#I need to know how much memory of Riku Sora has lost please...

[happybunnykat]

What if kh4 dive to the heart happens and Sora doesn't have Riku on his heartstation like Roxas and Axel didn't have Xion on theirs...

[airawisteria]

See, Kairi might not be my favourite character from KH (though, she's really fun to draw), but, like, the way she is so insecure about her friendship with Sora (I would say Riku as well, but let's be real here, those two could barely be considered friends, maybe acquaintances by this point, honestly) is something that would be so interesting to explore. I'm assuming it's probably from the trauma of losing her home world and everyone she cared about, like her Grandma, when her world was consumed by darkness—but, wow.

Even in KH1 where she and Sora are, in my opinion, the closest they've ever been shown to be, she's going on about leaving alone with Sora, the way that she immediately gives Sora a good luck charm the second she knows he's about to leave again, the way that she reaches out to Sora so desperately as if to say, "Please don't leave".

Then, in KH2, she straight up just forgets (not that it was her fault) about him and goes on with her life perfectly content. Once she realises, however, she immediately tries to remember him with such desperation that you have to wonder—why does she care so much for Sora but was perfectly fine staying on Destiny Islands instead of looking for her world or desperately trying to hold onto her memories of her Grandma? I think, at this point, some people would brush this off as 'her romantic feelings for Sora', but, like, is it really just that? I think it's more so about how she doesn't want to lose Sora completely as she did with her home world. She almost lost Sora completely, memories and all, and I think that after you've experienced losing your loved ones and the world that you've grown to love/have always loved almost completely at the ripe old age of a nursery kid. That leaves scars (obviously). So, when she realises she might lose someone she knew she was close with—she does whatever she can to get him back. Kairi wasn't able to do that with her home world, but maybe she could with Sora?

So! She immediately writes Sora a letter, puts it in a bottle and lets it float away. It's also probably why she takes such an active role in KH2, especially compared to KH1 where she was passed out for most of it and when she was awake she wasn't really doing much (like, Nomura, mate, couldn't you have had Kairi at least try to fend off some of the heartless??), but here she might still be getting kidnapped and stuff, but!! She's actually actively searching Sora out, trying to find him, fighting Axel, fighting the heartless with her keyblade, she's even the entire reason Sora even fucking found Riku, in the end. Now, let's fast forward to the end of KH2, Riku and Sora are stranded in the Realm of Darkness while Kairi is in Destiny Islands. She's alone, again. Imagine, finding two of your closest friends in the past, and then, bam! They're gone, again. And, again, you're helpless to do anything about it. That has to do something to your self-esteem, right? You've almost lost your friends twice, lost your world twice (kinda) and you couldn't do anything about it both times. It's like you're destined to be the only one left behind, the only one who can't take part in the Mark of Mastery exam, the only one who isn't in the Realm of Darkness or fighting Xemnas, the only one in the Realm of Light, and, the only one who will never be able to catch up with your friends.

So, the Mark of Mastery happens and Kairi's busy learning how to wield a keyblade with Lea/Axel. Just like how Sora's failures are getting to him, Kairi's incompetence is getting to her—I mean, have you heard her voice lines? She even fucking cuts her hair not because she thinks it's getting too long or something, but because she thinks Sora might like her more with short hair. It isn't about her, it's about how she needs to keep up, how she needs to be someone the others can turn to, how she needs to be on the same level as everyone else—because if she isn't, how will she ever be able to be there for her friends? How will she ever be able to stop being the 'damsel in distress'? She doesn't send her letters to Sora anymore, probably because she thinks she and Sora are no longer the same friends who could connect easily and talk to easily—she thinks Sora and her have gained some distance. Distance that could probably be shortened over time, maybe, but distance that is stopping her from being able to open up to him. Then, there's the whole paopu fruit thing where she gives Sora another good luck charm because, like in KH1, she's scared to lose him, again. So, she intertwines their fates, because what other reassurance does she have?

And, then, the whole thing with the Keyblade Graveyard happens where Sora has a mental breakdown, and Kairi isn't strong enough to be there for Sora—but, Riku is. I don't think she remembers that bit, but during the first timeline, she reaches out to Sora specifically. Maybe it's romance, or maybe it's her trying to be with him so she won't lose him again.

But, anyways, onto the second timeline. Sora loses Kairi again cause Xehanort's being an asshole as he does. This time, Sora has to sacrifice himself for Kairi to return—and so, she loses him, again. Only this time, it's all her fault (not that it really is, just what I think she thinks about the matter). And within seconds, her self-esteem probably crumbles—she's lost someone again, someone precious again, someone she couldn't save, someone who had to save her, just like how it was with her Grandma.

Okay!! Rambling about Kairi over, but, like, I could go on and on about how much losing her home world was like for her and all that jazz.

[embraceyourdestiny]

🧡😋🛌🗡 for Zexion

🧡 - everyone I ship this character with

Honestly, romantically? Just Riku at this point (and platonically I want them to have friends their age So Bad). Platonically I ship him with Sora because they are besties and you cannot change my mind. Roxas too. I would also like him to be friends with Pence bc Nerds. And I could see Ienzo being befriended by every girl he meets because he’s a nice lad. @ nomura please add more age appropriate males (or even girls I would take ienzo dating a girl if they had chemistry) to kh so I can make ienzo kiss them thank you. I have also considered Ienzo x Terra but just in passing bc I thought it was cute but the idea didn’t Grab Me you know? Oh!! And Naminé!! She is Ienzo’s other bestie, I think them and Sora is a very cute trio :] <3

😋 - funny/silly headcanon

Baby ienzo playing harmless pranks that he thought were hilarious on the castle residents. Putting a flowerpot on a shelf only he noticed. Hiding Even’s favorite drink in the back of the fridge so he’d have to search for it. It didn’t take much to satisfy his “thirst for chaos” as Even described it, but none of them really minded since he was so silent at this age they would’ve rather he giggled quietly to himself over innocent pranks than hear nothing from him at all.

🛌 - sleep headcanon

An insomniac if there ever was one. He’s plagued with nightmares but he can’t remember his past because of how traumatic it was (like his parents, and his memory after Xemnas killing him is extremely spotty. Riku helps him with his dreams when they get close enough.) He sleeps in the tiniest ball (fetal position) it’s a wonder how his back isn’t messed up. It takes a long time to undo that way of sleeping to go on his back. He sleeps with basically just a sheet, a comforter if it’s winter, and a nice pajama set Even gave him. He also has a burned teddy bear he’s kept hidden from everyone that he’s had since before he lost his parents (I imagine it was a fire, that’s why it’s burned) and he’s always aware of where it is but tries not to look at it because it’s too painful. He usually gets up in the middle of the night and grabs it if he can’t sleep. It doesn’t really help mentally but it’s a comfortable presence he’s relied on to fall asleep.

🗡 - badass headcanon

Ienzo taught himself magic. As men of science “the supernatural” was forbidden until Ansem meddled in it and they needed it as Nobodies, but Ienzo practiced long before. He found his book of illusions (a magic book of spells written by a man of science who was a skeptic but studied the phenomenon he noticed on his strange world) in the library in the castle and kept it hidden alongside his bear. He read it front to cover for days because it fascinated him until one day he tried to follow one of the rituals it listed and it worked. His first spell a mess as he accidentally made the book invisible and only brought it back through sheer panic, aka wishing to be able to see it again until it happened (it somehow went onto the ceiling but he brought it down with drift/gravity, his third spell). The only emotion he felt in his entire time as a Nobody was when Xemnas said he “wasn’t useless” since he didn’t need much training to fight because of his illusions and a swell of pride expanded in his heart, though he quickly stamped it down to not draw attention.

Ask game

[soranort-headcanons]

About the new Dark Road characters

Before we get into each individual character, here is some random thoughts

Disappointed that Yen Sid didn’t make it, but part of me admits that that had a low chance of happening due to him being a Disney character and all.

Part of me is also sad that they added more characters into the mix, because we lose the whole Eraqus and Xehanort growing as the only apprentices (with maybe Yen Sid added in) dynamic. At the same time, the idea that these two spent so much time with each other that no one wanted to be in their general vicinity while they were in a chess match and generally only cared about each other to the point that Xehanort only talks about Eraqus in his reports, is a hilarious idea that really adds fuel to the shipping fire for fans. Fun. 

There is six apprentices in total, just like in UX (Unions plus Luxu). If we add whatever master they have in, its seven. Just like the guardians. Since Eraqus (And maybe the new characters) are part of the “blueblood” line of Keyblade Wielders, this makes a lot of sense, since Keyblade Wielders are defenders of the light and all.

This also adds credibility of why Xehanort was allowed to go on a world tour but Eraqus wasn’t- It’s hard to keep track of so many children, plus while Eraqus wasn’t allowed to go at the moment, their master could simply tell Eraqus to go with someone else in a later date

I swear, if MoM is their master (extremely doubtful, please don’t do this)

Or maybe even Luxu, since we saw No Name hanging in the wall in kh3

I severely expect everyone to give up their keyblade and go into hiding or die. 

If everyone else minus Xehanort is part of a Keyblade lineage minus him, it would add a lot of depth to how he acted the way he did. Just like I brought up in some previous posts, it makes sense that an outsider would break so many rules or use questionable methods/use said methods to try to stand out. If he is the only one out, this makes it worse than if it was just Eraqus, Yen Sid and him. 

To add to my previous bullet point, he is standing on a throne, just like Sora in promotional material. He is the only one sitting and the center of the shot. Just like Sora, Xehanort obtained his Keyblade (If my memory is correct, its been a year since I touched kh after all) due to outside influence, just like Sora did. This would be an excellent time for Sora parallels, Nomura

Ok, now I’ll get to the actual new characters

My first reaction (Posted in my discord) was “Urd reminds me of Aqua. Please do not make her a love interest”

She looks like she is making an OwO face

She does remind of Aqua, but a little bit more mischievous.

I’ve seen people say Bragi could be Luxu but honestly I also have suspicions Urd is up to something. Merely because she has silver hair and yellow eyes.

I always think silver haired people are more important that they turn out to be due to Riku having silver hair. We also don’t know Riku’s parents, unlike Sora and Kairi. We know Sora has a mom and a dad with a boat, and we know who adopted Kairi. But Riku? nothing. I’m curious exactly who introduced the silver hair gene in destiny islands. Is it a common trait? Xehanort has it. Riku has it. I need to see the family trees, please Nomura. How tf do they get their hair color im dying please-

She stands between Eraqus and Xehanort but behind them. Im sure this will be important later on. Until then though, i cannot say much.

She does have the Recusant’s sigil though, which once again reminds me of the fact that Keyblade Wielders have inbuilt trackers in their clothes. Im sure thats very useful for when they get lost in a random world.

My first reaction to Vor: She looks innocent but she would totally stab me in the back in an alleyway if given the opportunity.

Look at her. She looks like a tiny evil gremlin.

As a short people I can attest that short people will not hesitate to set your house on fire in Minecraft if given the chance. The world is too tall for us so we shall burn it until it is at eye level

Look im approximately 5ft tall, im short

I like her color scheme, very eye pleasing

People have pointed out her name is one letter away from Vore. Thanks guys, I so did not need that

People theorize this is Kairi’s grandma. I can see why, but I shall remain neutral on the subject

Probably the youngest

kinda reminds me of Ava

She is in the front, along with our main duo, maybe this will mean something

Will probably be a mix between Aqua and Ventus in term of gameplay. Speedy or magic main.

My first reaction to Bragi was: he looks so smug. He gives me a bastard vibe but that has to be seen. Or he is a troll.

People theorize he is Luxu because his name can be rearranged to Braig. Considering Nomura’s love for anagrams, it makes sense. 

I wanna punch him in the face, he looks like he knows more than me

Reminds me of Axel. Hahahaha the idea of Axel and him having a connexion of some kind would be. Hilarious. Honestly the idea of anyone in this group having a relation to anyone in the present era would be hilarious because Xehanort grew up with these people so it would be like “Oh shit my coworkers had kids?!?!”

Could they be old enough to have kids? I mean, bbs Xehanort was like, 80 years old so it could be a possibility. 

Fire user. I take no criticism.

Or he is a status user. He would spam like, 50 status spells and just kick your ass without having to move. Look, someone in these series has to see the potential of status spells, I can’t be the only one

Imagine that instead of him being luxu, its the master. I would laugh so much at y’all’s reactions.

My first reaction to Hermod: he looks like the oldest and older brother vibes but that might be because he’s tall.

He gives me vibes of trying to be responsible like Aqua but rolls his eyes fondly at everyone else’s shenanigans.

Has a sense of humor

In terms of placement, he stands more or less on the center, which might reflect on his personality. Peacekeeper? Probably tries to be neutral.

Tries to keep Bragi in line.

Tries not to pick favorites.

The idea of him trying to talk to Vor is hilarious. What is he gonna do, stand in his knees? He is just too tall.

Maybe Xehanort is taller than him, and thats the only thing I shall accept

Senior apprentice

In terms of gameplay, he might be like Terra, a heavy hitter.

Gives good hugs

TLDR; at some point I went from analysis to simply listing off random thought, just as all my posts turn out at some point. We do not know enough about them. The fact that the last kh themed new character we had was Strelizia is insane. New blood! I’m excited for yet another mobile game I can lord over my siblings because I know the timeline and they don’t. Posible candidate for the Disney Plus series? doubtful but still a strong possibility. It is 9:08 PM and I have not beta read this. 

[atomic-taco-muffin]

The Lost Princess Chapter 5

Warnings: angst/fluff. it’s mainly angst

Rating: SFW

75 years after Xehanort had found you and met the MoM

Xehanort was standing in the keyblade graveyard with Xigbar and Saïx. He recalled the memory he had with the MoM and chuckled. 

“What’s so funny, old man? Mind sharing with us?” Xigbar asked. Xehanort looked at the two men and smirked. 

“I stand here today because of a fated encounter, very many years ago, when I was still a young lad. I never learned who he was, and perhaps I never will. But I see now the truth he spoke of,” Xehanort said. 

“We don’t have time for bedtime stories. Without the kid, we’re still down a thirteenth vessel, and as for the other twelve, only three of us are here right now. Are you absolutely sure the others made their way back to their perspective times?” Xigbar said. Everyone transported to the mountain (is it a mountain?) and continued their conversation there. 

“Marluxia and Larxene are both here in this time, attempting to locate the New Seven Hearts. Luxord is also somewhere about in this age, but after our last meeting, he went in search of something, per your order. Isn’t that so?” Saïx said as he looked at Xigbar. 

“Oh, that, right...Well, let’s just say that what he’s doing will benefit us in the long run, but it’s really of no importance right this second. Go on,” Xigbar said. 

“Playing your cards close as usual.” Saïx looked at Xehanort and he gave a signal to Saïx

“All right. The hearts of Ansem, Xemnas, Vanitas, Riku Replica, and Young Xehanort returned to where they came from, and reassembled once more. Each of them is seeking a guardian of light,” Saïx said. 

“So the ones who turned human, and then back again into Nobodies are me, you, Luxord, Marluxia, and Larxene--that’s five. The ones from the past transferred into replicas are Ansem, Xemnas, Vanitas, Riku Replica, and the old man’s younger self. Then we add the old man in, the total comes up to eleven. I think we’re still missing two,” Xigbar said.  

“Let’s not forget my daughter,” Xehanort said. 

“The spirit? That girl’s got a lot more light than we think. How are you gonna be able to turn her into a vessel?” Xigbar said.

“I have my ways. After all, a father knows what’s best for his daughter. But now, we must discuss why we have assembled here today. My incarnations from past times, vessels into which I transferred my heart, my essence, were destroyed. Thus, I was restored to what you see now. For one to completely disappear, their heart and body must be restored to their original form. That is one reason why I distributed my heart into several vessels. Ansem and Xemnas originated from Terra, or rather his young form--and it too was restored. However, my heart has returned to me, while his is yet lost. I decided to fill this hollow vessel with my heart--indeed, the very same heart that previously resided with young Terra.” 

“So that makes twelve. Then who do we get to replace the kid? Or the spirit?” 

“Twelve replicas were created by Vexen. The first twelve were nothing more than puppets, barely human. The first prototype was the Riku Replica, and then No. i was made. That leaves us with six. Ansem, Xemnas, Vanitas, Riku Replica, and Young Xehanort’s hearts--five vessels, one left. Vexen and Demyx are candidates, but backups at best. The plan for the last replica is to give it a heart that is connected to Sora’s,” Saïx said. 

“Connected to Sora? Anyone in mind?” Xigbar asked. 

“The second prototype that was created, No i. Though erased from memory, it remained in Vexen’s records. Its existence is greatly linked to Sora’s memories, along with (Y/N)’s powers, and thus should prove to be more than adequate for our needs.” 

“No.i...an imaginary number. How fitting.” 

“While Young Xehanort is occupied with transferring hearts, I must go fulfill my duty. I will go and retrieve Vexen.” 

“Reliable as always. It sounds to me like you’ve got everything dependably under control. Well, I’m off to do my part,” Xigbar said as he disappeared through a dark corridor. 

“The plan, as we agreed upon,” Saïx said as he also went through a dark corridor, leaving Xehanort on the mountain. 

