KHA: (gasp) I did it! I did it! I did it! I kept my vow! According to the calendar, Autumn begins on September 22nd and I updated while it was still summer! GAAAAAHH! (faints)
Akyra: O.o Oh well, guess she won't be able to enjoy the last chapter party...
KHA: (magically comes back to life)
Audience: (chews garlic silently)
KHA: SIT DOWN EVERYBODY! (steps on stage with microphone) Welcome, one and all to the ending of "Forgotten"!
(random cheers)
KHA: Chappie first, party later.
Akyra: (reaches out for sugar)
KHA: PARTY LATER!
Akyra: Aw, snap...

Disclaimer: For the last time, I don't own Kingdom Hearts or COM. Guess what else I don't own? The world... Penguins... Lemonade...

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If darkness could suffocate, Akyra would have been dead the second she opened her eyes. She saw nothing… nothing but thick, black darkness surrounding her entirely in its cold embrace. The worst thing about darkness is that, when you're warped within it, you can never be completely sure about who is surrounding you, let alone what they're planning on doing. But Akyra was sure the cause of all this darkness was because of the presence of someone… someone who adored it enough to use it against the world…

"Darn to you, Ansem…" Akyra muttered under her breath. She knew he was here. Nothing could cover up his presence. Now she kind of understood how Riku recognized his scent so easily…

Hang on. A couple of seconds ago, Akyra could have sworn she was in that white room with Naminé and sleeping Sora. So how the heck did she end up all the way here? Not only that, how did she end up so high up in the air? As she thought, she caught sight of a small figure of Ansem as well as a smaller figure of Riku. It looked as if she was watching them from a high tower. Yet, she was still able to hear them clearly and keep track of their actions. It kind of spooked her out, as a matter of fact…

She watched intently as the battle against Ansem and Riku erupted. Riku held his sword high and attempted to dodge one of Ansem's dark energy blasts.

Come on Riku, she thought, He's a pushover compared to you. You can win easily.

Or so she wished…

It was a direct hit. She gasped as Riku was sent flying through the air like an old, torn ragdoll. Ansem smiled cynically, continuing to send energy blasts at him. It made no sense. Ansem never got to Riku that easily. Now he was tossing him around in his clutches and cackling as he watched him suffer. Riku dug his sword into the ground and kneeled, grabbing onto it for support. His legs trembled as he tried to stand up. He wasn't going to make it. He wasn't going to defeat Ansem like he promised himself he'd do. Instead, he'd just end up sinking back into darkness, exactly how Ansem had told him he would when he first set foot into the castle…

Akyra looked away. She knew she couldn't help him in this battle. He wanted to defeat Ansem alone.

But there's nothing against giving a little moral support, right?

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"Ansem!" she screeched, causing Naminé to squeal and fall off her chair in surprise.

Akyra scanned the room wildly. It was completely white, with a couple of contraptions scattered around here and there. Of course… this is where she last was before… before all that. Was it just a dream?

"What happened?" Akyra asked meekly.

"You fell asleep," Naminé answered as she stood up and sat properly on her chair, "That is, until you yelled Ansem's name and woke up so suddenly."

Akyra sighed as she kept her eyes focused on her. So it was just a dream… But it felt so real! It felt as if she was watching everything that was happening on the other side of the castle… as if she was actually there.

It was real. She knew it was. She was sure of it. And she also knew that Riku needed help… the help of a friend maybe?

"Naminé, I… I need to go somewhere… Only for a little bit!" she stammered.

Naminé cocked an eyebrow. "To Riku?"

Akyra nodded. No, wait. How did she know?

"Akyra, you can't go."

Meanwhile, Akyra was scrambling to her feet and darting towards the door. But Naminé's words made her suddenly stop.

"Why not?" she yelled.

"Riku chose to fight this battle alone. He doesn't want any help…"

Akyra smiled and chuckled slightly. Naminé was funny when she was forgetful…

"I never said I'd help him…"Akyra began, leaning against the doorway as she watched Naminé's confused look, "I know he wants to do this alone, and I respect that. But, would it hurt to give him a LITTLE moral support?"

Naminé smiled. Now she understood. Pointing to the doorway, she cheerfully said, "Be careful."

"I will," Akyra said with a final nod as she prepared herself to run down twelve stories of staircases, "I'll be back soon."

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"Insolent brat!" Ansem roared. Had he screamed any louder, Riku was sure he would have been permanently deaf. But even that wouldn't have stopped him. He had Ansem right where he wanted him; kneeling before him, defeated by him in battle. How long has he waited to see this sight? How long has he waited to halt the darkness that pulled down on his heart?

"Ansem!" Riku shrieked heroically, slashing through Ansem with force, "You're finished!"

Ansem smirked. "Hardly...finished..." he murmured, clutching at his chest as he slowly dissolved into the air, "I gave you...the dark...My shadow...lingers...I will return!"

