Hi and (almost) HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Yes! I finished this rewrite! I needed to get this done! So yay! It's finished and here! I fixed a few things and there, it's mostly the same, I think. We get to meet some familiar faces and some new ones. Uh, well, sorry for this being more of a downer of a chapter. " ^^) But hope it's okay.

For now, here is the newest chapter.

*NOTE/SPOILER WARNING: It takes place AFTER KHIII*

NOTE 2: Lots of retelling of the experience of "Player" in KHχ[Chi] but in Sora's View

NOTE 3: Sora is NOT Player, he's just got similar experiences. Player exists somewhere doing the main story, but they don't cross paths... I Think...

NOTE 4: Talking about the history of Daybreak Town and the event that caused only the elderly, children, and some mothers to remain in town. This was mentioned briefly in earlier chapters. Talks about war and loss, so warning there.

DATE: October 15, 2022

REWRITE DATE: December 31, 2022

.

Chapter 14: Remember Me

.

It was that time of the year, the festivals and holidays were fast approaching. This was a time to celebrate the abundance of the harvest the country farms have reaped bountifully. But while others were decorating the town and donning their flashy festive attire, there were a few that stood out in a different way. Where the bright colors of the changing leaves painted the town, the subdued colors of their attire contrasted the cheerful atmosphere. Many wielders, both old and new, have seen these people around this time of year. They both stand out and blend in, movement like the breeze, there one minute, gone the next.

Among those who contrasted the days, two siblings stood inside their home, looking one another over. They seemed to be in discussion about something important.

"Do you have the flowers?" She asked as she straightened her simple one piece dress.

"Right here sis!" He handed the flowers to her and placed them in her leather messenger bag.

"That's good Locke. Since we're all set, let's get going and meet up with the family."

"Right!" Locke responded as he fixed his collared shirt and bowtie one last time.

They exited their home and began their walk. It was a brisk autumn day, the air was cold but not an unbearable temperature for heavier clothing. The two walked together in silence, taking in the sights around them. The town was heavily decorated in bright yellows, oranges, and reds that contrasted but somehow still worked with the sea of purple, the town's signature color. She watched as they passed the children running around in their festive attire, playing their games and chattering excitably about the events to come. Seeing them in such bliss, she envied them. Were it any other day, she could have happily joined in on the fun but…

Her eyes look Locke's way, his lips pressed together lightly as while deep in thought.

"Hey sis?" He asked without even turning to face her.

"Yes?

"Are you still thinking about them?"

Locke, so observant and perceptive as always. The way he said it, she knew she had failed. All week, she did her best to keep her emotions in check. But it seems, no matter how bad or good she successfully hid, he almost always seemed to pick up on her cues. No, she couldn't burst yet, she needed to keep strong.

"Yes…" Her voice was slightly quivering. No, she needed a distraction, any kind would do, even a person…

"Sora?" Locke had spoken and quickly she whipped her head in his direction. Sora was out and about, no one but himself today it seemed. How strange.

"Eureka? Locke?" He looked back surprised to see them.

"Big brother Sora!" Locke's face lit up after the confirmation this really was him. Immediately, he went over and tackled the keyblade wielder into a hug.

"Hey there! I almost didn't recognize you without the overalls." He playfully teased.

"We don't always wear overalls, Sora. By the way, what are you doing here?" Eureka asked, voice now more steady and controlled. She had to keep calm until they got there.

"Today was my off day. Chirithy had plans with her friends, so I just decided to take a walk by myself." He replied, scratching his cheek embarrassed. They giggled and he noticed something about them, "What's with the fancy clothes?"

"We're-"

"We're going to be meeting our cousins today at the special place. We do this pretty much during this time of year. Oh! OH! Sora! You should come with us! You have the day off so you probably don't have any plans. Also, they will definitely want to meet you!"

"Locke!"

"What?" He looked at his sister, Eureka, not sure what he did wrong.

