A Second Chance

The Truth Is A Bitter Pill To Swallow

We're about to see deviations from the KH3 plot really soon. Why? Cause it's bullshit to wait until the very end to save Aqua/Ven/Roxas/etc., and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have a mutiny on my hands if I wait much longer for these reunions XD

(... This is my favorite chapter yet.)

[YEN SID'S TOWER]

"Sora," you say for what has to be the twentieth time, patting the taller brunet on the back as he hangs off of you in a tight hug. "I'm not leaving forever..."

"You're gonna choke her out," Donald complains with a huff, watching as Sora clings to you for dear life.

The four of you are standing on the small hill where Master Yen Sid's tower is located, figuring this was the safest place for you to get off the ship and depart to meet up with Riku. Donald and Goofy had given you normal farewells for people you had just met days before. Sora was struggling a bit.

"Sorry, sorry!" Sora quickly stammers, releasing you as he still holds onto your shoulders, smoothing out your clothes as he studies you. "I just don't like the idea of you going out there all by yourself."

"I've traveled the Lanes so many times before," you point out with a flippant wave of your hand. "Radiant Garden's not so far away. What's the worst that could happen?"

"You of all people should know never to say something like that," Sora points out with an annoyed look at you.

... Well, he had a point.

"I'll be fine," you assure the boy, shrugging off his hands so you can instead place yours on his shoulders, gently shaking some sense into him. "Text you when I get there."

"Facetime so I know it's you," Sora corrects.

You just stare at him for a few seconds, wondering when he became your protector, before you give a sigh.

"Fine, dad, I'll call," you promise, patting his shoulders before turning to Donald and Goofy. "See ya guys."

"Bye-bye, [Name]," Goofy tells you with another quick hug.

"Don't die," Donald adds with a thumbs up.

You give the duck a mocking grin before you take a couple steps away from them, summoning your Keyblade and holding it in front of you. Pointing it down towards the ground, you make sure you're in a comfortable stance before you throw it into the air. The light purple weapon soars up, transforming into a space bike with a flash of light. The bike flies down towards you and you hop on, now covered in durable armor, your face hidden with a helmet.

"Be safe," you call out to them, your gaze lingering on Sora for one second.

He's smiling, but you can tell it's forced. Swallowing a rough lump in your throat, you glance up, kicking off and speeding towards the sky. You break through the atmosphere, soaring through the endless space towards Radiant Garden as fast as you can go. It felt so good being up here, free and alive, that the guilt at leaving your friends is soon gone, replaced with unbridled joy and something you hadn't truly felt in so long.

Hope.

Sora watches as long as he can, clinging to your retreating figure for as long as possible until he has to admit to himself that you're gone, off towards his best friend. He wasn't jealous. You were on your path, which was saving your friends to help him fight off the darkness and save the worlds. He just couldn't shake the feeling that he wished he could help you, instead of Riku.

But he's not the one who became a Keyblade Master. So of course you'd have to leave, to find someone more worthy of assisting you.

"You made the right decision. Letting her go."