PREVIOUSLY...
[Play Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Friends In My Heart- Extended]
Luz: You two did say you saw each other as family.
Amity: Loud and clear.
Willow/Gus: Mmhm.
Both Eda and Sora became sheepish.
Eda: Oh...right.
Sora: *chuckles* Yeah.
Luz: Oh, I'm actually curious about that, Eda.
Eda: Wha?
Luz: *eyes sparkle* Ever plan on making that official?
Eda and Sora looked at one another wide-eyed, then averted each other's gazes with slightly flustered smiles.
Eda/Sora: Uhhh...
The teens looked at the two, all smug-like.
Eda: How about we put a pin on that for now...?
Sora: Yeah.
Kairi smiled sweetly at the two, mainly at Sora, as she thought back to how he had been, as far as she could remember, able to make connections whenever he went. As this thought went through her head, Sora said something that caught everyone's attention.
Sora: Also, Eda, I still plan to keep my word about what Lilith claimed to do.
Eda: Huh?
Sora: Lilith always claimed to have a cure for the curse on the ready for you. But, like you, I trust Lilith as much as I trust Belos. And you don't need them either way, not when you have me. I bet we can find a cure ourselves.
Eda widened her eyes a bit. As she was about to say something, Sora cut in.
Sora: And before you say, "You'd really do that?" or "You don't have to do that. I can handle this myself.", I still want to, and I insist on it. I'm sure we'll find a way if we put our heads together. Plus, there's Master Yen-Sid, the Restoration Committee, and the researchers of Radiant Garden. We could even ask them for help if need be. Anything it takes to help you be free.
Luz suddenly jumps in.
Luz: Oh! Oh! Don't forget about me! I wanna help in any way I can, too!
Sora: And we have Luz in the mix. All of us together. We'll find a way someday.
Eda felt so moved to hear how the two humans were ready to stand by her on this new quest to the very end.
Kairi: Well, one thing's for sure about Eda. She won't be alone.
Eda huffed in appreciation of Kairi's words.
Kairi: But for now, I believe it's your turn, Luz.
Luz saw everyone's eyes were on her and then slightly lowered her head, remembering all her experiences.
Luz: Ooh...boy. *looks up, nods at the others* ...Okay.
[End Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Friends In My Heart- Extended]
Luz sat there quietly, trying to recall her life in her home before coming to the Isles. But every time she tried, she winced from painful memories. Everyone noticed this, especially Sora, Kairi, Amity, and Eda.
Amity: Are you... okay, Luz?
Luz: Yeah. Just give me a sec.
Luz takes a slow, deep breath, then sighs.
Luz: Like many of you guys, my life...wasn't exactly good either. Sure, there were some good times... But the bad times overshadow them. In the beginning, it was good. I had my mom...and my dad.
Everyone besides Kairi winced at the mention of her dad since they knew firsthand what Luz said happened to him.
Luz: My mom was attentive and involved during my childhood, but my dad was someone I really connected with the most. In fact, all my creativity, sense of wonder, imagination, and love for fantasy and adventure came from him. Heck...
Luz pulled out her Good Witch Azura book, trying to smile with tears in her eyes.
Luz: He's the one who got me this book... And I've loved it ever since... His passing.
The others were saddened to hear that again, except Kairi, who was surprised because this was the first time she had heard it from her.
Kairi: I'm so sorry to hear that.
Luz: It's okay. ...But I guess at the same time... It wasn't. What I mean by that is that... I still had my mom, but I'm also an only child, which meant no siblings to hang out or play with. I do not have anyone to talk to about my hobbies. For as long as I can remember, I've had a creative spark ever since I was little. It even made my parents happy, especially my dad.
Kairi: If you don't mind me asking... How...did...
Luz thought back to those memories of her dad's final days. But she began to feel the sadness from those days, unable to utter a single word. That was until she heard a familiar voice in her head.
?: Hey. If it's too much for you, lemme take over.
Luz softly gasped before becoming content with the suggestion.
Luz: Okay.
Kairi: Luz?
Luz: Sorry, guys. But...I need a minute. She can fill you in the rest.
Kairi: She?
[Play Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep -Tears Of The Light- Extended]
That's when the others knew what Luz meant. With a sudden flash of darkness, Dark Luz appears before their eyes.
Dark Luz: Hey, guys. Luz is a little too heartbroken right now, so I'm telling the rest of our life's story.