"It sounds like something personal, and well, I don't want to impose." Sora rubbed the back of his neck, slightly reluctant to crash their day.

Eureka sighed, "It's okay Sora. Locke here was just a liiiittle excited, that's all."

"I'm not a littttle excited. I just think it would be cool to introduce them to Sora. I'm sure you want to too!"

Eureka looked down at him, then looked up to Sora before closing her eyes think. Once she opened them, she gave him a look that basically asked if he was willing to accompany them for the day. He smiled and gave a firm nod. Locke was happy and clung to Sora's shoulder ready to drag him away.

Quietly she spoke to Sora, "Sorry about him. It's just, this day is special for us."

"It's okay, I understand."

"So why were you really walking around aimlessly like that?" She asked, the volume of her voice a little louder this time.

"You noticed?"

"Hard not to miss that distant stare that's off in lala-land."

"Ah, well…"

"I bet I know!" Locke proclaimed. "I bet it's cause Sora's thinking about home again. You looked like that last time too, also you were clutching whatever was in your pocket. I could tell you were gripping it hard but also with care, from the way your pocket wrinkled."

"Locke!" She quietly scolded.

"Oh, opps…" Locke looked away from his big brother Sora, feeling bad he brought it up.

"Well..." he looked embarrassed.

"Anything special about this day for you, Sora?"

"No, not this time. It's just been so long. I feel like lately, time has gone by so fast and…" He paused, not sure how to finish his sentence. Eureka rubbed Sora's back in comfort, he smiled and did the same back reassuring her that he was fine.

"EUREKA! COME ON!" They were surprised when they heard the loud voice but didn't see any sign of the nicely dressed boy. When did he even let go of Sora's hand?

She sighed again as she shook her head and looked where Locke had gone, "No need to get loud, Locke."

Meanwhile, Sora was so caught up in the conversation that he didn't realize they had arrived at whatever destination the two were heading. This place was further out from the center of town, it was unfamiliar too. Although the buildings looked similar enough to one another, the canal below Locke had called out from seemed different from the usual ones he had gone down into for missions. Observing further, he realized this was a part of town he most likely hadn't ever been to, so it was going to be a new experience. Where was this going to take them?

As the two entered a building to get access to the canal below, they made their way in. All conversation seemed to come to a halt as they focused on navigating the sewers below. Slowly, they weaved their way through the narrow walkways and carefully treaded upon the damp concrete, being careful not to slip while in their dress shoes. Sora offered support every once in awhile to Locke and Eureka whenever they slipped. Neither of the handy mechanics said a word until they came to a rather clean ladder and what looked like an open manhole above.

"This is the place, Locke, you head up first. Sora, if you wouldn't mind, could you come up last. You know, for support, just incase we slip?" Sora agreed and one by one, they climbed up the ladder.

When it was finally Sora's turn, Locke offered a hand up, and that when he saw it. "So this is why they're dressed that way," he thought to himself.

The sight before him caused him to be still and silent as all around, everywhere he turned, names surrounded him. Names that were etched in the walkways, the walls, and the headstones in rows on the grass, many of them were not that old. The etchings looked newer, even on the older stones, they held newer names as well. This place, it was a graveyard.

Eureka took out some flowers from her bag, giving them to Locke to place somewhere. He took them and went off to a specific area of the yard, walking slowly while handling the bouquet gently. She looked to Locke then looked to Sora, eyes wistful, lost in a memory.

"One of Daybreak Town's most cherished secrets. A memorial to those who bravely fought and now rest in memory and remembrance for the original members of Daybreak Town. From the outside, it looks like any other building, but try to enter, you'll find every way is blocked. Only those who can navigate below know how to get here." She paused, looking over where Locke was she saw two other figures, "Come Sora, let's go over to Locke."