“May your heart be your guiding key, (Y/N). You’re gonna need it,” he said. 

~~~~

Today was a beautiful day in the Land Of Departure. Xehanort let you visit Eraqus and you were so excited. You and Xehanort walked inside the castle and you ran up to Eraqus. 

“Uncle Eraqus!” you said as you ran up to him. 

“Hey, kiddo. How’s the best niece ever doing?” he said as he picked you up. 

“Good.” 

“That’s good. Ready to have the best day ever?” 

“Yep!” 

“Take good care of her while I’m gone,” Xehanort said. 

“Don’t worry. We’ll have a good time right?” 

“Right.” you said. 

“Alright then. Come give me a hug before I go,” Xehanort said. Eraqus put you down and you ran to Xehanort to give him a hug. 

“Be safe, daddy,” you said. 

“I will. You go have fun. I’ll be back soon,” Xehanort said. 

“Okay.” You let him go and ran back to Eraqus. You thought that he was going on a mission to defeat some heartless but really it was something really horrible. He arrived at the keyblade graveyard to give Ventus a keyblade lesson. At least that’s what Ven thought. But it was actually a way to see who was worthy of murdering you. 

(This scene broke my heart. I love Ven so much)

Ventus looked around the Neoshadows that were surrounding him and became scared of what they were going to do. 

“Please don’t do this, Master. I’m not strong enough,” Ven said. 

“No. It is because you are trying to hold it in. Let the dark impulses waken in the pit of your heart. Release them, here and now! Sharpen your fear into rage. You must! If you do not let the storm within you run its course, it will wipe you from the face of the world, make no mistake! Do it. Embrace the darkness. Produce for your Master the χ-blade! It is the only way to stop the spirit who wants to destroy the world!” Xehanort said. A Neoshadow jumped out at Ven and got attacked by it. Xehanort groaned and walked over to Ven. 

“Really? You would rather die than use the power? Feckless neophyte. If I must...I will extract the darkness from within you myself,” he said as he summoned his keyblade. He held his keyblade over Ven and used it to extract the darkness out of him. Ven felt his heart break in half as his darkness was extracted. Ven watched as his darkness turned into a human being. It hurt. A lot. Like he was losing half of his soul. The pain became too much and Ven passed out, not remembering anything of what just happened. 

“Empty creature from Ventus riven...to you, the name Vanitas shall be given,” Xehanort said. 

“Yes, Master,” Vanitas said. And that was how you got your new brother.  

[maddrmatt]

Kairi’s Epic Journey: The Quest for Sora

New to this fanfic? Click here to properly begin!

Chapter 20: To the North Mountain

Arendelle

A short while later, after getting herself dressed, Kairi paced back and forth around the room, racking her brain for any possible explanation for last night’s unexpected show. Pluto watched from his spot on the bed.

“I just can’t understand it, Pluto.  How was I able to see one of Sora’s memories?  I mean, I’ve had many dreams about him since he was lost.  But none of them were about things that actually happened. Why am I having them now?” she asked.

Pluto just gave a shrug of his shoulders and a whimper to indicate he had no idea either.  Kairi sighed and sat down on the bed next to him.

“Do you think maybe I was supposed to learn something from that memory?  But if so, then what was it?  When I returned to the Islands, Chirithy filled all of us in about what happened in that world when Sora was trying to save me.  So, if there was nothing in that memory that I didn’t already know, then what was the point of even showing it to me?” asked Kairi holding her head in her hands.

Pluto whimpered and pawed at her shoulder.  Kairi gave a small smile while she put her arm around her canine companion and stroked his back.

“I know you can’t possibly have the answers, Pluto.  But thanks for listening anyway.  It’s just not easy having so many unanswered questions while we’re on this quest. Between the Wayfinder, the woman in my dreams who gave it to me, and the Memento Card from Never Land, I just don’t think I can handle any more mysteries.”

‘It’s times like these I wish I could go to someone wiser than me like Master Yen Sid, Merlin or Ansem the Wise.  But, besides the fact that I can’t get to their worlds from here, they’d probably just tell Riku and the others and then I’d be dragged back home to the Islands.  I really am on my own here.’

Just then, there was a knock on the door followed by an elderly female voice who said, “Miss Kairi?  The queen and the princess were wondering if you’ve awoken yet. They’re awaiting you in the dining hall for breakfast.”

“I have, Gerda.  Please tell them I’ll be there soon,” responded Kairi.

“Of course,” said Gerda’s voice as the sound of her footsteps walking away were heard outside the door.

Kairi let out a large sigh.  “Actually Pluto, watching that memory did get me thinking about something regarding Anna and Elsa.  In fact, it’s actually something that’s been on my mind ever since we were preparing to face Xehanort.”

Pluto looked at her in confusion.  But he gestured for her to continue.

Kairi rose to her feet and faced the dog.  “In the memory, Sora mentioned that we fought against Xehanort and the Organization even though it was what he wanted to happen in order to keep them from going after Anna, Elsa and the other new Princesses of Heart.  But I’ve been wondering for the longest time if we could’ve done a little more than that. Like maybe warning them about the danger they could be in.  Or even gathering them all together and bringing them to somewhere they might be safe.”

Pluto gave a yelp of surprise in response. Kairi gestured for him to be quiet.

“I know.  I know.  If the others were here, they’d probably give me a big lecture about how those ideas would be a major violation of the world order.  And yes, I admit I did say differently to you last night after Elsa left. But I can’t help it.  It just doesn’t seem right to keep the other Princesses in the dark like this.  There could be others like Maleficent and Xehanort out there and I hate to think of what might happen to the Princesses and their worlds if they come after them especially since they would have no idea why.  Personally, after everything I’ve been through, I’d certainly want to know of any potential threats that might come after me regardless of the rules,” stated Kairi.

Kairi let out another sigh before she continued, “I don’t know, Pluto.  If it were truly up to me, I’d tell Anna, Elsa and the rest of the new Princesses of Heart everything.  And I’m sure if Sora was here, he’d probably agree with me.  Do you think I’m wrong for wanting to do this?”

Pluto considered Kairi’s words.  Ever since his master had taken up the Keyblade, he too knew how important preserving the world order was.  But, at the same time, he had to concede that Kairi was making some good points.  Unable to give a definite answer to his friend, he simply gave an uncertain shrug.

Suddenly, a loud roar rang through the room causing Kairi and Pluto to jump.  It sounded as if it was coming from outside.  Kairi rushed to the window and parted the curtains.  She gasped in shock.

Her window looked out into the courtyard. And currently squeezing through the gates was a giant monster that looked like it was made of snow.  It had claws made of ice and protrusions of ice coming out from its knees.  Its face was composed of two empty holes for eyes and a large wide mouth that was the source of the roars.

“Pluto!  There’s some kind of monster outside!  It might be a Heartless after Anna and Elsa!  We’ve got to fight it off!”

Quickly, she opened the window and climbed onto the sill.  She quickly leapt to the ground with Pluto landing shortly beside her.

The snow monster had just finished pushing through the gates.  It was now lumbering across the courtyard towards the doors.  So far, it hadn’t noticed Kairi and Pluto

‘I may have failed with Sora.  But I will not fail to keep Anna and Elsa safe!’ Kairi thought as she summoned her Keyblade and pointed it at a spot on the ground between the snow monster and the doors.

“Fire!” shouted Kairi as she shot a fireball from her Keyblade.  It struck the ground right in front of the snow monster.  It roared in fright.

Taking advantage, Kairi and Pluto charged in and stood in front of the doors.  They struck defensive poses before the snow monster.

“Back off, you beast!  If you’re looking to hurt Anna and Elsa, then you’re going to have to go through us first!” she yelled with Pluto barking in accompaniment.

The snow monster let out an enraged roar as it raised it’s claw in preparation to swipe it at Kairi and Pluto.  The girl raised her Keyblade to meet the oncoming attack.

But just as the snow monster was about to attack, it stopped.  Its empty eyes gazed at Kairi’s Keyblade.  A look of what seemed to be recognition crossed its face.

“Sora?” it bellowed.

Kairi’s eyes opened wide in surprise upon hearing what the snow monster had just said.  She lowered her Keyblade as she and Pluto both glanced up to the snow monster in confusion.

“What did you say?” asked Kairi.

“Kairi, if you wanted to play with Marshmallow, you could’ve waited until after breakfast.  That way, we could all play together.”

Kairi looked behind her right to see Olaf walking toward them.  Oddly, he didn’t seem too concerned that there was a giant monster in their presence.

As he walked past her, the snowman’s eyes fell on Kairi’s Keyblade and he gasped in surprise.  “Oh!  Sora has one of those too!  Only not as flowery.”

Olaf walked up to the snow monster and hugged its leg.  Kairi’s and Pluto’s jaws dropped in surprise.

“So good to see you here, little brother!” Olaf said joyfully.

Kairi’s surprise increased.  “Little brother?!” she exclaimed in disbelief.

“Oh, I guess you two must’ve started playing with each other so quickly, you didn’t properly introduce yourselves.  Allow me,” said Olaf as he clutched onto one of the snow monster’s claws and led him up to Kairi.  The snow monster hesitantly walked alongside him.

“Kairi, Pluto, I’d like you to meet my little brother, Marshmallow.  Marshmallow, this is Kairi and her dog Pluto,” said Olaf.

Kairi unsummoned her Keyblade and hesitantly held out her hand to Marshmallow’s claw.  “Uh, nice to meet you, Marshmallow,” she said unsurely.

Much to her surprise, Marshmallow regarded her with uncertainty.  ‘I guess I can’t really blame him.  I did almost attack him.’

“Now don’t be shy, Marshmallow.  Kairi’s very nice.  She’s actually a very close friend of Sora’s,” said the smaller snowman whispering the last sentence.

A small smile came to the giant’s face.  He placed the tip of his claw into Kairi’s palm allowing her to shake it.

Kairi returned his smile before it was replaced by concern.  “Olaf, doesn’t he feel a little moist?”

Olaf glanced at his stick hand and took note of the moisture now on it.  “Not to worry, Kairi.  All Elsa needs to do is give him a flurry of his own and he’ll be okay for his visit.”

Kairi gazed at the giant snowman.  Now that he wasn’t creating an uproar, he looked like he was a pretty gentle giant.

Although, there was one feature of Marshmallow that disconcerted her.  She noticed several holes scattered around his body.  They almost looked like battle scars.

“Olaf!  Kairi!” exclaimed Anna’s voice.

Kairi turned and saw Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Sven approaching.  Behind them was a crowd composed of the castle staff.  All of them seemed to be concerned with Marshmallow’s presence.

“Anna!  Elsa! Marshmallow came to visit us!” exclaimed Olaf.

Anna looked at all the holes over Marshmallow’s body and gasped.  “What happened to him?  Why does he look so roughed up?”

“You mean he doesn’t look like that normally?” asked Kairi causing Anna to shake her head in response.

Olaf finally noticed the holes himself and his eyes opened wide.  “Oh! I’m sorry, little brother!  I was so happy to see you; I didn’t notice you were hurt.  Elsa, can you help him?” he asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry, Olaf.  I’ll take care of this,” said Elsa as she waved her hands.  Her ice magic travelled from her hands and flowed around Marshmallow. The holes filled up with new snow as he let out a sigh of relief.

“And just to make sure he doesn’t melt while he’s down here,” said Elsa as she conjured a larger version of Olaf’s snow flurry above the giant snowman.

“There!  That’s better!  Now you’ll be nice and cool for your visit down here,” said Olaf.

“Something tells me he didn’t come here for a visit, Olaf. Look how distressed he looks,” said Kairi.

“Kairi’s right.  And even if he wanted to visit, Marshmallow knows that shouldn’t come down from the North Mountain when it’s not winter,” said Kristoff.

Before any of them could press the matter further, they heard from behind them say, “I heard the uproar and saw everyone running out. What ever is the matter?”

Everyone turned behind them to see the Duke of Weselton making his way through the crowd.  Upon seeing Marshmallow, he gasped in surprise.

“Oh my!  Erik and Francis told me of your larger snowman that guarded your ice palace, Queen Elsa.  But to see it in person is quite a sight indeed.  But why on earth has it come here?” inquired the Duke.

“Marshmallow is not an ‘it’, Your Grace.  He is a he and I’m sure he would prefer that you referred to him as such,” snapped Anna causing the Duke to back off in surprise.

“Anna, don’t be rude,” chided Elsa before turning to the Duke.  “You’ll have to forgive my sister, Your Grace.  Marshmallow’s unexpected appearance is causing all of us a little concern.”

“Oh no.  It was an error on my behalf.  I meant no offense to er Marshmallow.  Please accept my apology, Princess Anna,” said the Duke.

Anna looked as if she was ready to lash out again at the Duke.  But a look of warning from both Elsa and Kristoff made her reconsider.

She took a deep breath and said, “It’s fine, Your Grace.  Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to find out why Marshmallow is here.  You may continue on your returning home.”

Elsa, in the meantime, addressed the rest of the crowd.  “You can all return to your duties.  My sister and I will attend to this matter,” she said as the crowd heeded her words and returned to the palace.

Anna turned her attention back to Marshmallow. “Marshmallow, not that we don’t like seeing you, but why are you here?  You know Arendelle isn’t safe for you during the spring.”

Marshmallow gave an apologetic look.  “Chased!  From palace!” he cried causing everyone’s eyes to open up in surprise.

“Chased? What on earth would an immense creature such as him run away from?” asked the Duke’s voice.

Anna turned back to the Duke who had stopped shortly of entering the palace.  She shot him a deadly glare causing him to cower slightly.

“Uh right.  You were probably about to find that out.  I’ll just return to my preparations to leave.  Forgive my interruption,” said the Duke as he turned around and walked quickly back into the palace finally leaving the group alone in the courtyard.

‘Boy, if looks could kills, the Duke would be dead right where he stood.  But as much as I hate to agree with him, he is right.  Marshmallow looks like something others would run from, not the other way around,’ thought Kairi.

“Marshmallow, who chased you?” asked Elsa.

“People!  With fire!” groaned Marshmallow who looked almost traumatized just mentioning it.

“Oh no.  No wonder you ran,” said Olaf as he hugged his brother’s leg.

Kairi regarded the giant snowman with sympathy. ‘The poor thing!  He must’ve been terrified!  And I just had to shoot a Fire spell to get his attention,’ she thought with regret.

Kairi approached the giant snowman and grabbed onto one of his giant hands.  She gave it a reassuring rub.  “I’m really sorry, Marshmallow.  If I knew who you were, I wouldn’t have tried to attack you.”

Marshmallow was surprised at the sudden gesture of comfort. But he gave a grunt of thanks.

“Why would anyone chase Marshmallow out of the ice palace?” asked Anna.

“I don’t know.  Maybe they were seeking shelter in the mountain and found the ice palace.  They may have assumed he was dangerous, and they ended up in a fight.  A fight that they apparently won,” said Kristoff.

“That’s not very nice. Marshmallow would’ve probably let them stay with him if they had just asked nicely,” said Olaf.

“Yes.  But unfortunately, Olaf, not everyone knows Marshmallow as well as we do,” said Kristoff.

“Well, whoever they are, we can’t let them get away with treating him like this.  I say we march right up to the North Mountain and demand an explanation from them,” said Anna pounding a fist into her palm.

“Now, Anna, let’s not do anything too rash.  We have to think this through,” said Elsa.

“What’s there to think about?  There’s a group of people in your ice palace who attacked our friend.  He was probably lucky to get out of there alive.  We can’t just do nothing,” said Anna.

“I never said we were going to do nothing.  I’ll travel up to the North Mountain and try to negotiate with them.  It may just be a misunderstanding and we can resolve this peacefully,” said the queen.

“But what if it’s not a misunderstanding?  What if these people are dangerous?  I’m not letting you go up there alone if they are.  Certainly not without me or the boys,” said Anna with Kristoff, Sven and Olaf nodding in agreement.  Marshmallow nodded too although he looked a little hesitant.

“Anna, no.  With my powers, I can protect myself from whatever might happen up there.  Besides, if we all go, then no one’s going to be able to help Kairi search for Sora,” Elsa said.

Anna gasped in realization.  She turned around to face Kairi.  “Oh, Kairi! I’m so sorry!  We’re supposed to be helping you today,” said the princess apologetically.

“You know what, Anna?  It can wait,” said Kairi bluntly to everyone’s surprise.  

“But Kairi, what about Sora?  Don’t you want to start looking for him?” asked Olaf.

“More than anything.  But who knows how long it will be before we actually find anything? We should deal with this right now,” said Kairi.

Anna’s surprise increased.  “We?  You mean…”

“Yes.  If you’re going up to this ice palace, then you can count on me to help you out,” stated Kairi as Pluto barked to show his desire to help as well.

“I don’t know, Kairi.  I don’t want to put you in danger,” said Elsa.

Kairi held out her hand and summoned Destiny’s Embrace.  “I think I can handle any kind of danger.”

Everyone gasped in surprise.  “You have one of those giant keys too!  Just like Sora!” exclaimed Anna.

“Yes, she does.  I saw it earlier before all of you came into the courtyard.  You know, there must be some pretty big doors somewhere for these big keys,” said Olaf.

“I watched Sora use his to fight off the Heartless with Donald and Goofy.  It was amazing what he could do with it,” said Elsa as she looked at the Keyblade.

“If you’ve seen what he can do with his, Elsa, then you know that like him, I’m not going to stay behind when there’s a wrong to be righted,” said Kairi.

“Kairi, are you sure?” asked Elsa.

Kairi smiled at the queen.  “I am. The most important thing that we do right now is get Marshmallow his home back.  Sora would do the same thing if he were here now.”

“I can see why you and Sora are such good friends.  You’re both so helpful,” said Olaf.

“Indeed.  Thank you, Kairi,” said Anna gratefully before turning to her sister.  “Elsa, we know you just want to keep us all safe.  It’s always been one of your best qualities.  But that doesn’t mean you have to do everything by yourself.  I believe that with all we have to offer, we can pull this off.  And if Kairi’s willing to put her search for Sora on hold to help out, the least you can do is accept it.”

Elsa gazed at everyone around her hesitantly.  Throughout most of her life, she dreaded any harm coming to the people she loved especially Anna.  But she had to admit that her sister was right.  With so many willing to help, including their newest friend, it would be wrong to decline.

Finally, the queen let out a sigh and smiled at her sister.  “I guess I’m really outnumbered on this one.  You win.  Kristoff, can you get your sled ready to go?”

“Right away, Elsa. Let’s go, Sven,” said Kristoff as he and the reindeer dashed off to the stable.

“Come on, Kairi.  If we’re going up to the North Mountain, you’re going to need some warmer clothes,” said Anna.

“Do you think you have anything that’ll fit me?” asked Kairi.

“I’m sure we can find something,” said Anna as she took Kairi by the hand and led her back into the palace with Pluto following behind leaving Elsa and Olaf alone with Marshmallow.

“Don’t worry, Marshmallow.  We’ll get your home back.  Right, Elsa?” asked Olaf as he petted his brother’s hand.

“We’ll see, Olaf. Hopefully, whoever chased him out can be reasoned with,” said Elsa worriedly.

________________________________________________________________

A short while later, everyone who was going up to the North Mountain was gathered around Kristoff’s sled to which Sven was hitched up.  Anna was dressed in the winter clothes that she had got at Oaken’s during Elsa’s winter. Kristoff was in his ice harvesting outfit and Elsa remained in her snow gown.

“Are those clothes you found comfortable for you, Kairi?” Elsa asked the princess of heart who was now dressed in a brown winter outfit complete with boots and gloves.

“They are a little big, but it’ll do.  I will admit, I’m not used to wearing something like this.  Where I come from, the weather doesn’t usually require clothing this warm,” said Kairi.

“Well, at least you’re better dressed for cold weather than Sora was when he was here,” said Elsa.

“Yeah.  I can imagine he probably was pretty vocal in his complaints about freezing.  But Elsa, don’t you want to dress a little more warmly?” asked Kairi gesturing to the queen’s apparently flimsy gown that one probably wouldn’t normally wear in the cold.

“You don’t need to worry about me.  The cold never bothered me anyway,” said Elsa.

“Yes.  And you won’t believe how many times she’s made that point,” said Anna causing Elsa to chuckle.

Kairi smiled.  It looked like Anna and Elsa were on their way to getting over their conflict.

“We’d better get going if we want to make it up to the North Mountain and back before dark,” said Kristoff.

“Can Sven make it in that time, Kristoff?” asked Kairi.

“Oh yes.  I’m pretty strong and you will not believe how fast I can go,” said Kristoff in his Sven voice causing Kairi to laugh.

“At least you won’t have to carry Marshmallow with us in the sled.  He’d definitely slow you down,” said the Princess of Heart gazing up at the giant snowman who had Olaf sitting on top of his head.

“Oh, he doesn’t mind walking.  And I’ll be right up here so he won’t get lonely,” said Olaf giving his brother a pat on the head to which he let out a grunt.

“Let’s get going, everyone.  We’ve got some bad guys to chase out of the ice palace so we can get Marshmallow his home back!” exclaimed Anna.

Everyone boarded the sled.  Kristoff sat up front at the reins with Anna at his side.  Kairi climbed into the back with Elsa and Pluto.

But just as Kristoff was about to command Sven to leave, a voice from the palace called out, “Queen Elsa!  Princess Anna!”

Everyone turned toward the doors.  To their surprise, the Duke of Weselton was running toward them with a pair of guards following close behind.

‘Now what does he want?’ thought Kairi.

Once the trio had reached the sled and stopped, one of the guards said, “I’m sorry, Your Majesties. We were about to escort him back to his ship.  But he ran away from us.”

Elsa rose to her feet, walked to the edge of the sled and gazed at the Duke.  “Your Grace, one of the terms of your visit was that you were to be escorted by the guards at all times and only go where you were supposed to,” she said sternly.

“I know and forgive my violation, Your Highness.  But in light of the circumstances, there is something I feel I need to ask you,” pleaded the Duke.

Anna was about to say something until Kristoff gently grabbed her by the arm.  “Let Elsa handle this,” he whispered.

“Very well.  What is it?” asked the queen.

“I know this may be too much to ask of you and I know I have no right to ask in the first place. But I humbly request to accompany you on your journey to the North Mountain,” said the Duke causing everyone’s to shoot open with shock.

‘Why would he want to come with us?’ thought Kairi.

It seemed Elsa shared the same train of thought with Kairi.  “Your Grace, why do you wish to come along?”

“Because if those ruffians that chased your giant are anything like I used to be, then perhaps I could be of assistance to you in persuading them of their error.  You both could consider it part of my atonement for my offenses against you.”

“Your Grace, the best way you can atone to both of us for your offenses is to let the guards escort you to your ship and return to Weselton.  We are all perfectly capable of dealing with whoever is in the ice palace without any need for your assistance.  Right, Elsa?” asked Anna.

Much to Anna’s surprise, Elsa didn’t seem to agree.  In fact, it almost looked like she was actually taking the Duke’s request into consideration.

Anna gasped in horror as she rose to her feet and faced her sister.  “Elsa, no!  Letting him come along is going way too far!” she exclaimed.

“Anna, please think about this.  He’s abided by all our conditions during his visit here and up to now, he hasn’t asked anything of us.  In light of that, I think maybe we should allow him to come with us,” said Elsa before leaning toward Anna and whispering to her sister, “This is still about keeping things civil between our homelands.  It would be foolish to jeopardize that now.”

Anna looked like she wanted to scream.  She looked over to Kristoff who held up his hands indicating he didn’t want to get involved in this.

Anna looked to Kairi. All the Princess of Heart could do was give a shrug showing she had no idea of what to do either.

“Errgh!  Fine!  You can come along, Your Grace,” said Anna begrudgingly before shooting her sister a glare.  ‘But if you’re waiting for me to like it, you’ll be waiting for a very long time.’

“Oh, thank you so much, Princess.  I promise you that you will not regret this, and I will do everything I can to assist you all in your endeavor.  I also look forward to seeing this fabulous ice palace of yours,” said the Duke.

“Oh, you’re going to love seeing it.  It’s quite a work of art, Mr. Weasel Town,” said Olaf.

The Duke’s eyes narrowed in annoyance.  “It’s Wesel…,” he nearly shouted before catching himself and clearing his throat. “I mean, I’m sure it is.”

“Well, if you’re coming with us, then climb on in,” said Anna as she climbed off the sled.

“Anna, where are you going?” asked Elsa.

“To ride with Olaf,” she said curtly.

Kairi watched Anna walk up to the giant snowman.  Marshmallow gently picked up Anna in his hand and raised her up to his shoulder allowing her to climb on top of him.

Kairi let out a sigh.  ‘Just when it seemed that everything was about to be fixed between them, this had to happen.’

“Elsa, I’m going to ride with her and Olaf.  Maybe I can calm her down,” said Kairi.

“Thank you, Kairi,” said Elsa as she climbed up front to sit next to Kristoff.

Kairi was about to climb out of the sled just as the Duke entered through the back.  “Oh!  I don’t believe we’ve had a proper introduction, young lady.  The Duke of Weselton, at your service,” said the Duke with a bow causing the rear half of his wig to flop forward.

“Uh, nice to meet you, Your Grace.  My name is Kairi, and this is my dog Pluto,” said Kairi as she bowed back while Pluto eyed the Duke with suspicion.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both, Miss Kairi.  Am I correct in assuming you are a newcomer to the queen’s circle of friends?” asked the Duke.

“You could say that. We all have a mutual friend who has gone missing.  We were supposed to begin our search for him today before this problem came up,” said Kairi awkwardly.

“I’m very sorry to hear that.  I do hope you find him,” said the Duke sympathetically.

“So do I,” said Kairi as she walked past the Duke and hopped off the end of the sled.

“Pluto!” she whispered as the dog came over to her.  “I know the Duke seems like he’s not up to no good.  But keep an eye on him just the same.”

Pluto gave a salute with one of his ears.  He then turned around and kept his eyes on the Duke who was now seated behind Elsa.

‘Having the Duke come along is going to complicate things especially since I don’t know how he’s going to react if he sees me and my Keyblade in action.  I guess I’ll just have to trust Elsa that he really is trying to turn over a new leaf.’