Kairi suddenly felt guilty about Luz's feelings, believing that she may have overstepped her boundaries by asking the question. Dark Luz noticed this and put Kairi at ease by taking her hand.
Dark Luz: I know what you're thinking. Don't sweat it. Luz opened up before; she was willing to do it again. But it'll be me doing it this time. We're cool.
Kairi nodded before Dark Luz sighed.
Dark Luz: To answer your question, Kai, he died due to an...incurable illness. My mom and I moved to another city to find the best hospital we could to help him... But the doctors were never able to identify what it was that got my dad sick. Which meant that we and Mom never got the answer.
Everyone lowered their heads as Amity placed her hand on Dark Luz's, hoping to comfort her. She accepted and appreciated it.
Dark Luz: ...After his death, It was hard for us to adjust to my new life in Gravesfield throughout our childhood and into our recent years.
Kairi: Why's that?
Dark Luz: It's because of who we are and our hobbies. *lowered her head slightly* Most of the people we've met or who saw us from afar resented and ostracized us for what they call "unusual behavior." Because of that, we were never able to make any friends. In fact, because of our hobbies, kids our age at the time found us weird and...repulsive.
The others frowned at the sound of that. For as long as they knew Luz, they never found her weird or repulsive. Both Sora and Amity started to get angry because of it. Dark Luz curled up and hugged her knees while frowning and narrowing her eyes.
Dark Luz: We even remember adult onlookers looking at us with disgust. Some even flat-out made fun of us for our behavior, which sometimes made our mom angry at them.
The others simply sat there in silence.
Dark Luz: ...And... it didn't get any better in school...our hobbies were often considered "disruptive." We would often get sent to the principal's office on several occasions. But if that wasn't bad enough...it got worse with the other students...
Kairi: What happened?
While still hugging herself, Dark Luz began to tremble and tear up with anger.
Dark Luz: My classmates...bullied us.
The others widened their eyes in shock. Both Sora and Amity clenched their fists, which nobody else noticed.
Kairi: How horrible!
Dark Luz: Yeah, that's how it works back home. If you didn't fit in or weren't overall pleasant from the get-go, you'd become a target... Back then, every day, we'd wake up KNOWING what would happen to us: getting name-called, having our lunch stolen, my locker vandalized, food, and other stuff thrown at us. Every. Single. Day.
The other became more distraught. Both Sora and Amity gritted their teeth and clenched their fists even more when they started to tremble in bottling anger, which again, nobody else noticed.
Dark Luz: No matter what we did or how hard we tried to get on everyone's good side, they would always give us a hard time. It got so bad that we just got so afraid of even looking at someone in the eye. And just when we thought that was the worst of it, things just kept getting even worse.
Kairi: How could it possibly get any worse?!
Dark Luz: ...Our mom.
Kairi widened her eyes.
Kairi: W-what?
Dark Luz: All our troubles got so bad that it even messed up our relationship with our mom. At first, she was protective and concerned over us and our overall life. But over time, it felt like she was getting tired of us. So, we came up with a plan to show her we were truly doing our best at school by showing her our hobbies are actually good in the form of a book report. But in the end, it backfired. It's so bad that she just gave up on us.
The others sunk deeper into their distraught state as Eda got irritated at the thought of Luz's mom doing what Luz believed, while Amity and Sora felt angrier.
Kairi: Why did she...
Dark Luz: She thought it was best to just send us away to a summer camp. Just so they could "fix" us, make us more "normal" to everyone else, and learn to make friends. And that was just a little over a month ago.
[End Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep -Tears Of The Light- Extended]
Everyone sat there in silence with their perpetual contempt for all the horrible things Luz went through until Kairi spoke up.
Kairi: But then you came here instead.
Dark Luz: *turned to Kairi* We did—huh? ...Right. Okay. Gotcha. Light is good to come back.
The others nodded as, with a flash of light, Luz did indeed come back.
Luz: He, guys. Sorry about before. I just...needed Dark to take it from there.
The others told her it was ok.
Luz: Anyways, I was close to going. I stood there waiting for the bus to take me there... until that moment came.
Kairi: Moment?
Luz: The moment Owlbert showed up and stole my book.
[Play Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Friends In My Heart- Extended]
As soon as Luz mentioned that, Eda sheepishly chuckled.
