey, do you want to talk about last night?] Derf said to his partner.

"There's… nothing to talk about, it was just a bad dream." Sora said.

[Bad enough to make you check up on the noble girl.]

"Uh, that was… " Sora didn't know how to respond back. But how could he explain his dream, still…he didn't know why Louise appeared in his dream along with Kairi. This just confused him, but now is not the time to think about it.

Today was Henrietta's coronation to become Queen.

Sora finished eating and thanked Marteau for the meal. Meanwhile, Louise waited outside as Sora exited the kitchen. "Ready to go?" The pink haired girl asked.

"Yeah, just waiting for…"

"... Here we are!" They both looked over and saw Siesta along with all their other friends.

"What are you guys doing here?" Louise asked.

"Oh, Darling invited us to come along." Kirche said as Louise shot a glare at him.

"Why did you invite them!" She yelled. Sora said that it would be good for everyone to get together and have some fun. Louise on the other hand was displeased especially with that maid and Kirche also present, she wanted it to just be the two of them with no interaction with anyone else.

"Come on zero. Where's the harm in getting together a little? Or maybe you're worried that I will stake my claim." The red-haired girl sneered at her. This immediately broke out into a fight between the fire and void mages. The only person who pulled them apart was Sora.

"Seriously, you two! After everything that you girls went through together, shouldn't you both be past fighting with each other?" Sora asked the girls as they both huffed and turned their heads away from each other.

Guess that was still just wishful thinking.

"Well anyway, we should get going, we're gonna be late to the ceremony."

Guiche said "Ah yes. The crowning of our dear princess Henrietta."

"Tabitha, Kirche. You guys can go on ahead, we'll meet you guys there for the parade."

Tabitha called forth her familiar with a whistle, and on command Sylphid was flying right in front of her master as the girls jumped on the dragon's back and Sylphid flew away.


Meanwhile as they rode in the carriage, Louise glanced over at him. He was pulling the wagon as Siesta, Guiche and Montmorency all were sitting inside. During the trip she noticed Sora was actually strange, and she's been noticing it since this morning… and for some reason he didn't want to say a single word about what was going on.

This worried Louise a bit so she decided to talk to him.

"Hey Sora, is everything alright?" She asked rather bluntly.

"Huh, uh, yeah…" She wasn't convinced at all.

"Just surprised that Henrietta is gonna be queen."

"That right! What of it?" She said

"Just… being in charge of a whole country, that a lot of responsibility on her shoulders."

"Says the guy who was chosen by a weapon itself to protect worlds." Louise shot back, a small grin on her face.

"Touché."

"Besides, it will be good for the country. Still, you do bring up a point. When Henrietta's father died, it was too much for the queen to handle. She was not fit to rule the country anymore. So the counsel voted for Henrietta to be our new queen."

"And is she going to be okay…"

Louise gave a definitive answer "Of course she will be! She has her guards in case anything were to happen. And let's not forget that she has you and me if any situation were to arise."

Sora glanced over at the petite girl sitting next to him. She had a somewhat downcast gaze on her face, but there was determination in her eyes. She really wanted to help her new queen.

And so did he.


The streets of Tristania were filled with cheering people. Sora, Louise and the others met up with Kirche and Tabitha but they still had another problem to deal with, this insanely large crowd. Everyone was trying to stay close but with so many people, it was impossible to navigate through.

Eventually Sora and Louise found a place where they could get a good look at the new queen. It seemed that they had arrived just on time because it was only a moment later until they saw the carriages marching through the center of the street.

Louise recognized one of the knights that was fighting with the princess, excuse me, queen. Agnès and Michelle as well as the rest of the musketeer knights as they cautiously guarded the carriage on each side.

Standing on the front was there new queen. She was elegantly waving to everyone in the crowd with a smile on her face. People on all sides were cheering for her and giving their congratulations.

Louise was doing the same thing, trying to get Henrietta's attention by yelling and waving frantically. Sora however saw her expression on the outside she was smiling but, not on the inside, her eyes were telling another story.

They reflected her stress and worries, she was now a queen, in charge of securing the safety and peace of her entire nation. Having millions of people hoping that you make the right decision could be extremely taxing. And it was something Sora couldn't ever understand, granted he did have his responsibility of keeping the world order and protecting worlds and their inhabitants from outside forces, but he and other keybares kept it secret. No one really looked up to them except for the few that knew about them.

But Henrietta wasn't one of those people that knew the truth, nor did she have anyone to share such secrets with. All she could do was give everyone a warming smile, while trying to hide her own fears.

Sora cringed, "I kinda feel bad for her."

Louise looked up at him in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Her eyes…She seems so…"

Sora was suddenly interrupted when he felt two arms constrict round his neck and a weight on his back.

