Chapter 8

The last door stood in front of us. Riku got out the card, "He said this will draw out Ansem..."

I sighed, "This is it... time to face Him!"

"We'll face him together!" Mickey said.

"Sorry... but I gotta face him alone." Riku said.

"What?" I looked at him.

"There's no point in doing this If I can't do this on my own." he said. "But I do need a favor. If Ansem wins, he's going to enslave me. If that happens, use your powers to destr-" I gasped at this.

"Of course! We'll be right right there to save ya!" Mickey said and I sighed with a smile.

"Huh? No, that's not it. I want you guys to-"

"Riku, just stop a second!" I said, sternly. "We'll always be there for you... I'll always be there for you."

"But-"

"No ands, ifs, or buts about it!" I giggled, "It's your fault for making me love you!"

"So, it's my fault you guys are stick with me?" we nodded at this and he chuckled, "Well, looks like I did something right for a change..."

khkhkh

We waited on the first floor for Riku. I closed my eyes and hoped he would be okay on his own. "Mickey, are you worried at all?"

"Nah, I know how strong he is!" Mickey said. "Even if he does, we can save him!"

"That's true..." I looked at the door and sat down, "I'm going to take a nap. Wake me when he's back!"

"Just relax, Reese. I watch 'cha."

khkhkh

in my mind...

"Insolent brat!" Ansem throw a dark ball at Riku and he block it. He slashed.

"Ansem!" Riku rushed towards him and slashed through him. "This is the end!"

"No... this is... hardly... the end..." he groaned, "Your darkness- I gave it... all to you... My dark shadow... lingers... Someday... someday... I will return!" he exploded with darkness covering the whole room. Riku got hit with all of it.

"Riku!" I yelled and he passed out. I dove deeper into his heart.

"Sora... Kairi... Piri..." he was about to be lost, but I wasn't going to let that happen.

"I know you wanted to do this alone..." I said and he turned to me. "But we were just getting on to Sora for giving up!"

"Piri? You're a phantom again..." he said and I looked at myself.

"Hold on..." I bursted with light and was completely present. "Here, let me help you..." I put his arm over my shoulder and we flew out of the darkness. We ended up back on the first floor and near the exit to the castle.

"Phew! I'm glad you're okay, Piri..." Mickey said, "You suddenly disappeared."

I smiled, "No need. I was with Riku."

"Of course!" Mickey said, "So what are you two going to do now? Gonna go home?"

"I can't go home- not yet." Riku said, "It's still here! It's faint but I can sense him. So I think his darkness still has a hold on me."

"Your darkness belongs to you." I said, "That, and your light."

"Up til now, I thought darkness was something that should never exist." Mickey stated, "I spent time with you two and changed my mind."

"Light and darkness- That's it!" I realised what my grandmother was telling me. "In my grandma's story, she told me how they need to be a balance. If I did keep that balance, I'll achieve great things."

"The road you two choose is unique- a balance between them, back to back. I think they'll meet in a way no one's seen before. I'd like to follow that road with you guys!" he put his hand in the middle. I was flattered.

"Your majesty, I don't know what to say..." Riku put his hand in the middle and looked at me.

"I do!" I put my hand on top of theirs, "Welcome to the party, your majesty!" they both laughed with me.

"Gosh, you know don't have to call me that! We're pals." he said and I scratched the back of my head.

"Oh, yeah... hehe..." I forgot about that.

"So, where to next guys?" Riku asked.

"I need to look from my grandmother." I said. "I think, first we need to go to Hollow Baston and get Leon and the others to help."

"Why Hollow Baston?" Mickey asked.

"That's were my original home is... before Maleficent took over." I said.

"How do you know?" Riku asked.

"I lived with Lightning, Serah, Grandpa and Grandma Ice Cream, and my brother while Aqua resumed with her training. When Serah told me Hollow Baston was her home, I connected the dots and found out Hollow Baston is actually Radiant Garden!"

"You remembered!" Riku smiled. "I've always want to ask but I was afraid I'd upset you."

"Well, now we know where we are going... so let's go!" Mickey said and I nodded in agreement.

"Wait! Mickey can I talk to Reese?" Riku asked. I kinda like him calling me that.

"I'll wait outside." He smiled and left. I turned to Riku.

"What's up, Riku?" I tilted my head. He sighed and pull out a paopu fruit. I gasped at this.

"You said you wanted to try it, so..." he tossed it to me and I caught it.

"Yeah, but with you!" I smiled and he pulled me into a gentle hug. We both held it and broke it in half. I held it up to my mouth but stop. "What if the legend isn't true?"

"We may never know if we don't try it." He sighed then smiled, "I never heard you doubt the legend of the paopu fruit before."

"Well, you ready?" I asked with a smile.

"Of course!" he smiled, holding the fruit to his mouth. Me, doing the same thing. We took a bite out of our halves at the same time. The sweetness of the fruit made my senses relax and tingle. I closed my eyes and memories of me and Riku came to mind. Relaxing and drawing pictures in the stars. Laughing at some of them.

I smiled and opened my eyes, "Thank you for everything Riku."

"You don't need to thank me. I love you no matter what." He said and I hugged him.

I still had the same vision as before, nothing changed. I hugged tighter and started to silently cry. The silent crying turned to quiet sobs, which turned into loud whimper sobs.

"Hey, it's going to be okay, Reese." He rubbed my back. He then picked me up, bridal style. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"What about what Lumina said?" I asked.

"I still love you." He kissed me passionately and I cupped his cheek. "You'll be in my heart... Always."

khkhkh

We where walking down this path with The Organization coat on and DiZ stood in the intersection of the road.

"What are you making us choose now?" Riku asked.

"Between the road to light and the road to darkness."

"Neither suits me." Riku walked forward, "I'm taking the middle road."

"Wait for me!" I run after him.

"Do you mean the twilight road to nightfall?" I shook my head at this.

"I don't think so... more like..." I tried to think of something until Riku said something.

"It's the road to dawn."