Kairi then walked over to Marshmallow.  Knowing what she wanted, the giant snowman picked her up like he did with Anna and raised her high enough that she could climb up to where Anna and Olaf were.

“Nice of you to join us, Kairi,” said Olaf pleasantly.

“Glad to see you didn’t want to be around the Duke either,” said Anna bluntly.

Having overheard her sister, Elsa sighed and turned to Kristoff.  “It’s time we got started.  Go ahead, Kristoff.”

The ice harvester nodded and snapped the reins.  Taking the signal, Sven began to pull the sled toward the gates of the castle. Marshmallow trudged close behind at a similar pace.

Their trip to the North Mountain and Elsa’s ice palace had begun.

________________________________________________________________

A few hours later, the party had travelled far away from the village.   The signs of getting closer to the mountain were beginning to be seen as they entered an area of snow-covered ground.

As Kairi rode atop Marshmallow, she mulled over how the trip had gone so far.  ‘According to what we learned when we stopped at Oaken’s trading post earlier, neither he nor any of his family heard anything come past them last night.  So, whoever these people in the ice palace are, they must’ve come from outside Arendelle.’

Kairi then glanced over to Anna who was shooting a hostile look at the Duke in the sled. She had been doing it throughout the whole trip.

‘There’s got to be something I can do to help Anna end this hostility towards not only the Duke, but her sister as well.’

Suddenly, Marshmallow halted.  Kairi, Anna and Olaf looked ahead and saw that the sled had stopped as well.

“Okay, everyone out,” said Kristoff.

“What on earth for?” asked the Duke.

“I need to take the wheels off and replace them with the runners.  Otherwise, we can’t go any further, Your Grace,” said Kristoff.

“Oh.  Well, carry on then,” said the Duke as he, Elsa and Pluto disembarked the sled.

But just as Kristoff was about to get to work, he saw something up ahead.  He rushed toward it.

“Kristoff, what is it?” asked Anna from on top of Marshmallow.

“There’s a trail of tracks over there.  They’re heading in the direction of the ice palace.  I’m going to take a closer look,” he said as he pointed ahead.

Once the ice harvester reached the tracks, he kneeled down.  He studied them closely.

“Does he know what he’s doing?” the Duke whispered to Elsa.

“Kristoff grew up in these wilds, Your Grace.  So, if he thinks there’s anything that can be learned from those tracks, we have to trust him,” said Elsa as Sven grunted in agreement.

“If you say so.  But I do hope we get to our destination very soon.  The way this dog has been looking at me is making me rather uncomfortable,” said the Duke pointing over his shoulder at Pluto who was still keeping a close eye on him.

After a few minutes, Kristoff returned to the sled. “What did they look like, Kristoff?” asked Kairi.

“From what I saw, there’s footprints, hoofmarks and sled tracks which means there may be a lot of them.  But I can’t tell how many exactly,” said Kristoff as he resumed work on swapping the wheels for the runners.

Elsa gazed up toward the mountains ‘What kind of people are we dealing with and what could they be doing up there?’

“Do you think it would be a good idea to turn back and resume this journey with reinforcements?” asked the Duke.

“No.  We’ve come too far already to turn back now.  Besides, we have everything and everybody who can handle this, Your Grace,” said Anna sourly.

Elsa glanced up at to Marshmallow.  Her heart sank as she saw the persistent unpleasant look on her sister’s face.

Seeing the Duke was on the opposite side of the sled and out of earshot, she walked up to Kristoff and asked quietly, “Kristoff, do you think I made a mistake in bringing the Duke along?”

“I know you’re just trying to keep things good between you and him, Elsa.  But I won’t deny that it is a bit of a setback to things getting back to normal around here,” said Kristoff as he worked.

Elsa’s frown deepened and Kristoff offered her a comforting smile.  “Don’t worry. I have a feeling that the other feisty redhead up there can talk some sense into her.”

In spite of herself, Elsa managed to smile a little as she recalled her conversation with Kairi the evening before. ‘Kairi does seem like the type of person who could do that.  It’s no wonder she and Sora are good friends.”

“I think there may even be a little more than friendship between them,” said Kristoff causing Elsa to give a look of surprise.  

“He did grow up with love experts so he can recognize it when he sees it,” Kristoff said in his Sven voice to which Sven nodded.

Elsa thought about it some more.  ‘Kristoff may be right.  The way we’ve heard Kairi talk about Sora, even though it’s tainted by sadness, is very similar to how Anna talks about Kristoff.’

Then a small frown came to her face.  ‘I can only hope after this, we can find some way to bring the two of them back together.’

________________________________________________________________

Much later, after the wheels had been swapped out for the runners, the trip had resumed.  The party was now travelling even higher into the mountains.

Ever since the earlier stop, things had been pretty quiet between Elsa, Kristoff and the Duke.  None of them was willing to start a conversation.  They sat in silence in the sled.

On top of Marshmallow, however, Olaf was as vocal as usual.  He was laying on his back and pointing out the shapes in the clouds.

“Look, Anna and Kairi! There’s a cloud that looks like a fluffy bunny!  It’s so cute!” exclaimed the snowman pointing upward.

Kairi looked at the cloud in question and smiled.  “You’re right, Olaf!  It does look like a rabbit.  Don’t you see it, Anna?”

Anna said nothing. She just continued to glare at the Duke in the sled.

‘Okay. Peacemaker time,’ thought Kairi. “Anna, I know you’re not too… enthused about having the Duke with us.”

“Now there’s the biggest understatement ever, Kairi.  Any second now, I know he’s going to turn on us and hurt Elsa,” said Anna.

“Anna, I doubt he’s going to try anything especially since we outnumber him eight to one.  If we’re going to deal with this problem, we’re all going to need to work together and this frosty attitude towards your sister isn’t helping things,” said Kairi.

“Anna?” Olaf asked causing her to turn to him.  “Kairi’s right. I don’t like it that you’ve been making Elsa feel so badly,” he said sadly.

A flash of regret shot across Anna’s features.  “I’m sorry, Olaf.  I don’t like making Elsa feel bad either.  It’s just so hard being around the Duke after everything he did.”

“I understand, Anna. I’ve actually been in a position similar to this one before,” said Kairi.

Anna turned to the other redheaded princess.  “You have?”

“Yes.  Very recently, I had to train and fight alongside someone that I wasn’t on very good terms with,” said Kairi.

“What exactly did this person do to you?” asked Anna.

“He tried to kidnap me in order to force Sora to do what he wanted,” said Kairi.

Anna’s eyes opened wide. “He did?  And you had to work with him?  How did you manage to even be in the same room with him?”

“Believe me, I was asking myself the same question.  But after some time, I realized that though his methods were wrong, his reasons weren’t and just because he did bad things in the past didn’t mean that he was incapable of doing good.  And what also helped was the fact that he ended up helping to save Sora from a very terrible fate.”

“Saving Sora does sound like a good reason to be friends with this person,” said Olaf.

“That was the biggest reason I decided to forgive him, Olaf,” said Kairi.

Anna seemed to consider Kairi’s story.  But she still didn’t look one hundred percent convinced.

“You don’t have to become best friends with the Duke, Anna.  But don’t rule out the possibility that he may have turned over a new leaf because I have seen it happen,” said Kairi.

Anna let out a sigh. “I get what you’re saying, Kairi. And I guess it is pretty admirable that Elsa is willing to give the Duke a chance.  It’s just…”

“Just what, Anna?” asked Olaf.

“It’s just that every time I see the Duke, I’m reminded of all the danger Elsa was in after the coronation.  Especially since it was all because of me,” Anna said remorsefully.

The last sentence of Anna’s struck Kairi and Olaf by surprise.  “Anna, what do you mean?” asked Kairi.

“If I hadn’t been so desperate for love and accepted a marriage proposal from someone who never loved me, Elsa’s powers wouldn’t have been revealed in the worst possible way. Then the Duke would never have tried to kill her.  I caused so much trouble for her and having him around is just a painful reminder of it,” said Anna who looked like she was about to cry.

‘So, a lot of the anger Anna’s been showing has actually been at herself.  I certainly know how that feels.  Sora ended up in so much danger because of me in the past that that all I ever wished more than anything was that it would never happen again,’ thought Kairi.

“I’m sorry, Anna,” said Olaf patting her hand.

“Me too,” said Kairi.

“It’s okay, Olaf and Kairi.  You didn’t know.  But you are right that I haven’t been very fair to Elsa during all this.  The Duke has behaved himself during his visit so maybe if he does manage to help us out at the ice palace in some way, I guess I could consider letting bygones be bygones a little,” said Anna.

“That’s the spirit, Anna. If he can help get my little brother his home back, then I’m sure we can all be friends,” said Olaf.

“Well, I don’t think I’d go that far, Olaf,” said Anna with a small chuckle causing Kairi to smile. It was good to see Anna taking her words to heart.

“Anna, there’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask you: does Olaf know what the word ‘little’ actually means?  Because that really isn’t the word I’d use to describe Marshmallow,” said Kairi.

Anna chuckled. “When Olaf calls Marshmallow his little brother, he’s not actually referring to his size, Kairi.”

“That’s right. Marshmallow is my little brother because Elsa made him after she made me with her powers,” said Olaf.

“Oh, so it’s matter of who was ‘born’ first.  Now I get it,” said Kairi with a laugh.

“Glad we could clear that up for you, Kairi.  Oh look! We’re nearly there!  The ice palace is just up ahead,” exclaimed the little snowman pointing ahead to a bend in the path.

“Oh, you’re just going to love it when you see it, Kairi.  Elsa’s ice palace is one of the most wonderful, amazing, beautiful…” Olaf stopped just as they rounded the bend.

Everyone’s eyes widened and their jaws dropped.  But not in awe.

“Oh no,” said Anna in a tone of shock and despair.

________________________________________________________________

Onto the next chapter!

[mimiplaysgames]

A Powerful Enough Dream (Ch. 6)

Pairing: Terra/Aqua (eventually) Rating: T Word Count: 6,014

Summary: Riku and Sora drag Aqua to Yen Sid’s in order to hash out a plan to save Ven. But Aqua is having none of it.

Read on AO3

A/N: Hi!!!! It’s been a long, long time, I know. I’m sorry for not updating this more often. My other WIPs take up so so much of my time, and I don’t have enough to spare this collection. I’m nervous about continuing this, I mean: it’s no longer relevant because of KH3, and sometimes I think the Terqua fandom has died??? I’ll have to see what people think of it. I know there’s readers for this piece and I HEARD YOU. I HEARD YOU. I have the next two chapters lined up already, so we’ll see!

~*~*~*~*~

Betrayal

Riku shows her to her room: a small thing held together by enormous stones, with a bed at the center, a wobbly nightstand, and a door leading to the bathroom. A thin window sits high on the wall, through which Aqua can see this tiny, dark world that Yen Sid calls home. 

In the corner of the bedroom is a dusty outline on the floor where something once stood. A mirror, most likely. She peeks into the bathroom to find that the mirror screwed to the wall above the sink has been removed as well, leaving a rectangle of slime-free tile.

What she appreciates the most is how Riku doesn’t make a big show of what he does for her. 

“I’ll come get you when Yen Sid’s ready to see you,” Riku says, reaching for the door knob. “Hope it’s comfy enough.”

Nothing about this trip is comfortable. 

The Mysterious Tower is just as she left it: a speck far in the distance, too far for darkness to do any real damage. Protected by a sky of stars and magic that bubbles deep into its earth, this place breathes light. Aqua braces her fingers against the stone wall - instead of something cold built by man, she feels sparks of magic scatter across the surface, from memories of mischief and self-discovery.

She lets go and prepares herself to wash up, maybe find some food in one of the tower’s quirky rooms, when Riku knocks on her door.

“That was fast.”

Riku looks at her questioning face and shrugs. “I figured… considering how Terra’s visit went, we should probably get this over with.”

~*~*~*~*~

Yen Sid lounges in his office at the top of the tower. Everything is the same - maybe the notes on his board are different, but the pile of books, most with dust that gathered over years, still sit where they live. The candles burn as though they will never run out of wax. Yen Sid himself doesn’t seem to age. 

Riku and Sora flank Aqua, and she stares at the tremendous wooden desk in front of her. Twelve years ago, she slammed her hands against it, adamant that Terra would never do anything to hurt the Master. Something in her gut questions whether Yen Sid has even left his damn chair since.

“I am delighted to see you safe, Master Aqua,” Yen Sid starts, his voice polite, which is the basic minimum for anything professional: solemn, well-mannered, detached.

Initially, she says nothing in return. Eraqus would not have approved of such rudeness, so she swallows her pride. “Thank you, it is good to see you again, too.”

“I assure you will get a decent amount of rest in time.” He folds his hand neatly over each other. “For now, we must eagerly discuss the state of affairs.”

Eagerly, he says, but he talks too slow to understand the meaning of the word.

“Well,” Riku starts.

Aqua feels him taking side glances at her but she keeps her mouth in a firm, straight line. 

“We lost Terra,” he says when she doesn’t volunteer, “to the Realm of Darkness.”

Yen Sid grumbles, “With the King.”

“Yeah.” Riku sighs. “I like to think they’re taking care of each other.”

Yen Sid doesn’t seem pleased or agreeable to this. A sick thought crosses Aqua’s mind: He doesn’t think Mickey is safe with Terra. Which isn’t fair.

“We must hurry to the King,” Yen Sid says, and Aqua’s stomach churns that Terra is an afterthought. “Now that we are aware intent to enter the Realm of Darkness is certainly true to statement, we must act swiftly to find another Door to Darkness, as long as we do not sacrifice a world to it.

“Sora,” he commands, “have you made arrangements with the sky pirates to do this?”

Sora fiddles with two of his fingers, staring hard at them. They won’t give him the courage to speak, so there’s no reason to find it there. 

“Balthier won’t take my munny.” He frowns. “He demands more from me if I’m going to waste his time searching for something without any direction.”

“What does he call direction?”

“If Fran can track something, then he’ll only do it if the plunder’s good enough for the job.” He shrugs his shoulders and throws his hands in the air.

“Pirates,” Riku mutters.

“Balthier saves people, too!”

“When a world is falling. He takes their riches along with their medicine, food, and weapons… but Traverse Town doesn’t need that anymore.” 

Aqua scoffs. Her impatience bubbles, and it takes all her effort to swallow it down.

Sora steps away from her. He’s shocked to see her terrible mood.

“We shan’t wait too long for a world to deteriorate to that state,” Yen Sid says. “Sora, I will pay the pirate more if that is necessary to find an entryway sooner.”

Such quick and decisive action for Mickey. 

“Now that we have discussed one path forward, let us continue on to other matters.” If he hasn’t noticed her attitude, he will soon. “Master Aqua, I understand there is trouble getting to Ventus. Anything I can do to aid your efforts?”

Aid, he says.

She creases her lips. 

“How long have you known?” she asks quietly.

“Pardon?”

“How long has it been since Mickey found me?” She raises her voice. 

Sora shifts with a whimper. Riku crosses his arms, not surprised and not even totally into the conversation. Best to get it over with.

Yen Sid takes his time to study her first before he answers: “Two years.”

Aqua grips her hands into fists, hiding them neatly in her sashes so that the old man doesn’t notice. “Why-”

“Mickey was not yet a Master,” Yen Sid says, his brittle voice finding strength. “Sora and Riku were brand new to the Keyblade, and needed friends, guidance, and training. We did not have the power yet to pursue such a dangerous task.”

What he said should have insulted her, but strangely, she feels serene, empowered by something knowing, something cynical, something that gloats in how tense he’s becoming under her scrutinizing gaze. Yen Sid doesn’t deserve anything she has to offer. 

“And what did you do all this time?” she asks with bitter sweetness. “Twiddle your thumbs and eat out of your chair?”

Riku rubs his chin. She’s impressed with how quiet he could stay in a scene like this. Sora stammers like he’s been kissed by a frog.

“Master Aqua…” Yen Sid tries softer this time. “I understand the disappointment. Please, let me offer what I can to help-”

“I don’t need your help to find Ven.” With that, Aqua gives a mock curtsy before turning on her heels and briskly leaving the room.

Behind her, she hears Riku tell Sora to Let her go, each word fading as she runs down the long steps to the bottom. 

The audacity of that old, stuffy man. 

Aqua is fuming, replaying sentences in her mind again and again: things she could have said to make him really sorry, what he might be saying now to those two young boys. She’s descending so fast that her ankle twists, and she grabs the railing to stop herself from toppling all the way down. 

It snaps her out of her stupor.

Riku is so well-mannered for his age, not blinking at the signs of her episode; he’s someone a good Master ought to behave like. Sora doesn’t judge, completely motivated with the need to make everyone comfortable and easy-feeling. 

And Aqua embarrassed herself in front of them. 

Leaning on the wall behind her, she breathes deeply. The stone is freezing against her skin, too much for her to be at a normal temperature. She palms her forehead to check for a fever; she has none. But her mind is in a hot fury, willing to climb back up and roast Yen Sid with all the insults she still has blurring in her brain - starting with how crusty that beard is.

“You can’t just say whatever you want, Aqua,” she says out loud, hugging herself. “This isn’t like you.”

It’s unbecoming of a Keyblade Master, is what Eraqus would have said. 

Aqua decides to descend the rest of the way slowly. Getting mad won’t do anything for Ven, and while she doesn’t have a good lead in creating a pathway back home, she’ll find a way to do it without giving Yen Sid the honor of listening to his advice. She has to. 

The last time she was here, she never got a good chance to explore this world. While the front entrance only leads to an outcrop overlooking deep space, the back entrance leads to a garden, awnings making way over the shrubbery until it circles a pool. 

Aqua stiffens. It’s not long enough to swim in, so it couldn’t be deep enough to get up to her thighs.

But it’s big enough to drown in, and that’s the worst part. 

The water is as still as glass, but it doesn’t mean it’s peaceful or safe. If she’s careful enough, Aqua would be able to see her reflection if she stood over it. 

She doesn’t dare try. Instead, she sits on a stone bench far enough away that the pool couldn’t get to her. There isn’t a good reason to sit here, really, except for the fact that she misses the idea of enjoying water: of being at the beach, of swimming against Ven in a race, of splashing it on Terra’s face when he isn’t looking. Showering in a bathtub doesn’t compare… a dark voice in her mind tells her that she’ll never experience water the same way anymore.

“Are you Aqua?” 

That voice belongs to a girl in a short pink dress, who helps herself to the stone bench even when Aqua doesn’t immediately reply. 

“I am.”

The girl stares up in awe. “You were the one Terra was looking for? Wow, I didn’t think you’d be the same person…”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, I’m Kairi.” She holds her hand to her chest. 

Aqua gasps. “Kairi?” It’s true. There’s the same necklace she charmed years ago, draped around her neck. Aqua almost brushes it with her fingers, but thought better of it. At least it kept Kairi safe. At least this is one success she could account for. 

Kairi is so unrecognizable now, but it makes sense: the cropped auburn hair, the round violet eyes, a curious smile. And a heart that is unmistakably brighter than anyone’s here. 

“You were so little,” Aqua says quietly. “I can’t believe you remember me.”

“Um, not really.” Kairi sheepishly rubs the back of her head, then waves her hand in the air as if imagining something. “All I remember is something really tall… and blue.”

Aqua has to laugh. Kairi is quite small. Still.

“But when I heard that Aqua was here, I had to see - never in my life would I have made the connection that Blue and Aqua were one in the same.” Kairi smirks, leaning forward to study Aqua in the face. “No wonder Terra was so obsessed with finding you. You’re really pretty.”

“Uh-” Nothing useful comes out of her mouth. That can’t be the reason. Aqua hides the heat in her cheeks with one dignified hand as though she isn’t affected by it. 

“Terra acted the same when he talked about you,” Kairi grins, patting Aqua on the knee.

But her excitement deteriorates soon after, her hands finding each other at her stomach as though she’s swallowing something rotten. “I heard about what happened to him…” To Aqua’s surprise, tears develop in Kairi’s eyes, trailing down without much effort on her part to produce them. 

They even surprise Kairi. “I’m sorry.” She wipes them off her face, sniffling. “I don’t know where that came from. I didn’t know him long.”

Aqua more than understands, she’s just much more practiced at roping it in.

“He makes a strong impression on anyone he meets,” Aqua says, brushing her hand lightly over Kairi’s head. 

A small smile curls at Kairi’s lips despite the onslaught out of her eyes. Kairi hangs all of her expressions at the edge of her nose. Her sincerity is something to be admired. 

“He’s a lot kinder than what he gives himself credit for.”

“Yes.”

“He was really helpful and sweet when he trained me.” Reality strikes her, and the tears dry up. “Would you mind teaching me a bit?” Then shame makes its way, as though she asked for too much. “I- I promise I won’t take up too much of your time.”

A Princess of Heart fighting? A brilliant idea. “Of course, it’s not a bother at all.”

Kairi takes her inside to a large ballroom equipped with destroyed furniture: hollow sofas, the shells of cupboards, the foundations of bookshelves, dilapidated bedposts. Pots and pans. Chipped plastic. From what Aqua can tell, they were used for target practice. 

“Terra was really particular about my posture,” Kairi says, summoning her Keyblade - frilly, like the heart of someone who carries the joy of life with her. She sinks low into her knees. “But we focused mostly on my ability to block attacks. The rest is basic stuff.”

By the looks of her stance, he’s done good work.

“Then let’s talk about what you really want out of your fighting ability.” Aqua summons the Master’s Defender. 

Kairi flashes an embarrassed frown. “To catch up with Sora and Riku.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

“Yes.” Forgetting about her posture, Kairi throws her passion out in a flurry. “It’s not about being as good as them - I want to make them see that when they need me, I can be there. They don’t have to worry or doubt me for a second.”

“That sounds a lot like comparing yourself.”

Kairi ponders for a moment. “Sora and Riku are patient with my training, but for years they’ve left me behind.”

Aqua has to think about it before responding… listen to the words Kairi is finding difficulty in expressing. So much of it stems from an insecurity and a drive to level with her more experienced friends, and a needle pricks right into Aqua’s ribs when she thinks of how Ven has been treated in the past. 

If they never held themselves back when training with Ven, or treated him like a puppy needing to stay home, then he wouldn’t be unconscious now. 

Sora and Riku work full steam ahead, and Kairi needs to match their speeds without the burden of mastering technique before she’s ready. What she wants is to feel useful to them. What she needs is to be equipped with something that could get her out of trouble in a pinch.

Aqua thinks of Noctis, and how he uses his weapons as points of destination. 

“I have a unique idea.”

Instructing Kairi to stand by the farthest wall, Aqua does the opposite to create the most distance between them.

“From there,” Aqua says, “I want you to take a hit on me before I’m able to block - without doing a far-range attack.”

Kairi gapes. “H- How am I supposed to do that?”

“You’ll adapt to the circumstances.” At Kairi’s agony, Aqua shrugs. “I’m more strict than Terra. We won’t stop until your heart makes the connection.”

Kairi shivers and settles herself. “I’ll try.”

She does a dash - which is the expected choice and Aqua easily blocks it. 

“Again,” Aqua says. “Use your magic.”

Another dash - this time propelled. Blocked.

“Again.”

Three more times, all blocked, and by now, Kairi is panting for breath.

“You’re exerting too much on your physical body. Remember your magic. Your Keyblade is your heart in physical form: all its desires, life goals, and insecurities are embedded into your weapon. If you want to come at me faster than I can block, then will it.” 

“Magic,” Kairi rasps. “Right.”

Now she’s getting it. Instead of dashing across the room this time, she blends with the air, teleporting to Aqua’s position. But it’s still not fast enough.

“On the right track. Try again.”

“But Aqua-”

“Your Keyblade needs to get here before you do.” Aqua winks. 

“Isn’t that kind of like a Strike Raid?” An attack that utilizes the Keyblade like a boomerang. 

“Not quite.”

Kairi is exhausted and probably doesn’t have the energy to think too much, but it’s necessary to let her heart define it for itself. That’s the only way to communicate with your own Keyblade. 

But she’s the type of student that is eager to please, and as her eyes drift away with her imagination, it dawns on her. “That’s genius,” she whispers. 

With new resolve, Kairi properly stands. 

“Let’s start for real,” Aqua says. 

Kairi throws her Keyblade. Aqua feels in the air Kairi’s energy not to aim, but to be where the Keyblade goes, and she blurs through the room, letting her heart guide her to where. 

She doubts herself, though, and drops her Keyblade halfway across. 

“I’ll try again!” Scrambling back to her spot across the room, Kairi throws, warping as though both wielder and weapon are chasing each other, knocking past unsuspecting pieces of couch legs.

Aqua cannot block the strike but manages to move - not the most grateful dodge she’s ever done, but it does the job even if it lands her flat on her stomach. 

“We did it,” Kairi says shakily the moment she realizes all she’s done without using her feet. 

Aqua snorts and picks herself up. “You did it.”

“I did it!” With squeals and claps, Kairi jumps in place, throwing an embrace over Aqua’s way, triumphantly parading with her Keyblade.

It’s worth the effort to see. Aqua has needed something pleasant today, and maybe giving someone else hope will satiate some kind of karmic hunger out there and return the favor.

“No one invited me to the celebration,” Sora’s voice strides into the room, his giant toothy grin followed by a very solemn Riku. 

“You guys will never guess what I can do now,” Kairi says. Realizing she sounds like she’s preparing a show for them, she backtracks. “I- I’ll polish it first, then show you.”

“Kairi has a lot of promise,” Aqua says, drawing the hilt of her Keyblade in and resting its tip on the floor, standing straighter. Riku’s presence, though totally lost in his own head, makes her nervous. She wills the image of her episode away.

“You’re not going to show us?” Sora asks, casually standing with them like he’s inviting himself over to their inside joke. Aqua wonders if he’s ever been rejected before, but Kairi’s more than happy to keep a small success to herself. 