"I was hoping I would find you here, Sora." Said a familiar void over his shoulder.

Sora blinked a few times as he glanced to his right. Seeing a familiar strand of long hair, a smile broke across his face.

"Jessica!" Sora said.

"Hey, how have you been?" Jessica asked letting go of his neck.

"Been doing good! What are you doing here?" Sora asked.

"Same, oh hi there Louise." She turned to The petite girl.

"Hi, Jessica." Louise greeted. As they soon heard other voices.

"There you guys are! We found you guys." They looked and Kirche and the others were standing right behind them.

"Jessica!" Siesta shouted, shocked to see her cousin.

"Hey cousin!"

"What are you doing here?" Siesta asked

"I came to watch the parade, when I saw Sora and Louise."

But that begs the question, "How did you know for sure it was Sora you saw?" Siesta said as Jessica answered, aside from his clothes, his spiky hair was completely recognizable. They all looked to Sora as he lightly tugged his spiky locks.

"Anyway, yeah. Plus I never really got to properly thank you for saving not only our lives, but Tarbes as well." She said as her grin widened a bit. She started to bring her face dangerously close to his.

"Um…" Sora fumbled, his face growing hotter by the second. "D-Don't worry about it."

"That won't do though. A hero deserves a reward." She whispered before she found a hand on her face, forcefully pushing her back.

"I think that is enough teasing Jessica." Siesta said, an annoyed glare on her face.

Sora gave a small sigh of relief as he felt his face cool down a bit.

Louise grit her teeth in frustration, as Jessica's face was so close to Sora's. Taking a couple breaths to calm herself, Louise tried turning her thoughts in a different route, she just hadn't seen him in a while and she just wanted to thank him, that's all.

"Alright, alright. I'll stop. So since we're all here, how about we watch the parade together." Sora said .

"Sure thing!" Jessica said. as she suddenly linked arms with Sora.

"What are you…?" Sora asked as she suddenly let out giggles.

"It's just so crowded, I don't want to get lost

Siesta, Louise, and Kirche were quite displeased with how upfront Jessica was, following Jessica's move Siesta locking her arm with Sora's right.

"Actually, you know your way around quite well."

Both girls were holding onto the brunette arm in arm as he was starting to get flustered.

Louise watched as a tick mark popped up on the side of her forehead as she didn't understand why he didn't just push them aside. The final straw was Kirche, who wrapped her arms around his neck and was pressing her chest against his back. Actually all three of them were pressing their breasts against his body.

Tabitha noticed that Louise's wand was in her hand as she tugged on Montmorency and Guiche, pulling them away from what she could guess was about to happen.

Louise suddenly screeched as she drew her wand. It started to glow brightly before arcs of power started to cascade down the wand. "SORA!!!

Sora's eyes widened as he quickly made his move.

There was a massive explosion that shook the entire town as Louise unleashed her spell. People began running away from the area frantically, screaming as they tried to get away from the source of the explosion.

The smoke started to vanish as there was a decent size crater but in the middle of that crater, Sora put up a barrier shielding him, and the three other girls from harm. Sora lowered his hand dropping the barrier

Sora merely sighed "Oh, geez."

"You DOG! What's the deal with you being so easy! Well then…" She exclaimed as she pointed her wand at him.

She was stopped suddenly though as the cold point of a sword rested against her neck. "That is enough Louise."

Louise froze in fear as she slowly turned her head, looking over her shoulder. She came eye to eye with the glaring face of the leader of the musketeer knights. It was Agnès of the musketeer knights.


Sora found himself standing in an abandoned room after he was led there by Agnès, Sora tried to be friendly with her but unfortunately she wasn't in the mood for chatter. He was just leaning against the wall.

First the carriage, now this. Just why was she doing this anyway?

The loud creaking of the door interrupted his thought process. He glanced up to notice Agnès alongside with the new queen.

"Greetings, Sora." The queen bowed lightly

"Hey, Henrietta!" Sora waved. Henrietta stared at him for a few seconds before she heaved a sigh of relief, glad he didn't think any different of her just because she was made a queen of the country.

"I'm sorry for what happened." The queen said.

Sora rubbed the back of his head "Don't worry about it, I'm happy that Louise has control over her magic now. But I wish she didn't try to use it on me." They keyblade wielder said as he didn't know what the reason was.

"Well if it's any consolation I hope that the two of you continue to get along. With everything that's been going on, I will be relying on the power that you both possess."

"You mean since you guys are at war, right?"

"That's right." Agnès said "You and Miss Vallière played a great part in the battle of Tarbes. Albion's forces would have decimated that village so you have our gratitude." The female knight said.

"Please, think nothing of it. My friend, and her family live there actually, I'm just glad everyone's safe." Sora replied.

