CHAPTER 15.8: Sora's Chain Of Memories Part 8
[Open to Sora's Dive to the Heart]
[Play Kingdom Hearts 3 - Dive Into The Heart -Destati- Third Inception - Extended]
Naminé explained what Sora had just done with his Keyblade and the popsicle.
Naminé: As you recall from Master Yen-Sid, he said, and I quote: "The worlds have returned to their original states. That means the pathways between them have disappeared.
Luz: Yeah?
Naminé: Well, he also said that the Keyblade would serve as Sora's guide. "When a beam of light radiates from the Keyblade, return to the Gummi Ship."
The group then connected the dots.
Luz: Ohh, I get it. Whenever Sora, Donald, and Goofy finish a mission for each world, Sora uses his Keyblade to unlock the world's Keyhole to open gateways for them to travel around afterward. And the Keyholes happened to be connected to particular objects at that time.
Naminé: That's right.
The group then wondered about their world's Keyhole.
Eda: Ok, but where's ours?
The teens look at Eda.
Eda: Sora said that by sealing the world's Keyhole, the Heartless wouldn't be able to drop in unwanted simply, and... I've never seen it before.
The teens wondered that as well.
Naminé: You all will cross that bridge in time. However, we must move on.
The group nods. However, Luz asked Naminé a question in an excited manner.
Luz: Wait! Before we continue, can we see another memory of Sora's adventures?
[End Kingdom Hearts 3 - Dive Into The Heart -Destati- Third Inception - Extended]
Naminé was about to decline. However, the inner fragmented Sora appears before them and agrees to Luz's request.
Inner Sora (KH1): It's ok. Show them.
Naminé: Hmm...very well then. Which one?
[Play Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Night Of The Cursed- Extended]
Inner Sora (KH1): *folds his arm* Hmmm... Oh! Show them Port Royal.
The group looked at the inner fragmented Sora, then at Naminé.
Group: Port Royal?
Naminé: Alright.
Naminé motions her hand to bring forth a memory frame. The frame places itself in front of the group.
Naminé: Port Royal is a major city and a bustling harbor town situated in the western part of the world known as The Caribbean. It is here where Sora, Donald, and Goofy had their adventures as pirates.
Group: Pirates?!
The group turned to inner fragmented Sora.
Luz/Willow/Gus/Amity: You were a pirate?!
Inner Sora (KH1): *salute* Aye!
Eda approached the inner fragmented Sora and ruffled his hair.
Eda: Alright, Sora! How much treasure did you bag?!
Luz: Wait a minute...Port Royal. I know that place!
Everyone else was surprised to hear what Luz had said.
Inner Sora (KH1): You know that place?
Luz: Yeah! Port Royal is also an actual place in my world, and so is The Caribbean.
Everyone was even more surprised.
Luz: In fact, Port Royal is a village located at the end of the Palisadoes, at the mouth of Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica. The land was founded in 1494 by the Spanish, but the city was built in 1509. It was once the largest city in the Caribbean, functioning as the center of shipping and commerce in the Caribbean Sea by the latter half of the 17th century, approximately over five centuries ago in my world.
Everyone was even more surprised after that.
Especially Gus, since he, being an appreciator of human world culture, just learned a piece of its history. And even more with the fact that there exists a separate world that practically mirrors Luz's.
Gus: That's exciting! Come on! Come on! Can we see it now, please?!
Naminé: Alright, alright. Settle down. Let's watch.
The group gathers around. The memory begins with Sora, Donald, and Goofy teaming up with daring pirate in a haunted-looking isle, fighting a group of what seems to be skeletal pirates in a cavern full of gold and other treasures. Eda became in awe of all the treasure in the cavern while rubbing her palms together.
Eda: Ooooh. Look at all the loot... What I wouldn't give to visit Port Royal right now.
The teens smile and nod in agreement.
Luz: We'd be set for life if we had all that.
Inner Sora (KH1): *thinking* If they only the price for THAT treasure.
Luz: By the way, who are the two pirates fighting?
Inner Sora (KH1): That would be Jack Sparrow and Barbossa. According to Jack, they once sailed together as allies, but Barbossa betrayed Jack and marooned him to find the treasure of Cortés in Isla de Muerta.
Luz: *gasp* Mutiny!
