Hey everyone! Here is the final chapter of this story. As I've said, there is another story after this that answers all of the questions this one set forth, but because I'm working on a very long AU, it's likely never going to happen. Sorry about that. I also know that this story changed halfway through-I hope you guys still liked what I have presented; I know it didn't always make sense or whatever. Thank you so much for the support of those who read, reviewed and let me know your thoughts. Hope you guys enjoyed this journey as much as I did!

The Land of Departure

With a shake of his head, Ventus looked around. Sitting next to him and mirroring his actions was Aqua. They were back into the Land of Departure, and the entire area was dark and silent. It was night time now, something they hadn't expected after fighting in the clouded sunshine of the keyblade graveyard. A small tune floated through the air, coming from Aqua's pocket. It was her gummi phone.

"Hello?"

"Aqua, there you are. Skuld just dropped into the lab through some dark corridor, so I was worried. Where are you?" Terra asked.

"We're...home. what happened with the princesses?"

Terra turned his head and clenched his teeth. The lab looked fairly trashed in the background, but at least Aqua couldn't see any scratches or bruises on Terra.

"Is Ven with you?" He brought her out of her thoughts.

"Yes. Here, you can talk to him." Aqua handed the boy her phone.

"Terra, are you okay? Luxu got the princesses." Ven reported.

"Yeah, I know. The guy came in and used some powerful spells. We fought as best as we could, but...I failed again."

"It's not your fault, Terra. Luxu is more powerful than anything we gave him credit for. We were able to finish him off, but.. " Aqua trailed off.

"Looks like he's the last of our worries. Someone even stronger showed up and zapped us all home." Ven finished.

"That explains the dark corridor then." Terra mused. "Alright. They have things handled here. I'm coming home."

While they waited for their friend, Aqua and Ventus sat out in the training yard and looked up at the night sky like they always had. Ventus never let his eyes waver from the lights, but Aqua couldn't help but sneak glances at him. They hadn't had as many chances to hear about all of the dreams he had while he was sleeping, and now that his memories were back, she was sure there was more to talk through. Who was that Strelitzia girl Vanitas had taunted him with?

"I'm sure you want to know so much." Ven muttered, as if he had read her thoughts.

"Take your time. You have a whole lifetime to remember. If there are parts that are hard to talk about, just know that Terra and I will always be there for you. And everyone else, too."

"Thanks, Aqua. You guys are the best."

"Of course. We're friends."

"Would you guys still be my friend if you knew everything?" Ven looked at his hands.

While it was true he hadn't wanted to kill the girl, his hands had struck the final blow. To be honest, he wasn't exactly sure whether he was innocent anymore. it had been so long and that part of his brain had been altered when Vanitas was ripped from him by Master Xehanort. If he hadn't been so full of self doubt and fear, then maybe that cloud of darkness wouldn't have been so quick to choose him as a vessel.

Aqua looked over in concern. She would have immediately reassured him of their loyalty, but she needed a moment to think. Ventus deserved a more heartfelt answer despite however much she believed in a quick 'of course'. Even if he really had done what Vanitas accused him of, what was in the past was in the past.

"It doesn't matter who you were back then, Ven. What and how it happened isn't anything Terra and I are worried about. We've made our own mistakes and yet you still held out hope for us. Now its our turn to help you." Aqua gently placed a hand on his back.

The two were interrupted by the opening of a portal and Terra's keyblade glider sailing out of it. He made a quick landing and got out of his armor before walking over to Aqua and Ventus. Before he even sat down, he was able to read the emotions between the two. Carefully, he placed his hand on top of Aqua's on Ven's back.

"Hey, no matter what you're going through, just know you don't have to do it alone." Terra reassured.

His hand was warm on Aqua's, and she could feel her stomach fluttering about simply from the touch of his hand. A light blush crossed her face, but she didn't draw attention to it. Right now Ven needed them to be there for him. But that didn't stop her from looking over and flashing Terra a warm smile. He smiled back, eyes softening at her until Ven started to stir.

