CH.21: Destiny

Sora couldn't believe that worked but even then there were other factors involved in Castle Recedia about to fall apart or disappear around them.

"Riku is not responding…and…he has sealed himself away making it so the darkness will be finding him. This is bad…and if Castle Recedia should fade away…we too shall also disappear." The King's words did not do Sora any good.

"Can you create a portal out of here King Mickey?" Sora had a plan but given his current state he didn't know if voicing it aloud would get them anywhere.

"I suppose…what are you planning Sora?" Sora walked a few steps forward as the room was clear of anyone left from Castle Recedia.

"Get Aqua, Terra, and Kairi out of here. I will stay behind and help Riku out of his funk. He had to play hero so it is only natural I make him realize that self-sacrifice is past him now, he deserves to have a ending suited of him for his time traveling in the darkness and looking after me."

"Sora, no, if you stay here too long you will fade away along with Riku. Please, it took this long just for us to find you again." Mickey pleads.

"I've made up my mind King, besides, I'm already fading away. I can feel the pull even as the castle starts to shake. If I went with you…there'd be nothing left of me."

Sora watches as the King goes to Aqua and Terra but Kairi doesn't budge. "Sora, I am not leaving…and you can't make me. You risked everything to bring me back…only to fade away. Not this time, if you fade, I'm going with you."

"Kairi…c'mon, you deserve to be free to live your life without not knowing where you will wind up. I can't take that from you-."

"You aren't, this is my choice, and I love you too much to let you go this alone. The three of us go home or the three of us fade together." Kairi appeared adamant.

"Mickey, safe guard those two and close the portal behind you. If we manage to survive this we'll find a way home. And King Mickey…thanks for looking after Riku."

"Sora, I wish you would reconsider, but I understand this is your choice, your decision. Your heart is set. Kairi…remember your teaching and be safe. Riku…don't forget there are people out here who care about you. I won't tell Namine how you feel, that is for you to do, but, I will let her know not to worry."

Mickey disappears and Sora turns to face Kairi. He isn't prepared though as she throws her arms around him and they kiss. It is a special kiss, a kiss that was not built on desperation but perhaps something more that had been bottled up for so long. Sora held her close to him returning the kiss and not spending his time gawking or trying to make sense of it. Here and now he did not want to fade away knowing that they had held back for so long and that all this time had not been leading up to this.

Sora kept her there for a bit until finally they part and keep their foreheads together. "I love you Kairi…and…whatever time we have left together I want it to be with you."

"I love you too Sora…and it feels so good after all we have been through for us to say that aloud without any regrets. Now how do we save Riku and ourselves?' Sora was wondering that exact thing.

"Mickey was attempting to reach Riku through magic but that might not work this time. So, we will call out to him. Perhaps we can do what you did with Roland but instead of trying to disconnect him from the castle we can try and reach Riku through the darkness and with our combined light pull him free."

"I've never done it before, and, if done wrong it could lose us in the dark ourselves. Still…if we don't do something soon we may be fading away in a short amount of time. Are you ready?"

"Yeah, one for the road?" Sora draws her up against him as they kiss. Kairi's soft body was up against his and he pulls back a bit allowing the kiss to linger. Once he knew he was ready he summons his keyblade and Kairi goes to place hers on top of his.

"Keyblades before us…grant us a road to the darkness so that we may save our friend, please; lend us your light so we may see our way forward. Magic…protect us in our time of need…" Sora felt a slight pull and he and Kairi were now engulfed in darkness all around them.

Riku could not see. He could not feel. It felt like had disappeared in a fog of despair and no matter which way he went he always wound up in the same spot.

"So…here I am…" Riku let out a sigh. He did wonder though why he was unable to wake up. He had drawn darkness in but somehow his lids would not move, strange.

"Riku…the reason you cannot wake yet is you have yet to let darkness truly into your heart. You continue to resist the pull…now why is that?" Riku saw Ansem and he glowered.

"I don't know, why don't you tell me!" Riku faced him, the remnant of a time when he had given in to darkness if only to gain the power to save Kairi. He had been a fool of a kid back then but he had learned from his journey that darkness was not the answer to strength.