Riku takes a more respectful distance and sits on a chair with a missing armrest. “Of course she won’t. Destiny Islanders have spunk.”

“Except Riku,” Kairi retorts. “He only knows grouchy.”

“Says who?”

“Your face. You look like you spent an hour reading obituaries.”

A muscle twitches in Sora’s jaw, and he takes himself to Riku’s side. 

It reminds Aqua all too much of herself and Ven: how she and Terra would share a rare distaste with training when it doesn’t go their way, or worries about the future, cutting Ven out of certain bits. Aqua wouldn’t count that Ven never noticed. 

She hopes that Kairi doesn’t take it personally. It never is. 

“Sorry,” Riku says, willing a more natural smile to come. “I am happy for you. Maybe you’ll get to join us on missions next time.”

“She already should be,” Aqua says. 

Kairi sighs in relief. “I’m ready to share the work. What’s the plan now? I can handle it.”

This is where Riku and Sora stare at Aqua. 

“Must have been an interesting meeting,” Kairi says, cutting the silence. 

“It was the same level of cringe as Terra’s,” Sora says, snickering. It doesn’t improve the atmosphere, so he switches gears. “You can come with us wherever you’d like, Kairi,” he offers, like it’s supposed to be a consolation but Aqua suspects there are limitations to such a contract. “Except the Realm of Darkness.”

“You’re going to the Realm of Darkness?”

Again, they glance over at Aqua. Are they expecting her to lead an expedition? To have a differing opinion?

“Is there something you want from me?” Aqua asks when they won’t budge. 

Sora hangs his head but Riku is the one to speak: “I don’t want to bet on a world falling for us to enter. There’s no way to predict when it would happen or how long it would take. Estimated guesses are just that, and if we waited a day too long, we could have lost Traverse Town.”

“Or not. It could have stood for another week,” Sora quips in. 

“Exactly. It’s a very unstable plan and it could take forever.”

When Sora’s eyes meet Aqua’s, he warms up. Aqua has to wonder how his parents raised him to be this open and loving to everyone he meets. 

“How did you do it?” he asks.

Next to her, Kairi tenses. Riku seems unfazed - it was probably his question, but Sora is the better mediator. 

It’s the worst memory in Aqua’s disposal, but the most important. Aqua has to be professional, cast away the way her heart rages at the thought. 

“A world didn’t fall, if that’s what you’re really asking,” she starts. “I was fighting… Xehanort, and he…struck himself with his Keyblade. To the heart.”

Sora steps back, a giggle worming its way out. “That’s an intense experience.”

Riku scoffs, amused. “It makes sense now.”

“And out came a horned monster,” Aqua continues. “You could say it resembles a Heartless, large and angry. Its teeth were bound by bindings… or bandages. It had an empty hole in its chest-”

She stops. The looks she’s getting - they recognize it.

Sora turns to Riku, his eyes wide. “Is she talking about-?”

Riku faces him. “Ansem’s Guardian?”

At Aqua’s stunned expression, Sora waves her confusion away. “No, no, not the Ansem you know. That’s the real Ansem. There’s a fake Ansem, and he’s the one who controls the Guardian.”

That doesn’t clear anything up.

Riku holds his hand up. “What matters is what happened when the Guardian appeared.”

“Well, he commanded it to come after me,” Aqua says.

“As he does.” Riku shrugs.

“But when I defeated him, it fell into a black pit. It was the force that created the Door to Darkness, and…”

Terra fell. 

“I went after him.”

The room buckles under the weight of her words, a little too quiet for her liking but it’s better than anyone apologizing to her. Kairi holds a hand to Aqua’s shoulder, but it doesn’t help much. 

“Maybe that’s the answer,” Sora says slowly. “It probably created a force of darkness so strong, it just warped reality.” 

Kairi glares at him as though he’s said the wrong thing. 

But Riku nods like he’s reading the same mind. “We could sacrifice it. Not a bad idea.”

“It sounds like you’re talking about hunting him down,” Kairi says. “Isn’t that a little risky, trying to draw out his attention?”

“Yeah, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.” The way Riku says it leaves everyone else out of the equation.

“If you can find him.”

Aqua has to ask: “Is that difficult?”

Riku strains a smile; he’s remembering something unpleasant, something he still hasn’t made peace with. “Not really. But admittedly he is more trouble than he’s worth.”

Aqua bites her cheek. Everyone makes it sound like rescuing Terra is the biggest hassle. 

“Then I’ll do it.”

Sora grimaces, and Riku waves his hands in surrender. “That’s not what I meant. Not at all. But I do think that getting to Ventus may be an easier goal to reach right now. Once we have greater numbers, and we don’t have our attention scattered as much, provoking Ansem shouldn’t be an issue. We can do it together.”

Aqua stops herself from drawing a long scoff, holding her hand to her hip to prevent herself from flailing it around in frustration. Professional is the key word here. 

“Except I don’t really know where to begin,” Aqua says quietly. “I know where Ven is, but I don’t have a way of getting to him without my Keyblade.”

“Oh that’s easy!” Sora says. “Terra had it with him.”

“What?”

“He carried it around at Destiny Islands, when he was with us,” Kairi says. 

“But I don’t recall seeing him with it in Traverse Town,” Riku says. “It’s possible he put it away somewhere.”

The question hangs over their heads. 

Riku inhales as he thinks about a place to start. “He spent the majority of his time in Radiant Garden.”

Right where she broke her tether to it. It’s a possibility that Terra took it back there. Not likely, but plausible. 

“We should go tomorrow, first thing,” Sora says, slamming a fist into his palm. “There’s got to be a trail of clues we could follow. Maybe Terra left a sign saying Here’s her Keyblade.” He motions with his hand, bracketing invisible words in the air. 

“If there’s nowhere else…” Aqua hushes. 

“If not there,” Riku says, “then we’ll go back to Traverse Town and search his room. If it’s not there either, we’ll think of something. I can’t imagine that he’d leave you hanging.”

He’d never; Terra has always been the worst at hiding anyway. As children, he’d giggle too loudly that playing hide and seek with him was always futile. As teens, he never withstood the feeling of being lonely for too long, so if he needed time to himself, he’d leave notes with suggestions of when he’s ready for company. 

Hiding a Keyblade to protect it is something he wouldn’t commit recklessly, but just like she was able to track him down a long journey through multiple worlds when he disappeared, he’d leave the smallest crumbs. 

“Then it’s a solid plan,” Kairi says, stepping her foot down. “I’m coming with.”

They’re much more optimistic about it than Aqua is (honestly, it sounds like they’re leading themselves blind).

Either way, she bids them sweet dreams, a knife forged of the worst anticipation gutting at her. Maybe her mood will improve in the morning. 

When she leaves the ballroom, the knife twisting at her side digs deeper the moment she overhears Riku saying over the other side of the door: “That was something.”

Aqua peeks through the crack. Riku has lost his composure he had in her presence, slouching over and smothering his face in his palm. Sora looks tired, his usual joy giving way to reflection. 

Kairi shifts uncomfortably. “She’s been through a lot.”

“She’s like a boiling teapot about to explode.”

“Except teapots don’t explode.”

“But you’d rather have your hand cut off than have it melt from the steam.”

“Come on,” Sora says, “this won’t be the same situation as it was with Terra… At least, I hope not.”

Riku throws Sora a hard glance. “I’m only saying that something’s not entirely right. I can’t tell how she’s going to react to things. Sometimes, I get the impression that I’m not talking to the same person.”

Silence.

“Honestly, I’ve felt the same,” Sora murmurs, “but I can’t blame her.”

“No one is.”

Kairi starts sniffling, bringing her wrist to wipe her face.

Sora asks, “Why are you crying?” 

“I don’t know. Isn’t that weird?”

Next, Sora’s the one to shed a tear. “I guess I don’t know either.”

Riku looks at his friends not with concern, but with horror. He sighs into his hand, rubs his face, and thinks better than to let them cry alone. Joining them, he pulls them both into an embrace, roughing their hair enough to leave frizz.

“Knock it off, you two.” 

He ignores their protests, squeezing them in his elbows. Sora can’t wrestle his way out, so he says to Kairi, “He’s still ticklish in the same spots.”

The last sight Aqua sees is a heap of three best friends on the floor, the tallest one begging the others to stop. 

~*~*~*~*~

Aqua treks back to her room with ferocity. They think she’s crazy. Maybe she is. Maybe she’s lost a part of herself to the Realm of Darkness forever, chewed up and spit out in a lumpy blob that she can’t bring herself to swallow. 

That thought should terrify her, but it doesn’t. Aqua’s more concerned with how hopeless she let them feel. What’s the point of being a Keyblade Master if she can’t inspire those around her? Or make them feel protected and listened to? She doesn’t know how to make it up to them. 

She should apologize - and yet, there’s a small voice inside that loathes to do so. It’s not her fault for acting up; she’s earned the right. They’ll be patient with her and see she’s not all bad.

Or maybe she’s just as bad as they say. The moment she sees Yen Sid standing in her way will test that.

“Master Aqua,” he calls, his pointy hat looking all the longer because of the way the torches that line the stone walls illuminate it.

She wants to ignore him. She doesn’t - wouldn’t Eraqus be proud? She waits for him to continue, hands laced in front of her, posture straight, expression neutral. Professional. 

“I had hoped,” he starts, then stops himself. Ah, so he knows there’s nothing he could say that would be a proper apology to what happened. “I completely understand where you are coming from.”

Aqua doesn’t respond. 

“I mean to ask forgiveness.”

Silence.

“Cast away this unpleasant business between us. I have no expectation that you’d lend a hand of friendship towards me, but we can still benefit from an alliance.” He extends his hand out, not as a gesture to hold hers, but as a symbol. 

She could forgive him, and she would have before falling to darkness, before Eraqus had ever sent them on an insane journey without giving them any of the crucial details, before hearing anything insulting about Terra. She could have. 

“I’ll consider it when I have the time,” she says, her voice flat but strong.

Yen Sid draws his hand back. There’s a slight offense to his eyes before he wavers it away. 

“This road you have chosen to follow may be dangerous.”

“Excuse me?”

“Following Terra.”

“I’m so tired of defending Terra,” she spits.

“You have mistaken me,” Yen Sid says. The quality of his voice dips deep, like a growl. “Just as I have warned Terra about his limitations when it came to you, I sense the same desperate recklessness within you.”

“His life is worthy enough to save.”

“So is yours.” He stares at her, a hand teasing the length of his beard. “Will you not trust him to fend for himself in the darkness?”

Her lips quiver and she zips them up. Professional. “Won’t you?”

Yen Sid sighs, disappointed. “I hope our next meeting is more amicable. Please look out for yourself, Master Aqua.”

“Likewise.”

She storms into her room and slams the door. She’s burning up, the heat from her body creating perspiration that denses through her hair, but not enough to let the sweat fall. No, she doesn’t have a fever.

There’s nothing here for her to throw around, so she paces back and forth. Back and forth, again and again, until one last huff expires out of her. 

“Terra,” she calls out softly as though he is right by her side. Who knows, maybe he can hear her from somewhere deep in the darkness if she focuses enough. 

Pulling out his orange Wayfinder, Aqua massages her fingers over the borders. Maybe her magic on it would have worked better if she had his essence embedded into the glass, instead of her intention to keep him close by. 

When she made it, she never once thought that the sight of it would bring regret. 

“I’m so angry,” she says to it, shaking her leg. She’s exhausted, but nowhere near the fits of depletion from earlier nights that easily pulled her under. She’d be an idiot to expect sleep to come any time soon. “None of them understand.”

Except they do; they have been separated before, forgotten, then weaved back together. 

Yet they don’t; they never had to pay such an expensive price such as twelve years.

“Please come back,” she whispers. She could cry, but she’s all dried up. Begging only makes her feel worse. 

“I’ll bring you back,” she demands of the quiet when nothing responds to her. 

She could scream, but she doesn’t. She’s a knot of weeded thorns, something that yearns to slice to numb the pain and grow out to breathe, choking at the same time.

The bed creaks and moans under her weight, but it’s not comfortable. The sheets are cold. The stone walls are apathetic to her mood, gray and bored. 

Aqua holds the Wayfinder close, but it does nothing to soothe her. She opts to stare at the ceiling in a contest she can’t win. 

~*~*~*~*~

Her hair reached her ribcage in tousled waves that coiled at the tips. Ven called it a flag of water that rippled whenever she moved, but it rippled too much; she certainly resented it when it whipped her in the face during training.

Her mother would have called it stunning, just like hers. 

A sepia-toned portrait sat on Aqua’s vanity table of a woman with the same hair and a man with a thick handle-bar moustache, wearing a bowler’s hat. 

“I’m sorry, mama,” sixteen-year-old Aqua said, scissors in hand, mirror smudge-free, hair ready to be tamed.

The first snip came at the point right above her ear, and Aqua winced from watching it all fall to the ground. A panic shot through her, and she wondered if there was magic to reverse the damage just in case. But Aqua was brave and Aqua was relentless.

Cutting the rest of her hair came easier, a waterfall having its last hurrah. She went shorter, and then much more. She might have done too much, but keeping it layered should justify the work. Now it was a pixie cut: clean, prissy, and above all, out of her face.

Aqua presented herself during breakfast. Ven still wasn’t up and the Master was busy in his office, so Terra, who sat at the table with a mug of coffee, was the first to see. 

The mug stopped before it reached his lips while he gaped. She sat in front of him. He didn’t say a word. 

Suddenly, she regretted it.

“It was always getting in the way,” she said, surprised by how assured she sounded.

He blinked. “It’s cute.”

“It’s what?” Warriors were supposed to be practical. Not cute. Never cute, damn it all.

“Nothing. I didn’t actually say anything.” He sipped his coffee, avoiding her gaze. If he caught it, she’d have words to throw at him. 

She still did. “I’ll dump that coffee on you the next time I hear you say that.”

Terra stole glances at her, mainly toward the top of her head, and his eyes almost sparkled. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped himself. “It is pretty, though.”

… What was she supposed to say to that? All she had was vacant stammering.

“Well, you know,” he set back, “I don’t want you to feel bad about it.”

Part of her wanted to kill him. Part of her wanted to find the spell to make it grow.

He blundered for more words, set his coffee mug down, and pressed his index finger onto the surface of the table to make a poignant argument. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

She grimaced. “I’m not going to play nice with you during training today.”

“I probably deserve it,” he chuckled.

“You definitely deserve it.”

He smiled, and stared more at her hair. Not with disgust, not with shock, but with admiration. 

It hit her then - he meant what he said. Which left one question to nag at her for the rest of breakfast:

She was pretty to him?

[smartzelda]

Okay *Demyx voice* Arendelle time!

Poor Sora😂

That gust of snow just moves in and he's like "Coat! Please! I'm an islander!"

Donald just shrugs it off like "That's not how it works. Go and freeze."

This is where I bring up the "kh3 is self aware thing" again because now we actually have Sora dying from the snowy area, and then when Sora just like completely forgets about it, Donald and Goofy are like, "Islander my butt. He's not even feeling it anymore, is he?"

Sora getting the first puzzle piece to the situation when Elsa runs away, a sad look on her face. Y'know, the beginning of that Riku to Elsa and Sora to Anna parallel, Elsa running away because Anna and the whole Kingdom are better off without her

Elsa: *uses magic*

Sora, Donald, and Goofy: *surprised pikachu face and slightly fearing for their lives*

If I'm remembering correctly, there's a section right here where you basically fight a bunch of enemies in the huge area

I distinctly remember running around, (and Xion could vouch for this) fighting the enemies, and very monotonely voicing that I was about to die

So...ice maze.

In my proud runthrough I really had to get to a save point so I zoomed through the ice maze as fast as possible. This time I took the time to explore every room and beat all the enemies. I still hate light rails with a passion.

So, the avalanche gets started at the top once we reach the palace, pushing Sora, Donald, and Goofy off

I... The ice dragon thing was so bad. I spent forever, dying and dying and dying to their stupid laser beams. It happened so many times that I had to go to bed and try it again the next day. I would get to the part where all three flew in the air and shot beams, and it felt so unpredictable and stupid and impossible because I would dodge beams from two, and the third's would appear right under where I was landing, which was impossible to judge. It was here I learned a lesson: Use the Kupo Coin when you need it

Bless the kupo coin for saving my stupid butt

The sled part after that stressed me out cause it wasn't hard, but I had a bad habit of bumping into things, so...😂

I pretty much just abused shotlocks, ultimate form, light form/double form okp, and thunder or thundara or whichever I had at the time and I finished those dragons off

Spiky brown grass 😂😂😂😂

Poor Sora is so frustrated that he didn't get a color like green or blue like Donald and Goofy

The part where Anna talks to Sora about Elsa and he finally puts some pieces together and relates it to him and Riku really gets me every time because their situation is a big Soriku parallel. I know this is one of the scenes that's probably been soriku analyzed to death, but like

Elsa and Anna used to play all the time when they were really little like best friends

Baby Sora and Riku, best friends, used to play together all the time

One day, Elsa shuts Anna out because she doesn't want to hurt her

Kairi enters the scene, Sora starts paying a little more attention to her, Sora and Riku's duo relationship isn't terrible, it just does a little decrease. The literal shutting out in which Riku and Sora close the Door to Darkness. Then, the shutting out when Sora wakes up in kh2 and Riku alienates himself because of his guilt over what he did, and what leads into the next part of the parallel

Elsa accidentally uses her ice magic and flees the kingdom to the north mountain. She alienates herself so she can't hurt anyone (especially Anna) and because she thinks the kingdom and Anna are better off without her

Riku feels like he can't win without using the power of darkness and is weak. He is ashsmed that he relied on darkness and it showed in his appearance as Ansem. He alienates himself from Sora and everyone because he feels like he can't show his face as Ansem and because he thinks Sora is better off without him.

Sora, of course, puts these pieces together with Anna's story and makes the parallel connection between him and Anna, then Elsa and Riku in his head. I like how he says, "If anyone can help her, it's you," because I feel like that's him remembering his situation with Riku when he wanted to find him and that because of the reason for Riku's actions, only he could help.

And I think it's interesting that it's first Anna saying "I have to bring her home" and then Sora saying "I'm sure she knows now much you love her" for him to make these parallels. I think that implies that Sora gets that Elsa and Anna are siblings that love each other and he's thinking over what Riku means to him and even what he means to Riku.

Also Sora (in jap ver dialogue) realizing that maybe Riku pushed him away because he's someone precious to Riku is like...

My heart bro...

Ngl, so many times here I moved up the mountain fighting enemies and died that I'd go halfway up the mountain, then backtrack all the way back to the save so I wouldn't have to keep completely starting over every time I got oneshotted by an armored body. I did that multiple times for this area.

So, we get to the point where Sora finally reaches the top of the mountain again. For whatever reason I couldn't remember if it was like that before, but the Elsa freezing Anna's heart scene and it flashing between that and Sora, and then Sora holding a hand to his heart in pain right after we see the shot of Elsa putting ice into Anna's heart.

I think it's a parallel and Nomura's tryna tell us/foreshadow something

Okay, so big oof on the Marshmallow fight. I think on my proud run I got a bunch of times to use the team attack with the tree. I swear I only got to use it twice counted up from all my attempts on this run

The suckiest part was armored mode. I did a lot of trying to let Donald and Goofy do the work here cause I didn't wanna get oneshotted, but that didn't always quite work out... I eventually did it though, snd of course Sora, Donald, and Goofy are knocked off the mountain again

Idk how mant times I'm gonna keep saying this, but poor Sora. He's just so done and frustrated. "I could do this a hundred times."

And then Donald and Goofy both take him seriously 😂

"Please don't."

"Yeah, we should do it again!"

Awwww, Marshmallow. He just wanted to protect Elsa. I know that's what he was created to do, but that's still sweet

Sweet Sora boy making friends with anything that moves and we love him for it

Marshmallow made my life with enemies a little easier ngl

At the save point right before seeing Kristoff, I did some meteorite farming in gummi space and took a trip to the bistro. By this point I had excellents on all but 3 dishes because I didn't have the ingredients yet.

Also, by this point I was blessed with adorable remmy and Sora getting presents. Remmy got his own tiny present!

And I'm sure you know this already, but like...I have a soriku obsession right now, so I enjoy making things into little personal Soriku references

Exhibit A: My gummi and Teeny Ships

They are both named after Yozora and contain the colors for Sora, Riku, and Yozora

Okay, so back in Arendelle, Sora, Donald, and Goofy temporarily leave Marshmallow behind, and we come upon Kristoff and another Soriku parallel

Kristoff: "No, Sven! We're not going back. She's with her true love."

Riku: "You mean Kairi. To Sora, she's someone very special."

Sora: "Where'd Anna go?"

Kristoff: "She's back at home."

Sora: "Something happen?"

Kristoff: "Anna was struck in the heart by Elsa's ice magic. If the ice isn't removed, she'll freeze forever. Only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart. So I took her back to Arendelle and to her true love, Hans."

Xion: "Do you know where Sora is now?"

Riku: "That secret stays with me."

Xion: "Why's that?"

Riku: "Xion...your memories...they really belong to Sora."

Xion: "So you mean...I'm like a part of him?"

Riku: "When his memories were scattered, some of them...found their way inside you. Now, Sora has been put to sleep so that we can piece together his memory."

Sora: "But...what about you?"

Kristoff: "What about me?"

Sora: "Uh, I sorta assumed you guys were..."

Kristoff: "Nooo! I just keep her from getting lost."

Xion: "So, do you hate me for taking your friend away from you?"

Riku: "Nah, I guess...I'm just sad.

Sora: "Really? Oh, but you seem so..."

Goofy: "Perfect together!"

Donald: "Yeah, like me and Daisy!"

So let's talk this over.

Point one, both assumptions on who the person in question's (Sora and Anna) true love/most important person is. This may have to do in part with some surface level stuff and Kristoff/Riku's anxiety that the person in question (Anna and Sora) probably doesn't like them like that.

Point two, the person in question has had something bad happen to them such as their memories being "erased" or their heart being frozen, needing some sort of action to save that person.

Point three, neither Riku nor Kristoff factor their feelings into the situation, Kristoff because he just feels the duty to save Anna and doesn't believe he is her true love, and Riku because he feels the duty to save Sora snd similarly does not believe himself to be Sora's special person (which didn't exactly factor in in Riku's case, but it's true he too pushed his feelings aside in all areas except saving Sora).

Point four, "I just keep [him] from getting lost" is totally something Riku or Sora would say about the other.

Point five, I added the last part because despite the insistence that Hans is Anna's true love, Sora, Donald, and Goofy agree that it seems Anna and Kristoff are perfect together, and it especially helps to know that on their side, they've seen that Anna and Kristoff work well together. They haven't seen her with Hans, and even in the movie, she and Hans don't get much screentime development. This is a parallel more to the soriku experience. On our side, we see Sora and Riku get a lot of screentime and development together, and it's clear that they care for each other. So when someone, even in game, insists that Kairi is most important to Sora, it feels like, "Oh, but Sora and Riku seem perfect together" and "But Kairi and Sora don't really get development like that or really much screentime together."

So, resuming the story (and the parallel), there's a gust of wind amd Kristoff looks towards Arendelle. He obviously feels something is wrong and says Anna's name before rushing off. I'm being completely honest, we've seen Riku too rush off, feeling that Sora's in danger. Prime example I remember though would be in the keyblade graveyard when Riku just gets a feeling and runs over to Sora, giving him a pep talk sorta just before everyone else gets swept up.

So, Marshmallow too, just like Kristoff, feels something is wrong, and gestures in the direction of Arendelle, saying Elsa's name, and the group is off to save Elsa and Anna.

And then, another parallel! Yes, Arendelle is Soriku parallel city over here!

Before Hans' sword reaches Elsa

Before the demon tide reaches Sora and Riku

Anna stands between the sword and Elsa

Riku stands between the demon tornado and Sora

Anna puts her right hand out to block the blow

Riku thrusts the keyblade in his right hand forward, directing the darkness around him and Sora into a tunnel

Anna completely turns to ice and saves Elsa, an act of true love

Riku attempts to save Sora at the expense of his own life, an act of true love, and is swallowed by the darkness

Anna gives one clear final breath

Riku gives one clear final breath

Elsa, alive due to her sister's act of true love, realizes the power of love and is able to save/unfreeze Anna

Sora's heart and body persist, arriving in the final world, his heart likely persisting due to Riku's act of true love, and his body due to Kairi, and he believes in himself and is able to go save Riku's heart

Just...ya know...food for thought...

And now, boss battle time! I believe I didn't have too much trouble on it when I dodged correctly. I beat it fine. One of my favorite shots I saw though was Sora using subzero impact with Ultima, but his clothes were the formchange color because I had just hit Ultima form right before. It was literally so epic!!

No, Marshmallow! You can't die this way! I need you to battle things for me-! Uh, I mean, you need to be alive because we care about you!

Just kidding Marshmallow! I love you and you're actually a nice snow giant with a big heart!

Cue Sora getting the example of the power of true love when Anna unfreezes.

THE PRETTY ANIMATION

Pretty animation Sora, I looooove you

Poor boy caring so much about everyone. He just wants to keep everyone safe.

And after Elsa gives another demonstration of the power of love, Arendelle is over.

[cutegirlmayra]

Kingdom Hearts 3: Sokai Prompt