"You're right. Thanks, guys." Ven looked up and met each of their eyes.

"Don't forget, you have me, too!" Chirithy appeared from out of thin air. "I wouldn't want to miss another adventure with you."

"Thanks, Chirithy." Ven took the cat-like creature in his arms.

The three stayed like that for the rest of the night. They could figure out what to do next in the morning. For now, it was best to just enjoy the night sky like they always had, resting from their anxiety over Sora.

Yozora

When the timer disappeared from Yozora's hand, a wave of relief washed over him. He had been returned to his own room, laying on his bed. Sora and Lourd were hopefully gathering up their things and coming home now, however they could. He sighed and held up his phone in an attempt to reach them. He stopped for a moment upon seeing his reflection on the blank screen.

That was odd. He should have seen a shock of silvery hair on the phone before booting it up. Instead, it was the same black he had seen all growing up. Yozora quickly put his phone down and hurried over to the bathroom that connected to his room and flipped on the light. Sure enough, instead of the face he had known recently, staring back at him was his true face.

The red eye had carried over into his appearance in the game, but that was all he had left of his experience in the underground. Now everything was just the same as it was when he had left it. Except neither Sora nor Lourd could be found. He held up his phone to try and call them, but couldn't get a connection to them. Was this part of his price to pay in coming back to life?

His memory was fuzzy. All he remembered was fighting that gigas after Sora had been kidnapped. Aegis and Magia were right behind him, he was sure. Then that man in the black coat came up and pulled out a large weapon of some sort. He hadn't ever seen one like it before. Then...nothing. he was standing on an ocean that went for her, the night sky and its stars the only companions to him. And then. Yes. That was when Joshua came to him and asked if he wanted to be returned to Sora.

"Name your price. I won't be separated from her again." Yozora had told him.

"Complete a task or two and you'll get to see her again." Joshua smirked.

"Fine."

He did it. Whatever it was Joshua had asked him to do. The night before that final battle had been everything he ever dreamed of. Sora was back in his arms, just like he remembered her. They had spent the whole night talking softly so no one else would hear them. Even now he could smell a phantom of the perfume she always wore. His hands remembered her soft skin and the way it felt on his calloused fingers.

But that price. Had it been too high? Yozora slammed his fist down. He couldn't remember Joshua saying anything about Sora in it. He yelled in anger before he heard an unfortunately familiar voice behind him.

"You sure are a loud sleeper."

It was Joshua.

"Where is she you son of a-"

"Woah, hold on there, Yozora. I gave you exactly what you wanted. As I recall you said I could name my price."

"Then why isn't she here?"

"Funny thing about debts. Eventually they do have to be paid." Joshua leaned on the dresser by the wall. "You were helping me with one of mine."

Yozora rammed his fist into Joshua's face; or rather where his face should have been. Instead, it met with the wall of his room, breaking up the material that was by the door. The figure of Joshua smirked at Yozora, the latter's arm fazed through part of his head. He pulled his fist back and barked at Joshua for an explanation.

"I'm not really there. Even I don't have that kind of power. Not yet anyway. One of the reasons I needed you to get rid of Luxu."

"Then where is Sora?"

"Exactly where you left her." Joshua shrugged. "Back in the other world line."

Yozora wasn't sure what Joshua meant by world line, but he didn't care. He needed Sora back where she was supposed to be. It was his job to save her. She was his girlfriend and they had promised to keep each other safe forever. He had failed her once, but he wouldn't do it again. Once he found her again, he wouldn't ever leave her.

"Bring her back!" Yozora snarled.

"Can't. That was your price to play the reaper's game. You left her. And it looks like you're doing it again."

Yozora grit his teeth. Joshua wasn't making any sense. He wasn't going to leave her. What happened wasn't his fault. There was no way he was going to stop now that he was so close. He had he again and she slipped through his fingertips.