"Hm, you should know I've heard rumors about you, I just never expected you to be so young."

Sora crossed his arm with a light grunt, basically telling him that he was a kid.

"As young as he is, He has made some rather remarkable achievements." Henrietta said.

"So Sora, can I count on you to lend us your power?" The queen asked the keyblade hero for his assistants. With this Albion, still likely had the help of the sole survivor of Organization XIII, oblivious this involved him as well.

"Sure. I'll do whatever I can to help you guys." He said with sternness in his eyes

A happy expression showed on the queen's face. "Thank you so much! I promise you and Louise will be well rewarded for your cooperation. Tell me is there anything you want, anything."

Henrietta asked, as she and Sora stared at one another, while it was good to see her expression change, he could tell it wasn't going to last long.

That's when Sora asked her about what he wanted from her. "Actually, there is something. I want…a smile."

Both of the girls looked puzzled, that was it, he wanted her to smile?

"A smile?" Agnès said, still confused.

"Uh, why that?" The queen said, also confused.

"Well… When we were watching you at the parade. I could tell this was stressing you out, now that your queen you have a lot of responsibilities, right?"

"How…"

"Your eyes said it all… You're worried aren't you, about how your choices will affect the country. Well I want to help you deal with those choices, lighten the weight on your shoulders."

"Sora…"

"...I couldn't do anything about what happened to Wales, but I will do my best for you. And in return, I want a genuine smile on your face. Sounds good?"

As the queen listened to Sora's reason she. Henrietta gave a small smile "Thank you Sora. I'm so very lucky to have both you and Louise at my side. It really does mean a lot."

The keyblade wielder was happy to hear that "I promise Henrietta, if you ever need me, I'll be there."


On the ride back to the academy, not much was said between Sora and Louise. Sora was staring out the window while Louise had a book open in her lap, slowly flipping through the pages. Glancing over at her, Sora noticed that it was the same book she had before, but he looked baffled as the pages were blank.

"What's that book for anyway?" Sora asked

Louise answered "Oh this. Queen Henrietta gave this to me just before our battle at Tarbes. It's the Prayer book of Brimir. It has been in the Tristan lineage for over 6,000 years."

"That long, huh. So why are the pages blank?"

"I don't know?" Louise shook her head. "This is supposed to have every spell Brimir created by the void was recorded in this book…aside from that one spell I used, every single page is still blank."

"Weird…"

It was later in the evening that Sora and Louise found themselves back at the academy. Agnès had given Louise another firm warning about causing unnecessary panic for very minuscule reasons. Louise looked apologetic and ashamed of her own careless mistake and promised not to do it again.

"Good. If you understand, make sure that it doesn't happen again." Agnès firmly said.

"I'll keep an eye on her." Sora said to the knight.

"Alright. But before I go, there's something that the two of you should know. It involves Cromwell."

Cromwell… Sora's memories turned back, remembering the first time he saw him "What about him?"

"Yes. He's still locked up in solitary confinement isn't he?" Louise said as Agnès shook her head. She explained that before the coronation, Cromwell suddenly went missing from his cell, and the knights searched. all over the castle and throughout the land but couldn't find a single trace of him anywhere.

Sora and Louise couldn't believe it, they asked what happened, but she didn't have the answer. When they went to his cell, all they were able to find were claw markings on the wall and a few drops of blood, but no body, that was strange. So much so they haven't given news to the public.

"Oh, and one more thing." Agnes said as she climbed onto the front of the carriage after dropping Sora and Louise off. She turned to the two of them.

"Thank you for being there for the new queen. She has been extremely stressed lately and doesn't have many people she can rely on. Just by being there for her, you don't know how helpful it is."

"Thank you Agnès." Louise said

Agnes nodded to them both as she gave the rains of the carriage a good whip, causing the horses to carry her into the distance.

Sora and Louise watched her disappear.

"Well this was quite a day." Sora said, stretching his arms out, letting out a little yawn. "I'm ready to go to sleep."

"Yeah, me too." Louise and Sora walked to their room. Louise got into her pajamas and Sora waited outside the room waiting for her to call him.

The pink haired girl called his name as he entered the room and they both went to sleep.


(Night)

The night was quiet and everyone was sleeping soundly. Well, all but Sora, he was tossing and turning with sweat pouring down his face, "No…No!" He jumped out of bed and was panting heavily. He looked around and everything was the same.

Sora sighs 'Ah, that same dream from last night.' He thought as he looked to see Louise still sleeping soundly staying quiet he got out of bed and walked outside to the fountain to splash water on his face.

But as he got up and left, unknowing to him Louise's left eye was wide open.

Sora was kneeling in front of the fountain, he cupped his hand and began slashing water on his face.