It’s birthday week! :D I’m celebrating it by giving presents to all of you! Here’s some more prompts, coming to you as fast as I can write them out this week!

Prompts and commissions are open! But if you have submitted 3 prompt requests, please leave room for others to join in the fun too! <3

Prompt:

“So... this is where the keyblade wielders of the past called home.” Riku stepped into Scala Ad Caelum as the rest of the gang tagged along, all admiring it.

“Em, I’ve heard a lot about this place.” Aqua nodded, looking around, “It’s amazing. More than I could have imagined.”

Terra stepped into what looked like a decoratively designed city square, but noticed the circle format seemed more like a dueling field...

He summoned his keyblade, “I think I know what these symbols mean. Aqua, do you mind?” he smiled kindly to her as she was momentarily surprised by his request.

She looked at the symbols, walking towards him before stopping in realization at his request. “This is...” She nervously held her hand up to her chest.

“Heh, don’t worry. We don’t have to finish it. I just wanted to see how it’s really done.” Terra explained, comforting her second of hesitation.

“Wait, what is it?” Ventus came bounding up to them, but Aqua kindly gestured to the rings around the much larger tiles. “O-oh...” he stepped back, letting them occupy a circle. “But hey! Don’t leave us hanging.” He teased, putting his hands behind his head a moment as the others walked to watch around them.

Kairi was too distracted by the sights, but Sora stopped following the others to look back to her, “Huh?” He walked over to her, “Everything alright, Kairi?”

“Oh, yes.” she turned and nodded sweetly to him, then went back to marveling at the area. “It’s just... something seems... like I’ve been lost here before.”

He tilted his head, “Before?” The memory of finding all the pieces of her heart here in such a hurried time, panicking over if he was too late or not came back to his mind then.

He looked down, wondering if that feeling of ‘being lost’ was maybe related to that...

“Your heart... did wander here before.” He softly, almost unsure if he should say it, spoke out as Kairi turned her ear to him.

“Is that... what it is?” She smiled cheerfully to calm him and bent down so his lowered head could still see her eyes. “Don’t look so down, Sora. You did retrieve my lost heart again... for that, I’m really grateful.”

He leaned up and she joined him by walking towards the others who were forming a circle around Aqua and Terra. Placing her hands leisurely behind her and together, she lingered in her stride, waiting on Sora. “You’ve done that a lot lately for me... someday, I hope... to return the favor.” she nodded ahead of her, but then moved faster towards the others, as though not wanting to dive too deep on the topic just yet.

Sora watched her and smiled, thinking about all the times he has saved her before and flicked his nose, “Heh.” He felt confident then, but didn’t really know why...

Maybe it was because she acknowledged that he’s always been there for her... but he didn’t really give it too much thought. Right now wouldn’t be a good time to reflect on things anyway.

“What’s going on?” Donald quacked out, “I don’t see anything special about them.” He tapped his impatient duck foot that slapped against the ground a little too loudly to be polite.

Terra and Aqua nodded, deciding to not keep their ‘audience’ waiting too long.

“It’s an old tradition... or, um, well...” He gestured his hand out to explain, but seemed to trip up on his words as he looked to Aqua for assistance.

“The culture of the keyblade wielder has been lost for so long, it’s hard to explain but..” She gave him the nudge he needed, and turned to the others. “It’s a dance... and a battle... so to speak. But it’s all meaningful and creates a strong tie between two hearts... if completed properly, anyway.”

Terra continued, “In other words, Keyblade wielders would use this to form strong bonds between one another... but it was mostly done for rituals like-”

“It’s a wedding!” Ventus was on his hands and knees, looking at some symbols and seeing two keys shooting a white beam towards one heart. “If I’m reading this right, it connects two hearts into feeling like one, ultra powerful one!” he looked up at Aqua and Terra. “Terra! You rascal! What are you planning to do with Aqua!?”

Aqua shook her head, “It’s a powerful bond, but it’s different than--necessarily--a marriage.” she explained. “Although... many did perform the connecting of hearts through this ritual during their ceremonies... it can also be done with friends.”

“But... not likely.” Terra looked away and down to the ground, as though not really wanting to correct her. “Either way, I’ve only ever read about it in books. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see it actually done?”

“But not completed.” Aqua summoned her keyblade, “Right?” She cutely tilted her head to tease him, and he just gave her a slight scold with his eyes. “What? I thought it was funny.” She tried to joke, and Ventus laughed.

“Wait, wait, wait. Hold on a second, I haven’t memorized this yet.” Axel placed his finger to his forehead, pausing the explanation. “You’re both saying you’re--willingly, without restraint--going to try an ancient keyblade ritual you’ve never actually seen before... and are... hoping it doesn’t link your hearts infinitely together in some... ultra heart thing?” he shrugged, but Xion and Roxas just looked up to him, then to each other.

“Sounds fun.” Xion nodded.

“Yeah, let’s give it a go.” Roxas agreed, and the two walked into one of the other circles. “Axel, do you mind?” He gestured to him still being in the tiled circle.

“Wha... you... both of you!?” He crossed his arms, amazed they were going to try and follow along too. “Am I the only one seeing this possibly ending badly here!?”

He wildly gestured around to the others, and Sora looked to Kairi.

She didn’t say anything, but lightly looked to him as well...

“Count us in too, Terra.” Sora nodded to him, and offered Kairi his hand.

“Gworsh.” Goofy covered his mouth as he stepped back for the two, letting them pass him.

She giggled and took it without a second thought, as Riku folded his arms and shook his head. “Great, now you’ve got everyone pairing up.”

Terra and Aqua looked a little worried, hesitating as the two pairs summoned their keyblades. “A-Axel’s right. It is risky... And for novices it’s-” she held out her hand, hoping to dissuade them.

“We just won’t do the last step,” Roxas gave a confident look towards Aqua. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see how it works, too.”

Goofy laughed, “This should be interesting, yehak!”

Donald’s impatience left him as he heard everything taking place, and pulled Goofy back to give them all more space. “Whha!! I gotta see this!”

“But we’re not even sure what the ‘one heart’ process really does. I think me and Aqua are more suited to discovering--through safer means--what they used to mean to keyblade wielders.” Terra didn’t really want to argue or convince anyone, but he did want to explain both him and Aqua’s reasonings.

“We’ll be fine!” Sora chimed up, then looked to Kairi, letting her take her place and situating himself where he saw Terra. “If we can’t keep up, we won’t activate the power, right?” He tilted his head, and Terra and Aqua both looked to each other in agreement, seeing some safety in that.

“That is true...” Aqua repeated in hopes that if they didn’t do it accurately, the process wouldn’t commence.

“You guys...” Terra shook his head, “Alright. Phase one.” He held his keyblade towards Aqua, and immediately, an air of seriousness took over the atmosphere.

Goofy and Donald looked to each other, Donald more pumped than Goofy’s worried expression before he seemed to concede that this was happening with the dangers and or not. “Be careful, Sora... Kairi, Xion... Roxas... and you guys too.” He slightly laughed again, but there was a bit of concern in his voice.

“Ahhh, they’ll be fine!” Donald waved a hand out, as though dismissing Goofy’s troubles.

Roxas and Sora, as though not really realizing it had already begun, scrambled to mimic Terra’s posture and placement as quickly as they could. They adopted the serious look and Xion had to hold in her laughter at it.

Aqua, surprisingly, took on a much more playful demeanor and swished her body to where her keyblade rested by her side, her wrist gently against her hip to let the keyblade linger out slightly towards Terra’s.

Kairi and Xion took an extra second to adjust themselves, but it was clear they weren’t as well coordinated as Aqua was masterfully demonstrating.

“We won’t make it easy for you... so if you don’t watch carefully, we’ll let you fall behind.” Although Aqua said that... it motivated the two girls, and they immediately rose their heads up, just as determined to match Terra’s expression as the boys were.

As though the world sensed the magic resonated in the three pairs hearts, sensing what they were going to do--the world began to hone it’s magic into one, central part of the square...

Lifting her leg, Aqua made the first move and followed the symbols, as though a rhythm of music was playing in her heart.

The second she moved, so did Xion and Kairi, and Terra remained still as stone.

“The first phase is to judge ones loyalty to your heart, it’s supposed to be aggressive, so don’t hold back.” Aqua, after a few gentle movements of turning her keyblade and up, seeming graceful in her light but long steps, suddenly swished it down with great power.

Again, the world resonated with power at the action.

“Prepare yourselves.” Terra smiled, and began to defend himself against her twirling hits and powerful slashes at him.

“A-ah!” Roxas wasn’t prepared for the harshness of the battle right off the bat, but braced himself as Xion came charging at him, then twirled to match Aqua.

Aqua slid her keyblade down Terra’s own and then jumped.

Following the pattern, he fell to a knee and helped her flip over him by giving her keyblade some support.

“Phase two,” He lowered both knees, “Technique and passion.”

Sora had seen Kairi in battle before, even joined her in it, but he was also awestruck at her following Aqua so naturally as he quickly tried to copy Terra and dropped to a knee, letting her cartwheel over him and then looking to see Terra on both knees. “What!?” He seemed shocked by that but even more so that Terra had one hand behind his back...

“Ahh..!” Sora quickly looked back to Kairi and watched the sparks as her Keyblade slammed into his own, she gave out a strong cry as she hit it.

Dodging more powerful hits, Roxas and Sora sweated slightly as they had to use one arm to block and their knees to continually adjust their upper-bodies to perfectly deflect the on-slaughter of hits.

Roxas squinted an eye closed when Xion jumped like Aqua into the air, and slammed down fiercely onto his own. “And this is to show loyalty?” Roxas gritted his teeth, impressed by how hardcore the keyblade wielders of the past were.

Axel whistled and folded his arms, “Or maybe... the girls were just that intense.” he nodded as if approving, but Riku just looked at him a moment, almost in a funny way.

“Or maybe, they all were. This is only the beginning, right?”

Ventus walked over to stand next to Riku, and hearing that, looked shocked and innocently startled at the possibility that this dueling dance could get more impressively complicated and difficult.

“Woah! I hadn’t thought of that!” He cupped his hands over his mouth to call out to his friends, “Don’t let up! Give it your all you guys!”

Feeling the burn, the boys were happy to see Terra--after bending his body back to dodge a sweeping strike, jump to his feet and begin to clang his keyblade over and over with hers in a swishing manner, but much lighter than an actual fighting force.

Roxas and Sora jumped to match, but Sora wobbled a bit.

Roxas flailed his arms but took a step back, making a mistake and falling on his rear. “Offph! Geez, Xion... you’ve really gotten stronger. Did you even hold back?” he rubbed his head as she came over to him, seeing he was alright and just stumbled, she placed a hand over her mouth.

“Hehe, I couldn’t resist the idea of making an effort.” She held out her hand and helped him up.

The power around their circle ceased... but the two continued to perform the ritual anyway, getting back into place and trying to catch up.

Sora... tilting as though he would fall... scooted his feet back to his center of gravity without moving off the symbol, and got up properly to his feet.

Kairi’s eyes blinked rapidly, impressed that he hadn’t fallen down, and nodded with an encouraging smile to not give up.

Sora looked to see Terra with both hands now on the keyblade, and quickly did the swishing motion to maneuver himself to the next phase, and Kairi followed suit.

“Technique, huh?” Sora raised a tempting eyebrow, as though getting into this, and Kairi giggled.

“Don’t hold back, I can take a hit.” She narrowed her eyes, not backing down.

Sora nodded, “Then I won’t look away!”

Terra’s moves sent sparks of magic over the tiles on the ground, the symbols each represented a type of magic that he summoned and shot towards Aqua. She was able to dodge but noticed that some of the symbols meant for her to simply block and not dodge. “Kairi!” she called, looking over to her after worrying that some of the magic might be too advanced for her to block.

But Kairi took them, and Sora didn’t miss a beat.

“Oh...” Aqua froze a moment, stunned by her determination and Sora’s trust in her abilities. ‘But she’s only just begun training...’ she thought to herself, before looking up at Terra swinging his keyblade down on her.

“Ahhh!!!”

“Hmph!” she sprayed up some magic that he blocked, knocking him back.

“Phase 3...” Aqua took a deep breath, “Passion and stability...” she took her keyblade and, following Terra’s pace, linked the tips of their key’s protruding edges and fell back.

The power it took to maintain a steady swing of their bodies without either one misjudging the balance and having their partner fall to the ground was for more masterful arts than what Aqua or Terra thought the other two pairs could mimic.

But surprisingly... Xion and Roxas performed it perfectly, while Sora and Kairi took the pace a little slower and communicated more.

“And...” Sora began, making sure their keyblades were perfectly locked.

“Go..!” Kairi dipped back as did Sora, swinging themselves in the bend before immediately transitioning to the next step.

Standing as close as their keyblades to their bodies could allow, they came in and out, and then Sora took a strong stance and only swung Kairi on the linked keyblades.

“Wait... are they even watching Aqua and Terra anymore?” Ventus looked to see Xion and Roxas still a few seconds behind, but Sora and Kairi were perfectly synced with them now. “But they were falling behind before.”

Riku also watched,... before flinching back, “Hold on, I think they’ve figured out the symbols.”

Axel also looked amazed by that, “Wahhh? Come again!?” he leaned his full height out and forward, gesturing to Riku to explain before looking to see Sora scan the ground while firing out a magic attack, running to roll as Kairi countered with another magical attack.

They both healed--although no one was hurt--and then turned to attack the other.

Terra also turned his eyes to them, but being careful to match pace with Aqua as they started--what appeared to be--a more realer version of a keyblade duel. ‘They’ve been watching the symbols as well as us..? No...’

He spun to dodge a hit from behind before positioning himself to walk within the circle at the same timing as Aqua, their keyblades now pointing towards the other again. ‘They’re learning the patterns... the repeating signs... they’re...’

Sora and Kairi paused and stood directly across from the other, their keyblades still in one, fluid motion dancing as they twirled, tossed, and continued the actions more like a dance performance now.

Once stopped again, Aqua and Terra panted, but looked over to see Xion and Roxas lowering their keyblades, all eyes... were watching Sora and Kairi.

“They’re like... moving as one.” Ventus arched his eyes, watching as Aqua and Terra also lowered their keyblades.

‘They were learning with their hearts...’ Aqua studied them a moment before sighing, “That’s it, before the last step.” Aqua stopped, nodding to Terra that they should end here. “They certainly had an odd way of showing affection.”

Terra was still watching Sora and Kairi as they were also locked onto one another’s eyes, breathing to a steady pace and closed their mouths after catching their breaths.

“...Terra?” Aqua spoke out again.

“Huh?” Terra turned back to her, “Oh... right.” He looked shaken up, and seemed to adjust himself on his feet to remember himself. “The last phase would be to barely move the keyblades, but just enough to unlock the other’s heart. However, the process was described as having to be done at the exact same timing... much like how the ritual is done all at similar, but exact pacing...” He gestured to the circle and the symbols. “The phases bring you closer and closer to the center, however...”

Aqua continued, walking up to him, “The last phase is to separate you both again... before making your heart one.” She looked to the others, turning to them to make sure she had their attention...

The circle beneath them dimmed in power, before all but fading away. The last circle remaining still carried glowing light, barely traceable to the eye, but forming direct magic beneath Sora and Kairi’s ring.

She was still surprised Sora and Kairi were keeping their eyes fixated on one another, their keyblades never lowering.

“Umm...” she looked to them a moment, but continued, “When the hearts are shot at the same time, then they unlock together. When the two keyblade wielders placed a piece of them inside the other’s heart, something meaningful for the both of them that they share, then the two hearts become connected as though one.”

“Rumor has it that this meant they could feel the other, whether troubled or being threatened, and if one heart disappeared... the other would feel their partner departing.” He looked to Aqua, “But such a ritual has been forbidden now. Due to it’s emotionally scarring nature... to feel someone you care so deeply about dying... or even lose their heart...”

“It’s like feeling the darkness engulf you forever.” Aqua clutched her own heart, before looking to the others. “And that’s it. That’s all me and Terra wanted to experience. Just... how they did it.”

Sora watched Kairi’s eyes carefully...

A silent communication.

Kairi never wavered in her intense stare... until she broke it with a smile.

Sora’s eyes lit up at it, and he closed his eyes to give her a returning, large grin.

Then... they watched.

“Umm... Sora?” Riku stepped forward, then looked to Kairi, unfolding his arms. “Kairi..?”

Axel watched their faces, then looked to their keyblades, “Oh no...” His hands on his hips fell... as the two keyblades slightly moved to the sides, and a beam of light pierced their hearts.

“Whha!!!” Donald scrambled his arms around as they fired out.

“Wait, hold on! Sora! Kairi!” Goofy held out his hand, almost moving into the circle but their hearts flew out before more could be done.

The two hearts, due to the power of the world suddenly blasting out from the circled tile, pulled the hearts together and for a split second... they were one in a flimsy line of lights from the circle.

Entering each other’s hearts, Kairi looked around Sora’s heart. “This does feel familiar.” she joked to herself, before forming out of light a paopu fruit, half bitten into. “My most treasured memory... and a promise I wouldn’t dare forget... that I made to you.” She closed her eyes, remembering the memory in a flash before letting the figurative image that was a piece of her heart fly into his stain-glass portrait...

The world burst to light again.

Sora walked into Kairi’s heart, admiring the stain-glass as he lightly bent down to touch it. “...Feels like its made of the same petals to your heart, Kairi.” He smiled at the thought, before leaning up and forming with light her Good Luck Charm: her Wayfinder.

“I have so many memories with you, Kairi... but this one holds the start of them all.” He gripped it tightly, placing a piece of his heart in it. “I know... that I won’t ever be apart from you anymore... I can feel what you feel too. You’ll never be lost from me again...” He found it hard to let go of... but soon... let it drift into her stain-glass portrait as well.

“-ra! ...Sora..! Sora, wake up!”, “Don’t do this to me!”, “Whah-hahah! You can’t leave us like this!”

Sora blinked his blurry eyes slowly open, “Ughh... Goofy? Riku..? Donald!” he pushed Donald up from him, seeing him about to go for CPR. He made sure his face was okay before kicking and flailing his arms out. “I’m fine, I’m fine! My heart’s still here, see?” He gestured to himself, showing he was fine.

He then looked around, and gently moved Goofy out of the way to see Kairi still passed out.

“Kairi!” He took off from the ground... but stumbled in his sudden weariness... “Ughh...”

Goofy, Donald, and Riku both held him up.

“It’s alright, whatever that light was, it brought your hearts together and then parted them again.” Riku explained, then looked over to Kairi, “Both of your hearts were brought back to their bodies... neither of you disappeared.”

“Your hearts were like- WAHHHA, then the light was like SWAHOOOHOOO, even before you hit the ground it was putting them back like WHAH-WHAH!” Donald animatedly demonstrated the process of what they saw. Although it had been seconds to them, Sora felt like it had been a bit longer than just that...

“Before we hit the ground..?” Sora tried to get back up, and finally found the strength to do so.

Then it happened.

He felt his heart, but then something separate from his heart.

Something that was woozily waking up.

“Ah! Kairi.” he looked down.

“It’s alright, Sora. I’m sure she’ll wake up soon.” Riku took one of his arms and placed it over his shoulder.

“No... I mean... she’s waking up.” without even looking at her, Sora knew she was stirring, and Riku looked up to see Kairi lean up, clutching her head and then her heart.

She looked to Sora before everyone began asking her questions.

Donald hugged Sora’s legs, crying, “You’re no longer a solo half-pint like the rest of us!”

“Golly... Ya-hak! You two are kinda like old-time married then, right?” Goofy seemed to be taking it well...

“Ma... Married?” Sora’s face suddenly turned red. “Ah! I forgot about that!”

“Wha?!” The three looked amazed at him.

“That’s the part you forgot?” Riku looked more shocked than the other two.

As Kairi got up, Aqua immediately began to drill her. “What do you feel? Are you hurt? How’s your heart? Is your body feeling connected to it still?”

“I-I’m fine.” Kairi lightly nodded and smiled to her questions. “I just... I feel Sora’s embarrassed by something.” she tried to look over their shoulders, but couldn’t see Sora over the mass of people.

For the rest of the day, Terra and Aqua informed Sora and Kairi of their reckless behavior and what it had done. Now, they would feel the presence and emotional standing of the other, and what kinda toll that could bring to them...

However, Sora and Kairi kept wanting to not be parted. The urge to hold hands--just to feel close again--was a lot to handle while everyone kept asking them questions.

The ritual hadn’t been done in centuries but...

Sora and Kairi looked to each other, and smiled sweetly.

That didn’t stop them from bringing it back.

They didn’t think twice.

“Crazy kids.” Axel rubbed his hand into his hair, before noticing something was off, and looked under his arms to realize that Roxas and Xion weren’t there again. “Wait a second... Ah! Don’t you dare! Get back here!” he stomped his foot down as he looked to see Xion and Roxas practicing the ritual again, trying to get it perfect this time around.

“Oh, come on! Give me a break here...” He slumped his shoulders down in front of him before pulling himself up into a pitiful laugh, “Having a heart is a strange thing indeed...” he went over and scooped the two up as they tried to protest, and brought them back with the rest of the group, not willing to hear their complaints.

[ends-of-the-wayward-storm]

Unchained--Part 1

Summary

In an attempt to help find Sora, Erica tries to reach out to him much like her friend Ephemer once did with her--with the help of Chirithy, of course. One day, however, she reaches out to what she hoped was the first clue to tracking Sora down, only to find herself in a place she's never seen before and come across someone who apparently had been told to save him.

[AO3 version] [Part 2]

[This contains spoilers for KH III and Re:Mind.] 

________

I can remember the first time I talked to my friends Ephemer in Skuld, kind of like it was yesterday. If I hadn’t taken that chance of finding a way to Sora, I probably wouldn’t have found them.

Erica pensively looked out the window in her room, the ever-present sunset gleaming through. “Chirithy, do you remember when I saw Ephemer in that dream?”

“That was a pretty long time ago,” Chirithy replied. “But I remember.”

“I know he was reaching out to me. And when I looked into it, it ended up meaning something.”

The little creature studied their best friend. “What are you trying to say?”

“If I can do what Ephemer did, then maybe I might be able to reach out to Sora. I just have to figure out how he did it.”

Oh. Now they saw what she was getting at. But . . . was she ready? Would it even work the other way?

Erica studied Chirithy. “You know how he did it, don’t you?”

“Well . . . maybe. But I’m not sure it’ll work.”

“Can you tell me?”

Chirithy hesitated. “Are you sure you’re prepared?”

“Yes. This might be a way to find Sora, and I’m willing to try it.”

The dream eater sighed. “He sent you a dream from the Unchained Realm.”

“Unchained Realm? What’s that?”

Chirithy explained to the best of their ability what it was, including how Erica’s war-torn-free adventures took place there. When they were done, Chirithy watched Erica’s eyebrows furrow, and her eyes held many questions as the silence lingered longer than the dream eater would’ve liked.

“So, they wanted to protect me?” Erica finally concluded.

“To put it simply, yes.”

The young wielder fell back into contemplative silence. Having to remember every moment of the Keyblade War was painful, and she could’ve sworn her heart might’ve broken. She wouldn’t blame Ephemer and Skuld for wiping her memory of it and putting her in a place where the war never happened. If she had been in their place, she probably would’ve done the same thing.

“Do you think Ephemer might still be there? And Skuld?” she asked.

“I’m not sure, but if they are, then they might be able to help us find Sora.”

Erica settled under her covers. “Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

Chirithy explained how they might be able to reach the Unchained Realm, and Erica followed their instructions carefully. Sleep soon washed over her, and she found herself at Sunset Hill. Her dreams often started like this, and usually they would lead to her hanging out with her friends. One time she had showed them her home world. If only that could actually happen. . . .

“Are you ready?” Chirithy asked from atop the rail, bringing her out of her thoughts.

Erica nodded.

“Good. Now, remember what I told you.”

“Right.”

The two of them closed their eyes. She felt Chirithy’s heart and their bond, and she held on to that connection. Chirithy’s presence faded away along with everything around her, but she still held fast to the connection to her best friend.

There was a shift in the air, and for a moment or two, nothing else happened. Together, they put all their hearts into it, and sure enough, a breeze brushed by. The light outside her eyelids changed, and she opened her eyes to a place she thought she’d never see again.

“I’m . . . I’m here. . . .”

Everything was exactly how she remembered it—the purple roofs, the chimneys, the flower beds, even the clock tower she had explored long ago. The sky was as beautiful as ever, the soft lavenders, pinks, and peaches picture perfect. She breathed in the scent of the flowers in the area, and her eyes began to prickle.

The familiar sound of water drew her attention to the fountain she’d always come across, every detail exact. But the nostalgia would fizz out occasionally, and oddly enough the distortions seemed familiar. . . .

I . . . I have to find Sora before I run out of time.

Just as she was about to begin her search, footsteps brought her attention to a familiar face entering the square.

But it wasn’t just one.

“Skuld. . . . Ephemer. . . .”