"Namine…you do not wish to lose her. You have sacrificed yourself to save others and yet you still cannot let her go. Sora, Kairi…your connection to the islands and your friendship runs deep. Mickey, someone you have traveled with and who you owe your life to…a bond that cannot be broken. All of these you must sever if you are to truly awaken to the powers hidden within."

Riku furrowed a brow, not really liking the answer…and yet to lie asleep like this would be to suffer the same fate as Ventus. Riku ran a hand through his hair figuring that maybe he should let go of everyone…perhaps come to acceptance with his fate which he chose with his own two hands.

"RIKU!" The sound of his own name made him flinch and even Ansem flickered where he stood. Then again, Ansem had ceased to exist more or less after the events of the keyblade war concluded.

"Ugh…why is that so loud?" Riku strained his hearing though and somehow the name quieted down some. Had he imagined hearing his name? Was it perhaps something he wanted to hear?

"RIKU!" The name was said again, his name…though it carried with it a desperation but also a familiarity that drew him around to where a sliver of light was making its way towards him.

"Give in to the darkness! Cast away those you no longer have time for, you will not be able to open your eyes otherwise." Ansem was becoming desperate and Riku turned his back on him.

"No offense Ansem but the darkness is no longer for me. I choose to stand by my friends and stand up for those who cannot fight, I stand most importantly for the love I have for a certain girl back home. I did what I had to cut those free from Roland, now that is done, there is nothing keeping me here any longer."

"You fool! You shall never be free of the darkness…it is as much a part of you as-." Riku had enough and he summoned his keyblade as he ran his keyblade through the figure of Ansem as he spasms there before flickering out of line of sight, of existence.

"I choose what the darkness represents and right now it represents a past I'd very much like to move on from." He sends his keyblade away before Sora and Kairi glomp him.

"Hey there sleepy head…ready to go home?" Sora says. Riku just laughs at that but is glad to see Sora his old usual self. Kairi also seemed content, happy even for the first time in a while.

"Sure, just, how exactly? We are trapped in the darkness and right now I am guessing the castle is ready to go." Riku looked at each of them hoping they had an answer.

"Uh…didn't really think this through. I mean we saved you, but, given that the portal has left with Mickey and the others we are sort of stuck." Sora rubs the back of his head and Riku laughs.

"This is just like the raft building; I will have to think up a way for us to get out of here. Still, it does give me an idea. The three of us will use our keyblades as one and open a way out. This is my darkness so only I would have the key out…and you two are my guiding light."

Riku held his keyblade out and Sora and Kairi do with theirs as well. The trio who had started out as just wonder lust teens were now all grown up, more or less. They had fought and traveled and now it was time to call it a day and go home. A blinding light envelops them as instead of a light passing from their keyblades to the darkness it surrounds them in a warmth that makes any darkness slide right off.

"What is happening?" Riku found himself asking as he looks at his hand. For some reason he couldn't move the hand with the keyblade.

"I think instead of using our keyblade to burst through the darkness…we ourselves will be doing the bursting." Sora says.

Riku didn't know if he should be reassured by that. However right now they had little options as the darkness was pervading their space…and Castle Recedia was on its last leg. If the darkness swallowed them like this they would be lost to time.

"I would have phrased that differently but what other choice do we have? Sora and Kairi…no matter what happens…never let go of that spark of hope you carry. It is your greatest asset and in the darkness nothing can touch that."

With a yell he moves forward and the others follow him. The darkness crunches down on them but they do not lose hope. Bursting through the wall of darkness everything else ceases and Riku takes a breath preparing for their exit…no matter what.

Kairi didn't know what happened after that but when she came to she found herself pushing her head out of the water. It was cold and wet and she finally realized where she was. "I'm home?" While she had not originally not lived on the Island as Riku and Sora had she had more memories here than where she had been before; yeah, this was home.

She could not see or find the others so she decided to move along the water seeking out land. The beach was just how she remembered it and she placed her hands behind her back as she ambled along finding her footing after being in the water.

"Hello?!" Kairi looks around but she doesn't see anyone. Did they all make it? Kairi let out a sigh remembering the kiss she shared with Sora. She didn't want that to be the only memory she had of Sora. She had to find him.