After the trio defeats the skeletal pirates and the Heartless, Pete runs off again. Meanwhile, Jack finally defeats Barbossa by shooting him, shocking the group as they have never seen pistols before. Barbossa exclaims that he can't die because he is with the living dead. Still, Jack throws a medallion with his blood on it to a man named William Turner (Will for short), who also had a medallion with his blood on it, and drops the two medallions in the chest, which causes the curse to be lifted, and Barbossa to be mortal. Barbossa then dies from the gunshot wound. Afterward, everyone heads back to the pirate station known as the Black pearl to part ways but not before Will gets hugged by a blonde woman named Elizabeth Swann. Sora places his arms behind his head in a relaxed manner.
Sora: Good for them.
Goofy: Uh-huh!
Goofy then notices Sora blushing.
Goofy: Hey, Sora—how come your face is all red?
Sora: *embarrassed* What? It is not red!
Donald: Aw, I know who you're thinking about.
Donald and Goofy laugh a bit while Sora tries to his face, but that is shortlived when Jack's compass glows. Like the last memory, the memory ends with Sora using it to unlock another path with his Keyblade.
[End Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Night Of The Cursed- Extended]
The group had mixed reactions to seeing this memory, excitement of pirate battles, and... curiosity.
[Play Kingdom Hearts - Oopsy-Daisy]
The group immediately turned to the inner fragmented Sora, who was blushing. Eda and Luz, having smirks on their faces, approached him.
Eda: Come on, Sora. Spill it. WHO were you thinking about~?
Inner Sora (KH1): Now, hold on...
Luz: Could it be a certain red-headed girl, perhaps? *Singsong tone* I mean, you did want us to learn EVERYTHING, right~?
The inner fragmented Sora, blushing immensely, stands there stammering, trying to come up with something to say.
Eda/Luz: Well~?
The inner fragmented Sora, still blushing immensely, pulls out a peace finger and fades away, which causes Naminé to giggle.
Eda/Luz: Hey, come back here! You can't just leave us hanging!
As the two kept calling for Sora, Gus, Amity, and Willow were left in their thoughts.
Gus: So, wait. Was he on a quest to find his crush? Cool for Sora, I guess. Though, I'm more interested in his pirate adventures. What do you two think?
[End Kingdom Hearts - Oopsy-Daisy]
Gus sees Willow and Amity just standing there, seemingly unexpressive.
Gus: Willow? Amity?
The two still didn't respond. Gus then taps their shoulders.
Gus: Wake up!
Willow and Amity snap out of it, and Gus.
Willow: Huh? Oh! Gus. Umm, yeah. More adventures.
Amity: Yes. His pirate days must be quite a story.
Gus: Are you two ok?
Willow: Umm, yeah. I'm fine.
Amity: Of course.
The two then notice Naminé approaching them.
Naminé: I hate to interrupt, but we need to proceed forward.
Eda, Luz, and Amity make their way back to Naminé, Gus, and Willow. Luz notices Willow and Amity seemingly off.
Luz: Hey, are you two ok?
Willow: Huh, oh yeah. I'm fine.
Amity: Yes.
Luz didn't buy that. She's sure something's bothering them but decided to leave it for now.
Naminé motions her hand to bring forth a memory frame. The frame places itself in front of the group. The group gathers and notices something that piques their interest.
[Play Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Roxas- Extended]
Luz: Wait. Isn't that Sora's Dive to the Heart?
Naminé: Yes. In this memory, Sora, Donald, and Goofy venture into the world where Organization XIII was residing to carry out their plans. Their residence was known as The World That Never Was.
The group subtly widened their eyes.
Eda: The World That Never Was...first of all, mouthful.
Luz: And the base of operations of Organization XIII.
Gus: It's so...grim looking.
Amity: It does. Even so, what do we do there?
Naminé: It is here where Sora encounters someone who was once a part of him. The part of him who Sora had to face in battle.
Luz: Was it an old friend of Sora's?
Naminé: In a manner of speaking. I meant to say it was someone who was literally once a part of him... His former Nobody, Roxas.
The mention of that name got the attention of Luz, Willow, and Eda.
Luz: Hold on, are you saying we have to fight Roxas?
Naminé: Yes. He will be a formidable opponent. His skills nearly rival that of Sora's. However, he does one natural advantage that Sora doesn't.
Eda: And that would be?
Naminé: Roxas can summon two Keyblades at will, making him a proficient dual wielder.
The group was surprised.