Both of them looked to her, and they each shared a look of surprise.

“Erica?” Skuld said.

Everything fizzed again, but Erica didn’t care. She ran to them without hesitation, wrapping both of them in a hug that the duo’s shock almost didn’t let them register.

This has to be real. . . . Erica thought. It has to be.

“Y-you’re here,” Ephemer said, hugging her tighter despite his burning questions. “I can’t believe it. . . !”

“How did you come back?” Skuld asked.

Erica let go, but she held on to their hands securely. “Chirithy helped me. I. . . .” A few tears slipped out, and she squeezed their hands. “I looked for you guys . . . everywhere. I wanted . . . to-to find you so badly. . . .”

“Well, we’re here now, right?” Ephemer said with a smile.

Their surroundings fizzed again, pulling shocked expressions from him and Skuld.

“You’re fizzing out!” Skuld said.

“I am?” Erica said, looking at herself.

“We might not have much time left.”

The fizzing and blurring gradually became more frequent.

“But you can’t go! Not yet!” Erica pleaded. “I need your help.”

“Something wrong?” Ephemer asked.

“It’s my friend So—”

The fizzing turned into a sort of fog that shrouded everything. It crept in from all sides, and before Erica could pull them away, her friends became engulfed.

“No wait! Come back, please!”

Erica woke with a start, startling Chirithy. She found herself back in her room. She wasn’t in Daybreak Town anymore.

She stared down at her hands, her eyes prickling again. She wasn’t with Ephemer and Skuld.

“Did you find anything?” Chirithy asked.

“. . . They’re there. I saw them. . . .” But I lost them again. . . .

“They are?”

Erica nodded.

“What about Sora?”

“I didn’t get the chance to ask. . . .”

Chirithy’s ears lowered for a few moments. “Well, at least it worked.”

After that, Chirithy and I kept practicing staying in the Unchained Realm for longer and longer. I got the chance to talk to Ephemer and Skuld and finally tell them everything that’s happened. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.

“How’s Ven?” Skuld asked one time.

“He’s doing really good,” Erica replied. “He’ll be so excited to hear from you guys! Once he actually answers my calls.”

Eventually I told Riku what I was up to. He had a lot of questions like I did, but once I explained the basics he was all for another way to find Sora. He did tell me to be careful and to let him know if I found anything. And of course I said I would.

Now it’s been a year. I was able to get to the Unchained Realm without Chirithy’s help, but they still pitched in to keep me steady. No one’s really found anything yet, but we’re not giving up. Sora wouldn’t give up on us, so why should we?

“Good night, Chirithy,” Erica said.

“Good night, kiddo,” Chirithy replied. “Here’s to hoping Ephemer and Skuld have found something.”

Erica nodded, and she closed her eyes to reach out to their realm. It took a bit like it usually did, but she felt something that didn’t feel like Skuld or Ephemer. Maybe this was their breakthrough! A clue!

She sifted through the realm and reached out to the new feeling, and soon she found herself in a part of Daybreak Town she knew she hadn’t seen before.

It was completely night, not like the partial nights she’d always known. The buildings didn’t really seem quite right; they were almost advanced, like Hiro’s world. And the fact that no street lamps were on didn’t really help.

“Hello?” she called. “Anyone here?”

Silence.

“Ephemer? Skuld?”

Nothing.

The atmosphere was even different. It wasn’t homey and safe. In fact it was the complete opposite.

Erica looked around. From what she could see, she was in an alleyway. There was some kind of light in the dark street ahead of her, and if she looked up, she could see lights coming off of other nearby buildings.

A flicker of movement brought her attention to someone just walking out of view, but she managed to catch his reflection in the building across the street.

Wait a second. . . . “Riku?”

Erica bolted down the alleyway. How did he get here? Did he figure it out? Maybe he found something.

She stumbled to a stop out on the street and looked to Riku. He was looking to his left with the most serious expression she’d ever seen on him. But when he looked at her, he seemed different. Too different.

“Riku?” Erica asked cautiously.

“No,” he said, his voice clearly emphasizing his answer. “Who are you?”

“Erica.” She couldn’t sense a light in him or a darkness. So maybe they were hidden? Or maybe they were too intertwined for her to distinguish them. “Who’re you?”

He studied her, contemplating his next words. “No one important.”

She wasn’t very satisfied with that answer, but she let it slide this time. “I’m uh, looking for a friend of mine. His name is Sora.”

“You’re looking for Sora, too?”

“Yyyes? Wait, do you know him?”

“I’ve heard of him. I was told to save him.”

“By who?”

“A friend of his.”

That could be anyone. But did they know this guy? Or . . . was this something different? “. . . Have you found him yet?”

He looked to his hand, closing it as he spoke. “Once . . . but I lost him.”

“. . . Is he okay?”

“More or less.”

Phew. “Well, maybe we could work together. We might be able to find him faster.”

He studied her again, and he briefly glanced up at the full moon above her. “I don’t need help.”

“Why not?”

“I can manage on my own.”

“What if you get hurt?”

“Like I said, I can manage on my own. Trust me.”

Erica didn’t look convinced.

She seems persistent. “How did you get here?”

“I’ve had help from another friend of mine. Technically I can come here by myself, but they still want to help out.” She hesitated. “What about you?”

“I accidentally wandered into this place.”

“Oh.” She paused for a bit.

“Are you done?”

“What? No! You said a friend of Sora’s asked you to save him. Well they’re my friend, too. So it’ll be easier for both of us to work together to find Sora. And safer.”

Erica paused again. “All his friends are looking for him, and they’re worried about him. You’re probably our only lead in a long time, and I’m sure whichever one of my friends asked you to help Sora has to know that. So if there’s any way for you to let me help, I’ll do it.”

He studied her more intently. She was desperate. It was clear in her eyes. And it almost made him wonder how far she would really go.

Almost.

“You would really make that choice?” he asked.

“Yes. I would.”

Reckless. “Tell me exactly how you got here.”

Erica took a minute to gather her thoughts. “My friend told me I’m coming here through a dream, so I’m uh, technically sending my consciousness here. But I’ll leave if I wake up.”

He began to walk away. “Then there’s no point in working together.”

“Uh wait! I could try to figure out how to stay longer.”

He stopped. “Would you really want to stay asleep?”

Erica found herself hesitant to answer. If it meant helping Sora, she would. But she’d worry her friends, especially Chirithy. She never wanted to do that. And how would she let the others know what she’s found?

Footsteps pulled her out of her thoughts, and she looked to him walking away. “Wait wait!”

He resisted an eye roll, and he stopped to look over his shoulder.

“What if I meet up with you every time I come here? I’ll just be temporary back up.”

She was really persistent. Or desperate. If he played his cards right he could last until she disappeared. But then there was the chance she’d come back and pester him again—if she came looking for him. Which he suspected she would probably do.

“I’ll think about it.”

Finally she was satisfied. That would give him some time to figure out how to deal with her.

“So um, should we meet back here if you make up your mind?” Erica asked.

“Fine.”

With a nod, she fizzed and faded away.

[Part 2; AO3 version]

________

[So I kinda got inspiration from a headcanon that had to do with Yozora having something to do with the Keyblade War era. Also I have a small headcanon that the place Sora and Yozora fight in is in the Unchained Realm. Even if I also think they're in some form of Shibuya.]

[aliceslantern]

Retribution, a Kingdom Hearts fanfic, chapter 13

Newly a person again, Ienzo is weighed down by guilt and his humanity. He's prepared to do whatever it takes to atone... only to find unexpected solace in a familiar face. With more insight into the bonds between people than ever before, Ienzo reaches for a dangerous element from the past to help Kairi and Riku in their search for Sora. What is his life if it means saving another, brighter light?

Zemyx, background Sokai, post Re:Mind

Chapter summary:  Ienzo begins to have doubts about his conviction to save Sora, and tries to find its origin.

Read it on FF.net/AO3

---

“...Do you have a moment?”

Aeleus looked up from the puzzle he was working on. “I was looking for a way to fill my time,” he said. He gestured to the seat across from him.

He and Dilan shared common spaces in their apartment. The furniture was comfortable, broken in. Aeleus seemed to be growing some flowers and herbs in a small planter box; Ienzo went over to examine them. “It’s you that’s been working on the gardens,” he said, with realization.

“I like making things grow,” he said simply. He put another piece down onto the table in front of him. “What is it on your mind?”

“I suppose I wanted a more… objective opinion, on something.” Ienzo sat down. “Aeleus, has your heart ever told you with certainty to do something?”

He set aside his puzzle. He, too, looked odd without the frame of his uniform. “Why is it you ask?”

“I thought my heart was telling me I needed to save Sora, and do whatever it would take.” He touched his breastbone, which was still a bit too touchable despite all his attempts to eat enough. “But lately, I’ve had… doubts, in that conviction. Namely, that I am violating nature. And is that not what I’ve done before?”

“What we’ve done, you mean.” He sighed. “Tea?”

“...Please.”

A few minutes later Aeleus handed him a ceramic mug that smelled of jasmine. He sat on the couch across from Ienzo’s chair. “How do you feel when you think about it?” he asked.

“About what?”

“Doing this.”

“I’m afraid as of late my gut hasn’t been very reliable. The anxiety,” he explained, at Aeleus’s baffled expression. “Even with the medication I’ve been given, it’s hard to tell what is purely stress and what is a warning from myself. All it does… is make me feel sick. I…” He looked at his one hand, the veins visible in the early afternoon light. “I had thought at first that it would be worth it, to sacrifice myself for him. But this is bigger than just me. This is… Kairi, too.” He bit his lip. Aeleus’s expression was mostly stoic, aside from a quickly-masked flicker Ienzo thought was concern.

“You started to see yourself as having worth,” he said softly. “And now you have things to live for, aside from the guilt.”

“Well… yes. I wish to… be with Demyx, more than anything. But it goes and goes in circles, Aeleus.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Kairi feels this way for Sora. The thought of doing purely nothing when I can make change is…” Ienzo bit his lip. “It’s abundantly clear that our scientific research is getting nowhere and will get nowhere. It’s been almost a year. I--”

Aeleus stirred his tea. “Have you considered,” he began, “that perhaps this is not your responsibility? Sora made this choice knowing the price. He would not want you to risk yourself for him.”

“I… I know. But I… I owe him for… if not for the experiments, for what I explicitly asked for, none of this would have happened.”

“Xehanort manipulated you,” Aeleus pointed out. “You were… how old, Ienzo? Six, seven? He asked you to do that and made you think it was your idea.”

Ienzo was shaking. He could feel tears in his eyes. “And what of what I did after?”

“What of what I did? Of Ansem or Even or Demyx? We’ve all done awful things.” He reached over and squeezed Ienzo’s hand. “Ienzo. There are other ways of atoning.”

“But he’s lost,” he said. “Lost, and alone, and--”

“Sora will find his way home if he’s meant to. If that never happens… we must grieve, and move on, and stop trying to force the impossible. All that will do is hurt all involved. Don’t you think?”

The tears ran over.

“Whatever you decide, Ienzo, I will support you completely. But are you doing this to save Sora, or to save yourself?”

The realization was rattling him, yet it was so obvious. “I… I’m not sure.”

Aeleus handed him a cloth napkin for his face. “Think about it,” he said. “Though I must admit my bias and say… I don’t wish for you to leave this life. And perhaps that is selfish. I have so much to make up to you, Ienzo.”

He sniffled. “Like what?”

“If I had done a better job protecting you--”

“...I’d still be Zexion. That’s not necessarily a good thing. I just don’t want this suffering to be in vain.”

“It won’t be,” Aeleus said. “We’ll make sure of that.”

---

Every time Ienzo tried to think about it, it gave him such intense anxiety his heart would palpitate. He turned his focus instead to Demyx, to the bits of life that he wanted. Ienzo was by his side as he finally got his back taken care of, and the few days they spent together as Demyx rested were very nearly happy. Ienzo enjoyed the excuse to nurture him. He hadn’t realized just how much time they spent having some kind of sex until they temporarily couldn’t. All the more reason to encourage what was below that to grow.

(But wouldn’t that be sadistic, should he go through with this?)

Don’t think about that, Ienzo.

“I don’t know how you put up with this,” Ienzo said to Demyx. His bed was uncomfortable; even in the few minutes Ienzo had been lying next to him, his bones started to ache. He could feel the springs acutely.

“Eh, could be worse.” His hair was loose against the pillow, making him look like someone else. “What’s worse than the bed is having all this time to think. Can’t really play music when I’m supposed to be laying down. Which narrows my options.”

“...I don’t like thinking either.”

Demyx scoffed. “Aren’t you a scholar?”

“Yes, but lately my thoughts are so… messy.”

“Being human is a mess.”

“That is true, isn’t it?” He propped himself up on an elbow. “Messy… unexpected. Wrenching. Yet… I feel as though… I’m being offered choices for the first time in years.”

Demyx squeezed his hand. “I know what you mean.”

“You’re so different.”

“How so?”

“You care about things.”

“It’s… hard not to,” he said. “Doing what I do… I see the impacts of darkness. The pain in people’s eyes. I don’t know if I was just ignoring it before… or if I were too oblivious. I’m tired of being oblivious. Tired of being alone.”

“Is this what you want to do forever?”

“What, deliver packages?” he barked a laugh. “Hardly.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

Demyx looked up at the ceiling. “To be determined,” he said softly, with a shrug. “I used to live by the seat of my pants. But that just gives me anxiety now. Maybe…” He breathed for a moment. “My music helps me. If I could teach people… that might help them work through all this.”

“Would that make you happy? Helping people?”

“Maybe.” He sighed. “There’s another thing.”

“Like what?”

“I’ve been… trying to pick up some magic,” he admitted with a slight grimace, as though embarrassed. “White magic. I’m actually not that bad at it. What if I were to… use that to fix people?”

“That’s a hard calling.”

“I know. But… weirdly, I feel determined.” He turned his face back to Ienzo. “I think that’s your fault?”

He laughed a little. “What, I’ve instilled in you a work ethic?”

“More like…” He knotted his hands against his stomach. “Actually being attached to someone made me realize… I’ve been so selfish. And selfishness might not be part of… the real Demyx. Whoever that is.” A sigh. “I thought staying under the radar would keep me safe, but I’m not safe from the memories. Or from myself. If I want to actually enjoy life, I’m going to have to get my hands dirty.” He wrinkled his nose. “Instead of hiding or taking things away from people, if I give them… music, or help them heal… maybe I’ll help me heal too.”

“That’s very astute,” Ienzo said softly. He touched Demyx’s cheek, which was scratchy from a few days of stubble. “I often wonder… the same.”

“If helping people will fix you?”

“Yes. I think it may begin that process. But… who, and how?”

“Words,” he said. “You’re a storyteller.”

“I’m a scientist.”

“Your weapon wasn’t a beaker--it was a book,” Demyx pointed out. “What’s a memory if not a story about you?”

Ienzo felt something like a thrill. “That’s rather poetic. I suppose I could… tell the stories. About what we did. About how I feel. Maybe I can help them realize the narrative--the narrative of Xehanort. And help give it more than just a bittersweet ending.” He cocked his head. “How do you know how I feel about words?”

“I’ve read your reports,” Demyx said simply.

His eyebrows shot up.

Demyx pointed to the phone. “You forget I’m connected to the network too? I just… I dunno. Sue me for getting curious. The way you write… it’s much more alive than the way the others do. That, and… come on, Ienzo. You invented a way for people to share pictures--which are stories too.”

He blushed. “That was mostly for reconnaissance,” he admitted.

“Yet your first post was in and of itself… a story about your future. Stories can make or break a heart.”

“Yes,” he said softly. “The… future. I hope…” He trailed off. “The people we’ve hurt. Their stories are important. What they’ve witnessed. It could help them heal. I could… gather those stories. They deserve so much more of a voice than Xehanort.”

“So do we,” Demyx said.

He wasn’t sure why this felt like a revelation. “Aren’t we also perpetrators?”

“We want to do good. Helping one person won’t make up for the many people that… well, got hurt.” His eyes crinkled. “That’s not how things work. But to not do anything… is worse. Don’t forget he hurt us too. You and me could have been normal. You were a kid and I was an amnesiac. Do you think we would’ve chosen this life if we’d known?”

Ienzo blinked.

“Some things are our fault. But he was the one who pushed that out of us.”

“Demyx, you’re…” he shook his head. “Have you always been this wise?”

He laughed a little. “No.”

“I love you.” Ienzo leaned in and kissed him gently. “I’m so glad we… took this risk.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

[nadziejastar]

I think it was TOTALLY bastardized. Like, to the point where it was a joke. It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. The fact that a large portion of people didn’t even know what the power of waking was after they beat KH3, shows how poorly it was handled. This had a devastating effect on the story because unlocking and using the power of waking was the foundation of each character’s arc. The characters are all Guardians of Light, but it didn’t really seem to mean very much in KH3. Therefore, they had most of their important character development taken away from them. 

The power of waking was supposed to be the most important aspect of the plot. I suspect there are two major reasons that the power of waking was ruined. The first reason is that after KH0.5 was cancelled, it was very hard to incorporate. Ansem’s research was supposed to be a major focus of KH0.5. The second reason is that from a gameplay perspective, it is unconventional. Nomura said that he wasn’t even allowed to have each of the characters fight their OWN boss fights at the Keyblade Graveyard because that would be “too much story”. He had to keep it to the minimum necessary to move Sora forward. So, the demands of AAA gaming seem to be a big factor in why we weren’t allowed many “dive into the heart” segments.

Sora

Kairi’s Grandma: The darkness spread, swallowing the light and many people's hearts. It covered everything, and the world disappeared. But small fragments of light survived, in the hearts of children.

Sora was supposed to be the key. He’d use the power of waking on everybody at the end, because he was special. He has the pure heart of a child and the ability to easily connect with the hearts of others. He still rescues everyone when their hearts are captured by the Lich, but we probably were supposed to get a lot more story segments of him diving into each character’s heart one by one, and bringing them back. Sora’s relationship with them would receive individual attention.

Ansem the Wise: Surely we remember as children the way our hearts made everything seem so shiny, and perfect. Sora has a heart like that--uncorrupted, willing to see the good before the bad. When he sees the heart in something, it then becomes real. When a connection seems broken, he may have the power to mend it.

Sora actually did use the power of waking; he collected the fragments of someone and put them back together. But he uses this power on...himself? Um, it made no sense for him to be collecting the pieces of himself. The whole point of the power of waking is that when you are fractured, someone else has to help you return to the Realm of Light. I obviously can’t know this for sure, but I suspect that Nomura wasn’t allowed to have you play as anyone else during this segment. Just like at the Keyblade Graveyard, he had to keep everything to the minimum necessary to move the plot forward. Cutting the story up like this made it so that nothing really made sense.

Kairi

Sora: I was lost in the darkness. I couldn’t find my way. As I stumbled through the dark, I started forgetting things—my friends, who I was. The darkness almost swallowed me. But then I heard a voice—your voice. You brought me back.

Kairi: I didn’t want to just forget about you, Sora. I couldn’t.

Sora: That’s it! Our hearts are connected. And the light from our hearts broke through the darkness. I saw that light. I think that’s what saved me. No matter how deep the darkness, a light shines within. I guess it’s more than just a fairy tale.

Kairi was Sora’s light within the darkness, both in KH1 and CoM. I am quite confident that we were actually supposed to play as KAIRI while collecting the fragments of Sora in the Final World. And it was supposed to happen after Terra and Isa were defeated. There was no need to have time rewind. The Demon Tide doesn’t kill you. 

I mean, all it did to Riku physically was give him a stylish haircut. No, it exists to usher your heart to the deepest abyss. Kairi’s arc was set up so she could finally NOT be the damsel in distress. She is a natural at using the power of waking because she’s a Princess of Heart. She’s the only one Sora didn’t need to rescue. That should have been how her arc ended. Not with getting kidnapped and killed...

Riku and Mickey

Mickey: Listen, Riku. Just because darkness holds you, don't let go of who you are. You've got to fight the darkness inside you! It won't be easy to do, I know. But please don't forget. Even in the darkest darkness, there's always a little bit of light.

Riku: Light within darkness...

Mickey: You and I have seen it. The far welcoming light inside the door to darkness... The light of Kingdom Hearts---it will show you the way. Please don't give up. Believe in the light. That's a request from my heart.

Riku: Okay... I'll do my best.

Mickey: Trust me. I'll try to find a way to reach you. I'll get there, I promise.

I am sure that Riku and Mickey were supposed to use the power of waking on each other. Early on when they first arrive in the Realm of Darkness, Riku is swallowed up by the Demon Tide, and he was knocked unconscious. Well, getting swallowed up by the Demon Tide should do a LOT more to a person than that. At the Keyblade Graveyard, Aqua was terrified of the Demon Tide. She lost the will to fight when she saw it. It traumatized her that badly. 

Riku: There's no point in doing this if I can't do it on my own. But I do need a favor. If Ansem is the victor, he's going to enslave me. If that happens, use your powers to destr---

Mickey: O'course! I'll be right there to save ya!

Riku: Huh? No that's not it. I want you to destr---

Mickey: No way! No matter what happens, I'm gonna be right there to help ya. I promise ya that. Unless...you don't believe I'll come through for ya...

Riku: I choose to believe in you---always, Your Majesty.

Mickey: And I in you. You're not gonna lose, I know it.

Riku should have gotten a lot more than a new haircut after that ordeal. I bet that Mickey was supposed to use the power of waking on Riku after he was swallowed up by the Demon Tide. This should have been when Riku finished his arc with “Ansem”. After all, Riku gets a new Keyblade afterwards, one without the gazing eye on it. 

Mickey: Your darkness belongs to you. Just the same way your light does. Up till now, I thought darkness was something that should never exist. Then I spent time with you and changed my mind. The road you chose---I didn't know. Light and dark, back to back. With you, I think they might meet in a way nobody's seen before. Wonder where that road leads. I'd like to see myself.

Riku: Hm?

Mickey: I'd like to walk the road with ya.

Mickey was randomly knocked unconscious during the battle with Anti-Aqua. He carried a lot of personal guilt over her fate. I think that would have been Riku’s turn to use the power of waking on Mickey.

Ventus/Roxas

Eraqus: Forgive me…but you must exist no more.

Nomura originally said Roxas was born with Ventus’s heart. So, he would be very difficult to wake up because he’s gone through his worst nightmare multiple times. His heart almost collapsed, and he lost all his memories. Sora gave him a second chance, then Eraqus, Terra, and Aqua helped him recover. But then he was told he was a weapon that wasn’t supposed to exist. He would rather sacrifice himself than lose Terra or Aqua, so he accepts his fate to disappear. He loses everything, then goes back to sleep inside of Sora. When Sora became a Heartless, Ventus became separated from him and he was found by Xemnas. He became Roxas.

Roxas: I mean, when I think of losing you and Xion, or my memories of you...to forget what it’s like to be with my friends… it is scary.

Roxas has no memories of his past, but becomes close to Axel and Xion. But he’s a Nobody who is constantly told that he’s not supposed to exist. His greatest fear was losing his friends or forgetting about them. Xion disappears and he forgets her, and he loses his trust that Axel was ever his friend in the first place. Then Riku defeats him, he has all of his memories wiped, and is put into the data Twilight Town. There he becomes close to Hayner, Pence, and Olette.

Naminé: You…you were never supposed to exist, Roxas.

Roxas: What…? How could you even say such a thing…even if it were true?

Naminé: I’m sorry. I guess some things really are better left unsaid.

Then he’s told he was never supposed to exist, so he’ll never get to see those friends again. They were just fake anyways. He has to disappear so Sora can live. The third time is just too much for him and that’s when he went to the Realm of Sleep and didn’t want to come back. He endured a lot before he reached his absolute breaking point. At that point, he would be far too fractured to be brought back like before, where Terra and Axel just needed to reach out and show him friendship. Xemnas thought his heart might awaken when Axel sacrificed himself for Sora. But even that wasn’t enough. There’s no reason he should have returned as easily as he did in KH3. 

Terra and Aqua

Terra: Yep, hard to believe there are so many worlds out there besides our own. The light is their hearts, and it's shining down on us like a million lanterns.

Ven: What? I don't get it.

Terra: In other words, they're just like you, Ven.

The Wayfinder Trio was obviously supposed to use the power of waking on each other. Sora was supposed to awaken the sleeping memories inside of him. Since he would have access to Ven’s memories and feelings, he’d be able to use the power of waking to rescue Aqua. When Aqua was revived, they went to wake Ventus. Vanitas arrives and there’s a boss fight. Whaddya know, Aqua gets randomly knocked unconscious. This is right after she says she doesn’t want to be seen as weak, too. This is no doubt when she was supposed to use the power of waking on Ventus. 

Yen Sid: I will tell you what your friend needs right now. It is not your protection. He needs you to believe. You see, Ventus's heart hangs in the balance. It sleeps in the place between light and darkness. From all I can perceive, that means he will be looking for a friend--one who believes in him, to show him the way home. Just as long as you love him...then Ventus will be able to find you when he wakes. He can follow that love back to where he belongs--the realm of light.