"Kairi…is that you?" Kairi turns and finds Namine standing there. She smiles over at the girl. It seemed so long since she last saw her.

"Namine!" She hurries over hugging the other girl. Since the two had spent so much time together she had sort of seen Namine as a sister…no…maybe a close friend. As they part from the hug she notes how Namine is also looking around.

"Where is Riku? When the King came back he told me that Riku was fine and that you and Sora were doing all you could to bring him back." Kairi could see a young girl in love, she knew the look, for she had felt it herself many times.

"Riku is fine…he, well he is with Sora right now. That is it. In fact I bet they are just having some boy talk before they join us." Kairi at least hoped that was the case. She didn't want Namine to worry or fear that Riku had forgotten her.

"Mmm, alright, well while they talk perhaps we can as well?" Namine tilted her head to the side and Kairi nods her head.

"I'd like nothing more." She goes to lead Namine a bit further up the beach, hoping that she wasn't lying to the girl. She only hoped that Riku and Sora had made it through.

Riku stood by the tree looking out at the ocean while Sora sat on the tree swinging his legs about. The two of them had arrived here of all places but Kairi was nowhere to be seen or found.

"Don't worry Sora…I'm sure she made it. Listen; there is something I need to tell you. I might be taking some time off from adventuring for a while. I need to better evaluate myself as a Keyblade Master and to quell the darkness from within. There is still some lingering traces from-."

"From when I attacked you, yeah, about that…I wasn't myself when I did that, you know that right?" Riku smiles at him and places a hand up on his shoulder.

"I don't blame you for that Sora, but, it has drug up some memories and Ansem managed to make himself known. True it was not him in person but it was a remnant, sort of a ghost of the past. I need to take things easy…still…it might be time for you to consider retaking the Mark of Mastery Exam."

Sora wore an incredulous look and Riku laughs a little. "I-I don't know Riku. I mean, I was used as a puppet against my own friends and had my memory wiped clean. I was not privy to Roland's true nature and I was not strong enough to stop him-."

"Look Sora…if you continue to wield a keyblade as you are you are only holding yourself back from furthering your power of protecting those you care about. As a Master you will be stronger to avoid the darkness and there is so much more, so much fulfillment. I know you have it in you…and the worlds they need someone to look after them. Kairi seems more than ready to begin her journey and I can't see two more people suited for this."

Riku meant every last word. Plus he had been cheering for the two of them for a bit, you could say he was the first shipper of their union. Donald and Goofy needed to stay for a bit at their home as no doubt their presence had been missed for some time. He knew Daisy wouldn't let Donald out of her sight again. King or rather Master Mickey had a lot on his plate now that he was overtaking the role of Master where Yen Sid had sat.

"I will think about it. Anyway…it would appear like you have one last thing you need to do before you can call your adventuring days on pause."

Riku follows where Sora is pointing and he blushes. Right, he had one more thing to do. And he left Sora there to tend to it.

Riku had left Sora there as he travels to where Namine and Kairi are. Kairi spots him and gives a wave and a questioning look. Riku just points at where the tree is and Kairi gets the note and waves at him before heading off, a smile on her face. Riku smiled himself glad to see that Kairi was happy and with the one she was truly meant to be with.

"Hey Namine, I am back. Sorry if I worried you, it was never my-." Riku had no time to finish as Namine threw her arms around his neck and he lost balance and fell down onto his back.

"You had me so worried! I didn't know if you were going to come back or not. Do you know that makes a girl feel? I don't ever want to feel that way again, you hear me Riku?" She was crying onto his chest so most of that was muffled but he figured that was what she said.

Riku runs his hand through her soft blonde hair and he lets out a light laugh. "Namine, I'm not going anywhere…you have my word on that. In fact I had a talk with Sora and sort of let him know what my plans were. Namine, I would never hurt…and I can't see me being anywhere but with you right now, right here."

Namine sniffs as she lifts her head looking at him. Riku drank in those big blue eyes of hers and that serene smile that lit up his heart. "Y-You mean that?"