Luz: Dual wielder?!
Gus: How are we supposed to take down someone like that?!
Naminé: I'm afraid it will be difficult. Roxas is proficient in close-quarters and long-distance combat. He will not give you any breathing room as his speed is one of his best assets. Therefore, the best way to defeat him is to become faster than him and launch him into the air to attack. I also recommend the same strategy with your battle against Riku, experienced fighters on the front, distance in the back.
[End Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Roxas- Extended]
[Play Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMix -Treasured Memories- Extended]
The group understood as they entered the memory frame but stopped when they realized Willow and Amity remained behind, standing in place. Luz approached the two expressing her concerns.
Luz: Willow, Amity, what's wrong?
Willow: *jolted* Huh? Oh, nothing. I'm fine.
Amity adverts Luz's eyes. Luz then became slightly stern.
Luz: I know something's been bothering you two. What is it?
Both Willow and Amity have thoughts concerning Sora, but for different reasons. Amity then spoke up with sadness in her tone.
Amity: This whole time, I've been feeling guilty for what my recklessness has done. While there are sad experiences in his life, Sora also has so many wonderful memories. And then there's this Kairi girl. No doubt she's really important to him, and I almost destroyed all of that. I just... I just can't get it out of my head.
Luz, Willow, and the others look at Amity.
Luz: Amity... I'm sure Sora knows all of this was an accident, and like I said before, I'm sure he doesn't and won't hate you for it.
Amity: I just wish I could talk to him...
Luz places both her hands on Amity's shoulders in a comforting manner.
Luz: You will. He said so himself; once the memories are fixed. You'll be able to clear the air. Ok?
Amity looks at Luz with a somewhat determined look on her face and slowly nods. Luz then turns to Willow.
Luz: Ok, Willow. What's going on with you?
Willow didn't respond, and Amity took a guess.
Amity: Are you perhaps still shaken up by the 1000 Heartless battle from earlier?
Willow looked down. She can't help but think about the memory of Sora and Kairi. But, she didn't want to talk about it, nor admit it. So, when she hears Amity's question, she decides to not only use that to distract herself but also to hope Luz will buy her answer, knowing full well that Luz will not stop until she fixes it herself.
Willow: Yeah. That... last Heartless that was about strike... freaked me out.
Luz stood there in silence.
Luz: I guess I can understand that. But hey, Amity was able to save you in time. So, it all worked out, right?
Willow's eyes slightly widened in memory of that. She did indeed see Amity standing between her and the last Heartless, pushing past her limits with her abomination to strike it down. However, Willow feels genuine gratitude towards Amity for saving her, so it does pain her to use that as a means of moving the questioning to a close so they can continue fixing the memories.
Willow: Yeah, it did. Thank you, Amity.
Amity's eyes widened slightly and glimmered.
Amity: O-of course! I just couldn't stand there and watch you get hurt!
Luz wrapped her arm around Amity with a smile while giving Willow a thumbs up, causing Amity to blush even though it went unnoticed.
Luz: Yeah, none of us would.
Willow shows a small smile to the two.
Willow: *thinking* I'm sorry, Amity... I really am thankful to you. But I just can't talk about what I'm really feeling right now.
Luz: So, are you ready to go?
Willow: *inhales, then exhales* Yeah.
Willow follows Luz and Amity to the memory frame, where Eda, Gus, and Amity stood by. While waiting, Eda knew something was up with Willow. You could say she recognized the vibe that Willow was giving off, for she experienced it herself. As Gus, Amity, and Luz entered the memory frame, Eda quickly stopped Willow by placing her hand on her shoulder.
Eda: Hey.
Eda gets on one knee to look her in the eyes, while Willow turns her head to look at Eda with confusion.
Eda: *whispering* Listen to me. When we're done with this memory, come to me so that we can talk.
Willow: ?
Eda: *whispering* Just do it.
Willow couldn't quite understand what Eda meant by that, but she nodded.
Willow: *whispering* ok.
Eda: *whispering* Good. Let's go.
Eda stood back up, and the two entered the memory frame.
[End Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMix -Treasured Memories- Extended]
As the two appeared from the other side, they walked up to the rest of the group to find themselves in Sora's Dive to the Heart. In front of them, they find someone standing in front of them. A person is wearing an Organization XIII coat, completely obscuring the face, while holding two unique-looking weapons, one in black and one in white with a slight rainbow hue.