"But...I don't trust that hooded man. So tell you what. I might be able to pull some strings. Get you somewhere close enough. But it's going to come at a price."

"Doesn't it always?" Yozora sighed.

It was coming back to him now. How he had paid the price of ever living at home again. He would be exiled, but he didn't care. He had agreed because he needed to keep his love safe.

"Before we go any further. I need to know how I got home. I thought I was supposed to never be able to come back to this place again."

"You weren't supposed to. But then that man sent you all back home when Luxu was killed. I've been looking everywhere for you. He sent you back to your world line, which is separate from mine. It's why I'm only able to appear to you like this."

"I see." Yozora replied.

"Well, do you want to take a chance on my offer or not?"

Yozora took a few minutes to respond. "Fine. But no funny business this time. I want Sora safe."

The image of Joshua stood up. His hands found their way to his pockets and were unceremoniously shoved in. He gave that same wicked smirk before replying.

"Don't you want to know what the price is this time?"

"What do you want?"

"I want Sora and Kairi to be my new reapers. That way our not-so-friendly buddy the master can't have them."

"I just need to kill them then, right?"

"Bingo. Then you and yours can wander the stars as long as you want."

Yozora stared at him without a trace of regret in his eyes. "You have a deal."

Xion

Upon being dropped back in twilight town, Xion felt herself landing on something soft. She wasn't sure what exactly had just happened, but from the glow of the sunset, they were most certainly home. She looked down to find that she hadn't landed on something- she landed on someone.

"Oh my gosh, Roxas! I'm so sorry!" Xion skittered off of him.

"No, its fine, I was just as surprised as the trip as you were. Do you think Lea and Isa are alright?"

"Let's give them a call."

As the gummi phone was ringing , they huddled close together so they could both see the screen. Xion wasn't unaware of the way Roxas placed his hand on hers. It was familiar and reassuring, even if she was still sweating a little from the physical exertion.

When Lea popped up on the screen, they saw a trashed background and a relieved smile on his face.

"Hey kiddos. How was the last battle?"

"We survived, but some guy in an organization jacket snapped and now we're back at home." Roxas reported.

"Well, I wonder if it was the guy who was working with Xigbar. Or Luxu or whatever that guy goes by these days. Man if I were back up to full strength I'd-"

Isa placed a hand on his shoulder and looked at him, silently telling him something that neither Roxas nor Xion quite understood. Lea sighed and shook his head.

"I know. There's no use in fighting it. Besides, sounds like you guys took care of him already." Lea responded.

"Well, Yozora did it. But it looks like you guys had a bit of a scuffle yourself." Xion noticed.

"Yes. That Luxu character took the princesses away. I've had my suspicions about him, but I was never in a position to call him out on anything." Isa noted.

A heavy silence broke over them as they had recalled their interactions with Xigbar during their time in the organization. He was always aloof and played his cards close to his chest. But honestly, except for Demyx, they were almost all like that. There were likely several more secrets that were left unsolved when the organization was disbanded and the members recompleted.

"Well anyway, I'm glad you guys are safe." Lea broke the silence.

"Yeah. Are you guys okay to come home?" Roxas asked.

"We should be in the morning. Isa wants to help Ienzo clean up the lab." Lea shrugged. "Which I guess we wouldn't need to if he and I hadn't gone crazy on the magic. Like we knew he'd pull out that stop spell."

"It's okay. We'll take care of the house. You guys come home safely tomorrow, okay?"

"Will do, little boss." Lea replied before the screen went black.

Xion pocketed her phone and turned to Roxas. According to the local time it was in the middle of the night, even though it didn't look like it. But twilight town had always been like that. It was what gave the town it's peculiar name. It was a little comforting to the two that their home never really got dark, even at night when other worlds did.

"We don't have to go home right away, do we?" Xion softly reached for Roxas's hand.