He didn't dissolve completely like the other enemies did. Instead, he just vanished. Maybe this meant he would return someday…

Riku didn't need to be saddened by that thought. He defeated Ansem. That's it. It's over. How weird victory feels. Riku knew he should be rejoicing but something was missing… If only his friends were here to cheer with him…

"I know you wanted to do this alone, but you don't mind a LITTLE help, right? Let's go, Riku."

Riku lifted his head. Among the clearing shadows, he saw the King smiling merrily and facing the exit to the castle. Riku wasn't able to explain why he felt so much happier to celebrate victories over enemies with friends. All he knew was that it gave him a happiness he longed to find after having lost it the night he lost his home. Maybe it was because you didn't win the fight by yourself… you won because you knew you had people who cared for you backing you up. Sure, he had only one friend to celebrate with at the moment, but for Riku, one was more than enough.

Riku and Mickey had walked joyfully towards the exit of Castle Oblivion, sharing the most dramatic and comical events of the battle. They were suddenly interrupted by the sound of footsteps darting swiftly down the spiral staircases.

"Erm… who's that?" Riku asked nervously. Had there been a member of the black-robed cult he had forgotten to eliminate? As the footsteps grew louder, Riku and Mickey's eyes narrowed suspiciously. That is, until the person running down the stairs tripped on the bottom staircase and was sent tumbling to the floor in a flash of pinkish purple. It didn't take long for them to realize who it was.

"Gosh, are you okay?" Mickey asked as he helped Akyra get to her feet.

"STUPID STAIR! I SWEAR, I WILL ANNIHILATE YOU!" she screeched. Oddly enough, the stair she tripped on was the same stair that tripped her when she was bolting up the stairs just a few moments ago.

"It's alright, I'm okay, I'm fine!" she said quickly, "So… erm… where's Ansem?"

"He's… He's gone for now," Riku sighed, "But his scent is still there. His darkness may still have a hold on me..."

"Riku," Mickey began, taking in a deep breath, "Your darkness belongs to you. Just like your light. Until now, I thought darkness was nothing but bad. But my time with you made me change my mind. You've chosen a road I never thought of. Light and dark, back to back. With you, they mingle in a way no one's ever seen before. I want to see where that road leads. And if it's okay, I want to walk the road with you."

Riku's eyes lit up as Mickey held out his hand. He took it with a huge smile and shook it gratefully. "Wow, Your Majesty, I don't know what to say... Thanks!"

"Wow, that's amazing!" Akyra squealed, "I too wonder where that road will lead… You guys will have to tell me when we see each other again."

"See each other again?" Riku asked, "How are you so sure?"

Akyra looked down. Why was she sure? She just felt it, that's all. Just like she did when Sora promised to remember her when he woke up. Just like she did when she promised to keep Kairi's secret for three solid years. Just like she did when she promised the three of them they'd go home together.

Promises…. That's what bound them together. If one promised to deliver something for the other and there was a raging hurricane outside, the former would zip up their jacket and fight through dangerous winds just for the latter. They never broke their promises. It was like a contract that ensured their friendship would last through the years. It brought them together even when they were apart.

Akyra closed her eyes. She saw the image of a dirt road, spreading towards a sunset. Closer to her she saw Sora, Donald and Goofy, smiling happily at her. Further off, near the end of the road, she saw Kairi, Riku and Mickey, calling to her from afar. This was her road. The road she followed. It may be rickety at some times but it was still her road. Destiny made it for her. And she was going to follow it to its end.

"How am I so sure?" she repeated, "I see the road I'm on blaring brightly before me. Along the way, I see friends I've met and friends I've yet to meet. Somewhere out there, I see you two."

Riku and Mickey watched her with puzzled looks.

"If I see you on the road I'm following, that means our roads will eventually intertwine. And when they do… we'll see each other again. I promise that."

"That makes a lot of sense," Mickey said cheerfully.

"Then I guess this is 'See ya'," Riku said, smiling brightly.

Akyra laughed. He remembered after all. But her face fell suddenly. She needed to be serious for a second. "Just don't sink back into darkness again, okay? Please…"

Riku watched her as she hung her head in sadness. Gosh, she forgave him for all the madness he caused before. He felt he had to return the favour.

"How about if I promised I won't?" he asked.

Akyra's face lit up. She nodded quickly. Another promise to link the four of them closer together.

"Don't worry, Akyra," Mickey said, "I'll keep an eye on him for you."

Akyra burst out laughing. Riku really hated it when people monitored his every move.

"Hi, Akyra," Riku greeted as if he hadn't seen her in a long time, "It's good to see you again. For a second there, I thought you would never come back."

"See ya!" Mickey called as he whirled around and walked out the front door.

"Till next time," Riku said as he followed him out the door, leaving Akyra dumbfounded. She remembered telling him the old Akyra was locked out of the castle. But as she watched the widely open door and took a few breaths, she felt as if the old Akyra had finally found her way back.

"Hey, Akyra!"