Eda: Hang on, an Organization XIII chump? Where's this Roxas guy?
Luz: I think that IS Roxas.
Naminé: That is correct. As you know from Master Yen-Sid, Nobodies are born when the Heart is separated from one's body. In this case, Roxas was born when Sora sacrificed himself to save Kairi and the other Princesses of Light.
The group didn't show it, but they winced at mentioning that memory.
Naminé: Roxas will start with a strong attack. Be ready.
[Play Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -The Other Promise- Extended]
The group entered their stances with Eda, Luz, and Amity taking the front lines while Willow and Gus stayed back to provide distance. As a response, Roxas summons two Keyblades on each hand, one being black and one being white.
Naminé: Prepare to block. Roxas will start with his Criss-Cross, an attack that unleashes a shockwave.
Hearing this, Eda puts up a small barrier, Luz activates an ice glyph to create a wall, and Amity summons an abomination to shield herself from the incoming attack. Immediately after, Roxas performs his Criss-Cross exactly as how Naminé described. Then, seeing an opening, Eda charges in.
Eda: I'll start!
Eda closes in on Roxas and creates a gust of wind to send him into the air, giving Eda the chance to jump up and deliver a combination of attacks with light-based slashes. After a bit, Roxas blocks her attack and performs an aerial roll by rolling forward and whacking Eda away with his Keyblades.
Luz: Eda!
Eda rolls across the platform and skids a bit to stop. Eda groans a bit but manages to stand on her feet.
Eda: Ugh, tough one.
Luz turns to Roxas.
Luz: My turn!
Luz activates four fire glyphs and throws them at him one at a time. Unfortunately, Roxas simply deflects them by swiftly positioning his Keyblades. But this didn't deter Luz as she activates two light glyphs and claps them together to create a larger light that blinds Roxas for a bit. This allowed Luz to activate two fire glyphs directly on Roxas's chest, pushing him back.
Luz: Got ya!
While Luz could get a hit on Roxas, he encased himself with light energy and moved around Luz at high speed. Then, seeing nothing but a trail lens flare, Roxas used his aerial roll attack to push Luz back the way he did to Eda.
Luz: Gah!
While in mid-air, Luz tries to throw another fire glyph at Roxas but misses. Luz then lands on her back, slightly aching all over.
Luz: Ugh, somebody tag in, please
Eda/Amity/Willow/Gus: Luz!
Amity: I'm next! Willow, summon vines to restrain him! Then, Gus, distract him with one of your constructs!
Willow/Amity: Right!
Willow summons her thorned vines in an attempt to whip Roxas, while Gus creates two small illusion constructs of birds to fly around him. Although, Roxas did his best to counter and dodge each incoming attack. Gus quickly motions his right hand to command one of the bird illusions to hover directly in front of Roxas's sight, which distracted him long enough for Willow to lay down several consecutive vine whips. Amity and the others cheered for Willow's streak.
Amity: That's it!
Eda/Luz/Gus: Keep it up!
Having enough of the vines, Roxas started to become aggressive and summoned summon beams of light, scattering them throughout the platform, hitting and pushing the group away. Then, turning his attention towards Willow, Roxas performs his aerial roll and attempt to deliver a dual-slash, but he is stopped and restrained by Amity's abomination.
Amity: Oh no, you don't!
Eda: Keep him still! I'll end this!
Eda rushes towards Roxas and gathers up large amounts of light magic in her right hand, hoping to blast it at him. But, what happened next, nobody expected. Roxas broke free from the abomination and began to float high into the air, cloaking himself in light. The group was in shock at what he was doing.
Teens: What's he doing?!
Eda: Naminé!
Naminé: Magic Hour! Roxas is gathering light magic to unleash a salvo of homing projectiles toward you all!
Eda: I know what to do! Kids! Shield!
Knowing what that meant, the teens gathered behind Eda, and she put up a barrier surrounding them to shield off Roxas's incoming projectiles. Fortunately, Eda did so just in time as Roxas immediately unleashes the indeed mentioned salvo of homing projectiles at the group. Even more fortunate to have sided with the group as the Magic Hour attack didn't last as long as they thought it would have. Eda lets down the barrier and sees an opening on Roxas. Wasting no time, Luz activates an ice glyph to create the same ice sword she had used in the battle with Riku and rushes towards Roxas.
Luz: I got this!