"No, not really." Roxas intertwined his fingers into hers. "We could go check out the clock tower."

"Without Lea and Isa? They'll find out, you know." Xion chuckled.

"Then sunset hill?"

"It's a date."

They walked their way over to the hill that overlooked the town and the train tracks. Together they sat down on the grassy edge of the hill, hands never leaving each other. All throughout their time as humans they had lived a little uneasily. There had been so much that was unsaid between them.

It didn't seem that Roxas needed to say even a part of what he felt though. In just this one connection Xion understood fully what he thought of her. She wondered why she hadn't been able to do anything about it before.

"So, what now?" Roxas asked, keeping his eyes on the train lights in the distance.

"About the new threat, or now that Sora's home or…"

"Well, yes to those, but that wasn't what I was talking about "

"I guess...we just take it one day at a time." Xion replied softly.

One day. Today could be the first of many. Now that Sora was home, they would offer as much aid as they could, but they didn't have much to go on. So for now, they could just be two kids. Two kids in love.

Radiant Garden

Skuld, Lourd and Sora left Ienzo, Lea and Isa cleaning the lab. what now was the question on their minds as well. Before, Sora had managed to get them over to this world line with her magic and the strange machine in the palace basement. The gigas had taken her away and she was brought to the machine where she escaped. Lourd had managed to follow her at Yozora's command, but everything had been done the way it was intended.

Since the machine wasn't here, they had no way of getting home. As much as she was happy to see her friends, there was one person she wanted to see more than anyone else. But she didn't know where he was. And what was even worse is that their separation had been told to them over and over again. She thought she could change fate, but that wasn't going to happen.

It seemed like they were destined to be away from each other forever. He must have been returned home like everyone else. They had gotten to know one another through consistent letters that passed across the world lines. They were small enough that magic could ride their connection and get to each other. This was the second time she had ever seen him in person.

"Where are you going to go, Lourd?" Sora asked.

"I intend to stay with you until my job is completed."

"But what job could there be? Yozora is gone. We can't reach him."

"If you were able to be reunited with Lea and Isa, then you should be able to see Yozora again." Skuld encouraged.

Sora looked down at her feet. She was supposed to have saved her world by bringing Bahamut into this world line. Time after time she tried telling them that he wasn't some sort of pet. She could communicate with him, sure, but she couldn't force him to do anything. If he wanted to destroy the world like he said he would...then so be it.

Maybe….maybe it was time to seek out the Aeon.

"Lourd, perhaps I do have one more job for you to do." Sora summoned her staff. "Let's go find Behamut. Would you like to join us, Skuld?"

"It would be my pleasure."

Riku

When the dark corridors opened up, Riku reached for the people closest to him. He had hoped to reach Sora, Kairi and Namine, but the only one he had successfully grabbed had been the latter. Her eyes were shut tight as they traveled through the dark corridor. As they were flung onto the soft sand of the main island back at home, they rolled together before coming to a stop. Namine had ended up on her back, her hands clinging onto his shoulders. Riku held himself above her, his hands on either side of her head.

It took them a few minutes to realize how they had landed, and Riku moved to get up, but was tugged back down by Namine's skilled hands. She smiled at him. That smile was enough to make him go weak at the knees. He was beginning to understand why Sora had acted the way he had around Kairi all those years. Part if him hoped she didn't hear the way his heart thumped in his chest.

"Thank you." She brought him out of his thoughts.

"Thank you? For what?"

"For giving me a safe place to go when Vanitas overtook me. I found a place to call home in your heart."

"I wondered how you found your way into my dreams."

Namine smiled at him again and followed his lead as he pulled her wiped the sand off of her and took a few steps out to the sea. The breeze pushed her hair off her shoulder. She closed her eyes and took in the night. Riku began to reach his hand out to her, but brought it back when she turned around.

"Your heart and your dreams were connected. I simply followed that connection and found Kairi. Can't say I was expecting to see her there. But I'm glad I did." Namine held her hands behind her back.