Sora followed Eureka, walking slowly as he observed others who were here in the graveyard. There weren't many of them, probably less than ten, but who was he to say for sure. Those few were laying flowers all around wherever there was a newer name, paying their respects and lingering long by certain stones. Focusing back in Eureka's direction, he noticed past her that Locke was with two other people. One was a tall, lanky guy who's skin was really tanned, as if he'd been in the sun all day. He had thick oval glasses and brown hair with small streaks of ash-blond that were curling. The other was a young woman who was shorter than Eureka, but the way she was poised made her seemed older. Her straight, fluffy hair was a cherry brown and only touched her shoulders. If he wasn't paying attention, he wouldn't have noticed that the group seemed to be dressed in a dark blue that could be mistaken for black.

"Sora! Over here! Let me introduce you to my cousins!" Locke's chest puffed up as a big toothy grin grew on his face. "Sora, meet my cousins! Meet Anita and Reamer! But I call them big sister sleepy and big brother professor, or prof for short. She's always sleepy and he's always teaching something when he works on a new invention!"

"Locke." The young woman, now known as Anita spoke. Her disapproving look was all it took for Locke to freeze up and remember his place.

He looked down feeling guilty, "I'm sorry. I got carried away."

A small smile graces her face as she gently strokes his hair, "It's okay. Just remember to be respectful, others are here for their moments too." Locke nodded and she turned to Eureka, "Go on, you and Locke can do what you need to do. We already had our time."

"Thank you." She gave a small nod and together with Locke the two went to a certain headstone.

Sora was now left alone with these two, not sure what else to do before the silence was broken by her, "So, you're Sora?"

"Uh-yeah. I'm Sora, and you're Anita?"

She looks at him, her lips sort of smiling but also not, "Yes, a pleasure. The one next to me here is Reamer, or as we all like to call him, Professor. He's the eldest out of all of us."

Reamer puts out a hand and Sora gives it a firm shake, "So nice to meet you Sora!"

"Nice to meet you too!" Sora smiled pleasantly before looking to Eureka and Locke who were just there, they seemed to be talking but none of them could make it out. Just as it should be, this was their private moment to remember them. It was silent between the three of them as they observed the two mechanics for awhile before Reamer left to go to a different stone. It was now just Sora and Anita.

"This place." She started, "This beautiful place by the sea. To most of you wielders, that's all you'll ever know. But to the few of us that remained, its tragedy still lingers with us. To be burdened with the loss of the past, that's probably why most people left. Or maybe they left not wanting to stain the town in the memories the strife of war left. You're all warriors, but war is something we would never wish upon you, something we all hope you'll never have to face…" Anita went quiet, her lips pressed with an unreadable expression.

"What do you mean?" He asked, but deep down, an uncomfortable feeling settled inside, something he felt he should already know.

"Do you really want to know, Sora?" He nods.

"There was a time when Daybreak Town was just like any other port town out there. The citizens lived peaceably among one another as did they get along with those who passed through their shores. The goods that got transported through here were from many different places, even other lands beyond the kingdom. Then… war happened. The call to arms was proclaimed throughout the lands and people were drafted in, including many from here. Our town, being a seaside port town, was crucial to the war. That day, when the drafted had left the town and all those who remained were most elderly, soon to be parents, children and young teens, we experienced the surprise attack. The enemy attacked from the seas, biding their time, waiting for our strongest to leave. Our citizens fought valiantly against them, safely hiding us children and new mothers. It raged on for a while, we stayed in hiding. The warriors soon came back, they fought well, but at the end of the day, we lost. This surprise attack, it claimed the lives of many. That day we were left defenseless, almost all of us lost our families. That day, thirteen years ago, the war was won, but our battle was lost. Our town was in near ruins. We who remained as survivors were left to mourn. We were left to grieve. Those who remained, the warriors and survivors, many chose to take what little remained of themselves and their families and move out. Soon this left our town an empty shell, left to wither away as the kingdom relocated and built up a new port town. We were left all alone."

