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Third Epic: Conclusion: Finale

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The Journey Home: KH Team Departs

The streets were now quiet in Traverse Town. In the period of time that they had been gone, The Dark Empire’s hold on other worlds had weakened. The Universal Alliance, gaining favor from many inhabitants of different realms, gladly joined the ranks and fought off the Imperial horde. As a result, many of the refugees had already departed for their worlds again. Sora’s former allies had also departed, returning to their homes to reconstruct their destroyed worlds. Only a few remained now.
Sora’s wounds were treated, with the help of a senzu bean, but despite that, his soul was still filled with a great sorrow. Riku’s body was placed in a preservation capsule to prevent deterioration. The capsule itself had a clear top and Sora could gaze at his friend’s peaceful face. He only sat there, in the tent where Riku’s body was placed. Kairi comforted him as best she could, always gently holding the saddened key bearer in her arms.
“I still can’t believe that Riku’s dead…” Sora uttered, tears running down his face. “I just can’t believe it.”
“I know.” Kairi said, her still teary as well. “Riku was always good to us.”
“But I couldn’t do anything to help him. I felt so weak and helpless, not being able to help my friend. I could only comfort him as best I could, cradling him in my arms, holding him tightly to keep him warm. I could only watch as he slowly died. I could feel his body growing heavy in my arms, but still I held on to him, never letting go. Those final moments, I witnessed it all and I was the only one there to comfort him. But it was my fault for letting him die. It was all my fault!”-
“No! It wasn’t you fault, Sora!” Kairi said. “Riku died knowing that you were there. You were the only comfort for him. You did something that I never was able to do. You stayed by his side till the end of his life. If I had the chance, I would do the same to him as I did to you, when you were facing possible death against Cavendish.”
“Kairi…” Sora looked into her eyes.
“It’s alright, Sora. Just cry your heart out. It’ll be OK…”-
Sora placed his head on Kairi’s bosom and began to cry uncontrollably. Tears ran down his face, soaking Kairi’s shirt. But Kairi didn’t care, she held Sora’s tightly, stroking his fine, brown hair. Tears dripped down her face as she thought of those days when she, Sora, and Riku, as children, would spend the entire day together playing about on the sandy beaches and in the shady canopies of the Paopu trees.