Her head jerked up when she heard her name. Riku had turned around slightly to face her again. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a tiny package.

"Heads up!" he cried as he tossed the object to her. Akyra scrambled and jumped in the air, easily catching the object. It felt rickety as she felt it with her hands. She unwrapped the tin foil from around the object and pulled out the prize.

A cherry covered in chocolate… a cherry bomb, her favourite snack. Gosh, how long has it been since she'd eaten one? She picked up her head and was about to thank him until she realized he was gone. He was walking down the road with Mickey, making a goodbye gesture with his hand. You know, Akyra could probably see them better from that window in the white contraption room… Without looking back, Akyra bolted up the staircases once again as she stuffed the cherry bomb into her pocket. It was no ordinary cherry bomb. It was a friendship treat. And she would treasure that chocolate just as much as she treasured her friends.

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Do you remember what was asked of you? If you would believe that such a peaceful road would lead to a place of difficult choices, lack of forgiveness and a place where even the strongest hero will begin to question the trust of his friends? The choice is yours. After having lived through this adventure, hopefully you'll make the right one.

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Akyra panted heavily as she slowly strode into the white room. Naminé wasn't there. Maybe she had just gone to check on something…

Akyra's pace slowed as she paced by two pods that contained Donald and Goofy. They looked so peaceful as they slept… as if they didn't have a care in the world. You know, if you look hard enough, you could almost see Goofy snoring.

"Ha ha!" Akyra chuckled as she brushed her hand against the surface, "Sleep well. I won't leave."

She raised her head and smiled. The window! She had completely forgotten. She lazily dragged her feet down the marble floor, hoping that Riku and Mickey were still in view once she reached the window overlooking the front of the castle. But something else made her stop. The light glowing from the largest contraption in the room.

Akyra's eyes slowly wandered around as she watched Sora sleep. He always used to love to sleep. Yet now, as he napped, she could swear he had a worried look on his face.

"Why are you worried, Sora?" she chuckled, staring blankly at him. She carefully stroked the surface of the device, the cold glass freezing the tips of her fingers.

"You know I forgive you for everything. Then again, the four of us never were able to stay mad at each other. We were too good of friends…"

She stepped away from the pod, taking a better look at him from far.

"That's why I promised to always be there for you. Maybe when you wake up, you'll remember it…"

She smiled brightly. For once, things seemed to be going uphill; something she thought would never happen in this wretched castle. She heard faint voices coming from outside. Faint yet familiar voices. She walked the steps that separated her from the window, crossed her arms on the windowsill and stuck her head out. She felt the cool breeze rustle through her air and make her skin shiver. Her attention averted to Riku and Mickey as they spoke to a man dressed in crimson clothing and stood at the fork in the road. She was right. The view was much better from up here. Hang on…

"Where'd they get those robes?" she asked suspiciously. Roughly thirteen stories below, Riku and Mickey stopped before the strange man, draped entirely in robes identical to the ones those crazy inhabitants of the castle once wore. Akyra wasn't able to identify the man but Riku and Mickey seemed to know him all too well.

"What are you making me choose now?" Riku asked casually.

"Will you take the road to light — or the road to darkness?" DiZ asked calmly.

"Neither. I'm taking the middle road," he answered. He walked right past DiZ and began his trek down the middle road DiZ was blocking, Mickey following him closely.

"You mean the twilit road to nightfall?" DiZ asked without turning his head.

Riku came to an immediate stop but didn't turn his head. Instead, he stared smiling at the sunset in the distance.

"No…" he said softly, "The road to dawn."

"Good answer," Akyra muttered to herself from the windowsill.

Ever since she set foot into this castle, Akyra had seen nothing but unhappiness. Yet, as she watched out the window, she thought that maybe there was still some good out there. She learned that no matter how dark the sun may seem, there will always be the pale dawn of a new day. Even when things look the bleakest, she won't stop looking. There is always a light that will make everyone happy.

Although everyone around her would let go of the memories they created in this castle, Akyra will never forget. The road had brought her there. Her road. And she vowed to follow it forever, excited to see where it will take her.

So, with a look of pride, she watched Riku and King Mickey make their way down the road to dawn, becoming nothing but two black specks in the distance…

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KHA: (sob) I can't believe it's over! (sobs like a maniac)
(music plays)
Roxas: Naminé, wanna dance?
Naminé: Sure!
Audience: (with notebooks) So... when's the KH2 ficcy coming?
KHA: Once I finish the first chapter... And find a title for it. O.o I was thinking something inspirational that has the word "Friendhip" or "Truth" or something like that...
Audience: O.o (takes notes)
Akyra: (screech) SOMEBODY STOLE THE SUGAR!
KHA: GASP! (chases thief) Anyways, thank you to all you great readers, thank you for making this ficcy possible! A special thanks to all those reviewers who have stayed with me since the beginning. Thanks Sora53 for the gamescript that helped me write this ficcy without ever having played COM. And finally, one BIG thanks to EVERYBODY! Rock on:D