Sora was shocked, he didn't really know how to approach it. Sure, he's been in war, he's experienced surprise attacks, such as the ones from the heartless, the nobodies, the unversed, and the organization. Sure, he's experienced loss, although it was temporary, but this seemed different. So many lives were lost, not everyone could be saved. It made him think, if he didn't go back in time, how many more would have been lost? How many worlds would be brought back to nothing? How empty would the world be?

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound that way. I simply wanted to tell you this so you can understand what we were and what is now. You're all warriors and wielders of weapons so grand, I hope you never have to experience this in your future. This loss, it hurt all of us in some way. For Locke, he lost time with the parents he will never get to know, forever being a missing presence in his life. For Eureka, she lost what felt like her everything. What they did for the town, being the pillars of stability, that's what inspired her to become what she is today. She follows in their footsteps, to continue their legacy in keeping the town beautifully running."

Anita glanced back at the two, whatever they were talking about, she was glad to see them laughing about it together. "They've grown so much. Sora," she faced him as a content smile graced her lips, "please continue to be a good friend to them."

"I will." His answer was so sure and fill with such confidence.

"Thank you. And Sora," he looked again, "remember this for us. Whatever happens, be it another war on our hands or not, remember."

A foreboding sense took over as she said those words, some deep dread that he knew where this was going, "I will."

As he said this, they noticed Reamer coming back with a basket and a blanket.

"Here's the stuff, so let's enjoy a meal before heading back home." His words suddenly changed the mood around everyone, the air felt a little lighter.

Everyone turned and gathered together to set up the blanket on the floor. They sat and enjoyed the lunch that Reamer had prepared. Locke complained that these were only cold cuts, sandwiches, and day old rice with leftover seaweed mixed in. Reamer huffed as he gave everyone their portion and skipped over Locke. He wrestled him for the last piece while the girls silently thought, boys. For the remainder of Sora's day with them, he stayed and listened as they talked about funny and melancholic memories. His off day may have taken an unexpected turn, but it was a welcome one since he got to be there with his new friends and participate in something that was truly meaningful to them.

But Anita's story, he couldn't shake it. It was another reminder for him, of all he lost and all that's happened. Another reminder of the reality to soon come, an inevitable war.

TBC

.

BONUS:

Eureka was sharing her first experience baking a cake with her mom when Locke remembered something.

"Hey Big Sis! You owe us a cake from the diner!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Well you said, if I could get big brother Prof and big sister Sleepy to leave their room and meet Sora, you'd treat us to cake."

"What? I meant that while we were home. This doesn't count."

"Does so! You never said there were any other conditions like being a special day. So you owe us cake!"

"No I don't, it only applied to when they were-"

"No! You didn't make it clear. No writing, so it there's no extra condition."

"He's got you there, cuz."

"Oh be quiet, Reamer."

Sora could only laugh.

.

Yes! I finished this rewrite! So these two are Reamer and Anita, the cousins of Locke and Eureka. Though, this made for a little strange meeting honestly. Now here's something for you, I honestly didn't know what to name one of the characters, I won't say which. But yeah, as I mentioned above, this was inspired by that one Union X group mission. For some reason, you come to this enclosed cemetery / graveyard and you're fighting heartless in there. There were just so many stones, I just couldn't leave it without some sort of explanation. But yeah, to sum up everything in a few sentences:

There was a war before the Keyblade war. Daybreak Town is part of a kingdom, so many of the people had to answer to call to arms and leave to fight. This left the town weak and took away a lot of the stability of the town. The surprise attack didn't help either and caused the town to basically fade. At least, until the Master of Masters stepped in and helped revitalize the town with his little foretellers in training and the eventual Keyblade wielders.

So, Eureka, Locke, Anita, and Reamer are all original residents who got to see this place change over the years of living here. We'll be seeing more of them in the future soon. So be on the lookout when you see them again in upcoming chapters.

Well, that's all I got to share for now! If you have any ideas, suggestions, questions, or any comments for this story, feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading everybody! :D

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2023!

.