At this time, Sneer had finally arrived at Traverse Town. He walked to where the tent was located. Just outside, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy were sitting just outside the tent. Standing next to them were Goten, Lu Xun, Cuchulain, Leon, and Yuffie. A fire upon an iron cauldron bellowed high flames, keeping them warm. Refugees still wandered about the town, what was left of them.
“Where is Sora?” Sneer asked, approaching the tent.
“They’ve been in the tent for over an hour.” Goten replied.
“I have some news for him.”-
“I think he would rather be alone for a while.” Lu Xun instructed.
“This is urgent though.” Sneer walked into the tent and witnessed such a sorrowful sight. “Sora…”
Sora gazed up and wiped the tears from his eyes.
“I’m truly sorry about Riku, Sora.” Sneer implied. “This loss must be more than what you can bear.”
“Riku’s loss is the most devastating to me.” Sora uttered. He turned away and gazed at Riku’s lifeless body. “He sacrificed so much, even his own life, so that I may live. No one should have to be forced to take their own life.”
“But he was trying to save someone who he really cared about. Riku died defending what was most important to him, Sora. His friends were the most important thing to him. Therefore, even when the situation became too intense and it seemed that death was inevitable, Riku took it upon himself to protect what he cherished most, even at the expense of his own life. You should be proud of him, Sora. Both you and Kairi should be proud.”-
“I…I am proud…” Sora’s eyes were still teary, but now there was a smile on his face. “I loved him dearly. More than anyone ever knew. Just as I love Kairi. And for Kairi, I will do the same thing as Riku did if the time ever came.”-
“And I would do the same for Sora.” Kairi added. “Just as Riku did for me and him.”
“As long as you hold on to each other, then there will always be a reason to live.” Sneer said. He turned away and said. “Now, it is time that you say farewell to your other friends as well.”
“What do you mean?” Sora asked.
“You’re going home.” Sneer was about to exit out. “Thanks to the efforts of young heroes like you, we were able to fend off the Imperial threat and conceal them within our own realm once again. The Saiyan Confederation forces and the forces of the Universal Alliance managed to destroy all dimensional transport tunnels of the Empire. So once again, the worlds have been separated. I’ve already sent your summon spells away to return to their homes. Now it’s high time that you return home.”
“It’s over for us then?”-
“That it is.”-
“But what about Cavendish? He has the Mandate under his power right?  What if he decides to open up the dimensional realms again? He can do that right?”-
“It seemed that he had no weakness due to his grasp on the Mandate’s power. However, we were able to find a weapon that could counter even the power of the Mandate. The essence that too originated from the Universal Mandate as well. The two Sacred Flames. They both have been apprehended by Goku and Vegeta. So now that the two greatest flames have been obtained, the odds against us have leveled down.”-
“That’s good then, right?” Kairi asked.
“That’s very good indeed.” Sneer smiled and turned away again. “Well, you two should get ready. You and the rest of the KH team will depart from here and will soon be on your journey home.”
“Home…” Sora uttered. “Yes…home…”
The two walked out of the tent, only to be greeted by Mickey and the others. “So this is where we take our separate ways again.” Mickey uttered.
“Yeah…” Sora uttered. “We can finally go home and live in peace…”
“Yeah…”-
“We’re gonna miss you, Sora…” Goofy said.
“Yeah,” Donald added, “We had so much fun together. And we went on many adventures.”
“This is the end of our fellowship.” Sora uttered.
“Sora,” Cuchulain said. He, Goten, Lu Xun, Yuffie, and Leon walked up to him. The Hound stretched out his hand. “It’s been a real pleasure standing with you. And an honor fighting alongside the KH team.”
“Thank you, Cuchulain.” Sora grasped his hand and engaged in a hardy handshake. Goten came up next.
“We couldn’t have done it without you, Sora.” He said.
“Thanks Goten.” Sora replied. Next came Lu Xun.
“You’re a true warrior.” He said.
“Thank you for you help, Lu Xun.” Sora implied. As Lu Xun passed, Leon came next.
“It’s good to fight beside you again.” Leon chuckled. “You certainly came through for us. You sure gave them hell at Hollow Bastion.”
“Thank you, Leon, for giving us the best support we needed.” Sora said. Finally, it was Yuffie’s turn. She gripped Sora’s hand and smiled.
“See ya later, kiddo.” She chuckled. “You make sure that you take care yourselves!”
“I will.” Sora uttered. “Thanks Yuffie.” The five went up and down, shaking hands with the other four members of the KH team. They waved good bye and headed out to the port in front of the town.
“Well, Sora…” Mickey uttered. “I guess this is good bye.”
“Yeah…” Sora uttered.
“Good bye, Sora…” Goofy uttered. “Good bye, Kairi…”
“You two take care of yourselves.” Donald added.
Sora looked at Donald and shook his hand.
“I’ll miss you, Donald.” Sora uttered. He then turned to Goofy. “I’ll miss you too Goofy!” They shook hands.
“Gawrsh…” Goofy said. His eyes teary. “I wish we didn’t have to say good bye.”
“Don’t worry. Good bye doesn’t mean forever…”-
Sora then turned to Mickey.
“Good bye, Mickey…”-
“May you live your life to the fullest, Sora.” Mickey implied.
“I will…I will…” Sora suddenly collapsed to his knees. Mickey grabbed hold of him, holding him tight. Sora began to cry uncontrollably again.
“Aw, Sora…” Kairi said. The group hugged each other, comforting the young key bearer.
“It’ll be OK, Sora.” Mickey said. “It’ll be OK…”
Sora wiped his tears from his eyes and stood up.
“I will be strong…” he uttered. “I will live my life to the fullest. Just as I promised Riku.”
“That’s the spirit.” Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, their eyes still full of tears, began to walk away. “All you have to do is believe, Sora. And maybe one day, we will meet again.”
Sora and Kairi waved as the trio made their way to the gummi ship. They watched as the three boarded the Kingdom and vanish out of sight. Kairi grasped at Sora’s arm. Sora held hand and the two watched as the last of their friends vanished into the evening sky.
“You two get ready too.” Sneer said, being the only familiar face amongst the remaining few individuals in the town. “We’ll be leaving in fifteen minutes.”
“Sneer,” Sora implied. “Would it be alright if I just walked about the town before we depart for home?”
“What for?”-
“I would like to take in every detail of this town before I have to leave it forever. Many adventures occurred in this town and it shall forever be a part of my life.”-
“Very well.”-
“But Sora…” Kairi uttered.
“I’ll be back.” Sora said. “I just need some time to myself.”
“Alright.” Sora touched her face and then walked away fro a temporary period of time. Kairi turned to Sneer.
“What will happen to this town?”-
“It will be just another town again.” Sneer explained. “It’ll be just another quiet town in the countryside with its annual fairs and carnivals. Peace will once again return to this quaint little settlement and threats from either Heartless, or Imperials, or any other force will never threaten it again.”
“I see…”-