"Yeah."

"Tell me...were you scared?"

Riku cocked his head and hesitated. Could he really tell her the truth? He wasn't sure he was ready, but he also didn't want to lie. Besides Sora and Kairi, Namine was the most important person to him. She was his light in the dark. She probably had a right to know that, but with Sora missing, it never seemed to be the right time.

"When Vanitas took me away. Were you scared?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I had no idea where you went. After what happened at the World that Never Was, I wasn't….I didn't want to lose you again."

"I wasn't scared."

"You...weren't?"

Namine shook her head. "Of course not. I felt safe the entire time. I figured you'd be there soon enough. And then you were, like always."

"What do you mean? I wasn't there."

"It wasn't you as you are now, but rather, you the way your heart sees you. It was that other you who led me to that connection to your dream."

That made sense. It was a little odd to think of there being another version of himself inside his own heart, but at least it gave Namine the guidance she needed. He only hoped that the other version of him didn't tell her anything embarrassing. Perhaps he needed to do some damage control just in case.

"He...the other me, that is, he didn't say anything odd to you, did he?"

"What do you mean, odd?"

"Like...he didn't say anything about the future, did he?"

"He only said it didn't scare him at all." Namine replied nonchalantly. "Now that Sora is home, everything should go back to the way it's supposed to be."

Oh. So he had nothing to worry about. But she was so calm about it that he almost wondered if she didn't share his feelings. His heart may not have been worried about the future, but his head still had one very important thing to fret over. But that was a subject for another day, he supposed.

"Yeah. Now that Sora is home, we can finally get back to things. After we figure out who the guy in black was."

"We will." Namine nodded. "We'll do it together."

"Of course. Now that Sora and Kairi are together, there won't be anything that can stop them."

"He wanted to see you, too."

Riku nodded. He had missed his best friend. Between trying to help Kairi, searching the worlds for him and visiting Sora's mother in her grief, he hadn't had much time to decompress and figure out his own feelings on the subject. He just wanted his best friend home. They would have time to spend together, although now that Sora and Kairi's relationship had changed, they would all have to learn to adjust to each other.

"Sora is my best friend, and of course I want to see him. But I think tonight he's going to be a little busy clearing things out with Kairi. I'll hang out with him tomorrow before we decide what to do about the man in the cloak."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Now come on, let's get you home. I'm sure your parents were expecting a call before now."

"Okay." Namine nodded, holding on to her head.

"You alright?"

"Mhm. I guess this new replica body just had a harder time with dark corridors than I was expecting. I was just fine with them back then."

"Well then come on. I'll carry you home. It's not far from here."

Riku turned his back and bent down so that Namine could climb upon it. She chuckled a little and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her chin on his shoulder. She really did feel safe here. His scent of sea salt and cedar was always welcome to her. As they arrived at her home, they saw the light on.

"Thank you Riku. I think I can handle it from here." Namine patted his shoulder.

He let her down a short walk away from the porch, assuring her he could carry her the rest of the way. She shook her head, reminding him about her father's overprotective nature. Before Riku could walk away and Namine lost her courage, she took his hand and got up on her tip toes on order to kiss his cheek. He was frozen in place as she waved goodnight and walked away.

Sora

As the darkness enveloped him, Sora grabbed onto Kairi all the tighter. He had let go of her enough times in the past. He wasn't planning on letting that trend continue. They were flung out of the dark corridor and landed on the play island at home. Sora landed on his feet, holding Kairi close to him. As the dark corridor disappeared, they opened their eyes to find themselves by the paopu tree.

"Is this…?" Kairi looked up.

"Where it all began, really." Sora kept his eyes on her.

Kairi nodded and leaned her head into Sora's chest. He was warm and comfortable. Strong arms wrapped further around her. Sora leaned his head on Kairi's, tenderly kissing the crown of it. It only made sense that he should show her the affection that he had so long ignored.

