Chapter 3 You're Here. You're Real.
Luke's POV

When we stepped through the portal, we were blinded by a bright light! When the light disappeared, I opened my eyes…and found myself in a place I did not recognize. There were tall structures all around me, as well as trees with pink flowers.

"What…What is this place", Unio asked.

"Is…is this it", I asked hopefully. "Is this the Kingdom of Reality?"

"I'm not sure", Memmeln replied.

"Hmm", Unio said. Then, he seemed to think of something. "I've got an idea!"

With this, Unio concentrated really hard, and his horn started glowing. Then, after a moment, something else started glowing in the distance!

"There", Unio said. "If that gremlin still has my horn, then she's over there!"

As soon as I heard this, I began running towards the glowing light as fast as I could.

"Wait up, Luke", I heard Unio call out to me. But I didn't look back at him. I just continued to run. I had to get to Natsuko no matter what!

I ran for what felt like an eternity, but eventually…I spotted the person I had wanted to see for such a long time.

Her outfit was different, and her hair was tied up with Unio's horn. She was looking down. She looked beautiful.

It's her!

I smiled when I saw her. "Natsuko!"

Natsuko didn't look up when I called out her name, but I did see her smile. I then stopped in my tracks, and took a deep breath. "Hirose Natsuko!"

Calling out Natsuko's name a second time seemed to get her attention. Slowly, she looked up…and our eyes met.

Natsuko's POV

"Luke?"

I don't know how, but Luke Braveheart was standing across from me on the opposite side of the road.

"Natsuko", he said, before smiling. Then, he started running towards me, but I stayed frozen in shock.

Am I hallucinating or someth….

Before I could finish this thought…I suddenly felt someone wrap their arms around me and pull me closer to them.

"I found you", they said, grabbing the back of my head and pulling me even closer to them. Then, what was happening hit me.

I…I can feel him. He's real?

After I had this realization, I also wrapped my arms around the person that was hugging me as tears started falling down my face. "Luke!"

After I said this, I pulled away from Luke, and cubbed his face with my hands. "You're real? You're here?"

"I am", Luke replied with a smile. Then, he also cupped my face with his hands. "I told you that I'd come to the Kingdom of Reality. I told you I'd find you."

"Luke", I said with a smile. Then…he started leaning in closer to me, but that's when what was happening really hit me.

"Wait a minute", I said, before pulling out of Luke's embrace. "You're here?! In the flesh?! In the real world?! How?!

"Natsuko", I heard a familiar voice call out to me. I then looked over Luke's shoulder, and saw three more people I didn't expect to see in reality.

"Unio? Memmeln? QJ?", I asked in shock. "You're all here too!"

"Yes we are", QJ replied as he floated up to me. "Hello, Natsuko."

"It's good to see you again, Natsuko", Memmeln added.

"How did you guys all get here", I asked.

"Luke was talking about wanting to come to the Kingdom of Reality so he could see you again, when a portal suddenly appeared", Memmeln revealed.

"Huh? A portal brought you guys here", I asked in shock. "How did that happen?!"

"I don't know. But that doesn't matter", Luke stated. Then, he took my hands in his own. "All that matters is that I got to see you again, Natsuko."

"Luke", I said, a smile appearing on my face. Then, I noticed a group of people staring at him and the others. "Um…maybe we should move this somewhere else? You guys wanna come over to my place?"

"Your place", Luke asked.

"Yep", I replied. "Follow me!"

With this I began walking in the direction of my place, with everyone else following me. Then, after a moment…I realized that Luke was still holding onto one of my hands. I looked up at him, and he smiled at me.

Squee

After getting another 'Squee' feeling, I turned to look away from Luke; my cheeks feeling warm.

"By the way, Natsuko", Memmeln started. "I like your outfit."

"Oh", I said. "Thank you."

"Yeah. You look less like a gremlin", Unio stated. I then promptly stopped walking, grabbed onto his horn, and began spinning him around.

"I no longer look like one, but that doesn't mean I can't still act like one", I stated.

"Let go of me, you Gremlin", Unio angrily commanded.

Everyone else just laughed, and I didn't notice Luke smiling at me.