Sora took his time, spending walked up and down the three main districts. He enjoyed the sound of crickets intermingling with the sound of quiet music in the air. The stars gleamed brightly in the evening sky and the street lamps illuminated the quaint little streets. Off in the distance, the sound of gatherings and parties could be heard. It was so quiet that Sora could even hear the patter of his own feet on the ground. He visited the back alleyway, the waterway, Merlin’s Island, the Inn, taking in every sight and smell, as his mind filled with the memories of events long passed. He remembered when he first came to this town and he, Donald, and Mickey fought off the power of the Heartless. He remembered that this was where the meetings took place and where he met all his friends. In the second district, there were still scars from when he and Cuchulain engaged in that trial battle a couple of weeks earlier.
A couple of weeks, it didn’t seem like very long time, but when this new ordeal had begun it seemed like an eternity. Now, here Sora stood, alive and well, witnessing the end of another adventure. However, in that period of time, there were some partings that had taken place. Sora’s heart filled with a great sorrow, which conflicted with his happiness. He touched the walls of the second district and with a final glance turned towards the gates, leading to the first district.
Just then, a figure appeared on the walkway above the central court. Sora looked up to find Lu Bu standing there.
“Lu Bu…” Sora uttered.
“Tell me, Sora,” Lu Bu said, “Are the rumors true. Did Riku really die?” Sora lowered his eyes. He then gazed back up at the warrior and hesitantly nodded his head.
“I’m afraid so…” Lu Bu only glared for a second, or two before turning his back. Sora then stopped him. “Wait a minute! Now that Riku’s gone…are you planning to…”
“Don’t waste your time, Sora! There’s no use worrying about what I would do. I’ve been hoping to settle the score since that little incident in the ‘Treasure Realm.’ However, it was a score I had to settle with your friend Riku, not you, or any of those other halfwits. It’s the only reason why I followed you around. To make sure that my opponent didn’t die prematurely, before I would ever get a chance to take a swing at him. However, I thought that Riku was too tough for anyone to take down, which is the reason why I turned my sights away from your struggles for a temporary period of time. But I guess I made too light of the situation and I was wrong. Now, Riku is dead and I will never have the opportunity to face him in battle again and settle the score. If you want to view this as a battle for endurance, to see who can outlast the other, then the winner is me, the one who survived. But such a victory to me is a hollow one. I will never again be able to test my true grit and strength against you friend. Then again, it was his fault for dying on me isn’t it. Riku allowing himself to die before we even had a chance to fight again? Such a disappointment now.”
“You’re wrong!!” Sora shouted. “That is…even if you’re right…!”-
“I suppose it’s no longer any of my business. This ordeal, however, is over for you. Go home, Sora. Take care of Kairi and yourself and be happy. Farewell forever…”-
Lu Bu tucked his pike under his arm and walked away. It would be the very last time that he and Sora would ever meet again.

Sora glanced down at his feet. He then took a deep breath and pulled his head back up. He walked through the gates of the second district, entering the first district and rejoined Kairi and Sneer.
“Sorry I’m late!” Sora shouted.
“It’s about time.” Sneer uttered. He erected a special ring and activated its energy. The gate to Destiny Island was once again open. “This portal will lead you to the secret place, Sora. I’ve relayed a message to your friends and family already. I told them everything.”
“What about Riku?”-
“I told them about his tragic demise and they plan on throwing a memorial service in his honor.” Sneer went to the preservation casket and activated an energy boost that allowed the coffin to hover in the air. He pushed it towards the gate. “Now all you have to do is push the casket and walk right through. Your friends and family should be meeting you there on the other side. I told them so to do.”
“What will happen once we’re through?”-
“Then, I will dismantle this gate so it can never be used again. As an effect, the door on your side will vanish entirely and your world will be separated from all other worlds forever.”-
“Is there a chance that I’ll ever see any of my friends again?”-
“I don’t know. Unless, the portals are rebuilt and opened again, there is no guarantee that of that. But perhaps maybe you will see them again. Oceansburg will maintain one of the portals. Perhaps one day, you will see your friends again.”-
“Sora…” Kairi uttered. “Let’s go home…”
“Yeah…” Sora placed his arm around her. He then turned to Sneer. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.” He stretched out his hand. The old frog smiled and shook hands.
“In reality, Sora,” he uttered in that wise, old voice, “it should be me thanking you. You’ve gone beyond the call of duty. Take care and good luck.”
Kairi and Sora glanced and smiled. Sneer stepped back and watched as the two moved through bright light of the portal. In an instant, the friends were finally home.