Eda/Amity/Willow/Gus: Luz!
Deciding to meet the human girl halfway, Roxas dashed forward with blinding speed, his black Keyblade pointing forward while propelling himself with the powers of light and darkness encasing both Keyblades.
Luz: Here I come, Roxas!
Eda: Luz, wait!
Eda did her best to catch up to Luz in hopes of providing support but then realized that she wouldn't make it time and called out to her. While dashing towards Luz, Roxas entered a dual stance, ready to strike Luz down. As the two inched closer and closer, with What seemed like everything going in slow motion, Luz and Roxas swung their respective blades to clash. But, something clicked in Luz's mind, widening her eyes as if a sudden act of instinct just surged from within her. And with a sudden burst of adrenaline, Luz gained speed and swatted Roxas and his white Keyblade into the air while having her ice sword shatter. But then, Luz suddenly raised her right hand towards the air and shouted one word.
Luz: Light!
And then, something truly unexpected and shocking happened. The white Keyblade of Roxas's suddenly flew down towards Luz spirally, and she grabbed and held onto the Keyblade. The rest of the group couldn't believe what they were seeing. Luz was holding onto Roxas's white Keyblade in a trance-like state. And to make this event even more shocking, Luz proceeded to attack Roxas with his own Keyblade, giving them the sight of her wielding a Keyblade.
Eda: No...way...
Amity: How is this... possible?
Willow: Don't tell me that Luz can-
Gus: ACTUALLY USE A KEYBLADE NOW?!
With his black Keyblade on hand, Roxas raised it high to summon more beams of light to throw at Luz, but she, incredibly, dodged each one and rushed towards him to deliver one hard body blow, pushing him back. Deciding to end this, Roxas rushed towards Luz with his black Keyblade to strike, while Luz met him halfway, and the two briefly locked themselves in a struggle. The two jumped away from each other, and Roxas, dragging his black Keyblade across the platform while leaving spark trails, rushed towards Luz once more and performed a slashing motion, which Luz dodged. Luz then twirls the white Keyblade around to do a horizontal slash, which Roxas blocks. He back up a bit to strike Luz's head, which she blocks in response. Roxas then jumps over Luz, turns around, and jumps towards to strike, which she dodges by jumping. Luz then tries to strike down Roxas from above, but Roxas blocks it, sending Luz into the air, shocking the rest of the group, and calling out her name. Roxas then jumps into the air towards Luz in an attempt to strike, but through some swift movement, Luz recovers in mid-air by adjusting her body upside-down to block the attack. She lands perfectly on her feet and looks up to see Roxas floating in the air. While Roxas looked down at her, the group tried to call out to Luz. However, it was in vain as they saw Luz was in some trance, not responding to their calls to her. Roxas then lands in front of Luz and rushes towards her to swing his black Keyblade around, trying to strike her down, which he fails by Luz dodging rather impressively with such unseen agility. However, the dodging stops as the two stand in place, and Roxas proceeds to rapidly swing his black Keyblade around, which she blocks by keeping the white Keyblade positioned horizontally and adjusting its angle to ensure she doesn't receive damage. Luz then collapses on her right knee, giving Roxas the chance to swat the white Keyblade across the platform away from her. Luz tries to run after the swatted Keyblade, but Roxas blocks her way by plunging his black Keyblade into the ground in front of her and calls back his white Keyblade into his left hand. Roxas then points his black Keyblade towards Luz's face, implying her to surrender.
Group: Luz!
Seeing this, the group decided to rush toward Roxas with everything they had in hopes of pushing him back and helping Luz. However, what happened next surprised everyone, including Roxas, as he became distracted by the group for one second. Luz immediately activated three light glyphs in her left hand, blinding Roxas briefly, and then activated an ice glyph in her right hand to forge another ice sword. Then she, gripping her ice sword with both hands, stands and immediately performs a vertical slash on Roxas.
[End Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -The Other Promise- Extended]
The sight causes the group to gasp in shock as they see Roxas drop his Keyblades and stumble toward Luz. After three steps, a white light engulfs the group, and they find themselves back with Naminé. The group and even Naminé couldn't fully process what they had witnessed Luz done. They turn to see her still in a trance state for a brief moment until she suddenly snaps back to her usual sense. She blinks, looks around for a bit, sees the group and Naminé, and only asks one question.
Luz: What...just happened?