This was the second night in a row he had that same dream. He couldn't understand what that dream is supposed to mean and again Louise showed up in it as well. He wasn't saying it was bad just strange.

Strange that she would appear twice.

Choosing to ignore his nightmares he headed upstairs back to the room, but as he opened the door Louise was sitting on the bed with her legs and arms crossed.

"Uh, what…"

"Where did you go?" Louise asked.

Sora was honest "Just went to splash some water on my face."

"And why were you doing that?" Louise asked again, wanting to get to the bottom of why he's been acting so strange since this morning. Sora found no reason to hide it from her anyway. He told her that yesterday he was plagued by a nightmare, and again tonight.

"Nightmare?"

"Yeah."

"What were they about?" Sora began explaining about his dreams (leaving out the part of her being in his dream.) She was shocked to hear something like that, a man in black holding a keyblade striking down a friend and then himself.

"That's…That's terrible." Louise shuttered in shock "Is it because you decide to stay here?"

"I…I'm not sure. I really want to see everyone again so much." Sora replied "Don't misunderstand me though, I made my choice to stay and help you guys. And I don't regret it either. I guess I feel a little stressed out."

Louise thought about what he was saying, he probably felt a little disappointed that he lost his window back to his home world. That eclipse was his one ticket, but he chose to give it up for the sake of the queen and everyone else. But he needed to remember that right now, he isn't by himself, he has new friends besides him and that she promised to help him find a way back someday.

As she said all that to him, Sora felt a sense of relief. Thanking Louise for her sympathy for him. As she turned away blushing, saying to him to stop worrying about things and to just relax, everything worked itself out one way or another.

With nothing more to say Sora crawled in his bed ready to fall back asleep, however Louise told him to stop.

She pulled off the covers on her bed and patted on the mattress. Sora looked confused.

"What…?" He asked.

Louise patted the bed again "Come here!" She said Sora got into her bed.

"Now lie down." She firmly said, doing what she said he placed his head on the pillow.

"Um…"

"I thought that you might have trouble falling asleep… Don't get the wrong Idea! Caring for my familiar's well-being is vital to the master."

Sora could hear her voice as she gave her response, but somehow he felt that was entirely it. So instead of poking the bear he decided to leave it be.

"Alright. Thanks." Sora thanked Louise.

"D-Don't worry about it. If you feel like it anyway, I don't mind sharing the bed with you, anytime." Louise said lying down next to him.

"Sure. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." The two of them said to each other but not before falling asleep Sora opened his left eye looking back at Louise while she did the same vice versa. They wondered what was going through their heads but said nothing to each other as the two of them rested on the bed.


(Morning)

The sun rays shine down all over the academy, Derf woke up laying on the wall as he notices his partner sounds asleep, and in Louise's bed. But what really caught his attention was that Sora was cuddling up with Louise. The sword wasn't really asleep either last night and because of that he overheard everything. Even the part of the pinkette wanting to share her bed with him.

[Heh! You're quite good with the ladies, but you still lack understanding. You won't get it unless it's spelled out to you. Huh?] The blade commented. As he knows his partner can be a tad dense.

Louise's eyes squinted a bit before opening them a bit. She found herself wrapped in Sora's arms as she began to blush quietly, but soon found herself enjoying this warmth as she cozied up holding onto his arm with a smile.

She wanted nothing more than to keep being wrapped around this warmth he gave off.

BAM BAM

Louise's eyes shot open as someone was banging on the door. She got out of the hold Sora had but Sora soon found himself waking up from the loud banging as well.

"What's going on?" Sora asked groggily as he slowly sat up.

Without so much as a warning the door burst open and a very exhausted Agnès came, who wore a very panicked and worried expression on her face. She also was breathing heavily too.

"What's going on Agnès? Is everything ok?"

"No, It's terrible! The Queen has been kidnapped!"

With those words, Sora and Louise felt their hearts nearly stop. And the color vanished from their faces.

"What!"

"Kidnapped!" The two of them were wide awake now.

"Yes!" Agnès said "We searched all over the castle but she's nowhere to be found. From what I can guess, she's been gone since last night." Agnès bore a shameful look across her face as she grit her teeth in frustration. How could she have made such a foolish mistake.

Sora and Louise looked just as worried as her but became sympathetic. Just what the hell happened.


Henrietta was in the arms of her kidnapper but she wasn't at all scared or worried, she didn't even try to put up a fight. She was just resting in the arms of her kidnapper with a smile. She looked up at him but had to cover her eyes from the glare of the sun.

"Is something the matter?" The kidnapper asked.

Henrietta shook her head "No, it's nothing. Let's go…" The light from the sun as his face became more clear.

"…Wales."

End.