Not long after there arrival back on Destiny Island, the memorial service in honor of Riku was held. Even in the warm sun and the cool breeze, a great shadow of sorrow and sadness covered the island. Riku’s body was cleaned and clothed. He was again placed in the same casket. In his hand, his custom made keyblade was buried with him. They made sure to bury him on the little island just a little off shore, where he had his spars with this friends and where he always sat and organized his thoughts. A headstone made of marble and embroidered in gold, was placed over the grave. Words of sentiment and love were inscribed upon the stone surface.
Sora always went to visit the grave of his oldest friend, placing fresh flowers at the headstone. Sora would clean the stone and dust around it and would stay there for hours on end. This continued for three weeks. Despite Sora’s promise to Riku, to live his life to the fullest and to always act as if he were still there, the sorrow still wore heavily in his heart.
Then, one day, as the sun went down and everyone had returned home, Sora was left alone on the island, at the grave of Riku. He once again placed fresh flowers at his grave.
“Life has been good, Riku.” Sora uttered. “But despite my best, I am not able to relinquish this sorrow and let it pass. I just wish that I had one more day with you, just one more day to talk to you. But I know that it’s all just hopeless wishing…” Sora stood up and began to walk down the beach to where his boat was tied. But as he walked, he saw a column of light approaching him. However, instead of being scared at what he saw, Sora remained relax, as if he knew this presence. In that column of light, the form of an old friend appeared.
“Sora…” it uttered.
“R…Riku?” Sora said.
“Yes, Sora, it’s me…” The form of Riku manifested itself from the beam of light. Like a ghost, a transparent apparition, the figure of Riku appeared before the young key bearer. Eventually, the manifestation took physical form.
“Riku…” Sora’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’ve come back to visit. I was given the privilege to seeing you again because of the sacrifice I made. I was allowed to stay here until the sun sets completely.”-
“But that’s not long enough. That’s only for another thirty minutes.”-
“Then, why don’t we spend it doing what we do best?” Riku thumb pointed to a pair of old wooden swords leaning against the stone wall at the beach head.
“Alright!” Sora picked up the wooden swords and each took one.
“This is how our time should be spent.” Riku chuckled.
“Let’s go!” Sora said. “And don’t hold back!”
The two attacked and locked in combat. In the final half hour they had together, the two grappled against each other as if nothing had changed, like it was their daily sparring routine.
“Just like old times eh, Riku?” Sora asked.
“This is the best fight I’ve had.” Riku replied. The sparring lasted for almost the entire half hour. Finally, in a final attempt to strike, Sora used the power of the Amakakeru ryu no Hirameki, which he learned from Kenshin, as a coup de grace. Riku fell to his knees as the defeated.
“Sorry about that.” Sora said. “Did that hurt?”
“No.” Riku uttered. “Besides, I’m already dead.” The two sat on the beach and gazed into the setting sun, which now began to hide itself behind the clouds in the horizon. “It’s been great seeing you again, Sora. But now, I must be on my way.” Riku stood up and dusted the sand from his black overcoat.
“Must you go now, Riku?”-
“Was it worth my being here?”-
“More than you think. But it seemed so fast.”-
“Time marches on for us, Sora.” Riku placed his hands on Sora’s shoulders. Then, he placed Sora close to him and hugged him tightly. “This is over for now, but there will be another time in the future.” Sora’s eyes filled with tears and began to roll down his cheek. He nuzzled himself tightly against Riku, taking in the warmth of his being for one last time. Riku then gazed into his friend’s eyes. “Don’t cry for me, Sora. This isn’t the end, but only the beginning. Live your life to the fullest and I swear, we will meet again.”
“Riku…”-
“Take care of Kairi and everyone else. It’s up to you now.”-
“Good bye…Riku…”-
Once again, Riku’s being began to diminish as he became more transparent with every passing second. Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light that nearly blinded Sora. Sora then gazed up to see grand pair of wings emerge on Riku’s back.
“Sora.” Riku uttered. “The evil has diminished…”
“What do you mean?” Sora asked.
“The evil has diminished…”-
With that the spirit of Riku vanished into the dusk sky. Sora was once again alone, but he never took his eyes off Riku’s spirit and watched on till the last moment. Now, it was up to Sora to protect his home and all within it. He smiled, wiping the tears from his eyes. The breeze of the island blew gently in his hair as it had done in years long passed. He gazed once more at Riku’s grave.
“It’s over then…” Sora said. “It’s finally over…” With that, he turned towards the dock and took his boat home. Another day had ended for Sora and his friends. And so did a legacy. Without a second thought, without a second glance, Sora looked forward, hoping for a new day and a new future…

In the period of those three weeks, since the end of Sora’s adventure, combined forces of Saiyan, Colnt, and Alliance forces took over the city of Gombria. Soon after, Vandor itself fell. In the process, Lords Dextera Viro and Drako Arakis were killed by the Z team. Eventually, even Lord Cavendish was defeated as well, in a great battle three days later. With the fall of the Three Excellencies and the two major cities in ruin, the Imperial forces collapsed from within. The reign of the Dark Empire, which had lasted for over fourteen thousand years, was over.

End   
And so the doors close on the epic tail of Kingdom Hearts: The Third Epic. None have come with so much adventure, so much drama, so much tragedy. But stories, like all good things, have to come to an end. For Riku and Sora, this was the end...
© 2005 - 2024 LordCavendish
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sophloulou's avatar
I cryed while reading this its so sad but it was really sweet at the end
and the drama was just amazing