"That man had such power, even more than Xehanort. Are you sure we'll be able to defeat him?" Kairi whispered.

"Of course! Now that we're together, there's nothing that can stop us."

While Sora was mostly sure they could handle whatever life had to throw at them, he wasn't sure they were ready right then and there to fight off this new threat. He also didn't want to risk putting Kairi in danger. They had only just gotten back together. Besides there were still so many questions left unanswered. Who was the man? What did the foretellers have to do with Luxu? What were those books Kairi had told him about? Where were the pure lights now? To be perfectly honest, they all made his head feel like it was floating. But then he looked down and was reminded that Kairi was there in his arms. She grounded him when he began drifting away.

"Sora, you never changed. Thank you." Kairi locked eyes with him.

"What do you mean?"

"You're still that cheerful, kind person I fell in love with, despite everything that happened. You remember that day on the pier, right? Just before the world was overrun by heartless?"

"Yeah, I remember." Sora replied. "You've changed though, Kairi."

She seemed surprised by this. A light blush crossed her cheek. Sora laughed a little at the way she reacted to his words. He poked her nose and hugged her tightly again.

"Whatever comes our way, we can handle it. Our destinies are intertwined, remember? I feel strong with you, even if we can't beat that man right this second."

"Yeah, I guess so." Kairi replied. "We still need to find out what happened to the pure lights. Zack is with them."

"We should probably gather everyone together tomorrow and make a plan."

"Yeah." Sora nodded. "We have a much bigger group of fighters this time."

"Our best bet would be to start with those books. If there's going to be any answers available to us, it'll be there."

"Right." Sora nodded. "Then once this is all over, we can come home. For good this time."

"For good?"

"Well" Sora placed his hands behind his head "for now, anyway."

Kairi chuckled. With that, Sora stole a kiss and flew her to the mainland. They walked to her front door together, passing a still frozen Riku along the way. He loosened up when he saw them, and Sora clapped him on the back.

"Did someone give you a good night kiss?" Sora smirked.

"Wha-? How did you-?" Riku responded.

"That was just a lucky guess, but it looks like I hit the nail on the head. Go get her, tiger!"

"You're ridiculous." Riku shook his head. "Besides, you should look to see who's talking. Anyway, what's the plan, Mr. Hero?"

"Find those books, find the pure lights and figure out what that man in the cloak is planning." Sora crossed his arms.

"That's your plan?"

"I'm sure we'll come up with a better one in the morning." Kairi gently added.

With that, the trio said their goodbyes. No one knew what tomorrow would bring, but as long as they had each other, they could make it through.

Kingdom Hearts

No one, except the master, of course. With each of the pure lights under a sleeping spell and resting in the memory of a particular room, the hooded man held up no name to the sun. He had the book, the keyblade and the box. A grin shone on his shadowed face.

The book had said Luxu would be successful. However, that didn't fit the narrative the master was orchestrating anymore. The foretellers that the master's apprentice had brought back would be a thorn in his side, too. But that was no matter. Keys could both lock and unlock. With that darkness floating around somewhere, he was bound to be able to find the right fiends. It wouldn't matter what world they were on.

"Well now, little lights. We have a very bright future together. Now that we've opened Kingdom Hearts in this world line, I have a few other places we need to check out. Hope you don't mind a little world tour."

The master turned and sighed, looking at the sleeping people.

"You know, you come up with a great line and they're not even awake to hear it. Ah well. I'm sure there's plenty of time for it later."

With that, he left them to their slumber as he walked into the light, off to complete some more business in order to shape the future.

And that's it! Thanks for sticking with me! Feel free to check out some of my other stuff (even though most of it is pretty old and cringey) The ongoing AU i'm working on is called "Dragon Age: Wayfinder" (depending on when you're reading this, there may be sequels out to it, so just go ahead and check my page, lol. Anyway, Feel free to leave me one last review. Thanks for the support!