Just as Vanitas was going to stab Aqua like he almost did in BBS, Ventus intervenes. That was the right stimulus to awaken his heart. Hayner, Pence, and Olette may have helped, too. They would get their memories of Roxas back, and them believing would contribute to Ventus being led back to the Realm of Light. Then of course, Ventus would be the one to use the power of waking on Terra. Ven was randomly knocked unconscious at the Keyblade Graveyard. Well, I doubt that was a coincidence. He was supposed to be inside of Terra’s heart, where he’d find him in the darkness. Terra was crying when he said Ven found him. I’m sure the search for Terra’s heart was going to be a lot more in-depth than what we saw, which was very rushed. Lea and Isa’s subplot with the power of waking was so horrendous, it needs it own post. So that will be Part 2.

[phoenix-downer]

Waiting

For SoKai Week Day 2 - Letters... AND Gummiphone Shenanigans 

Sora might be gone, but that wasn’t about to stop Kairi from writing to him often.

It was like talking to him, in a way. When she put her thoughts to paper, she could almost hear him responding. Knew what he might say. Could picture his face as he crossed his arms and pursued his lips the way he always did when he was focusing hard on something.

She had a bag full of letters addressed to him now. They were all carefully dated in order of his disappearance. Not death. There was a difference. Death meant he would never come home. Disappearance meant there was still hope.

And for that hope all his friends had searched for him day in and day out. She had, too. Right now was a brief respite, a few days to spend at home before searching the next place with Riku.

Early one morning, she paddled out to the Play Island alone. Carrying her bag to the paopu tree, she sat down and opened her notebook, then turned to a fresh sheet and pulled out a pen.

Dear Sora,

We still haven’t found you yet.

I wish I knew why. I wish I knew where you are right now. All I can think of is how lonely you must be, without all of your friends. Without us.

But knowing you, you’ve probably already made new friends already. I hope you have.

I’ll be home for a few days as Riku and I rest up. We haven’t had any luck so far, but we’re not about to give up hope. Riku has been a godsend through all this. Without him, Sora, I don’t know what I would’ve done. He’s been my rock. I know you would’ve asked him to take care of me if you had the chance, so I think it would make you glad to know that he’s more than fulfilled his word.

Other than your loss, which weighs pretty heavily on everyone, I think you would be glad to see how well everyone’s doing. And it’s all thanks to you. You gave so much so that we could all be together.

Hot tears splashed onto the notebook at the fear that he might be gone forever. She took the pen again, eyes blurring as she continued to write. She spoke the words aloud as she jotted them down, wishing with all her might that he could hear them.

I’m so proud of you. You know that, right? But I can’t help but wonder. Is this what you really wanted?

The pages were covered in splotches, the ink smearing everywhere, but still she continued to write. There were things she needed to say.

Oh, enough of being brave. I’m going to be selfish. I miss you terribly. Please come home soon. And by that I mean… come back to me. Maybe it’s a little presumptuous of me to say, but you don’t have to be on Destiny Islands to be home. So long as we’re together, you’re home.

There’s no smile your heart can’t reach. I’ve written that in so many letters now, but it’s true. I look forward to the day I can see that smile again.

Yours truly,

Kairi

She gently tore the piece of paper out of the notebook, tucked it in the envelope she’d brought, and carefully wrote the day.

She put the envelope in her pocket and looked to the sky. The sun was rising, leaving streaks of purple and pink and orange in its wake. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The light breeze tickled her cheek. It was going to be a beautiful day.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sora pulled his jacket tighter around him. The nights here got cold, especially when it was raining. But he had just the thing he wanted to show Kairi.

Taking a deep breath, he hit the red record button.

“Hey, Kairi, it’s me!”

He cringed. What a dumb thing to say. Of course she would know it was him.

“A-Anyway, I’m still in Shibuya. What I want to show you today is… this statue!”

He moved the camera to show Kairi what he was talking about: a statue of a Shiba Inu dog.

“Pretty cute, huh? Legend has it that there was a dog named Hachiko who used to come meet his owner at this station every day. Well, his owner died one day while at work, but Hachiko didn’t stop coming here. He waited for him to come home every day for over nine years until he died, too. I know, I know, the story’s kinda sad, but… I figured you’d like it.”

He gave the statue a few quick pets. “This statue was made in memory of Hachiko, and it’s a pretty popular meeting place. That’s why I had to come so late at night to find a time when it wasn’t surrounded by a bunch of people. I wanted you to be able to see Hachiko clearly while I told you the story.”

He sighed, really feeling it this time. “Sorry for making you wait again, Kairi. I wish I could meet you here.” Pulling her lucky charm out to show her, he managed a quick smile. “I still have it, see? There for a while, I lost my memories again, but I still had this. This is what helped me remember. You’re always with me, Kairi, even when we’re apart.”

He tucked the charm back into his pocket. “Still, I’m looking forward to when we can really be together again every day, like I promised.”

The video was getting kinda long, and he wanted to make sure there was enough space for tomorrow’s. “Anyway, I gotta go for now, but I can’t wait to show you what else I’ve found here. Talk to you later, Kairi.”

He pressed the red record button again, and the video saved. Going into his list of contacts, he found Kairi’s number and hit send.

The videos never actually sent, of course. Otherwise Kairi would’ve responded by now, he knew she would’ve. For whatever reason, the service didn’t seem to work here. Probably because he was, you know, dead.

Maybe, though, if he made it back to the Realm of Light… she’d finally get them.

Until then, he’d keep making them. Talking to her like this wasn’t the same as talking to her in person, but… it helped him get through each day, having this to look forward to. Hoping that maybe, someday, she’d get all his videos and see that he’d done everything he could to get back to her. That she hadn’t waited in vain.

Casting one last look at Hachiko, he pet the dog’s paw for luck. Miracles didn’t happen all that often, but he prayed that one might.

Because if anyone could make a miracle happen, it was Kairi.

[sparkadreama]

List of all my current threads and their status. This is not meant to rush replies but merely serve for organization (in other words my own sanity) and as a reminder of sorts as well! If you know we have a thread and it is not listed here then let me know as I may have forgotten it! Also let me know if anything has been mislabeled (like something marked as waiting on has already been replied to) or if you’d like to drop any of the threads here! No reason needed! If you’re not feeling it anymore LET. ME. KNOW! I want to make sure everything is accurate so please please take the time to give this a look over and let me know the status of things when you get the chance.

Total: 121 Questioning: 4 Dropping: 1 My Turn/Continue Pending/Starter Pending: 50 Waiting On: 52 On Hold: 14

***A bold x has a link to latest reply.

@13mirrxrshxrds​

What’s a genie? [x] - Veillios & Whisp (waiting on)

@1stclasszackfair​

Lost Devil [x] - Lucifer & Zack (my turn - in drafts)

Kiss From An Angel [x] - Adam & Zack (my turn - in drafts ON HOLD)

Injured [x] - Adam & Zack (my turn - in drafts)

Soulmate AU [x] - Adam & Zack (my turn - in drafts)

Taking It All In [x] - Sisora & Zack ( my turn - in drafts )

Pain part 2 [x] - Adam & Zack (waiting on)

Remember Me [x] - Adam & Zack (my turn - in drafts)

Meeting Rylan [x] - Adam & Zack (my turn - in drafts)

Wing Care [x] - Adam & Zack (my turn - in drafts)

Break Time [x] - Cissnei & Zack (my turn - in drafts)

@amourfeint​ ( all on hold )

Demon’s Carnival [x] - Jack & Mathilda (waiting on)

Ditching [x] - Dodger & Rachel (waiting on)

Old Castle [x] - Veillios & Adrian (waiting on)

@atonings​

Do you deserve Mercy? [x] - Mercy & Lohgain (waiting on)

@awreckageofstarss​

Another thief in Corona [x] - Dodger & Varian (waiting on)

Taunting A Werewolf [x] - Dodger & Varian (waiting on)

@beastrightsactivist​

A friend who cares [x] - Cerise & Rosabella (my turn - in drafts)

@betterdcyz​

Dragons, Princes, and Demons [x] - Zel & Samuel (waiting on)

@bredforshow​

TBD [x] - Cassandra & Focusio (starter pending)

@colorlessmirror​

TBA [x] - Malleus & Andrea (my turn - in drafts)

@dakilain​

Another angel [x] - Adam & Zachraiel (waiting on)

Never seen you before [x] - Dodger & Puss (waiting on)

@dawnblxde​

To the amusement park [x] - Annabelle & Noctis (my turn - in drafts)

@deadmenanddemons​

Death at the Graveyard [x] - Death & Undertaker (waiting on - Dropped I think? Let me know if I be wrong!)

@dersonne​

Taking a Break [x] - Dodger & Varian (waiting on)

Something in your hair  [x] - Zel & Eugene (my turn - in drafts)

 Snowball Fight [x] - Cerise & Holly (waiting on)

@diamcndclaws​ (On Hold)

An Expert in Curses [x] - Merlin & Selina (waiting on)

@dramatiks​

Another day [x] - Zel & Gothel (waiting on)

@dreamxalittlexharder​

A Ghost Meets Death [x] - Death & Porter (waiting on)

Take Two [x] - Damon & Leo (waiting on)

What is it You Want? [x] - Dodger & Remus (waiting on)

How Do Relationship Again? [x] - Zarina & Elphaba (waiting on)

Unknown Even to the Shadows [x] - Eliza & Veillios (waiting on)

Wolves & Vampires [x] - Cerise & Damir (waiting on)

A Little Awkward… [x] - Sisora & Bea (waiting on)

Dark & Light [x] - Adam & Maverick (waiting on)

Music Time [x] - Avery & Felix (waiting on)

@fairestfall​

Stranger [x] - Khojin & Snow (waiting on - Dropped I think? Let me know if I be wrong!)

@fclsusrex​

Meeting the Forest Guardian [x] - Moro & Yozora (my turn - in drafts)

@fleurdesxleil​

Paint Fight [x] - Zel & Rapunzel (waiting on)

Queen for A Day [x] - Zel & Rapunzel (my turn - in drafts)

@ghaisgeach​

Not Much Of A Break [x] - Sophie & Mako (waiting on)

Royal Inn [x] -Snow White & Naofumi (waiting on)

Meeting on the Road [x] - Sango & Geralt (my turn - in drafts)

@hcwlingwind​

Confronting Father [x] - Khojin & Shan Yu (my turn - in drafts)

@hoodlegacy​

Asking the Wrong Help [x] - Malleus & Cerise (waiting on)

Secret’s Out [x] - Snow White & Cerise (my turn - in drafts)

Confronting a Familiar Demon [x] - Veillios & Cerise (waiting on)

Just a Few Scratches [x] - Veillios & Cerise (waiting on)

Reunion [x] - Dodger & Cerise (waiting on)

@imbicilite​

Rude Stone [x] - Misfortune & Lefou (waiting on - Dropped I think? Let me know if I be wrong!)

@inheritedxvanity​ (All On Hold)

Demon From Another Realm [x] - Lucifer & Adriana (waiting on)

Power Practice [x] - Sisora & Adriana (waiting on)

@irnmaidn​

Caught [x] - Dodger & Cassandra (my turn - in drafts)

Helping Hand [x] - Gwyneth & Cassandra (my turn - in drafts)

Challenge Time [x] - Cerise & Cassandra (waiting on)

@keywcilder​

Catching Up [x] - Elsa & Sora (my turn - in drafts)

@kindcstguardian​

Stranger in the Tower [x] - Zel & Ayden (waiting on - Dropped I think? Let me know if I be wrong!)

Speaking Thoughts Aloud [x] - Monika & Hana (my turn - in drafts)

@lifespentinadream​

The Dragon Catches the Princess [x] - Izayah & Briar (waiting on)

Lost Item Found, the Reward? A Kiss From a Dragon [x] - Izayah & Briar (waiting on)

Hair Care [x] - Veillios & Briar (waiting on)

Girl in a bush [x] - Gwyneth & Briar (waiting on)

@madgirltm​

Cliff Warning [x] - Harley & Alice (waiting on)

@merveiilles​

Another Human(?) in Ponyville [x] - Diamond & Hagrid (waiting on)

@morsmarcam​ (On Hold)

Not A Spell [x] - Veillios & Claudia (waiting on)

@muzaixnoxasashin​

Bar Fight! [x] - Mirra & Akuma (my turn - in drafts)

Within the Forest [x] - Lucifer & Akuma (waiting on)

What happened now? [x] - Zuko & Akuma (my turn - in drafts)

@myfatherthetraitor​

What? How? [x] - Diamond & Ebony (my turn - in drafts)

Yule Celebrations [x] - Khojin & Ebony (my turn - in drafts)

@naivnyy​

A Not-So Boring Day After All [x] - Wakasa & Little Mermaid (my turn - in drafts)

@nxghtprincess​

Waking The Moon [x] - Tempest & Luna (waiting on)

@offtoseaoncemore​

Merfolk & Pirates [x] - Wakasa & Jewels (waiting on)

@purple-hair-and-goggles​

Shadows in the Alleys [x] - Veillios & Ren (my turn - in drafts)

Helping Hand [x] - Cissnei & Ren (my turn - in drafts)

@shxrikenjxtsu​

Tending to Injuries [x] - Zuko & Mai (my turn - in drafts)

@snxckersnxckisms​ (All On Hold)

Wrong Turn Down the Rabbit Hole [x] - Nizsm & Mal (waiting on)

On The Run [x] - Veillios & Mal (starter posted - waiting on)

A Favor [x] - Eris & Mal (waiting on)

A Living Jabberwocky [x] - Liliana & Mal (waiting on)

A Night In Gotham [x] - Harley & Matt [Mal] (waiting on)

The Future is Bright [x] - Veillios & Mal (waiting on)

@starryburglar​

Near Escape [x] - Veillios & Brigitte (my turn - in drafts)

Winter and the Snow Queen [x] - Elsa & Vera (my turn - in drafts)

@starsweepers​

Street Cats [x] - Dodger & Mira (my turn - in drafts - dropping due to lack of muse, I’m so sorry!)

@sterrenlied​

Sweets [x] - Veillios & Sigma (waiting on)

@strcngered​

A Change Of Perspective [x] - Lucifer & Carrie (waiting on)

Place To Rest [x] - Entei & Mewtwo (waiting on)

More or Less Alive [x] - Death & Hector (my turn - in drafts)

Trying to Understand [x] - Death & Hector (waiting on)

They Always Return [x] - Death & Hector (waiting on)

Playing in the Snow [x] - Tatiana & Hector (my turn - in drafts)

@variantia​

Another Like Me [x] - Sisora & Vesper (starter pending)

@we-thefairfolk​

The Flame Burns Again [x] - Firebird & Nokk (waiting on)

Comfort from a Friend [x] - Jasmine & Rajah (waiting on)

Never had a friend [x] - Dinah & Sal (my turn - in drafts)

TBD [x] - Cassandra & Rumpletazer (starter pending)

@withinyourimagination​

Offer Of A Date [x] - Jack & Prompto (my turn - in drafts)

Soulmate AU [x] - Jack & Prompto (waiting on)

A Gift [x] - Merlin & Terra (my turn - in drafts)

Soulmate AU [x] - Veillios & Riku (my turn - in drafts)

Soulmate AU [x] - Veillios & Vanitas (waiting on)

A Bit Lost [x] - Veillios & Riku (my turn - in drafts ON HOLD)

Get Some Rest [x] - Veillios & Riku (my turn - in drafts)

Vampire’s Bite [x] - Veillios & Riku (my turn - in drafts)

Dark Forest Battle [x] - Veillios & Terra (my turn - in drafts)

Tour around the city? [x] - Dodger & Lycus (my turn - in drafts)

Bad Memories [x] - Veillios & Riku (my turn - in drafts)

Busted [x] - Wakasa & Sylvain (waiting on)

Only Half Right [x] - Malleus & Chat Noir [Adrian] (waiting on)

Don’t Trust a Thing [x] - Izayah & Roxas (waiting on)

A Possible Safe Place? [x] - Sisora & Lycus (my turn - in drafts)

The Fourth Spirit’s Return [x] - Firebird & Dezel (my turn - in drafts)

Explaining the Situation [x] - Dodger & Lycus (waiting on)

Confrontation [x] - Veillios & Riku (my turn - in drafts)

Another Task [x] - Bartimaeus & Sora (my turn - in drafts)

Rude to Stare [x] - Cheshire & Claude (my turn - in drafts)

@written-by-angel​

Friend of a friend [x] - Adam & Cloud (waiting on - starter posted)

[yo-namine]

Okay, I’m not done with this idea, so...

To start off, Riku and Kairi's relationship post-KH3 is a little, uh.... strained. After everything that happened in the Graveyard, Riku really doesn't trust Kairi to hold her own at all. They both want to go search for a way to revive Sora, but Riku's pretty dead-set on Kairi staying safe at home while he does all the actual work. He's already lost one friend, and he's not risking losing another. Kairi argues that if he's going to go chasing the Lich, he needs someone like her who can bring him back, but her argument kind of falls flat because her PoH abilities have been pretty shaky ever since Sora died because, well, her heart's broken. So Riku doesn't budge, and Kairi's left feeling useless and powerless to help her friends. Again. Also, Kairi can tell that Riku does sort of lowkey resent her for being a liability back in the Graveyard. Riku knows it's unfair of him, but he can't help how he feels. And while Riku really does want to keep her safe, Kairi feels that he's also shutting her out as a way to penalize her for costing them Sora's life. Angst ensues. Basically, instead of working together on a way to bring back Sora, Riku and Kairi end up pushing each other away and doubtlessly making things harder than they need to be. 🎉🎉🎉

Obviously, Kairi isn't going to just stay home. She thinks that if she can fully regain her powers, she may be able to restore Sora like she did in KH1, or get some kind of tether on him from the Realm of Light like she did in KH3. So she decides to sneak off on her own to first go find the other former Princesses of Heart to see if they can teach her more about her abilities, and then hopefully get her powers back and use them to revive Sora or at least help Riku. And admittedly, there’s a small, petty part of her that just wants to prove to Riku that she's not useless.

Naminé catches on to what Kairi's planning and wants to come with her to help however she can. Kairi kept her alive for the last couple of years, so Naminé is basically RIDE OR DIE for this girl at this point. If Kairi wants to go save Sora, then dammit, they’re gonna go save Sora. That said, she probably feels guilty enough to leave Riku a note or something just telling him that she and Kairi left together and everything's fine and to please not freak out. Riku reads it and is like "for fuck's sake," decides to go look for them (on top of everything else he's doing).

I'm... not really sure how Xion gets involved tbh. Maybe she initially wants to help Riku find Kairi and bring her home, but then switches sides once she realizes that Kairi's just trying to prove herself? Anyway, Xion is a total badass and (in this story, at least) has some of her Days boss battle abilities still in her arsenal, so after she joins the other girls, they're able to venture into more worlds that they'd had to avoid before because the combat level was too high they were too dangerous. During their journey, Xion gives Kairi lots of pointers that do her way more good as a keyblade wielder than whatever Merlin had her and Axel doing in that time chamber.

There's initially some tension between Kairi and Xion because Xion is supposed to be "Kairi as Sora remembers her," and in this story, Xion's clearly much stronger and (now that she's free of the Organization) cheerier than the real Kairi. So Kairi feels like she's hanging around a better version of herself all the time, and it takes effort to not let her bitterness over it show. It also doesn't help that Kairi's spending most of her time with two people who are like embodiments of Sora's love for her (Naminé being the Nobody that was created from Sora housing Kairi's heart in his, Xion being made up of Sora's memories of Kairi). Theoretically, that knowledge should be comforting, but it really just ends up rubbing some extra salt in that "Sora's dead and it's all my fault" wound.

While they're off on their journey, Riku tries to call Kairi almost every day, but she never picks up because she knows he'll just try to talk her into going home. Eventually Axel calls her, and it's fine until she realizes he's trying to weasel her whereabouts out of her so he can pass the info along to Riku. After that, she keeps her phone off.

Kairi, Naminé, and Xion start to work really well together after a while both because of their skill sets (Xion being the powerhouse, Naminé the healer, Kairi the warrior-still-in-training), but also because they have a lot in common. Xion can empathize pretty strongly with Kairi feeling like she's just a liability. Naminé knows how it feels to be used by people more powerful than you to hurt someone you care about. The trio develops a pretty deep understanding of one another, and they help each other rationalize and work through their problems/insecurities (like Xion has a tendency to get irritated/overly defensive when her judgment's questioned because, well, she also isn't sure if she can trust her own mind sometimes thanks to the Org reprogramming her in the past. Naminé has some pretty deep-rooted abandonment issues that are part of the reason she clings to Kairi as much as she does. Kairi has survivor's guilt in spades.). Character development ensues.

Naminé does Not like combat or just hurting things in general, hence why she sticks to healing. She does still have her heart-shattering ability from CoM, but she never wants to use it again (especially considering whose replica vessel she’s inhabiting these days).

Meanwhile, Riku thinks the other masters will help him with figuring out how to either find the Lich or contact Sora somehow, but nope. Yen Sid and Mickey don't want him going after the Lich or "chasing hearts," potentially costing them another valuable wielder getting himself killed. Aqua's more inclined to let him do what he thinks is right, but she's also doubtful that Sora's heart is even salvageable at this point. She tells Riku what she knows from her own training just because she feels he has the right to that information as a master, but that's about it. Beyond that, Riku's basically on his own. Without any real leads, Riku decides to visit different worlds to learn more about their differing concepts of death/the afterlife (so like the Underworld in Olympus, the Locker in the Caribbean, etc.). A lot of worlds have legends of creatures similar to the Lich that ferry the dead and all that cool stuff, so he makes note of that while also scouting the place for Kairi. He might also run into Maleficent at some point and learn something from her (since idk, she commanded the Heartless for a while, so maybe she knows something about the Lich)?  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The trio runs into Riku once early on, and it... doesn't go that well. Riku's still not keen on Kairi running off (plus he's probably kind of annoyed that Naminé and Xion sided with her over him despite them both being his friends for way longer, oop), and Kairi's still frustrated that Riku has 0 faith in her and won't let her help him. They basically have the same argument they did back home, only now there's been more time for resentment to build. On top of that, they're both grieving over Sora without really knowing that they are (because neither's willing to even consider the idea that he may not be savable), and both feel like the other's abandoned them when they need them the most. Anyway, their fight doesn't accomplish anything other than hurting each other further. They split up again after Riku tells Kairi to just answer her damn phone every once and a while. She doesn't.

So Kairi meets up with the former PoHs as she travels worlds. She's lucky that Riku's on bad terms with half of these ladies and is gonna steer clear of Wonderland, Agrabah, and Beast's Castle. Kairi gets advice and some training from each of the princesses on how to tune out her own self-doubts and focus her magic on what she wants to accomplish. Her biggest help is probably Belle just because that lady spent SO MUCH TIME in Hollow Bastion's library in KH1 probably reading everything about light/darkness. That, and I think Belle kind of uses a tethering ability in KH1 to bring the Beast to Hollow Bastion (or at least, the Beast says he got there just by ~believing~, so maybe it's a two-way connection or something), so she may have a better understanding of her (former) powers than the others. Anyway, Kairi slowly starts regaining her powers, and they only get better as her confidence/faith in herself improves. Eventually, she starts working Faith/Holy into her combat moves and "tethering" to the other girls just to see if she can. She's able to use the latter ability to sense out where exactly Naminé and Xion are whenever they're separated from one another. Connecting with people in the same world is easy enough, but doing it across worlds/realms is trickier, so she practices reaching out to Riku occasionally with mixed results. She gets to where she can figure out where he is, but she can't communicate with him, and she's not sure if that's due to her abilities being too weak or if it's because she and Riku have been shutting each other out (spoilers: It's mostly the latter.).

The trio has another run-in with Riku later on. He and Kairi have another argument, but it's more constructive this time around. Riku starts to call her out on leaving him to go on this journey (because unlike her, he's been going it alone this whole time, and it's really starting to get to him), but she points out that she only left him before he could leave her. Everything kind of starts to click after that. Riku eventually apologizes for trying to leave her behind, Kairi apologizes for shutting him out for so long. There's still some tension between them, but it starts to ebb once they finally start working together on a plan to bring Sora back.

Kairi finally turns her phone back on to find approximately 34978593487 missed calls from Riku. She also sees that he left her a few voicemails, and while Riku says she can just delete them, she keeps them to listen to later when he's not around.

....I'm not sure how this ends? Part of me likes the idea of Sora just... staying dead and everyone moving forward with their lives because that's all you can do, really. But another part of me really likes the idea of Riku and Kairi finding the Lich and figuring out a way to split the price for Sora between them. Maybe they have to give up a fraction of their hearts or cut time off their lifespans to give to Sora's. And they both agree to just not tell Sora about that once he's back.

I realize I'm leaving a TON of characters out of this story lmao. I don't know what everyone else would be up to. tbh Ven could probably save Riku and Kairi a lot of trouble just by introducing them to his magic cat that apparently knows all about the afterlife, but.......................... whatever.

[atomic-taco-muffin]

The Lost Princess Chapter 8

Warnings: angst, angst, and a whole bunch more angst. fluff at the end though 

Rating: SFW

Mickey was walking in the forest in Twilight Town while wearing the Organization jacket and spotted a man wearing the same coat. The two of stared at each other for a moment and the man took his hood off. Mickey gasped and jumped back and summoned his keyblade. Ansem looked at Mickey and smirked. He put a blindfold on and transformed into 

“Riku!” Mickey said as he ran to him. 

“Your Majesty,” Riku said. 

“Gosh, I’ve been worried about you! Where have you been all this time?” 

“I’ve been...searching for a way to conquer the darkness within me while we wait for Sora to awaken and also finding (Y/N).” 

“I know you want to protect her. She’s very special.” 

“She’s more than special. She’s my best friend. Along with Sora’s.” 

“The way you looked--” 

“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m getting the hang of keeping the darkness under control.” 

“And Sora...Did something go wrong with fixing all his memories?”

“There’s a reason the Organization’s been quiet since our battle at Castle Oblivion. And now I know it’s not because a depletion in members had made them weak. Taking Sora’s memory apart piece by piece was only the first step in what they were trying to do at Castle Oblivion. And I think they needed more time to fix his memory.” 

“You know, you and me were both looking into what the Organization was up to, but what I saw didn’t look like much. Almost like they were trying to buy some time...” 

“Right. Sora’s memories are what they’re after. Along with (Y/N)’s powers. And they needed all this time until now to absorb every piece of it.” 

“Huh?” 

“The process of putting his memory back together has gone nowhere...They have what’s most precious to Sora...his memories of Kairi.” 

“Well, then you have to let me help! Maybe I could get the memoires back! And maybe save (Y/N) from the Organization!” 

“I’ve got that covered, Your Maji--I mean Mickey. Instead, I wanted to ask you for a favor.” 

“What would that be?” 

“I have to face one of the Organization members soon. Apparently, they know about (Y/N)’s past and the secrets to her powers. I might not survive the fight. And if I do, it might be because I gave in to the darkness. That means you’re the only one who will be there for Sora, Donald, Goofy, and hopefully (Y/N)--the only one who can guide them when they’re safe.” 

“Riku...” 

“Promise me, Mickey. When our friends are found, you have to be there to help them out.” 

“I promise, Riku.” 

