Kingdom Hearts III: The Streamlined Edition

Chapter 10: Radiant Garden

The music room of Stone Manor was beautifully draped with night black curtains that adorned the walls of silver brocade. The floor was gray, with an extremely reflective surface. The style of the room was Art Deco, with Art Nouveau furniture. Even though its purpose was to provide music for the house, Xehanort had already placed his piano inside the ballroom and as a result, this room was a last-minute request made by Myde (or Demyx as Sora had known him), mostly so that he could play his sitar in peace.

In the early hours of a new day, Myde was sitting on his throne of silver and black velvet, alone and moodily plucking his sitar that he used as a weapon. He seemed almost glad that Elrena had been done in, given the way she called him a "hallow bastard". But he could not sleep, knowing that the part of Xehanort's heart that lay within him was angry that Sora had managed to defeat her, again with no help from the cards of Castle Oblivion. Now the master was having his sights set on finding not vessel, but two to take Elrena's place. Fortunately, he had another girl as backup.

He glanced up as the door opened, in stepped Even. He paused in his playing to see his silhouette standing in the doorway.

"Why not you and I launch a coup?" he asked.

Myde smirked.

"I reckon you don't care for Xehanort as much as I do?"

"Absolutely," replied Even. "I never imagined myself saying this, but he's madder than I am."

Myde strummed three notes from his sitar.

"And to think he sees me as the manchild of the Order."

"Not necessarily true, given the fact that you had a strong heart in your previous life. I think you will make a great asset."

Myde smiled at this.

"I have sent Ansem the Wise on ahead," Even went on. "We will meet him and the others in the castle's computer room."

In the year that passed, Radiant Garden had been completely restored to it's former glory...except for maybe one or two things that needed a good polishing. But they were minor compared to the rest of the town. The fountains were running waters of clear, pure liquid and skies were as pink and peaceful as always.

Sora, Donald, Goofy, Mickey and Riku all gave the world an admiring gaze. The restoration society's work had finally paid off.

"It looks so beautiful now," Sora mused.

A small eruption, almost completely inaudible, burned in his belly.

"But I am kinda hungry," he admitted. "Anyone up for lunch?"

"I am!" everyone else raised their right arms.

So off they went to find a nice bistro or a cafe. They made their way down the Main Street, passing shops that thrived with clothes, jewelry, trinkets, knickknacks, books, toys and anything else a proper village could offer. Sora felt like wanting to buy Kairi a nice gift, but food had become the most forward thought in his mind he needed the entry. He could always come back another day once Master Xehanort and the others were finished for good.

Along the way, they came across Merlin's cottage. Squall Leonhart and his fellow restoration committee members were there, sharing a pint of Budweiser, (it was Cid who suggested the idea), when Sora and crew came up. Leon just smiled, Yuffie beamed and Aerith would have clapped her hands with joy if she wasn't so reserved.

"Welcome back!" the flower girl from Midgar waved to the approaching heroes.

Sora gave her and Squall a high-five. He figured Cloud was nowhere to be seen considering he and Sephiroth disappeared after their last battle. The others presumed him dead and called it a day, Sora had some confidence that he was still alive.