Eda: Oh yeah. I sent Owlbert to go find some treasures for me, and you showed up in my shop.
Luz: Yeah!
Just then, Sora felt his boiled blood from earlier fade away as he came to a realization.
Sora: Wait! I saw Luz running out of Eda's shop and almost falling from the cliff.
Luz: Yes! That was...when I met you. You caught me before I fell off.
Both Sora and Luz stared at one another before Sora spoke up.
Sora: Not long before I met you... That was the day...I showed up in the Isles...after Xehanort's death. Before that, Kairi was sent here.
Everyone widened their eyes, mainly in surprise and slight awe. Sora, Kairi, and Luz arrived in the Boiling Isles on the same day, but Sora and Luz arrived at the exact same time.
Amity: Wow... Just wow.
Willow: Despite all the dark times you three went through on your own paths...
Gus: There was light at the end of those roads.
Eda: And that light brought you three together here. Heh... Call me crazy, but it almost sounds like Sora and Luz were meant to meet each other.
Kairi: And then the rest of us came together after.
Everyone else smiled at the thought and idea. Sora and Luz are possibly destined to meet one another and bring the others together like this.
[End Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix -Friends In My Heart- Extended]
[Play Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX -Dearly Beloved (2 Final Mix Version)- Extended]
They then heard Luz sniffle, almost starting to cry.
Sora: Luz?
Luz: Sorry. I just remembered...what we talked about when we were in your memories.
Dark Luz: Every dark moment in our life, I was there and slowly manifested. I probably would've become whole...until that day.
Inner Sora (KH2)/Luz: ...
Dark Luz: The day that we came to the Boiling Isles. The day...*points to Sora* that we met, Sora.
Inner Sora (KH2)/Luz: What?
Luz: Wait a sec! Meeting Sora was one of the best things that ever happened to us! He can't be at fault here!
Dark Luz: I never said he was! And you're right...meeting him was one of the best things ever happening to us. You, Sora! Aside from Eda, you were always there for us. You kept us safe. You kept us fed. You taught us ways to be strong. You're the very first friend we've ever made. Like I said, back home, nobody liked us. Nobody wanted anything to do with us. Mom wanted us to have real friends. And now, we have it! And all it took was an accidental trip to another world to have a friend! Can you believe that?
Luz: Meeting you changed everything for me. You kept me safe, taught me ways to be strong, and became the very first and best friend I've ever made.
Luz couldn't hold it in any longer and just broke down crying.
Luz: *crying* All I ever wanted was a friend... And all it took was an accidental trip from my world to get one! Funny how things work out like that, right?
Without saying a word, with his head lowered and his hair shadowing his eyes, Sora stood up and walked towards Luz. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders, causing her to stop her tears and look at Sora. Sora raised his head to show his eyes, welling up in tears.
Sora: I feel the same about you.
That caught everyone's attention.
Sora: The journeys in our lives before coming to this world were obviously very different... And yet we both fought through pain...through all the heartache. We've suffered losses. But even so, we stayed strong. We eventually found ourselves in this world and each other. Despite our shared ups and downs, we did our best to keep our hearts together. You're the first and best friend I've made in this world, and not a day goes by when I'm not thankful for meeting you. And I wanna make sure that you know...that you never have to worry about feeling those kinds of pain again with me around. I will never hurt you in any way. I will never give up on you. No matter what.
As the others could only watch in tears, Luz could only stare deeply into Sora's eyes, feeling and seeing nothing but truth and determination to live up to his words. Even seeing his tears stream down. And so, Luz cried even more and hugged Sora tightly, which he returned wholeheartedly.
Luz: *sobbing* Sora!
Everyone else walked up and hugged Luz as well, telling her the same thing Sora said.
[End Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX -Dearly Beloved (2 Final Mix Version)- Extended]
[Play Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance -The Key Of Darkness- Extended]
Sora: *thinking* She doesn't deserve that. She NEVER deserved that. And I won't let that happen anymore... I'll NEVER let that happen anymore... I'll keep her safe... NO ONE will ever bully her AGAIN! And if anyone tries...
Sora hugged Luz tighter.
Sora: THEY'LL ANSWER TO ME!
At that moment, Sora's eyes flickered from blue to glowing bright red to blue, though nobody noticed it.
[End Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance -The Key Of Darkness- Extended]