~~~~

You and Vanitas were walking around the castle grounds, getting to know each other better. It was nice to see your grumpy brother being happy. Especially around you. The two of you were heading back into the castle when all of a sudden a group of Neoshadows appeared. You hid behind Vanitas as he summoned his keyblade. 

“Now, now Vanitas. (Y/N) should learn how to fight against these creatures herself.” You looked up and saw your father standing on your balcony. 

“Daddy? Why are you doing this?” you asked. 

“It’s time for you to embrace your powers. Show me your dark side.” 

“I’m not gonna let that happen,” Vanitas said. 

“Does my pupil betray me to protect a spirit? Pathetic,” Xehanort said. You were so confused at what he meant by the word spirit. What did he mean? And what did he mean about your powers and the dark side? It suddenly hit you that your father was full of darkness. 

“Daddy? Please tell me you’re not part of the darkness,” you said. 

“He is. The only reason he wanted you was that he could use his powers for his plan to summon Kingdom Hearts,” Vanitas said. 

“Daddy, please don’t do this! I just wanted a normal life with you and Vani!” 

“Fine then. Guess I’ll just have to kill you then,” Xehanort said. 

“What?! I don’t wanna die! Daddy, just please don’t do this!” you said. A Neoshadow lunged at you but Vanitas stopped it before it could hurt you. 

“(Y/N), do you trust me?” he asked. 

“Of course I trust you,” you said. He opened a portal and looked at you. 

“Go through that portal and find some place where you can be safe,” he said. 

“But what about you?” 

“I’ll be fine. Now go.” You gave Vanitas a hug goodbye and ran into the portal before the Neoshadows could harm you.

“Guess I’m gonna have to teach you a lesson for betraying me,” Xehanort said. 

“Anything to protect my sister,” Vanitas said. 

~~~~

You exited the portal and arrived on a island. You looked around and saw two boys playing. You thought that these children would be able to help you so you walked over to them. 

“Um, excuse me,” you said. The two boys stopped playing and looked at you. 

“Hi. I’m Sora. Are you new here?” a boy with brown hair asked. 

“I-I guess you can say that.” 

“Where did you come from?” A boy with silver hair asked. You were about to say that you were from Scala ad Caelum but heard a voice that sounded like Vanitas telling you not to. 

“I-I’m not sure,” you lied. 

“That’s okay. Some of the people here don’t remember how they got here either,” Sora said. 

“O-okay. That makes me feel a little better.” 

“I’m guessing you don’t know where your family is. Here, come with us. We can become best friends,” the silver haired boy said. 

“Okay.” You followed the two boys and soon became best friends. You told them your name and some of your favorite things. Sora’s parents were generous and let you stay at his house. 

“Thank you for your hospitality. I don’t know how I can repay you,” you said. 

“You don’t have to. And you can stay here as long as you like,” Sora said. 

“Thank you, Sora.” 

“Anytime.” The two of you got to know each other better till the both of you fell asleep.