"Namine, you mean the world to me, and having been all over…you are the one world worth a thousand heartbeats. I love you Namine." Riku leaned up kissing her lips. Namine whimpers against him before she returns the kiss. He doesn't mind just lying here like this…forever in her arms for he was finally home, and, for the first time this is what he had been looking for all along.

"I love you too Riku…don't ever leave…" Namine says after the kiss ends. Riku nods his head wondering how Sora and Kairi were faring, for now he just held her in his arms feeling content.

Sora had not moved from the tree as he let out a breath. Funny thing was even after escaping Castle Recedia…he was still fading. He had managed to keep it from Riku but even now he could see through his arm. When he had faded before there was a sort of acceptance but now after all that had happened he didn't think he could do it again.

Last time he had done what he set out to do. Now…he didn't know where he would wind up. He felt like crying but knew that wouldn't accomplish anything. He hears footsteps and looks over to spot Kairi standing there, her beauty, her shine was brighter than that of the sun.

"Hey there Kairi." Sora attempts to hide the arm that was fading and he looked at her face. However he knew he couldn't keep this from her.

"You are fading again…aren't you?" Sora lets out a sigh as he removes his arm from behind his back which now appears to be just empty air.

"I don't know why it is happening, perhaps my connection to Castle Recedia or maybe one last ploy from Roland before he faded. All I know is I can't stop it…I feel like I am slipping away and I do not know where I will wind up this time." Sora hated doing this to her, but, if he could he would will himself to stay, if that were possible.

"Sora…I am not going to have you fade away, not this time, not ever again. We are tied together, our fates twined…if you are going to leave me…no…I won't let it happen." Sora didn't know if Kairi had a say in the matter, but, he valued her willingness to try or make their final moments together special.

"Kairi, I love you, you know that right? And wherever I wind up next, if anywhere at all…you will be on my mind, my thoughts. What are you doing?"

Sora saw her keyblade held out and he was about to protest when she charged at him. The keyblade was glowing and as it connected with his chest he opened his mouth but nothing came out. What had come over her?

"Your heart has been tampered with…it is because of the memory wipe that it has sped up the rate at which you are fading away. I can adjust it, possibly, in fact Master Mickey told me about cases of fading away, something written in Master Yen Sid's book. Much like everything I have done so far it has not been tried or tested but I am not going to let you go away and leave me on my own!"

Sora wore a smile as he felt a heat burn bright inside of him. Suddenly his arm begins to show again and that pulling sensation disappeared. It was a long shot what Kairi did but so far she had been surprising him with her turn of mastery over complex spells most would have to spend a long time on figuring out the mechanics to it.

Kairi lets her keyblade disappear and she places a hand over his chest. "No more fading away…you got it? You and I we are a team and we are connected not only by our memories but by what we feel for one another in our hearts. If you ever leave this island again…I am coming with you, got it?"

Sora went to pull her up against him as he runs a hand through her hair. "Kairi, you will be the first one I tell." He then kisses her as the sun begins to set. Unlike last time he feels no pull drawing him from her, no tears this time…he was here to stay. For good.

Luxu stands where Castle Recedia had stood and before him were those who appeared to have faded and yet here they stood. "What is the meaning of this?" The red hooded female objects.

"Sorry, but I'd watch that tone of yours if you know what is good for you. All of you now belong to my service, and trust me…I will put you to work soon enough. You surely didn't want to just fade away, where is the fun in that?" Luxu regarded them with his one good eye and several of them murmured.

He could care less about their discontent or unsavory words they had for him. He didn't have time for it as he put his next plan in motion. Sora and his friends could have their reprieve for now…he would need time to set his next part of his plan in motion. He had to give credit to Roland…he had quite an army at his hand. If only he had been wiser in how he chose to put them into order. Luxu laughs some as he revels in what comes next.

THE END

Authors note: So there we have it, the end. I hope you have all enjoyed what I have set out to unfold for you all, and in truth for myself as I could not sit idly by and let Square and Disney ruin what should have been a clear cut ending. Honestly I didn't expect for it to be so long a story let alone an ending but I wanted to wrap everything up. For now I may go off and write other stuff but with enough reviews or call for a sequel I might consider, but for now I will let this rest and be and take a break for my other work. Thank you all for reading and have a nice day.